John Wesley Stevens

John Wesley Stevens, Arroyo Grande, Calif. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Wesley Stevens passed away on March 14, 2017 in San Luis Obispo, California after a brief illness. He was born April 30, 1933 in Camden Township, Mich., to Roy and Mabel Stevens, the fourth of five children. He graduated from Reading High School in 1952. On July 31, 1955, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Ann Ward. The newlywed couple made their home in Tecumseh for 53 years where they raised four children. John faithfully worked for Tecumseh Products for 42 years before retiring. In addition to his full-time job, John was a self-taught master carpenter and mason. He tirelessly and meticulously built three custom homes for his family and remodeled six other homes with his faithful wife by his side. John was known for exquisite craftsmanship and was often hired for private custom masonry work. He proudly earned the designation of Licensed Builder from the State of Michigan Builder’s Association. In 2008, John and Marilyn sold their beloved Munger Road property and moved to San Luis Obispo, Calif., to be closer to their three daughters and grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, Marilyn; four children, Diana Aten Conwell (Wayne), Lincoln Calif., Janice (John) Erickson, Pleasanton, Calif., Kevin Stevens, Twin Lakes, Mich., Katherine (Janette) Stevens, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Ryan (Arianna) Aten, Ian and Elizabeth Erickson, Wesley Stevens, Whitney Stevens Thorson, Sofie and Ellie Janette; four great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Amber, Levi and Logan Aten; and very special nephew Stanley Zulch.

John was preceeded in death by his parents and four siblings, Wayne Stevens, Jean Kultz, Marjorie Zulch and Mary Brown.

A celebration of John's life was held in San Luis Obispo, Calif., on March 18, 2017.