Michael James Stephens

Michael James Stephens, 63, a longtime resident of Prospect Heights, Illinois, will be laid to rest on July 28th at Mount Olive Cemetery. In his final hours he was surrounded by those who loved him and witnessed his move to the next life.

Family was his strength. He never lived more than five miles away from his boyhood home. At a chance meeting, he made a connection with Emily, married soon after and made a long and happy life with her at his side. After the death of his father, he was the caretaker for both his mother and brother, keeping the promise to his dad that they would not want for anything. He was true to his word. Michael was generous and hardworking, but after a long day at work he was happy to come home and spend time with Emily, discovered a flair for cooking and became a football fan with her encouragement.

He inherited the family construction business from his father who instilled a work ethic that deemed your handshake was your bond. He ran the business with the same character, something not seen very often today.

Michael was loved and will be missed by his loving wife Emily (nee Whirlwind Horse) and siblings Patricia Stephens, Thomas Stephens, Maureen and Colin Meyers, Joseph and Amal Stephens, and Sandra and Greg DeWolf. His immediate family included 21 nieces and nephews along with their husbands and wives, and one godson. Many of them knew him as Grandpa Mike.

He is welcomed by those who have preceded him in death including his parents, James and Catherine Stephens, and his siblings Margaret (nee Stephens) Levy, and Shawn Stephens.

Due to Phase 4 Guidelies, a private family service and visitation will be held at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, followed by interment at Mount Olive Cemetery, 3800 N. Narragansett Avenue, Chicago, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 http://www.stjude.org.