Verlon R. Stephens, age 87 and a longtime resident of Anderson, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2019 surrounded by his family at the home of his daughter in Indianapolis following a brief illness and a long life.  He was born February 9, 1932 in Russell Springs, KY, the son of Alvin Ray and Retha Stephens.  Verlon married the love of his life, Margaret Davis on August 27, 1955, and they shared 62 years of marriage until her passing in 2017.  Verlon was a truck driver for the Guide Lamp division of General Motors in Anderson for 41 years and retired in 1994.  Verlon was saved and baptized as a child in the Church of God in Kentucky.  He was a member of the U.A.W. #663 in Anderson; member of the National Rifle Association; and was an avid NASCAR fan always rooting for his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon.  Verlon was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, traveling, gardening, canning vegetables, maintaining his yard, and going to the race track.  He truly enjoyed driving for General Motors.  He enjoyed working with his hands and was also an accomplished carpenter, building several family homes through the years.  Verlon's motto in life was to "enjoy every day" and "live life to the fullest", and he certainly adhered to those sentiments.  His family is comforted knowing that he is reunited with Margaret in Heaven.

Verlon's family includes 2 daughters, Melinda (Dr. Lee) Sredzinski of Indianapolis and Brenda Hildebrandt of Noblesville; 3 siblings, Sharon (Larry) Coffee, Gladys Simpson, and Hollis (Kay) Stephens all of Russell Springs, KY; 3 grandchildren, Justin (Carly) Vest, John Hildebrandt (fiance' Emily), and Rachelle Hildebrandt; a great-granddaughter, Meleah Vest; and several nieces and nephews.  Verlon was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret Stephens in 2017; 8 brothers, Curtis, Getha, Bobby, Ralph, Jimmy, Billy, Elbert, and Collis Stephens; and 2 sisters, Irene Youngblood and Anna Lois.

A funeral service celebrating Verlon's life will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with family friend, John "JJ" Jameson officiating.  Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Tuesday prior to the funeral at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Noblesville Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.