Festus S. Stevens

Festus "Fes" Shaughnessy Stevens, 56, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at his home. Fes was born on August 15, 1952 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Dr. Robert and Mary Louise Shaughnessy Stevens. He married Frances V. Wenzel on September 26, 1987 in Springfield. Fes graduated from St. Louis University. His career encompassed sales and management positions, most notably his years locally at Aramark and Walgreens where he excelled at customer service. Fes was a talented stage performer who enjoyed singing and acting, performing in many shows at Theater Guild and Muni Opera. His first show was "West Side Story" in 1977. Fes was able to perform his favorite role twice, Pap Finn in "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Fes never knew a stranger and always tried to make you smile with his own unique sense of humor. Most important to Fes were his Frannie, his family, friends, golf, travel, and his Mustang convertible. He was fiercely loyal and devoted to those he loved. Preceding Fes in death are his parents and his brother, The Honorable C. Glenn Stevens. He is survived by his wife, Fran Wenzel of Springfield; his sisters, Edna Stevens of St. Louis, MO, Esther (husband, Ray) Breiding of Grand Haven, MI, Marylou (husband, Don) Wilson of Webster Groves, MO, and Margaret Stevens of St. Louis, MO; his sister-in-law, Suzie Stevens of Belleville; nieces and nephews of Uncle Fes: Bob and Angela Stevens, Matt, Pat, Anne and Chris Breiding, Andrew, David, and Dan Wilson; great nieces and nephews, Henry, Owen, Ellie, Mason; and his faithful dogs, Sophie and Georgie. He is also survived by his very special extended family, Anna and Gary Gray, Isabel Wenzel, Teresa and Dan Jablonski, and Peter Wenzel; nieces and nephews, Steve and Carrie Gray, Andy and Jillian Jablonski; and great niece, Haley. Family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. A private interment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Adopt-A-Pet, 807 Stewart Ave, Benld, IL or The Oral Cancer Foundation, 3419 Via Lido, #205 Newport Beach, CA 92663.