John M. Stephenson

John Madison Stephenson, 86, passed away peacefully in his home on November 15, 2022 with the love of his life, Barbara, by his side.

He was born and raised in Argos, Indiana. After high school, he went on to General Motors Institute of Technology in Flint Michigan, graduating with a degree in Dealer Management.

John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Gentner Stephenson; sister, Betty Knoth; daughter, Shelly (Ron) Appelman; son, James (Becky) Stephenson; and grandchildren; Nick (Regina) Stephenson, Meghan Stephenson, Tyler Appelman and Seth Stephenson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Madison and Elizabeth Stephenson; and son, John C. Stephenson.

John lived life to the fullest. He and Barbara spent many years boating on Lake Michigan. John even had his Captain’s License to operate large vessels.

He fulfilled the biggest dream on his bucket list, which was building a race car from the ground up and racing for two years in a row at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah; meeting the stringent rules for qualification and reaching a speed of 184 miles per hour.

He loved being a member of the St. Joe Valley Street Rods for close to 30 years; he truly enjoyed caravanning with his good friends in the Club, along with his wife Barbara, to car shows around the country in one of his favorite street rods.

We will celebrate John at a private family gathering.

There will be no funeral service.

Donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Shriners Hospitals for Children.