Howard E. Stephens, 97, passed away December 10, 2016, in Gustine. Mr. Stephens was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Olive G. and Randolph B. Stephens.

He moved to Gustine and was a 1938 graduate of Gustine High School.

A World War II veteran, Mr. Stephens was a sergeant who served in the 2nd Air Division of the 8th Army Air Force from December 1942 to October 1945. His battles and campaigns included Central Europe GO 45 WD 45 Ardennes Normandy Northern France and Rhineland Air Offensive Europe Southern France GO 33 WD 45. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with seven Bronze Stars and two Overseas Service Bars.

He married his wife of sixty-seven years, Jean E. Menzel, in 1945.

Mr. Stephens was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He joined the Merced County Fire Department in 1949, and retired after thirty years of service as a fire engineer. He also worked as an ambulance driver for Riggs Ambulance Service.

Mr. Stephens was a life member of the Gustine Historical Society, and a member of the Gustine Volunteer Fire Department.

He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He will be missed by his children, Michael Roy Stephens (Sue) of Gustine, Paula Joy Stephens-Hagan (Norman) of Gustine, Timothy Dale Stephens (Yolanda) of Milpitas, Howard Neal Stephens (Linda) of Redding, and Lorna Jean Dudys (Mark) of Los Banos; twelve grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean E. Stephens; his parents, Olive G. and Randolph B. Stephens; a brother and two sisters.

Graveside services will be held Monday, Dec. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 West McCabe Road, Santa Nella.

Services are under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels, Los Banos.

Published in The West Side Index & Gustine Press-Standard.