R. Richard Stephenson, 84, 944 Tama Road, Rockford, died at 12:45 p.m. Dec. 3, 2008, at Colonial Nursing Center, Rockford.

He was born May 9, 1924, in Detroit, Mich., to Robert H. and Alma Bollenbacher Stephenson. On April 20, 1947, he married Sarah "Gene" Harrison, who died April 6, 2008.

Surviving are three sons, Tom (Judy) and David (Charlene), all of Rockford, and Mark (Twyla), Lake Forest, Calif.; four brothers, Charles (Anna Lee) and Larry (Joella), all of Rockford, Marlin (Laura), Wapakoneta, and Jerry (Norma), Colorado; a sister, Virginia (Maurice) Clegg, North Carolina; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was a farmer and a member of Chattanooga Methodist Church, Rockford, the American Legion, Shanes Free and Accepted Masons, the Farm Bureau and Chattanooga Grange. He taught Sunday school for over 50 years and was on the Mercer County School Board and the board of directors of Mercer Landmark and the Federal Land Bank. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was a 1942 graduate of the former Rockford High School.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Steve Oliver officiating. Burial is at Buck Cemetery, Celina, with military honors conducted by the Rockford American Legion.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday, with Masonic services at 7:30 p.m., at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina.

Contributions can be made to the church.

Condolences can be left at www.ciscofuneralhome.com.