Kerry T. Stephens

Kerry T. (Merf) Stephens, age 57 of Vandalia, passed away on May 2, 2017. He was born on April 8, 1960 in Dayton, Ohio to Eugene and Doris Stephens. Kerry received a Masters degree in Community Counseling M.S., LPCC-S from Wright State University in 2006. He worked in Dayton and the surrounding area providing adult mental health counseling for over 15 years.

He is survived by his devoted wife Karol (Vandalia, Oh.); his loving mother Doris Stephens (Troy, Oh.); Sisters Valerie (Jim) Paoloemillio (FL), Vickie Williams (Cincinnati, Oh.), Anita Weaver (Michael Check) (Piqua, Oh.) and Gloria Stephens (Troy, Oh.); brother Alan Stephens (Troy, Oh.) and his nieces and nephews Crystal (Jesse) Messaros, Karyn Dietrich, Rachel (Mark) Kolker, Julie Stephens, Todd Stephens, and Stephen Flory. He is also survived by great nieces and nephews; Sabrina, Austin, Gwyndalynn, RachelJr, Flora, Marjean, Jensen, Tinsley and Jazzmine.

Kerry was preceded in death by his father Eugene Stephens.

Kerry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vandalia, Ohio. His fondness for Cincinnati Reds baseball was only surpassed by his love of God and family including Sophie, his canine companion. “Merf” was a soft spoken, considerate and caring man who will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 140 Elva Ct., Vandalia, Ohio at 11:00 am, Friday, May 5 with Pastor David Starry officiating. Burial will follow at Poplar Hill Cemetery. The family will be greeting friends and relatives from 9:30 am until time of service on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Operation Winterize, c/o First Baptist Church, 140 Elva Ct. Vandalia, OH 45377 or to NAMI – Ohio (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 1225 Dublin Rd., Ste. 125, Columbus, OH 43215 in Kerry’s memory.