John "Jack" F Stephens

Born May 18, 1933 in Chicago to Joseph and Catherine (Ward) Stephens, he married Barbara “Bonnie” Drake on November 6, 1980 in Pekin.  She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Jeff Stephens of Mason, Ohio; three daughters, Lisa Kapraun of Metamora, Kathy (Patrick) O’Neill of Joliet, and Karen (Steve) Huebschman of Hebron, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Brian Kapraun and Samantha Kapraun, both of Metamora, Heather O’Neill and Shannon O’Neill, both of Joliet, and Matt Stephens of Mason, Ohio; and one great-granddaughter, McKinzie O’Neill-Anderson of Joliet.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gene Stephens; one daughter, Christy Guttridge; and one sister, Mary Brennan.

A graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, Jack graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1955.  While at Notre Dame, he was First team All-American in 1954-55 and served as captain of the 1954-55 Irish basketball team.  He currently stands in 26th place on the ND career scoring list with 1,314 points, career scoring average of 15.5 points per game.  He also ranks 5th in ND history in free throws attempted (686), 10th in free throws made (426) and 19th in field goals attempted with 1,209.  He was named to the 1953 NCAA Championship All-Regional team and earned four monograms as a member of the ND basketball team.  He also played one season of ND football and earned one monogram. 

Following his graduation from Notre Dame, he was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the first round draft and was the 7th overall pick.  He played for the Hawks for one season before entering the Air Force.

A United States Air Force veteran, he was commissioned on August 2, 1955 at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.  He was honorably discharged on March 29, 1968 with the rank of Captain.

Jack worked at Pekin Community High School as a study hall supervisor from August 1993 to June 2011.

He was a member of the Notre Dame Alumni Association, Peoria Notre Dame Club, Notre Dame All Century Team 2005 (top 25 players in the first 100 years of ND basketball), Catholic League Hall of Fame, and the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame.  He was past National President of the University of Notre Dame Monogram Club.  He attended Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.

His memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where visitation will be one hour before the Mass at the church.  Father Timothy Nolan will be the celebrant.

Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Due to Notre Dame and Coach Brey’s dedication to Coaches vs. Cancer, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the South Bend/Michiana Chapter of Coaches vs. Cancer, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545.  Please note in memory of Jack Stephens.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com