Passed away peacefully at his home, with his loving wife by his side on December 14, 2021 at the age of 89. Beloved husband of Liz (Olmstead) Stephens for 61 years. Cherished father of John Stephens of London, Mark (Jane) Stephens of Edmonton, AB, Lori (Michael) Stephens of Port Albert, and Lynn Hope of Exeter. Adored Papa of Maxene; Toni (Zach), Sharla (Josh); Brian, and Sarah and Great papa to Lola and Luci. Brother of Jim (Sandra) Stephens of P.E.I, and Bob (Gill) Stephens of St. Mary’s. Fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews and the Olmstead Family. Predeceased by his loving parents and sister Miriam (Carl) Ethelston.
John worked for many years at the Centralia College as an economics teacher. In his free time, John was a very active member of the Exeter community. He was an active member of the Exeter Lions Club for over 50 years, and was proud to be awarded Citizen of the Year in 1995. John was an instrumental influence in the development of MacNaughton Park and the South Huron Rec Centre. During retirement, John and Liz traveled from Alaska to Australia, and even China. While traveling, they attended many International Lions Conventions throughout the world. John enjoyed his winters at Myrtle Beach and spent much of that time golfing with his beloved wife Liz. Fond family memories that will be cherished forever are camping at Long Point, floating cucumber boats down the Ausable river with the grandkids, and watching his favourite Red Wings team with the family.
Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 18th at the Exeter Cemetery.
The planned public come and go celebration of life to be held on John’s 90th Birthday, January 8th at the Exeter Lions Youth Centre has now been postponed. With the increase in area Covid-19 cases the family has opted to reschedule John’s celebration to a more appropriate time down the road.
Donations to the Exeter Lions Club, South Huron Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Paul & Beth Anstett
Liz & Family,
We are saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was a fine humanitarian and wonderful mentor over the years of contributing to the betterment of our community. He will be remembered fondly.
Paul & Beth Anstett & Family
Mario Levesque
Liz and the Stephens family, I am sorry for your loss.
I got to know John through Centralia College and enjoyed working with him and the Lions Club for the Macnaughton Scenic Gardens. John was the consummate professional and always community minded. A great loss for sure.
Mario Levesque
Carolyn Woodburn
Liz,I worked with you @ Exeter Hospital many years(48-52) ago and remember tou as a good nurse and person.I was checking another obituary and saw your husband’s obituary. You looked liked you have had a great life together! May your many good memories and your family help you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Carolyn Woodburn
Glenda Lather
Just heard today of John’s passing. Heartfelt sympathy to you Liz and all of your family. John was a great guy to work with at Centralia College, always friendly and easy to talk to. He certainly has left his mark on the many students he taught, the staff he worked with and the community he lived in. Glenda and Mel Lather
Lynne Dobson
Lynn, Liz and the whole family,
John was a great guy and it was nice to chat with him over the years.
Thinking of you all in the days ahead as you celebrate the memories and the life you shared together. Sincerely,
Lynne
Jackie Riehl
Liz and family,
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. Thinking of your family during this time
Elda Riehl & family
Larry & Hilda Wainwright
Liz and Family
Lion Hilda and I are saddened to hear of Lion John’s passing. Over the years I have had the opportunity to be trained by Lion John as a Zone Chair, Deputy District Governor and Governor as well as many opportunities at District officers school and MDA training sessions. He and the rest of A15 and MDA training team made sure everyone was properly trained and understood their responsibilities. I used to enjoy his protocol sessions. Always a great and caring Lion to talk to. He will certainly be missed by the Exeter Lions Club and definitely by his fellow past Council Chairs and District Governors. Proud to have had the honour and privilege to serve with him in Lions. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad and difficult time.
Yours in Lions service
PDG Lion Larry and Lion Hilda Wainwright and Otis
George and Sue Wilson
Liz and family, sorry for your loss. Cherish your precious memories. Hugs and prayers, George and Sue Wilson
Doug Ellison
Very sorry to hear of John’s passing- a good man and nice guy- enjoyed my time with John in Lions- de
Nancy and John Brash
Liz and family
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was truly a great Lion and gentleman. We think back to our trip to China with you both and all the fun times we had. Such good memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely
John and Nancy Brash
Flo and Jack Underwood
Dear Liz and family.
Our deepest condolences on John’s passing. He will be well remembered by students and the community of Exeter. I enjoyed my years of working with John at Centralia College.
Memories are the greatest. God Bless.
Flo, Jack and Family
Gaylan and Evelyn Josephson
Liz and family
We extend our sincere condolences to you in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather.
We spent many years working at Centralis College, where John was well respected.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time
Evelyn and Evelyn
Anna Pace
Dear Liz. Our condolences on John’s passing. Our thoughts are with you. It is lovely to see so many tributes to him and his life
Pat Ryan
Sincere condolences from the Lucan and District Lions Club.
Karen & Bill McNeight
So sorry to hear of John’s passing, he was such a kind gentleman.
Kate Monk
Our sincere condolences to you at this sad time. John has left a wonderful legacy in our community, including the park and trail which people will enjoy for generations.
Denise mckibben
Aunt Liz, Lori, Lynn, John & Mark, my prayers for comfort and condolences for your families are on my heart. 🙏🏼
Yvonne/ Jim Barnetson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Liz and family!
Jim worked with John in Lions!
He was a great guy!
John will be missed!
Doug and Brenda McRae
We are saddened to hear of John’s passsing. I will remember him as a knowledgeable and dedicated teacher, and a trusted and respected advisor during my years as a student and staff member at CCAT. John had a remarkable life and he has left a lasting legacy. We pray that warm memories will sustain his family during this difficult time.
Doug and Brenda McRae
Cy & Eleanor Blommaert
Our deepest condolences to the Stephens Family
Cy & Eleanor
Jim Chapman
Liz
John, Mark, Lori, Lynn and families
My sincere sympathy to all of you. He will be missed by many but there are
so many great memories that the hurt will go away through time. You were/are
blessed to be his family.
Tanya Allen
Liz & family,
Sending my sincere condolences to you & the family. I have many memories of our time shared on Riverside Drive. Thinking of you all
Sincerely Tanya Delbridge-Allen
MARK R PENHALE
John was a great teacher, a wonderful person and a friend.
He will be missed.
Rest peacefully John
Blessings to the Stephens family
Brenda Palsa
Liz, Lori, Toni and family- my heartfelt condolences on the loss of John. A true gentleman, kind, giving, cherish his memory – he would be so proud of all his nurse girls and grateful for the care and love you always gave him.
Donald Cameron
Liz, Hélène and I extend our most sincere best wishes to you and family. I remember John so well from the extremely enjoyable time we spent at Centralia College together. We had so many good times then, as we were all not only colleagues but also good friends. As you know, John was my mentor for my time on Exeter Council and I remember fondly how helpful he was during that part of my life. May the support of family and friends help during this period of sadness. Don and Hélène Cameron, Surrey, BC.
Jim O'Toole
I have many memories of good times spent with John at Centralia College and also on the golf course. He was always very involved in good projects whether at the College, in the Community or with the Exeter Lions Club. A job well done. Our sincere condolences Liz to you and all your family.
Jim and Sharon O’Toole
MaryJane Taylor
My Sincere Sympathy on your loss of John.
Wishing you comfort and peace….
Cathie Alexander
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Christopher Keller
Our condolences to the family. He will certainly be missed at Lions. When John spoke, he had every Lions attention which showed the respect he had from ALL other members. Once I said to him during an Executive meeting with everyone listening, “John I heard that you were a Provincial Boxing Champion.” He turned and looked at me, smirked and replied. “No Chris…..National….” It was so witty but also true! We all had a good laugh with John that night.
We are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Chris Keller & Shelly Campbell
Bev Connelly
Heartfelt condolences, Liz or as George would have said “Elizabeth” on the loss of John. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Cherish your wonderful memories. Sincerely Bev.
MaryJane Taylor
My Sincere Sympathy Liz and Your Family.
Wishing you all comfort and peace in your loss of John …
Gary Ross
Connie and I pass on our condolences to you and your family. We feel your loss as we think that both you and John are two of the finest people we have had the pleasure to meet and know . We are some of the very luck people who had the pleasure to know John and experience his upscale quality personality and his love for both you and family. We will miss seeing you both in Myrtle, but will have fond memories of him for the rest of our lives.
Melonie Miller
Liz & family
Our condolences & thoughts are with you.
John taught Barry at Centralia College many years ago. He was a well liked & respected teacher. And I nursed with you Liz for a short time… good good people, May your memories hold you close ♥️
Barry & Melonie Miller
Joyce McBeath
My sympathy to you Liz and your family on your loss
Bev and Barbara Shipley
Our deepest condolences to the Stephens’ family. We knew John through our time at Centralia College, and we pray that you are blessed with many many happy family memories to comfort you over the coming months and years.
Sincerely, Bev and Barb Shipley
Brian Oldfield
Dear family,
Sending sincere condolences . I remember Mr. Stephens as an excellent teacher during my time at Centralia College.
Elaine Tomlinson
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Reflect on the many memories you and John shared.
Sincerely Elaine and Jim Tomlinson
John Giffin
To all the Stephens Family I’m sorry for your loss and sending hugs to you all.
Jim & Betty DeBlock
Liz and family,
Thinking of you and family at this sad time ,
So sorry to hear about John we always enjoyed talking with him especially about Centralia College days .
Our Condolences. Jim and Betty Deblock
Margaret Hughes
May these days go gently for you and yours. And may many fond strong memories of your life together bring you healing and peace. Thinking of you, Liz.
Margaret and Andy Hughes
Dalton Ford
Liz and Lynn, and the extended Stephens Family; my sincere condolences for your loss. I always enjoyed my interactions with John, may you find comfort in each other, and in your memories, in the days ahead. Dalt
Alma (Drouillard) Oliarnyk
Cousin Liz & family
With deepest sympathy and remembrances of times past spent with you and John. It was so good to reconnect at our 1st cousins reunions twice. Too bad Covid robbed us all of our 3rd get together.
You took such great care of John at home, now please take care and let the family help you through these upcoming Christmas celebrations.
Love to each and all
Cousin Alma
Nina Knee
Liz and Family,
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He will be truly missed. Cherish your memories during this difficult time.
Nina Knee and Family
Cheryl Becker (Dowson)
Stephens Family
My sincere condolences on the passing of John. He was a well respected man in our community. May all your great memories help your healing during this difficult time.
Cheryl
Edith and Don Lewis
Liz and Family
Our condolences to you and your family.
He was known to the community as a great person.
Thinking of you Liz at this sad and difficult time.
Cherish his memories.
Doris Wragg
Liz and to all of your family , My deepest condolences to you Liz . John was a great patriarch and role model to everyone he met. Keep all the great memories in your heart . Doris Wragg
Doug Jamieson
Liz and family:. My sincere condolences on John’s passing. He was a longtime and valued faculty member and mentor to student activities especially the college hockey team. at CCAT. His leadership in the Lions Club locally, regionally and nationally was impressive. The South Huron Recreation Centre stands as part of his considerable Legacy.
Lloyd and Carol Moore
Our deepest sympathy to you, Liz, and your family. Thinking of you at this difficult time but cherish all the great memories from the many years you had together, John and I go back many years at Centralia College. He was an awesome boss and friend during that 20+ years. So disappointed we will be unable to attend his Celebration of Life and 90th birthday in January as we will be in Florida.
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Liz, family and friends:
Sorry to learn of John’s passing, always enjoyed talking to him.
Our condolences on your loss.
Cathy Cade and Dave Frayne
Randy and Lynda Rapley
Our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Kimberly Coleman
Mr. Stephens, You are an incredible loving husband, dad, grand dad, friend.
I was privileged to be welcomed into your home as a young kid.. Loved it and I thank you.
” As there is no way I can feel your pain… I do feel your loss… Love and Peace to you and your family during this sorrowful time ”
Love Kimmy
Manpreet Kaur
Condolences to you and your family. May his soul rest in peace.
Darlene Porter
Liz and family my deepest condolences . May the memories be a blessing.
Evelyn Vincent
Lynn
Sorry to read of the passing of your father. May the good memories help bring peace and comfort
Linda Marsden
Liz and family, sending all my love and hugs
Jo-Ann Gallagher
Our deepest sympathies to Liz and family. We were sorry to hear of John’s passing. Mike and Jo-Ann Gallagher
Lynn Hope
Love you Dad <3
Jim Lynn
I have great memories of John from Centralia College where he was highly regarded by both students and staff. His positive impact on the Exeter community is a lasting legacy for his family to be very proud of at this difficult time. A life well lived.
Matt Crowley
Mr. Stephens was a good teacher and staff advisor at CCAT. Condolences to his family.
Joan Cleave
Liz, Lynn, and All of the Stephens Family:
Sending sincere condolances to you at this very sad time in your lives . I know he was “the world” to both of you, and he will be missed terribly, by you, and all that were lucky enough to have known him. It was a pleasure to call him a friend…Rest in Peace John Stephens…
Joan Cleave
Melissa Olmstead
I have fond memories of Uncle John as a kind, gentle person. My deepest condolences to Aunt Liz, my cousins and their families. Love and Prayers.
Wanda Reynolds
Liz and Family
Our thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. We remember are many times play golf at the EGC.
Bob & Wanda Reynolds
Lou Forsey
Lori, I’m so glad you had the last couple of months to spend with your dad. Thinking of you and your family. Hugs and love to you.
Bill Carson
We have lost a valued friend and travel companion of many years on joint visitations to District A15 Lions Clubs & functions. We shared many stories and enjoyed opportunity for John’s very capable mentoring acquired by him in his leadership roles over the past 50 years when served from Exeter to the highest & esteemed position of Council Chair for a large part of Ontario & portion of Quebec, Now our thoughts and prayers are offered to Liz and the family in their time of grief. Sincerely, Diane & Bill Carson.