W. Gene Stevens, 85, of Peoria, passed away at 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at Rosewood Care Center in Peoria. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013, at University United Methodist Church in Peoria, with the Rev. Paul Arnold officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens, with military honors by the U.S. Navy, at a later date. Gene was born on October 16, 1927 in Joliet, a son of Roscoe W. and Minnie Signe Elfrieda (Ahlstrand) Stevens. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Lois Marie Stevens, and son, Mark Stevens. He married Jeanette Krumpe on June 17, 1951 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Julie (Jeff) Reed of Peoria, Kathy (Dan) Whiteside of Cobden and Lynn Stevens of Terre Haute, IN; daughter-in-law, Lorrie Stevens of Houston, TX; brother, Russell (Jean) Stevens of Joliet; grandchildren, Brandon and Aaron Stevens, Rachel (Jake) Cox, Diane (Tim) Koons, Steve (Shizue) Reed and Dusty and Katie Whiteside; and great grandchildren, Lucas Cox, Jeffrey Reed and Noah Koons. Gene graduated in 1951 from Bradley University, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict and a member of University United Methodist Church. Gene retired in 1990, after thirty-six years of service, as a Design Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc. He enjoyed golfing and building model airplanes. Memorial contributions may be made in Gene’s memory to Methodist Hospice or to University United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue, in Peoria.
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Latest Condolences
| Cliff Shoemaker |
Caterpillar Powershift Transmission |
March 6, 2014 |
To Jeanette and their daughters,
I offer my sincere condolences to you and your daughters upon the passing of Gene. I unfortunately will not be able to attend the memorial service on Friday but just wanted to let you know that I was a young engineer and worked with Gene in the Caterpillar Powershift Transmission group in East Peoria in the 1960’s. I was in the Hydraulic Control group that was just on the other side of the room from Gene. He always gave me good information on locations of oil ports so that I could match them up with the controls. He was a good mentor and a great guy to be associated with.
My prayers are with you.
Cliff Shoemaker
| Ken Moline |
Retired Enginner |
June 27, 2013 |
To Jeanette and Stevens Family
Sorry to hear about Gene , I had just seen him a short time
ago. In many respects we were a little like twins . Both Navy Veterans
Graduated from Bradley in 1951 - Mechanical engineers . Married in 1951
I will miss our conversations ( sometimes fiery )
God Bless , Ken Moline
| JIM WINZELER |
FELLOW CATERPILLAR ENGINEER |
June 26, 2013 |
GENE WAS ADMIRED FOR THE SPEED THAT HE COULD DESIGN A POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION. HIS ABILITY TO COMPLETE A DESIGN IN A VERY SHORT TIME AND THEN COMPLETE THE DESIGN REFERENCE BOOK WITH ALL OF HIS CALCULATIONS. HE WAS PART OF THE FUN GROUP OF HANK, HAROLD, BIRCHTOLD, SWANSON, BILL AND MAY OTHERS IN THE DESIGN GROUP.
MY SYMPATHY TO FAMILY,
Jim Winzeler
| Larry Oetzel |
Friend |
June 26, 2013 |
I worked with Gene at Caterpillar for years and he taught me a lot. He had a great sense of humor and was a lot of fun to work with. He spoke of his family often and loved you all dearly. Gene was a good man with a kind heart and will be missed by all who know him.
| Carole Winkler |
friend |
June 25, 2013 |
I have admired Gene and enjoyed his jokes in past years. Harold always spoke fondly of him and admired his golfing ability. My sympathy to you, Jeanette.
Always,
Caroline Winkler
