Gleen Dale Stephens

GLEEN STEPHENS

ELDRED -  Gleen Dale Stephens, 79, passed away at 8:23 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2026 at his residence after a period of declining health.

He was born in Gideon, Missouri on August 5, 1946, and was the son of the late Orbis and Ella May (Whitmire) Stephens.

After graduating from Gideon High School, ventured out into the workforce, where he found employment with Olin Corporation in East Alton.  He would dedicate 40 years of dependable service, retiring in 2007 as a chief stock clerk.

He married the former Connie Jean Short on May 7, 1976 in Rosewood Heights, Illinois, and together they have shared and been blessed with nearly 50 years of marriage.

Gleen and Connie spent many years in South Roxana, where they raised their family, and one of their favorite pastimes after retirement was taking leisurely drives in the countryside, and it was during one of their trips they discovered a piece of property in Eldred, that would soon become their perfect spot.  They moved to that home in 2005, and it's been their perfect spot to enjoy their retirement in peaceful tranquility.

Gleen was a man of many talents and interests, and he found complete joy in the sport of bowling, participating in numerous leagues throughout the years in  Wood River and Bethalto. He also enjoyed fishing, was a talented vocalist, and immersed himself in a good book, especially if it had to do with history or anything by Stephen King.

Gleen was also very invested and devoted much attention and care to the raising of his beloved French Bulldogs, Jules, Patti, Bingham, Viesel, Emo and Jolie; and his Boston Terriers, Buzz and Maisy.

He is survived by his wife, Connie Short of Eldred;  four children and their spouses, Amber and Robert Mangrum of Collinsville, Andrew and Jamie Stephens of Roxana, Aileen and Louie Lodes of Elizabethton, Tn., and Angie Stephens Bailey, and her companion, Mike Laurent of South Roxana; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; a sister, Reva (Jimmy) Vaughn of Dyersburg, Tn.; a brother, Loren (Charlotte) Stephens of Dyersburg, Tn.; his father in-law, Russ Short of Marion; two sisters in-law, Russann (Darryl) Shields of Fieldon and Linda (Mark) Miriani of Glen Carbon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin granddaughters,

Octavia Juliette and Abigail Noelle Mangrum; a brother, Ernest Stephens; three sisters, Corrine (Vernon) Camp, Patricia (Carl) Hines, Jean Mitchell;  mother in-law, Lois Pruett; and a sister in-law, Ellen (Robert Scroggins) Short.

Family and Friends are invited to attend visitation from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.

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