Luella M. Stephens, 92, Fairbury and formerly of Forrest, died at 3:55 am Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Friday, January 20, 2017 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with the ministers of the Fairbury Apostolic Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Sunny Slope Cemetery, Saunemin.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury.

Luella was born January 16, 1925 in Forrest, IL the daughter of Carl and Elsie Wenger Waibel. She married Raymond Shelby Stephens on March 10, 1945 in Peoria, IL. He died on April 2, 2007.

Family was very important to Luella and she is survived by her children, Linda (Bill) Johnston, Bloomington, Duane (JeriNell) Stephens, Lees Summit, MO, Dennis (Pam) Stephens and Lori (Chuck) Power, both of Fairbury, one daughter-in-law, Suzi Stephens, Bloomington, eleven grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren, three brothers, Glen Waibel, Forrest, Gene (Sandy) Waibel, Morton, Eldon (Marge) Waibel, Fairbury, two sisters, Ethel (David) Wiegand, Urbana, Carol (James) Arden, Reno, NV.

She is preceded in death by one son, James, one grandson, Justin and one brother, Harry Waibel.

Luella was the valedictorian of the Forrest High School graduating class of 1943. She was a homemaker and had been employed at Walton's Department Store, Fairbury for several years.

Luella's family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff, administration and volunteers at Fairview Haven Retirement Community. Their love and support over the last seven years has provided great comfort to her family.