Joseph A. Stephens, 80, well know local resident, died suddenly Monday afternoon at 4:45 o'clock in the New York Central railroad station at Gary from a heart attack. He was on his way home from Harvey, Ill., where he had been visiting his son, Joseph B. Stephens.

Mr. Stephens had gone to Harvey Saturday morning and that night attended a father and son banquet as the guest of his son, Joseph, senior principal in the Thorton township high school of that city. On Monday he took a bus from Harvey to Gary and upon entering the railroad station there met several home-town residents who work in the Gary mills. He informed them that he was not feeling well and he was breathing heavily. Sitting down on a station bench he collapsed and died instantly.

Mr. Stephens was born at Waverly, Westchester township, on Aug. 23, 1860, the son of Joseph and Margaret (Cissna) Stephens. He spent several years in the state of Washington and resided the rest of his life in Chesterton.

On April 27, 1884, he was united in marriage to Augusta C. Dettmann at Chesterton and she preceded him in death eleven years ago. Mr. Stephens was a member of the First Methodist church of Chesterton, of the Calumet lodge, f. & A. F., and the Order of Eastern Star. He was also an honorary member of the W.C.T.U., in which case he was greatly interested. He served as Chesterton first town marshal from 1900 to 1907 and several years ago was asked to deliver a speech during the Centennial being one of Chesterton oldest residents. He was employed as a contractor and decorator for many years.

Surviving are a daughter, Irma M. Stephens, of Chesterton, a son, Joseph B. of Harvey, three brothers, Theodore and George Stephens of Waverly and John Stephens of Chesterton, and two sisters, Mrs. Belle Rintz of Chesterton and Mrs. John Sievert of Waverly. A daughter Bertha died in 1898 at the age of 12 and a son, Arthur, died in 1933.

Funeral services will be held ''Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the First Methodist church with Rev. H. M. Braun, pastor and the Rev. Paul Thommea of the Full Gospel Tabernacle, officiating. The Masonic order will assist. Interment will be in Chesterton cemetery.

The Chesterton Tribune

February 13, 1941

57^th year, No. 40

Page 1, column 1