Ely Twp, MI- Dean Joseph Stephens, age 63 passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, while under the care of his loving wife (Ellie) and Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice, at their home in Ely Township where they resided for the past 17 years, he had been ill for the past 9 months.

Dean was born September 2, 1960, in Ishpeming, the son of the late Earl Stephens and Belmere (Ongie) Wendt. Dean had worked several jobs over his lifetime including salt mines, gold mines, mechanic, heavy machine operator, HVAC for Central Heating and Cooling, several others too many to mention. He could do anything, was a Jack of all trades. Dean enjoyed crosswords, sudoku, always working on projects, giving a helping hand to anybody who would ask. He enjoyed going to the American Legion to have a few beers with his buddies.

Dean is survived by his wife of 22 years, Ellenor Stephens, whom he married on Dec 9, 2000, three children; Deanna (Terence) Harris, of Milwaukee, WI; Trevor Stephens of Ishpeming, and Tiarra Lehtinen, of Ishpeming; a step daughter, Nikki St. Aubin Lawry, of K.I. Sawyer; siblings Earl (Karen) Stephens of Ishpeming, Mike Stephens of Marquette, Shirley Gauthier of Ishpeming and Susan Stephens of Wisconsin, Grandchildren; Adrianna, Trevor, Hunter, Neveah, Quinton, Madison, and Dalton, step grandchildren; Landen, Tyler, Ayden, Alyiana, Drezdin, Declyn, great grandchildren; Jaemin, Malachi, along with several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his pets- they were his babies; Idgid, Hairball, Junior and Fat Cat.

Dean was preceded in death by his mother Belmere Wendt, his father Earl Stephens, a brother Jeff Stephens, and a step grandchild Brayden.

A few special people in Dean's life; Greg Grund, best friend, like a brother to Dean, wherever you saw Dean you usually saw Greg, they shopped, did projects, even did Christmas Shopping on Christmas Eve every year, he loved him so much. Also I have to mention Dean's American Legion Family Post 114, he loved all those guys (they were his Buddies), also William "Billy" Malmborg he had a special place in his heart and always called him (Al Junior) was like a father to him and last but not least thank his hospice nurse Paula "Our Angel", Thank you you're a very special person and good at your job- Thanks again Paula.

A service for Dean will be held at the American Legion Post 114 Greenwood Location on Saturday, January 6, 2024, with a service at 1:00 pm followed by a time to Celebrate Deans Life with a potluck luncheon until 4:00 pm.

Dean's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com.