Michael Stephens

Michael P. Stephens, 70, left this life Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, after a year-long battle against leukemia.

He was born Aug. 14, 1946, son of Herbert L. and Jane Avolyn DeGuire Stephens. He grew up in Fredericktown, Missouri.

In October 1966, he and Martha Kinder were married at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Fredericktown. Days later, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, went through training and served in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces.

Later, he joined his parents in business in Cape Girardeau -- the Flaming Pit Restaurant -- until they retired in 1980 and sold the business. He then worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Cape Girardeau until his retirement in 2005.

Mike is survived by his wife, Martha Kinder Stephens; a son, Patrick Stephens, and his wife and daughter, Yumi and Asley Stephens, of Hitachi, Japan; and a daughter, Sarah Dix, and her husband and daughters, Jim, Maggie and Lucy Dix of Festus, Missouri. His grandchildren from his oldest son, the late Sam Stephens, are Seth (Christy) Stephens of Columbia, South Carolina, Zachary Stephens of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Chelsea (Cory) Lampton and her son, Paxton Lampton, of San Antonio. Mike also is survived by his mother, Jane Stephens; and his sister, Susan Elrod, both of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert L. Stephens; and his beloved son, Samuel L. Stephens.

Mike was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He also was a member of La Croix United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at La Croix United Methodist Church on Lexington Avenue, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.