Henry Linville Stephens, 86, of Buckner, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2016 at his farm home near Lake City, in the house he was born in, built by his grandfather, Henry, in 1902.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 16th, visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m. at New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO. After the service, a gathering of friends and family will come for fellowship at First Baptist Church in Buckner. All are welcome to attend.
Henry was born July 28, 1929, in Buckner, Missouri, the son of John H. and Melinda E. (Robinson) Stephens. He graduated from Halls Memorial High School. Henry served in the U.S. Army from 1951 – 1953 at Ft. Leonard Wood and Korea. He married Nancy e. Nelson on September 10, 1950. After his discharge, he farmed with his dad and uncle George. They developed MO Midwest 31 hybrid corn in 1933, and later raised certified soybeans.
Henry believed in young boys who helped him do hard work, haying, and sweet corn. Those boys became achievers later in Ag related businesses as managers at MFA, Farmland, auto body and repair, and truck owner operators.
In 2002, his son Phillip and wife, Julie, operated the Countryside BMX track on the farm. Many children enjoyed weekly racing events there for six years. Henry and Nancy enjoyed their sports endeavors too. They believed in clean sports for young people.
Henry was a businessman and cattleman, and family and friends were his joy. He was of the Baptist faith. He and Nancy were partners in business and life, married 65 years, they did everything together. Henry never retired from farming or his seed business. As his health declined, he just did less with the help of an employee, until his Lord called him home.
Henry is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, Phillip & wife Julie; daughter, Phyllis; six grandchildren: Angela, John, Joshua, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, and Joshiah; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Cremation. Private burial in Buckner Hill Cemetery.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence MO 816-796-8600
Sharon Wilson
3 Nov 2020I bought sweet corn from your parents a couple times. It was a wonderful experience. Your Dad took me out to the field in his pickup and your Mother told me how to process the corn because I hadn’t done it for a long time! People like them are what makes this earth a good place. ~ Sharon Wilson