Elvira T. (Jalonen) Stephens

Eben Junction

Elvira T. Stephens of Eben Junction was called to her home in heaven on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 after a short illness.

She came into the world in the family sauna, with the assistance of her Aunt Tyne, on July 19, 1932.

A daughter of Jalmer and Celia Jalonen, she graduated from Eben High School in 1950 and then held a variety of jobs before obtaining employment at Kimberly Clark.  Beginning in the mail room, she advanced to the post of Paymaster and retired in 1993 after 40 ½ years of dedicated service.

Elvira was a member of Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Eben serving willingly and faithfully in various capacities including Sunday School teaching and altar committees.

She was a doer and a giver, concerned with and championing the activities of her family.  She shared her faith, her love of reading and her great sense of playful fun with everyone, but especially children.

Among those who cherish her memory are daughter Jacqualine (Kerry) McLemore of Strongsville, OH; grandsons Andrew (Jessica) McLemore of Dearborn, MI and Daniel McLemore of Strongsville, OH; great grandsons – Julius, Giosue and Sebastian; sister Lenore Waldo of Howell, MI; brother Edwin Jalonen of Chatham, MI, as well as nieces and nephews.

Elvira was preceded in death by her parents Jalmer and Celia Jalonen, sister Aileen (Eino) Maki and Vivian Hakkola, infant brother Oscar Bernhardt Jalonen, brothers-in-law Eino Hakkola and Walfrid Waldo, and sister-in-law Beryl Jalonen.

Services will be held at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Eben on Monday, June 24, 2019.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Pastor Tom Schierkolk will officiate Elvira’s funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Free Lutheran Church.