Teddy Stearns

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Teddy Eugene Stearns, 85, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, at home.

He was born Sept. 7, 1922, at Murphysboro, Ill., son of Howard Eugene and Grace Lillian Turner Stearns. He and Emma Jean Johnson were married Nov. 28, 1953 at Jackson.

Stearns was a welding mechanic. He was a member of the AFL-CIO and a was a World War II Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theater.

Survivors include three daughters, Melody Robins of Marble Hill, Janice Hartline of Anna, lll., Betty Dickey of Crystal City, Mo.; two sons, Don "Waco" Stearns of Piedmont, Mo., Everett Stevens of New Orleans; six sisters, Rose Morefield of Carbondale, Ill., Susie Robinson of Cobden, Ill., Josie Jerdon of Alto Pass, Ill., Lil Williams of Makanda, Ill., Violet Shingleton of Cambria, Ill., Kay Stearns of Chicago; two brothers, Sam Stearns of Marion, Ill., Cecil Stearns of Lick Creek, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a son.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Kevin Kinnard officiating.

Burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, Mo.