Gretna Stevens

VAN WERT, Ohio - Gretna L. Stevens, 68, of Van Wert, died at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Lima Memorial Hospital, Lima, Ohio.

She was born Oct. 18, 1942, in Van Wert, to the late Esther (Cox) Dempsey and John Dempsey. Her husband, Donald W. Stevens, survives of Van Wert. They were married July 17, 1962.

Other survivors include her children: Melanie (Thomas) Norman, Christie (Keith) Ridenour and Vanessa Stevens, all of Van Wert; her brothers: Maurice (Mary Ellen) Dempsey of Virginia Beach, Va., Donald (Sue) Dempsey of Convoy, Ohio; her sisters: Beverly (Larry) Schoonover of Lakeland, Fla., Saundra Schwinnen of Montpelier, Ohio, Linda (Terry) Neer of Paulding, Ohio, and Johnette Waltmire of Van Wert; seven grandchildren: Jeffery (Colleen Valentine) Ridenour, Britney Ridenour, Tommy Norman, Travis Norman, Tyler Norman, Tanner Norman and Misty Couch; two great-grandchildren: Cameron Norman and Aleah Long, and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three sisters: Helen Osting, Nellie Schabbing and Mary Dempsey.

She was a member of Van Wert Victory Church, Van Wert. She had worked as a sales clerk at Mr. Wigg's and Heck's Department Stores in Van Wert. She was in the acappella high school choir and a former volunteer for American Red Cross.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2011, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. The Rev. Tommy Sandefer will officiate.

Calling hours are 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Van Wert Victory Church.