Martha E. Stevens (83) of Teutopolis

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Published on March 3 2019 6:01 am

Martha Ellen (Habing) Stevens, 83, of Teutopolis, passed away at 8:54 PM on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis, with burial following at St. Francis Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for 4-7 PM Thursday, with a prayer service immediately following at St. Francis Church. Services are in care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to missionary Father Paul Habing or Catholic Charities. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Martha was born January 29, 1936, in Teutopolis IL, the daughter of John and Elizabeth “Betty” Habing. She graduated from Teutopolis High School and went on to work at the Effingham County Health Department and Boos before marriage. She was united in marriage to Charles A. “Chuck” Stevens on June 15, 1957, and he preceded her in death on December 11, 2012. She was a life-long member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ladies of the Lake, Effingham Garden Club, and many other discussion groups, some of which she had been attending for decades. She enjoyed having served on the board of directors for ARC (currently CSS) for many years. Together with Chuck, they founded Stevens Industries in Teutopolis, IL.

Martha was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker whose primary focus in life was her family and motherhood. She embraced the best of our humanity and looked past society’s labels and stereotypes to find what Jesus loves about each person. She was never afraid to speak up on someone’s behalf and was quietly generous with both her time and resources.

Martha is survived by her children: son, Tim of Teutopolis; son, Kevin of Effingham; son, Tony (Cindy) of Teutopolis; daughter, Lisa (Larry) Heisler of Columbia, SC; daughter, Nancy (Donald) Martin of Chesterfield, MO; son, Jonathan of Chicago; daughter, Laura (Troy) Hardiek of Effingham; daughter-in-law, Brenda Stevens of Teutopolis; sister, Alice (Phil) Conlin of Effingham; brother, Cletus (Sharon) Habing of Effingham; and sister-in-law, Delores Kirby of Chicago. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

Martha is preceded in death by her: husband, Chuck; parents, John and Betty; father-in-law, Charles Stevens; mother-in-law, Helen Stevens; brother, Donald (Ruth) Habing; son-in-law, Blair Carlson; and great-grandson, Daniel Anthony Ruholl (whom she is greatly enjoying in heaven).