Portier Stevens

Portier Stevens, 84, formerly of the Kane area, died at 1:27 a.m, Monday, July 22, 2013 at Alton Memorial Hospital.He was born in Jacksonville on July 2, 1929, and was the son of the late Henry L. "Paddy" and Myrtle (Guess) Stevens.Portier grew up on the family farm in Kane and attended Kane High School, completing his senior year with the Class of 1947 from Jersey Township High School.He entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War, participating with the Naval Rescue Crew on numerous missions.Portier farmed for many years in Kane, and was a seed salesman as well, but his true passion was fishing, hunting, and telling a good story to whomever was in earshot.He married the former Elizabeth M. "Betty" Wendle on Oct. 24, 1953 at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Beltrees, and they shared nearly 53 years together before her death on March 13, 2005.Surviving are his five children & their spouses,  Tim Stevens of Kane, Barb & Gerry Crotchett of Jerseyville, Mike & Inna Stevens of Houston, Tx., Teresa Stevens of Hallandale Beach, Fl., and Karen Stevens of Jerseyville; 12 Grandchildren; and 1 great granddaughter; along with numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by a grandson, J.R. Crotchett; two sisters, Loretta Maltimore and Henrietta Stevens; three brothers, George Sturmon, Otis Sturmon, Richard Sturmon; and a companion, Carma Tonkinson.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kane Baptist Church with Rev. Chuck Keene officiating.Burial will be in the Kane Cemetery with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.Memorials may be given to the Kane Baptist Church.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home