Cecile Stephens

Spread the love

May 19, 1939 – August 2, 2025

Cecile Stephens, 86, of Belton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on August 2, 2025, after a brief illness.

She was born on May 19, 1939, in Martinsville, Illinois, to the late Mervin Bennett and Lulu Bush Bennett.

Cecile was a devoted wife, committed mother, loving grandmother and cherished friend who dedicated her life to her family, friends and career. She had a great love for spending time with her husband and family, and enjoyed gardening, word puzzles, fishing, flea markets and craft shows.

Known for her strong work ethic, Cecile worked in the service industry, providing exceptional service to her clients and patients. After retiring from her house cleaning business in Hobe Sound, Florida, she moved to Belton, South Carolina, where she worked at Maples At Austin Place. She will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to her career and the significant impact she made on those she served.

Services

Funeral services will be held at Markwell Funeral Home in Casey, Illinois, on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Tom Marsh officiating. Burial will follow in Partlow Cemetery in rural Clark County, Illinois.

Visitation will be held Friday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, Illinois.

Survivors

Cecile is survived by three children: Debbie (Don) Daughtery, Michael (Dinah) Stephens and Monty (Cindy) Stephens; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Preceded in Death

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 68 years, Dale Stephens; her parents, Mervin and Lulu Bennett; sisters Lilly Remlinger, Suzie Hill, Ruby Cooley, Grace Bennett and Opel Bennett; and brothers Roy Bennett, Harry Bennett, Everett Bennett, Bill Bennett, Daniel Bennett and Leo Bennett.

Cecile will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will forever be remembered for her simple, unassuming nature and her profound impact on the lives she touched. Her legacy will continue to influence the people she loved so dearly for generations to come.

Memorial Information

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit https://www.markwellfuneralhome.com.

Markwell Funeral Home, Casey, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements.

Latest News Stories

Chicago inspector general hopes for urgency to address OT mistakes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general says she hopes there is urgency to correct mistakes after the city paid $26.5...

Poll shows most Americans support legal limits to abortion

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Pro-life groups celebrate the 53rd annual March for Life event in the wake of a Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll showing that most Americans support legal...
Bill would give parents access to expulsion evidence

Bill would give parents access to expulsion evidence

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing legislation that would require public schools to share all evidence used to...
WATCH: Pritzker IDs half billion in ‘reserves;’ SCOTUS considering gun ban challenge

WATCH: Pritzker IDs half billion in ‘reserves;’ SCOTUS considering gun ban challenge

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses a recent announcement...
Proposed Illinois bill would let local voters approve rent control, drawing sharp criticism

Proposed Illinois bill would let local voters approve rent control, drawing sharp criticism

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois bill, the “Let the People Lift the Ban Act," SB2884, would let local...
Businesses close in Minnesota for anti-ICE ‘economic blackout’

Businesses close in Minnesota for anti-ICE ‘economic blackout’

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Many businesses across Minnesota closed today as part of an ‘economic blackout’ to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This comes in response to calls...
Illinois Quick Hits: Higher ed board pushes for more spending

Illinois Quick Hits: Higher ed board pushes for more spending

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved a 4.5% spending increase in its budget for fiscal...
lake land college.2

Policy Change Relaxes Grade Exclusion Requirements for Returning Students

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: Trustees voted to reduce the waiting period required for students to apply for grade exclusion, lowering the...
Pritzker says $481.6 million put in reserves, GOP questions state spending

Pritzker says $481.6 million put in reserves, GOP questions state spending

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day after an Illinois state representative said there was no budget transparency from J.B. Pritzker’s office,...
Illinois Quick Hits: HHS: IL abortion referral rule violates federal law

Illinois Quick Hits: HHS: IL abortion referral rule violates federal law

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has notified Illinois officials that the state is violating...

WATCH: Resolution condemning federal immigration law enforcement sparks debate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Democrats are calling for investigation, prosecution and impeachment of federal immigration law enforcement. State Rep....
Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 5.13.00 PM

Casey City Council Bans Sale and Possession of Kratom Products

City of Casey Meeting | January 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the sale, possession, and delivery of Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine...
Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 5.13.46 PM

Council Pursues Site Readiness Grant; Discusses Outsourcing Code Enforcement

City of Casey Meeting | January 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council approved a resolution to support a Regional Site Readiness Grant application and began discussions on potentially...
Chicago splits pension payments in hopes of Improving cash flow

Chicago splits pension payments in hopes of Improving cash flow

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Saint Charles, worries Chicago’s newfound plan to divide annual advance supplemental...
Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says it has identified more than $480 million of budget...