Merrillyn Jane Stevens

Merrillyn Jane Stevens, 71, of Casselberry, Florida passed away February 22, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 27, 2006, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Father Bill Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor. The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lung Cancer Alliance, 888 16th St., NW, Ste 800, Washington, D.C. 20006. Arrangements are entrusted to Kerley-Starks-Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan, 49085. Those wishing to send a condolence message in Merrillyn’s guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Merrillyn spent much of her life in Benton Harbor, Michigan before moving to Central Florida in 1976. She was married to Sgt. Robert Lewis Stevens of the Benton Township Police Department who was killed in the line of duty in 1970. After Merrillyn’s husband died she bravely moved her family to Central Florida to begin a new life. Merrillyn had a love for life and people. She especially loved spending time with family and friends. Merrillyn enjoyed her work at Florida Hospital taking photos of the newborn babies and being an usher for special events at the Bob Carr Auditorium. Merrillyn is survived by her two daughters, Dodie Stevens and Lisa (Keith) Herrington, and two incredible grandchildren Matthew and Sean Herrington.