Charles Stevens

Charles Dwayne Stevens, 76, of Grants Pass died July 18, 2008, at his home. Stephens Family Chapel is in charge of arrangements. He was born Aug. 3, 1931, in Murray County, Minn., to William Walter and Irene Cherna (Kingsbury) Stevens, the seventh of eight children. He grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Edgerton High in 1949, and began selling magazine subscriptions and taking family photos in southern Minnesota. He joined the Navy during the Korean War and operated electronic flight training machines in California, and later worked for IBM. He started a hydraulic business in San Leandro, Calif., and lived in Hayward and Napa, Calif., before moving to Grants Pass in 1978. He spent his last 30 years running a photo machine business, traveling to county and state fairs all over the West. He enjoyed politics, history, traveling and dancing. He was a Mason and a member of the Eagles. Survivors include two daughters, Charlene Bennett of Arizona, and Linda Mileham of California; a son, Charles of Arizona; three sisters, Erma Zwart and Ruth Hord, both of Minnesota, and Pearl Anselm of California; a brother, Milford of Astoria; his former wife, Lorene of California; his companion of 10 years, Christa Watson of Grants Pass; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.