Joseph P. Stevenson went home to be with his Lord on April 18, 2012, at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Arch United Methodist Church in Hannibal. Rev. David Scott will officiate. Burial will follow at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hannibal. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel.

Mr. Stevenson was born July 6, 1916, in Warrenton, Missouri, to Peter J. and Agnes Siemieniewski Stevenson. He was married to Ruth Hollenbeck in Wright City, Missouri, on May 19, 1946. She survives. Other survivors include two children: Linda Spaun (Wm. Becker) and David Stevenson of Hannibal; one brother-in-law, Ed Hollenbeck (Mary Ann) of Wright City, two sisters-in-law, Mildred Hollenbeck of Wright City and Ruby Stevenson of Kansas City; nephews, Warren Stevenson (Dianna), Kevin Stevenson (Susan) and Raymond Hollenbeck; nieces, Carol McGee (Richard), Mary Brooks (Jerry), Barbara Langston (Richard), Marie Hollenbeck, Diane Dreyer (John) and Cheryl Wyatt (Jeff); many great and double great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and her husband Helen Hustedde (Henry); his brother Warren Stevenson, Sr.; a brother-in-law Otto Hollenbeck; a nephew William (Bill) Hollenbeck and his beloved grandson William (Billy) B. Spaun, III.

As a youth, Mr. Stevenson participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in the western United States, an area that he continued to love. He graduated from Warrenton High School in 1934, attended Central Wesleyan College in Warrenton and completed his education at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Mr. Stevenson taught in one room schools in Warren County, Missouri, before and after World War II. He farmed near Wright City for over twenty-five years while also working for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. After retirement he worked at a custodian at Wright City High School. In 1983, he retired once more and moved to Hannibal where he continued to enjoy country music and gardening. Joe was a self-taught “fiddle” player, and he entertained his family with his favorite country songs. He designed and built his two barns and the building for his hog operation. He also repaired and maintained his own farm equipment. Joe loved to read and continued to learn until he drew his last breath. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, and he enjoyed life. Mr. Stevenson was a veteran of World War II, serving four years in the Army Air Corps where he attained to rank of staff sergeant. Working as a fighter mechanic, he fought in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Joe was a member of the American Legion Post in Warrenton and a member of Masonic Lodge 609 in Warrenton for over fifty years. Memorial contributions may be made to Arch United Methodist Church and the Masonic Home Association in care of Smith Funeral Home and Chapel.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Brooks, John Dreyer, Raymond Hollenbeck, Richard McGee, Kevin Stevenson, Warren Stevenson and Jeff Wyatt. Online condolences to the family may be offered at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.