BRUCE GRANT STEVENS

Bruce Grant Stevens, 91, of Alpena passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at his home.

Bruce was born in Detroit, Michigan on Aug. 31, 1932, the fourth of five children of Edwin and Gladys Stevens. He grew up in what would be described as a dysfunctional family home. As a teenager he was kicked out of high school in the ninth grade due to his delinquent behavior. He was part of a gang involved in all kinds of thievery. In June of 1950, his mother committed suicide. If nothing were to change in his life, he was destined to a life in prison. The neighborhood pastor, Ray Bayne, offered him a summer job at Camp Michawana in Hastings, Michigan. Members of the gang were angry with him, and it seemed a good plan to get out of town, so he accepted the job.

It was there at Camp Michawana that Bruce heard the Gospel and realized he was headed to an eternity in hell because of his sin. At camp, Bruce was required to memorize scripture. Jesus spoke to him … “Come unto me. All ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” Bruce responded to the call and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and he was saved. The Bible told him in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” Bruce’s old life of crime was past and a new life for him to live with Jesus was before him.

In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a part of the Army Security Agency on a high security base in Germany. After his discharge, he married Alice Young and together they were blessed with five children, Grant, Brad, Walt, April, and Dean. From the time of his salvation in 1950, he became a student and teacher of the Word of God. He worked at various jobs including as a school janitor while attending Bible college. He attended William Tyndale College, formerly Detroit Bible College and graduated in 1963. Shortly after graduation, he was hired as a Child Welfare Social Worker with the Oakland County Department of Social Services. His caseload was made up of neglected children and delinquent teenagers. In 1968, the family moved to Alpena, Michigan where he was employed by the Alpena County Department of Social Services until his early retirement in 1984. His marriage to Alice ended sadly with divorce in 1975. In January of 1977, he married the former Kathleen Burke and gained three bonus children, Mary Frances, Jeffrey, and Matthew.

Over the years, and more so after retirement, Bruce taught Bible studies in churches, homes, and other venues. There were times he was teaching as many as six Bible studies a week, all on different books of the Bible. He had a talent for music, led several church choirs, played the guitar, piano, and wrote music. Everyone knew spring had arrived when he was seen driving about town with his canoe named Toot on top of his car. He was a master fisherman. Everyone who got into the canoe with him caught fish and heard the Gospel. Until he turned 80, Bruce played a strategic game of racquetball that kept his opponent running around the court while he stood in the corner waiting for the ball to come to him. He was a storyteller and a poet. If he met you, even ever so briefly, he prayed for you. He was a fine father, a loving husband, a funny grandpa, and a good friend. He was a faithful servant of his Lord. His earthly life came to a close when Jesus lifted him up into Glory, Thursday, April 11, 2024. There Jesus has wiped every tear from his eyes. No more death or mourning or crying or pain.

Bruce leaves behind his wife, Kathleen (Kathy); children, Grant (Dorothy) Stevens, Walt (Barbara) Stevens, April (Timothy) Frederick, Mary Frances (David) Ran, Jeffrey (Tracie) Papin, Matthew (Dawna) Papin; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother Edwin Stevens; and the mother of his first children, Alice Young. He was preceded in death by his sons, Dean Stevens, Brad Stevens; three sisters, Dorothy McConchie, Romayne Allen, and Sadie Barnum.

Bruce worshiped the Lord as a part of the family of Fresh Water Bible Church. Visitation will take place Tuesday at Bannan Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. and continue there Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Matthew Leavesley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, you would honor Bruce’s memory by supporting the Ministry of Camp Michawana, 6475 Wilkins Road, Hastings, Michigan, 49058.