Vernon Stephens

Stephens, Vernon, of St. Peters, Missouri, passed peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at the age of 60. Cherished husband of Diane Stephens (nee Buchholz); dear son of the late Carl Leroy and the late Frances Marie Stephens. He was a loving father of Kyle (Jamie) and Kevin Stephens, Bob, David (Cynthia) and Chris (Melissa) Kaiser, Carol Maserang and Carla (David) Gavril. He is a dear grandfather to 11 wonderful children: Natalie Kaiser, Nicholas, Jeremy and Cameron French, Nicholas and Mitchell Maserang, Alex, Brandon, and Austin Kaiser, Sydney Stephens and Jackson Gavril. He was a dear brother to Linda Queen; dear nephew to Mildred Kuykendall; and the very best friend to the family dog, Sincere. Vernon was a loving brother, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin and good friend to many. He was an Electrical Engineer for Air Products and Chemicals. He enjoyed the outdoors, boating and camping with his family and friends on the lake. He was a coach for many teams and in life as well. He loved to tell a good joke and even some bad ones too. Waffle House will surely miss him and so will Sincere, his loyal best friend! He was involved with Boy Scouts of America. He loved his music, and always wanted to create wonderful memories to cherish for ever. He was devoted to his family. Memorials may be made to the St. Louis Heart Association or St. Charles Humane Society. He had become very passionate for the protection and rehabilitation to saving dogs and especially Pit bulls. SAFELY HOME I am home in heaven, dear ones, Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty, In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in heaven at last. Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade? Oh! But Jesus' love illumined Every dark and fearful glade. And He came Himself to meet me, In that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus' arm to lean on, Could I have one doubt or dread? Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth's shadows, Pray to trust our Father's Will. There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth You shall rest in Jesus' land. When that work is all completed, He will gently call you home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come! We will always love you and will forever miss you.