Aurelia Mary Stephens

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Aurelia Mary Stephens, 98, of Du Quoin, passed away at 6:10 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 at Carbondale Rehab and Nursing at Carbondale, Ill.

Aurelia had worked as a seamstress for 39 years at Pinckneyville and Centralia Dress Factories. She was a member of the St. Bruno Catholic Church at Pinckneyville and had attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin.

She was born April 23, 1912 at Du Quoin, Ill., the daughter of John and Sarah (Stearns) Poninski.

She married Delmar Stephens on Oct. 6, 1931 at Pinckneyville, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Feb. 11, 1997.

She is survived by her son-in-law - George Hestand of Tamaroa, five granddaughters - Helen Ferguson of Hurst, Carol Hartsock of Du Quoin, Catherine Reyes of Minneapolis, Minn., Sarah George of Du Quoin and Mary Frances Doerschuck of Okawville, Ill., 10 great grandchildren, eight great great grandchildren and two nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter - Frances E. Hestand, three brother - Carl Poninski, John Poninski, and Louie Poninski, one sister - Ella Keene, and an infant sister - Adeline Poninski.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Fr. Nick Junker officiating.

Friends called from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the funeral home.

Burial was in the St. Bruno Cemetery at Pinckneyville.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.