Robert E. Stephens

ROBERT E. STEPHENS Robert E. Stephens, 79, of Zephyrhills, passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2008. He was born July 23, 1929, in Philadelphia, N.Y., to Arthur and Edith M. (Belile) Stephens and came to Zephyrhills in 1965 from Sebring, Fla. Mr. Stephens was married 52 wonderful years to his wife, Joyce, a loving father to his children and a friend to all. He was a devoted Christian and dedicated Gideon. Mr. Stephens was the owner and operator of Stephens Gas Service in Zephyrhills from 1954 to 1989, when he and his wife, Joyce, retired. He is survived by a daughter, Susan (Daniel) Schmitz of Dade City; two sons, Robert J. (Mary) Stephens of Sebring, Fla., and Kenneth R. Stephens of Sanford, Fla.; granddaughter, Lisa (James) Barnes of Sebring, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Ava Grace Barnes and Noah James Barnes, both of Sebring, Fla. Mr. Stephens was predeceased by his wife, Joyce, in September 2004. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2008, at Whitfield Funeral Home chapel, with Pastor Dan Wade officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery in Dade City. The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Monday, October 27, at the funeral home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International.