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John, 89, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, from head trauma following a serious fall. John was born Feb. 17, 1931, in Orange, N.J., to Mabelle and John Stephenson Sr. John is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Jeanne; sister Peg McCulloh and husband Mac; brother Wayne; daughter-in-law Vicki Stephenson; and grandchildren Maryn and Jack Stephenson IV.
He is survived by his companion, Margaret Joy Stephens; brother Bob Stephenson and wife Eleanor of Annandale, N.J.; sister-in-law Carol Stephenson of Whitehouse Station, N.J.; daughter Rebecca Stephenson of Oakton, Va.; son John Stephenson III of Ringoes, N.J. and granddaughter Jordan Stephenson of Hoboken, N.J.; daughter Anne Schmalzigan, husband Bob, and grandson Bobby Schmalzigan Jr. of Flemington, N.J.
In his youth, he helped to run his family farm in Pluckemin, N.J., and was actively involved with 4-H and Christian Endeavor. He was quite inquisitive and loved to work with his hands. The farm fostered his love of nature, God’s creatures, gardening, tractors, woodworking, and machinery.
He graduated from Somerville High School in 1948 and earned a BS in animal science from Rutgers University (RU) in 1952, where he was a member of ROTC, Theta Chi Social Fraternity and Alpha Zeta Agricultural Fraternity. He then served two years in the U.S. Air Force as an officer in Selma, Ala., before returning back to the farm.
After farming for six years and trekking across Central America for a summer, John felt called to tend a different kind of flock and enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv, 1964). He married Jeanne Stires shortly thereafter. In 1965 John and Jeanne settled in Hobart, N.Y., with their young family. He ministered to two neighboring congregations: Hobart Presbyterian Church and the United Presbyterian Church of South Kortright, and served as the chaplain to the South Kortright Boys Training School. He also was an active member of the Hobart Rotary Club, Hobart Volunteer Fire Department, The Brotherhood (a local Christian men’s group), Delaware County Council of Churches, Presbytery of Susquehanna (Synod committee), and the local ministerium to discuss how to help those in need in the community.
John enjoyed spending time in nature skiing, swimming, canoeing and riding bikes with his family. He especially enjoyed taking the senior high youth on the Presbyterian canoe trip exploring, singing, and teaching.
Disabling rheumatoid arthritis forced him to professionally resign in 1980 and return to New Jersey to be closer to family. John went on to finish his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago, IL, 1982). Thereafter John served as a “professional leader and volunteer.” He attended mens’ and clergy breakfasts regularly for decades. While still staying involved with the Presbytery of Elizabeth, United Presbyterian Church (USA), Area Ministerial Association, he searched for other board and committee endeavors that would promote making a difference in the community and in the lives of others, including the Mental Health Association, Human Services Advisory Council, Educational Services Commission, Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, Board of Social Services, the Old Cemetery Improvement Association (Somerville), and S.W.I.M. Inc. He received countless awards for his service and volunteerism, including in 2014 the Rutgers Excellence in Alumni Leadership Award from the RU Alumni Association.
It was of utmost importance to John and Jeanne to foster a sense of community, whether it be their town, church, neighborhood, or friends. They continued their support of Somerville High School, RU, and Theta Chi through many alumni activities and countless personally organized reunions. They also enjoyed following the Rutgers women’s basketball team, Rutgers football team, playing Bridge with friends, and exploring local history. Jeanne and John hosted an annual neighborhood picnic for 17 years, bringing together their neighbors for a day of fellowship, food, and fun.
John stayed engaged. He loved to learn about the world, politics, and peoples of all different cultures and religions. He believed that we all have more similarities than differences and embraced diversity. He was present with people for the most wonderful or difficult moments in their lives. His caring, calm demeanor was grounding and his mischievous smile infectious.
His passion for his family’s genealogy and travel led him to Ireland three times; taking the entire family over once. He self-published one book but had hoped for more.
John’s wish to donate his body to science was not possible due to the pandemic. Instead his body was donated to the Mortuary Science Program at Mercer County Community College, fulfilling his desire to help others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s memory to Pluckemin Presbyterian Church, 279 Route 202-206, Pluckemin, NJ 07978, or a charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be conducted electronically in mid-November through Zoom and Facebook Live. Join the “Rev. Dr. John Stephenson Memorial” Facebook page for more details and to post pictures and video memorials.
