Melvin B. Stephens

Melvin B. Stephens

Melvin B. Stephens, 84, Topeka, died Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at Rolling Hills Nursing Home in Topeka. He was born Feb. 10, 1920, at Valley Falls, the son of Minnie and Jerome T. Stephens. He farmed in the North Cedar Community at Valley Falls until 1952, when he went to work for the Santa Fe Railway. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Carmen Lodge 887, later changed to the International Union Shawnee Lodge 6887. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the church's Breakfast Club, where he had been a member since 1952. He married Marie Scarlett on July 13, 1968, at Topeka. She preceded him in death on Sept. 16, 2004. Surviving are nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 N.W. Independence Ave. Burial will be in Valley Falls Cemetery at Valley Falls. Mr. Stephens will lie in state after 1 p.m. today at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday before the se rvice. Memorial contributions may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, Sunday School Class Breakfast Club, 600 S.W. Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kan. 66603, or Heart of America Hospice, 3715 S.W. 29th, Suite 20, Topeka, Kan. 66614,. Online condolences may be sent to penwellgabel.com.