Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 21, 2003

Twelve of the 15 children of the late Velmer and Maxine STEPHENS family met August 2, 2003 for a family reunion in Cedarville, MI. Hosts of the reunion were Judy and John CASON and Jeff, Leanne and Isabella CASON, all of Cedarville, Cedarville is where Maxine's father, the late Reverend Paul BEYMER, was a pastor of a church.

Activities the group enjoyed throughout the weeken were golfing, fishing, boating and swimming at the sand dunes and sightseeing at Macinac Bridge, Macinac Island and the Soo Locks in Canada.

The family attended a barbecue at the Jeff and Leanne CASON home on Saturday night. Grandchildren, both young and old, enjoyed a scavenger hunt followed by a family talent show. The evening concluded with a game of "Stephens Hollywood Squares" where the STEPHENS sisters played against the brothers. Both groups were asked to recall moments from their childhood and other interesting family happenings throughout the years. The game, which ended in a tie, produced very interesting comments and good natured kidding.

A highlight of the reunion was attending Sunday morning church services at First Union Church in Cedarville where Reverend Paul BEYMER began his ministry in the area 50 years ago in September. Current church members shared memories of "Granddad" during the service and the group enjoyed the many musical talents that the Cedarville church members and summer residents provided.

Those attending were: Barb and Cecil HINSHAW and Ashley ADAMS of Rockford, IL; Don and Julia STEPHENS of Redding; Amy and John FORD of Kellerton; Tracy, Caitlin and Conner GILES and Margi, Jody and Luke BOORD, all of Mount Ayr; Jim and Sally STEPHENS of Bellevue, NE; John, Karleen, Adam, Abby and Alex STEPHENS, Jack STEPHENS, Jerry and Barb STEPHENS, Lesa, Kyle and Kirsten DOLECHECK and Bertha YASHACK, all of Diagonal; Betty and Tim STALKER, Amanda ROBINSON and Terri and Matt HIGGINS, Cole and Alyssa, all of Creston; Susan and Duane KEESEN of Morrison, CO; Ken, Brenda and Joni STEPHENS and Jared O'RILEY, all of Clearfield; Sheryl and Wes BENEDICT of Truro; Sarah BROWN and Chet DARST of New Virginia; Joan and Gerald BOND of Pleasantdale, NE; Don and Donna SMITH of Cedarville, MI; Judy and John CASON, Jeff, Leanne and Isabelle CASON, all of Cedarvilel, MI; and Theresa and Bucky ROBINSON of Saint Ignace, MI.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012