Joseph Donald Stephens

On Thursday, May 23, 2019, there will be a drop-in visitation/viewing from 5-7 p.m. and a brief Masonic ritual at Aycock Funeral Home in Stuart, FL.

The burial including military honors will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:15 at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL. At 4 p.m., a memorial service with the Reverend Carol Barron officiating will held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Stuart, FL.

Joe was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Joseph Stephens and Gertrude Iveson on January 25, 1930. He went to school at Coughlin High School . He married Gail Mitchell on April 17, 1982 in Eldersburg, MD. He graduated from Wilkes University and Temple University Kornburg School of Dentistry. He worked as a dentist in his own practices in Randallstown, MD and Eldersburg, MD for 40 years. He was a veteran and served in the Air Force.

He supported the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Maryland and was recognized as the 1965 Jaycee of the year. In 1966, he was honored as the world’s 5960 JCI Senator and entitled to all privileges as a Life Member. Throughout his life Joe was also civically involved in the Lion’s Club, neighborhood associations, hospital auxiliary and served on the board of Liberty Savings and Loan Association.

He was active in the Masonic Temple of Baltimore and a member of the vestry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Stuart, FL.

He was a member of the American Dental Association and professionally honored as a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Gail M. Stephens; his children Deborah Kalaritis (Panayiotis), Joseph Stephens, Jr. (Barbara), Roxanne Haleman (Edward) Mary Ringley (Michael) and John Stephens (Deborah); his step-children, Michael Lowe and Jennifer Lowe (Peter Kadlec); his grand-children Charles Pickett, Megan Linsenmeyer (Joe), Samantha Bradford (Ryan), Natalie Stephens, Christopher Ringley (Karli), Olivia Stephens, J. C. Stephens, Jeannine Stephens, Alexandra Stephens and Matthew Haleman; his great-grandchildren Joseph Hunter Linsenmeyer, Edward Mason Linsenmeyer, Sadie Pickett, Connor Pickett, Riley Schroder, Gwendolyn Pickett, and Colton Ringley. Joe is also survived by his first wife Joan Stephens and his cousin Al Stark (Mary Ann).

Pallbearers will be Joe Stephens, John Stephens, Panos Kalaritis, Michael Lowe.

Gail and the family ask that in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Stuart, FL or the American Cancer Society.

Gail and the family wish to extend our sincere thanks to TrustBridge Hospice of Jupiter, FL.