John Robert (Bob) Stephens, age 91, of Maryville, IL, born August 22, 1929 in Granite City, IL, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at his residence, surrounded by family.

Bob attended public school in Maryville and Collinsville and was a 1947 graduate of Collinsville Township High School. He lived in Collinsville and Maryville his entire life.

Mr. Stephens was a retired maintenance supervisor for Union Electric Company, St Louis, MO (now Ameren). He retired as a Chief Petty Officer in the Naval Air Reserves after 38 years (VR53, NAS Memphis, flight engineer).He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville . He enjoyed hunting, trap shooting, and after retirement, growing way too many tomatoes.

John was elected to receive the degrees of Freemasonry from Collinsville Lodge #712 on August 12, 1952, and was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason August 26, 1952.  He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on September 3, 1952 and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on September 30, 1952.  Brother Stephens served as Worshipful Master of Collinsville Lodge in 1962, 1964, 1996, 2007 and 2010-2011.  He became an Honorary member of several lodges during his Masonic travels.  John joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois on October 1, 1968 where he took part in many of the rituals performed at the Valley.  On June 6, 2003 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award.  On August 30, 2005 he was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33rd degree for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.  Along with his Scottish Rite affiliation, Brother Stephens also became a Nobel of Shriners International, Ainad Temple.  John was a founding board member of the Dyslexia Learning Center of Southern Illinois, where he tirelessly served and supported for over 18 years.  He served his Lodge, and his Brother Masons, and Freemasonry for over 68 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Hazel ( nee Norton) Stephens, a sister, Dorothy Rutledge, and a brother, William Stephens.

He is survived by his wife, Delores ( nee Harrison) Stephens, whom he married on July 2 ^nd , 1949; a daughter, Kathy (Robert) Young of Sandy Springs, GA, three sons: Jeff Stephens of Bothell, WA, Tommy (Melanie) Stephens of Douglasville, GA and Timothy (Dolly) Stephens of Atlanta, GA; 5 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Michael) Thompson, Erica Stephens, Grace Stephens, Mateo Stephens, Joey Stephens, and Aimee Stephens; two great-grandchildren: Brently Stephens and Luella Thompson; 5 sisters: Mary Kelly of Lake Forest, CA, Charlotte Jeane McAdoo of Collinsville, Elizabeth O'Brien of Homestead, FL, Patricia Logsdon of Collinsville, IL, and Sandra Palecek of Rio Rancho, NM and a brother, Walter (Judy) Stephens of Littleton, CO.

Private graveside services will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at St. John Cemetery, Collinsville. A memorial service will be planned for a later date.

Memorials may be made in John's honor to St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville and to the Southern Illinois Children's Dyslexia Center, Belleville and may be directed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home (2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062).

Condolences may be offered at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com.