Donald Stephenson

Pittsburg- DONALD E. STEPHENSON, age 58, of Pittsburg, passed away at 2:15pm on Tuesday December 27, 2005 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis. Donald was born on February 6, 1947 in Marion, IL to Charles Marion and Opal Ruth (Lollar) Stephenson. He married Sherry Meracle on November 12, 1966 in Pittsburg, IL. She survives in Pittsburg. Mr. Stephenson was a retired coal miner. He became an ordained Freewill Baptist minister in 1979. He was a member of the Grange Hall Freewill Baptist Church. Donald was a navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the United Mine Workers of America. Survivors include- His parents- Charles Marion and Opal Ruth Stephenson- Marion, IL Loving wife- Sherry Stephenson- Pittsburg, IL Daughter and son-in-law- Andria and Brian Murrah- Pittsburg, IL 2 grandsons- Ethan and Nolan Murrah- Pittsburg, IL 2 brothers- Charles and Judy Stephenson- Marion, IL Dale and Philecia Stephenson- Marion, IL 1 sister- Sharon Mandrell- Marion, IL Brother-in-law and sister-in-law- Wayne and Linda Meracle- Marion, IL 2 sister-in-laws- Mildred Meracle-Pittsburg, IL Eloise Meracle- Pittsburg, IL Several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday December 30, 2005 at the Freewill Baptist Church in Pittsburg, IL with Rev. Bill McDonald and Rev. Kevin McNeely officiating. Burial will follow at Union Grove Cemetery in Pittsburg with military rites performed by Marions American Legion Post 1301 and VFW Post 147. Visitation will be held from 5-9pm on Thursday December 29, 2005 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion and also from 10-11 am on Friday December 30, 2005 at the Freewill Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Union Grove Cemetery in Pittsburg and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com