Earl Wayne Stevenson

Earl Wayne Stevenson, 78, of Brazil, passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 in his home with his family by his side. He had endured a battle with Parkinson's disease for more than 20 years.

He was born on Sept. 2, 1935, the only son of Ray E. Stevenson and Amy Olean Sawyer Stevenson.

Earl graduated from Van Buren High School, Class of 1953.

On Aug. 22, 1954 he married Shirley A. Stitzle Stevenson. Together they raised their family in the Van Buren area.

Earl worked as a young man for Sherfey Furniture and American Vitrified.

His father Ray Stevenson and Earl began Stevenson Farms and the family farm continues to this day. Earl loved farming and taking care of the livestock and horses probably more than grain farming. But, even after his health began to fail, he enjoyed watching the fields being worked and was a part of the daily operations as long as he could be.

Earl was an active member of Clay County 4-H as a leader, past president of the Council and a member of the Extension Board. He was a long-time member of the Farm Bureau. He was a member of FFA in high school and was very proud that all of his grandchildren have also been members as well.

Earl also had the job of school bus driver for several years and many remember him from those days.

Mr. Stevenson has been a member of the Lena United Methodist Church and has been a trustee and a board member of the church. Earl was a devoted husband, dad and grandpa and always a gentle man.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Shirley A. Stevenson; sons Dr. Michael Stevenson of Portland, Maine, Alan Stevenson and wife Betsy and Jim Stevenson and wife Lisa, all of Brazil; grandchildren Ethan Stevenson, Paige Stevenson, Dustin Stevenson and Dakota Stevenson; two sisters, Wilma Jenkins and husband Robert of Knightsville and Norma Pugh and husband Jim of Seymour; several nieces and nephews and extended family.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Amy Stevenson; son Kenny Stevenson and brother-in-law, John Butler.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at French Funeral Home, Brazil, with Pastor Terry Jeffers officiating. Burial will follow at Calcutta Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.

The family suggests that memorial contributions in Earl's memory be made to the Lena United Methodist Church or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Light a candle in his memory at www.frenchfuneralhome.com.