Donald T. Stevens

MADISON WIS./ROCKFORD - Donald T. Stevens passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Oakwood Retirement Center in Madison, Wis. He was born March 15, 1918 on the family farm in Manchester Township to Raymond and Lizzie (Cutter) Stevens. He attended Center School in Manchester Township and Belvidere High School. Don served as a Staff Sergeant and Drill Instructor in the United States Army-Air Force from 1942-1945 and was also a Certified Airplane Maintenance Technician. He served at Pensacola, Florida and later in Denver, Colorado. He married Doris L. Borg on June 1, 1944 in Denver, Colorado. He worked for Commercial Refrigeration in Rockford, Illinois and later became co-owner of the business for a total of 35 years. Don and Doris were charter members of Shepherd of the Valley Church in Rockford, Illinois. They moved to Ocala, Florida in 1981 and later to Leesburg, Florida where they became members of Gloria Dei. In August 2009, they were blessed to move to Madison, Wis. to be near to and cared for by their niece, Joellyn Kobler. Don enjoyed billiards, golf, and hunting as well as creating beautiful pieces of jewelry through his lapidermy work. Don is survived by his wife, Doris of Madison, Wis., sisters, Elma (Robert) Harnish of Caledonia, Ill., Dorothy Kleczewski and friend, Herman Zick of Rockford, Ill., brother Raymond (Pat) Stevens of Rockford, Ill., his niece, Joellyn (Eric) Kobler of Sun Prairie, Wis., nephew Brian (Caren Christensen) Borg of Clinton, Wis., as well as many more nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Ralph, and sister, Pearl Olson. Don will be fondly remembered as a very kind, loving, and gentle person. A memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD VILLAGE PRAIRIE RIDGE, TREE OF LIFE CHAPEL, 5565 Tancho Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial donations may be made in Don’s name to the Shepherd of the Valley Church in Rockford, Illinois.