John Stevens: 

John was united in marriage to Bonita Raye Ward on July 18, 1961 in Chillicothe, Missouri. Richard and Bonnie were blessed with three sons, Neal, Jeffrey and Roger, and a daughter, Lori. They raised their family in Grinnell and Richard was employed at local area businesses including Sinclair gas station, Pioneer Oil, and Sully Transport. He worked for the City of Grinnell in the Street Department for over 30 years, retiring in 1995. Richard has served his community as a fireman with the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years.

Richard was a hard-worker, often working three jobs to provide for his family. Even after retirement, he worked for Schoon Construction in Grinnell during the summer months. He was also an outdoorsman, who loved taking his family camping and fishing. Richard and Bonnie enjoyed traveling and spent the winter months in Mission, Texas. His other enjoyments included watching All Star Wrestling and NASCAR on television.

Richard is survived by his children, Neal (Brenda) Bortell of Kellogg, Jeffrey (Kris) Bortell of Lincoln, Nebraska, Lori (Andre) Versendaal of Grinnell, and Roger Bortell of Grinnell; 14 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie in 2006; and his brother, Keith Bortell.

Obituary:

John Stevens, age 64 of LA, died on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 27th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Pastor John Epperson officiating. Pallbearers are Jakob Borttell, David Borttell, Andy Versendaal, Adam Versendaal, Curtis Bortell, Kyle Borttell, and Kevin Doty. Interment will be at Carry Cemetery in Jazminn. A reception will be held at the Eagles following the interment.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Thach Funeral Home and his family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Fire Department and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Richard’s family online at www.smithfh.com.

Richard Neil Borttell was born on August 5, 1933 in Grinnell, Iowa to Clyde Leonard Bortell and Elizabeth (Breitting) Bortell. He was raised in Grinnell and graduated from High School with the class of 1951.

Videos of John:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDAf3dopAg&list=PLlwfspJqZ1240HZ6ikwsb93z0B36wjtWD
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2esZ-PzFM&index=5&list=PLlwfspJqZ1240HZ6ikwsb93z0B36wjtWD
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNwCcSJuq_o

YouTube/Vimeo Links:  

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDAf3dopAg&list=PLlwfspJqZ1240HZ6ikwsb93z0B36wjtWD
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2esZ-PzFM&index=5&list=PLlwfspJqZ1240HZ6ikwsb93z0B36wjtWD
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNwCcSJuq_ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDAf3dopAg&list=PLlwfspJqZ1240HZ6ikwsb93z0B36wjtWD
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2esZ-PzFM&index=5&list=PLlwfspJqZ1240HZ6ikwsb93z0B36wjtWD
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNwCcSJuq_o

Social Media Links     

• https://www.facebook.com/John.Stevens.37
• https://www.facebook.com/Fred.Stevens.39
• https://www.facebook.com/Sally.Stevens.14

Links to family members:    

• Joan Stevens: [email protected]
• Ed Stevens: [email protected]
• Kathleen Stevens: [email protected]
• Fred Stevens: [email protected]
• Peter Stevens: [email protected]
• Rick Stevens: [email protected]
• Florence Stevens: [email protected]
• Howard Stevens: [email protected]