Leland "Lee" Vern Stein

Leland “Lee” Vern Stein, age 87, of rural Brownstown died of prostate cancer on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care in Vandalia, Illinois, where he had resided for 9 days.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Loogootee, Illinois. There will be an hour viewing prior to the service. Don Price will be officiating. Burial will be at Stein-Stine Cemetery in Loogootee, Illinois. Military Rites will be observed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest you buy or pick flowers and take to a loved one as this was a common practice of Lee. Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church roof fund or donor’s choice. 

Due to Covid-19 concerns, please be mindful of CDC guidelines. Masks are requested by the family at the funeral service.

Lee was born August 26, 1933 to Clarence W. and Mildred (O’Dell) Stein in Loogootee, Illinois. He married Betty Ann VonBehren at United Methodist Church in Farina, Illinois. After 56 years of marriage, she died in 2008. Lee then married Joyce Mead Stephens in Lyons, New York on August 9, 2009; she died in 2018.

Lee was an Army veteran having served in Korea from 1953-1954 where he mainly built roads. Upon leaving the military, he settled on the Ragel farm west of St. James raising crops and livestock, growing Christmas trees, working in the oilfield, hauling plants for Richardson Brothers, and doing dozer work.  

Lee enjoyed visiting friends and family, traveling, camping, and spending the winter in Palmetto, Florida. He also loved going to the Edgewood Opry. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Loogootee (where he regularly provided flowers for the altar) and the Little Wabash Camping Club. He had previously served on the Fayette County Farm Bureau, the Wheatland Township Board, and the Stein Cemetery Board.

Lee is survived by his four children, Diane Price (husband Don) of Vandalia, Brad Stein (wife Joyce) of rural Brownstown, Kerry Stein (wife Cathy) of Belleville, Julie Shively (husband John) of rural Brownstown; eight grandchildren, Jason Price, Rachel Price, Tricia Williams, Sheri Wallis, Carla Karban, Kristal Fournie, Kyle Stein, and Skylar Sperry; five step-grandchildren, Rodger West, Ryan Yagow, Caleb Yagow, Lisa Hutson, and Janalyn Newchurch; 15 great-grandchildren with one on the way; five step great-grandchildren; brother, Cliff Stein of Kankakee; sister, Francis Dunbar of Waverly; many other relatives as well as the New York family of his second wife.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; brother, Alan Stein, and infant daughters.

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