Dale Stephens

Dale Stephens, age 71, of Scranton, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton. Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery. Marv Kunce, Kim Bates, Neal Hoyt, Glen Hoyt, Randy Hoyt, Charlie Duff, Ray Gaule, and Chuck Cooper. Born on December 11, 1937, in Taylor County, near Clearfield, Iowa. He was the son of Donald and Ilah (Ridpath) Stephens. He grew up in Taylor County and graduated from Clearfield High School in 1956. He then served in the United States Air Force for four years. After his military career, he attended Northwest Missouri State College and graduated with a B.S. in Education. On August 10, 1963, he and Sarah Ferguson were married at the United Presbyterian Church in Clearfield. Later he earned his Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa. Dale was a high school math teacher for 29 years, 17 of them in Scranton, and retired in 1995. After retirement he worked at Don’s Hardware in Jefferson for 14 years. He was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon, NEA, ISEA , Kiwanis, Kids With a Connection, and the Community Players Theater Group in Jefferson. He was a long-time member of the Scranton UM Church and served as a worship leader, sang in the choir, and worked with youth. In 2009, he and his wife transferred their membership to the First Presbyterian church. He enjoyed woodworking, painting quilt blocks, mission trips, Helping Hands, and volunteering throughout the community. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family, especially his 10 grandkids. Surviving are his wife Sarah Stephens of Scranton; a daughter Janet Hensen and her husband Lance of Seymour, Indiana; a daughter Julie Verdoorn and her husband Marty of Bentonville, Arkansas; a daughter Jodi Stephens of Lawson, Missouri; a daughter Jeri Dobson and her husband Aaron of Lawson, Missouri; a brother Darrel Stephens of Clearfield, Iowa; and grandchildren: Stephanie, Ian, Zoe, Colin, Andrew, Jason, Diesel, Ilah, Nathan, and Kannon. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry.