Jim Stevens

Jim Stevens, 79,of Zion, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan with his family at his side. Jim was born July 25, 1929, in Ironwood, MI, to Fred and Amelia Stevens .He was a was a 1947 graduate of Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. Jim was an honorably discharged war veteran, having served in the U.S. Army in Alaska during the Korean conflict. He returned to Alaska after being discharged and worked in a coal mine. Jim completed his education at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He married his first wife, JoAnn Costa of Ironwood , MI, in 1955 and worked at White Pine Copper Company of White Pine, MI. Jim left Ironwood in 1959 to work as a Utilities Engineer at Abbott Laboratories, retiring in 1991. He was recognized in 1989 as a "Kentucky Colonel", by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Jim really enjoyed his friends and going to the Moose, VFW, and loved to go the casino. He and his second wife, Carolyn, enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas and were married there in 1981. He also enjoyed returning to Ironwood, MI, for his class reunions. Survivors include his wife, of 28 year, Carolyn; sons, Tom Stevens of Zion, Tim (Laura) Stevens of Winthrop Harbor, Tracy (Claudia) Stevens of NorthChicago, Bill Middleton of Zion, Michelle Shumaker of Tampa, FL Susan (Ken) Graham of Savannah, GA, Patty Middleton of CA, and Brian Middleton of Zion; brother, Eugene(Dolores) Stevens of Ironwood, MI; and a very special niece, Bonnie(Bernard) DeRizzo of Hurley, WI. He was preceded in death by his first wife, JoAnn (Costa) Stevens in 1975, his grandson, Chad Stevens; and his brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Bette Mae Thomas. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the Zion Moose #667, Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL 60099 or the charity of your choice.