Stephenson

Richard J. Stephenson, 85, of Butler died Monday evening at the Shelbourne Assisted Living facility.

He was born in Butler, May 27, 1926, a son of the late John and Mary Vogel Stephenson.

Dick was a retired master plumber and maintenance supervisor for the Duquesne Light Co. in Pittsburgh and Beaver County. He retired March 1, 1985, after more than 37 years employment. He was a 60-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

An avid sportsman, he liked to play golf, baseball and softball and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Butler.

Dick was a World War II veteran, who proudly served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater. He was awarded the American and Pacific Theater ribbons and the Victory Medal.

Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Florence Sheppeck Stephenson, who he married Oct. 19, 1946; two children, Gary E. Stephenson and his wife, Sandra, of Fairview, Erie County, and Regina Puschnigg of Ligonier; two sisters, Mary Gould in Florida and Eileen Pickett and her husband, William, in Virginia; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel J. Stephenson; two brothers, and two sisters.

<B>STEPHENSON </B>— Friends of Richard J. Stephenson, who died Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, will be received at <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Paul Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Interment, with military honors provided by the Honor Guard of the Butler VFW Post 249 and the American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora, will be at Butler County Memorial Park.The St. Paul Catholic Womens Group will recite the rosary at 9:40 a.m. at the church.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.