Arthur Stevens Jr.

Obituary for Art Stevens Jr.
History of Life
Arthur M Stevens Jr. born December 23rd, 1934 in Evanston, IL was the oldest child of Art M. Stevens and Flora Gillies. As a child he was often surrounded by the love and support of the Gillies side of the family who lived nearby. He grew up in a home on Oleander Ave on the northwest side of Chicago. His sister Cathy and brother Robert helped shaped who he was becoming. Irving Park American Baptist Church was a pillar in their family life. His mother and father met at that Church. His great grandparents John and Clara Gray Merchant actual helped start Irving Park Baptist Church holding meetings in their home which is still standing as a permanent Chicago Historical Landmark. Art was very active and responsible and as a result granted significant privileges. For example, in 1945 at age 10 he regularly took the bus to see the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley field. As a Cub scout project he started a scrapbook at the beginning of the season and that year the Chicago Cubs went to the world series. That was the last time the Cubs had made it to the World Series until 2016 when he watched them win it all in game seven, an extra innings game that lasted into the early morning hours eastern standard time . The Green Lake Wisconsin Church Assembly Grounds held many fond memories for Art spending many of his summer vacations up there. Art also learned to play the piano, and the popular song tune (Maori) was one of significance to him. He had an especially close relationship with his Uncle Call Gillies and who brought Art along on several trips from Chicago to New York City and Washington DC. He attended North Park Academy High School. He was a very good student and participated in many extra curricular activities including football. During his time North Park won the championship many years in a row. Art attended College at Denison University in Granville, OH. He studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. At Denison Art met the love of his life Linda Lantz Stevens and married in 1956. They moved to Dearborn Michigan where he took his first job with Ford Motor Company and was in management training. The Ford Edsel was being rolled out into the market and Art quickly learned that although he was asked to provide feedback on the product his criticisms really were not wanted. After about a year he took a position with RR Donnelly Publishing in Chicago learning about publishing, writing, editing, printing processes. Then he joined Protectoseal Company. This launched a lifetime career in the Fire and Safety Industry. He had grown up with this heritage, his grandfather Arthur Greenleaf Stevens was an insurance fire adjuster. His father Art Stevens was President of Protectoseal. And now Art Jr. continued the legacy. He worked as a writer, created, designed, and managed advertising in the industry safety periodicals and more. As a public speaker he taught and became know as an expert in the handling of flammable liquids in the Industrial and Manufacturing settings. He knew the requirements of OSHA and served in the NFPA. Later in life Art was called upon as an expert witness to testify in court cases warning about the dangers of flammable liquids. He was included in a television documentary by Dan Rather to build awareness with the public on the danger of gas cans instead of Safety cans. Art had moved to Justrite Manufacturing and was Vice President of Sales and Marketing initially. Art produced a film called "The invisible enemy" addressing the danger of unseen vapors from flammable liquids. Art was promoted from Vice President of Marketing to President of Justrite Manufacturing. A few years later he started his own consulting business known at Stevens Associates. He continued to represent Justrite, assisting with their marketing and advertising as he helped additional companies build their brand awareness. I remember him saying:
"you can have the best product around, but if people don't know about it, then who is it helping?
This statement really represented how Art invested his life. Perhaps his most driving core value was in helping others become aware of how their lives could be assisted and made better. Art was a doer. He stayed busy. Art was a dedicated Christian. He continued to grow and deepen his commitment his entire life. As a follower of Jesus Christ he took the skills from his workplace experience and focused them on promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was actively involved in the local church as a worshipper, as a Sunday school and Bible study teacher. He enjoyed the challenge in teaching the book of revelation in an interactive style. He took on a servant leader role as a deacon. His favorite time of a worship service was at the end when an offer was given for individuals to come forward for prayer. In those moments he especially enjoyed watching the lives of people take a change. He made it a discipline to read thru the entire Bible each year as a private devotional time. Art took seriously the great commission found in Matthew 28:16-20. The words of Jesus "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." He believed in Evangelism and enjoyed participating in Crusade ministries from Billy Graham to Benny Hinn. He loved seeing the lives of people changed by the redeeming love and power of Jesus Christ. He believed in the power of the Holy Spirit to unleash supernatural assistance for all people. He supported traveling singing groups like "Promise" out of Jacksonville, FL. He believed in supporting television broadcast ministry to fulfill the great commission with Channel 38 Chicago, now TLN. The PTL ministry, CBN ministry, The TBN ministry, Superchannel 55 in Orlando, FL. And at the same time being active in a local church. He and his wife Linda formed "Praised Filled Presentations" and coproduced over 50 songs together. After Linda passed away in 2012, Art continued to produce three more musicals for "Praise Filled Presentations." After many years as a bi-vocational minister Art became a licensed minster in 2016 with the Church of God. At the end of his life he lost his ability to walk, although he was in great pain, he never complained and when asked how he was doing, he replied with optimism and did not want to impose on others. Art wanted to be a blessing to other people, and he was. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Survived by:
Cathy Stevens Morrell (sister) and Rev David Morrell brother in law

Children: Laura Lindstrom (daughter), Art and Mary Stevens III (son and daughter in law), Scott and Amy Stevens, (son and daughter in law) Deborah Smock (daughter), Geoff and Kellie Stevens (son and daughter in law).
grandchildren: Christine and David Morton, (granddaughter and husband) Danielle and Jason Westbrook, (granddaughter and husband), Kimberly and Jordan Bregger (granddaughter and husband), Timothy Lindstrom and KierstenCook (grandson and fiancee) Matthew Stevens,(grandson) Bethany and Adam Winkenweder, (granddaughter and husband) Nathan Smock, (grandson) Audrey Stevens,(grand daughter) Andrew Stevens, (grandson) great grandchildren: Evan Morton, Caleb Morton, Gibson Morton, Lincoln Morton, Riley Westbrook, Jaxson Westbrook, Allie Westbrook, Nixon Bregger, Leah Winkenweder, Hannah Winkenweder, Zoe Winkenweder,