Charles Ralph Stephenson, 83 of Wheelersburg, died Monday, December 29, 2014 at Best Care Convalescent Center. He was born on January 27, 1931 in Sciotoville, the son of the late Reese and Ruth Eliott Stephenson. Charles was also preceded in death by a foster daughter, Jackie Johnson; and one brother, Earl Stephenson. He was a 1948 graduate of Green High School and a Korean War Army veteran. He was a Sgt. 1st Class Tank Commander and a Purple Heart recipient. Charles had attended Porter Free Will Baptist Church in Slocum, was a member of the American Legion, D.A.V., Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Golden Bears. He had retired from U.S.E.C. as a Chemical Operator and loved to fish.

Charles is survived by his wife, G. Marie Cooper Searls Stephenson, whom, he married on November 4, 1966 in Greenup, KY; 2 sons, Alan (Joann) Stephenson of Lemoore, CA, Todd (Ruth) Stephenson of Sciotoville; a daughter, Ellen Stephenson of Mantica, CA; stepson, Ronald (Gwen) Searls of Temple, TX; stepdaughter, Rhonda Searls of Wheelersburg; 2 sisters, Almeda Hale of Cincinnati, OH, Betty Mauck of Michigan; sister-in-law, Sandra Stephenson of Madison TX; 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Swick-Bussa-Chamberlin Funeral Home in Wheelersburg with Pastor Mark Price officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Franklin Furnace with graveside military rites by the James Irwin and John Baker Post, American Legion. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. The family would like to thank Best Care Convalescent Center and SOMC Hospice for all their special care. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.swickbussachamberlin.com.