Submitted by: Nadine A. Hardin

Name:  Stevens, Donald Allen

Names in Obituary: Goepfrich, Jegier, Steszewski, Stevens,

South Bend Tribune, Obituary; August 28, 2002

Donald Allen Stevens (7 Feb.1926 - 24 Aug. 2002)

Donald Allen Stevens, age 76, of 50623 K Jay Lane, in South Bend, passed away after a battle with lung cancer on Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 7:35 p.m. at the St. Joseph County Hospice House. Don was a lifelong resident of South Bend, raising his family at 1005 N. Brookfield Street, where he lived for almost 50 years prior to moving to his late address about two years ago. The family were members of Holy Cross Catholic

Church.

He was born Donald Allen Steszewski in South Bend on February 7, 1926, the son Anthony and Adeline Jegier Steszewski and the grandson of Polish immigrants. He grew up in the old Polish section on the west side of South Bend. He had his family's name anglicized to Stevens in 1965.

Don graduated from Central High School in 1944 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He fought in the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, he came home and married Joan Marie, the daughter of Rudolph and Nellie Goepfrich, who survives.

Don and Joan lived briefly in California while Don earned his engineering degree (1949) from the Northrop Institute of Technology in Hawthorne. They returned to South Bend where Don secured an engineering position with the Bendix Corporation. He worked at Bendix his entire career, designing jet aircraft engines and power steering systems for automobiles. He retired in 1980.

Don's hobby over the years was television repair. He had a reputation as an able handyman and will be remembered for his generosity in giving his time to fix almost anything for his neighbors. For many years, up to just a couple months prior to his passing, Don could be seen almost every morning walking through his neighborhood to get his exercise, regardless of the weather.

Six children survive: James Allen, born 1949, of Pittsboro, Indiana, Judith Ann Black , born 1953, of South Bend, David Wayne, born 1954, of New Orleans, Edward Paul, born 1957, of Mishawaka, Richard Allen, born 1960, of South Bend, and Thomas Allen, born 1962, of Osceola. Five grandchildren also survive: Luke Stevens, born 1976, of Boston,

Massachusetts, Joanna Stevens, born 1978, of Orlando, Florida, Erin Black, born 1980, of Mishawaka, Brittany Stevens, born 1990, of South Bend and Hailey Stevens, born 1993, of South Bend. Don's mother, Adeline Jegier Steszewski Davies, age 94, of Niles also survives. Predeceasing Don were one brother, Robert Obrien and one sister, Alice Steszewski.

In accordance with his wishes, Donald's remains were cremated. Their final resting place has not yet been determined. Donald expressed a desire for memorials to be given to the Hospice of St. Joseph County in lieu of flowers.