John Walton Stephens, 89, died March 25, 2015, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born September 17, 1925, to Frank Christopher and Lucille (Smulling) Stephens in Keokuk, IA. He was a 1943 graduate of Hamilton High School and attended college in Newberry, South Carolina. John was a World War II veteran; he flew Mustangs off of the Saratoga aircraft carrier in the Pacific phase of the war. The fighters provided protection to the bombers coming back from their bombing mission. He retired from Continental Oil Company better known as Conoco. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and the Elks Lodge #453.

On May 7, 1945, he married Bernadine Elizabeth Simon in Chicago, IL. She died October 20, 2005.

Survivors include: sons, Gary Lee Stephens and wife Venetta of Chesapeake, VA, Craig Allen Stephens and wife Twyla of Warsaw, IL, and Mark J. Stephens and wife Shelley of Hutchinson; grandson, John R. Stephens; step-granddaughters, Kristin Smith Hoffman and husband Chris, and Kelsey Smith Schneider and husband Greg; and cousin, Bob Smulling and wife Carol of Fort Collins, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Cynthia Ann Hattendorf.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2015, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with Pastor Ron Kite presiding. Friends may call from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with the family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, all at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith United Methodist Church, or the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, both in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.