Marty

Martin Everette Stevens, known to most simply as Marty, was born on December 15, 1931, in Flint, Michigan, to James Elmer and Lillie Mae (Thorne) Stevens. He lived a long and full life, marked by a deep love for Jesus, a devotion to his family, a genuine love for people, and an enthusiasm for sharing the things he had learned along the way. He went home to be with his Lord on August 21, 2026, leaving behind a family and a host of friends who will miss him dearly.

Marty graduated from Dowagiac High School (MI) and went on to attend Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music (MI). He served in the Michigan National Guard. During his high school years, he worked at his father's gas station, and while attending Bible school, he worked as a supper cook at Butterworth Hospital.

Marty spent his life finding ways to serve God and others. He pastored Bloomingdale Bible Church and later worked as an Architectural Hardware Consultant. He taught adult Sunday school in several churches and served as a deacon. He also officiated weddings and funerals for people who did not have a pastor, taught Traffic Violators School, and worked with Dr. Nadeau testing for students with learning disabilities.

One of the things people will remember most about Marty was how much he loved God's Word, The Bible, and how much he loved talking about it. He was a passionate student and teacher of Scripture. Marty could turn a conversation into a story, a story into a lesson, and a lesson into something that pointed people back to the Bible. He loved sharing what he had learned through the years, and he never seemed to run out of stories.

Marty was, above all, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and his family was one of the greatest joys of his life. He loved his family deeply and cherished the time he spent with them. He helped his wife, Joyce, in her work as a teacher and tutor, assisted her in homeschooling some of their grandchildren, and often cared for his grandchildren. He loved sharing his stories, wisdom, humor, and the lessons he had learned throughout his life, and he delighted in watching his family grow through the generations. His love for his family was evident not only in what he did for them, but in the genuine interest he took in each person's life.

Marty also had a remarkable ability to connect with people. Wherever he went, he seemed to make a friend. He collected friends throughout his life—from churches, workplaces, neighborhoods, and all the different places his life took him. He genuinely enjoyed people, loved hearing their stories, and was always ready to share one of his own. Many people who met Marty came away feeling as though they had known him for years.

And then there were the things that simply made Marty, Marty. He was a car enthusiast and loved driving and talking about cars. He enjoyed spicy foods and sauces and was not afraid of a little heat. As a true lover of food, he also had a quirky habit of scooping up butter with chips—and he was even known to eat butter all by itself. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life and had a wonderful sense of humor. And if you spent much time with him, chances are you heard a story—perhaps one from his younger years, one about his family, or one that somehow ended up teaching a lesson from Scripture.

One of the sweetest stories of Marty's life was how he and Joyce unexpectedly reconnected at the Kalamazoo County Fair. Neither of them could have known that meeting again that day would lead to their marriage just one year later. Marty saw God's loving hand in bringing them back together, and the story became a special reminder of His faithfulness. The song “Jesus Led Me All the Way” became especially meaningful to Marty, and he changed the words to “Jesus Led Us All the Way.” To Marty, those words were more than the title of a favorite song—they were a testimony to how God had led them throughout their lives.

Marty was preceded in death by his sisters, Reba Davis and Joyce Gilpin; his first wife, Jean Ann (Dow) Stevens; and his grandson, Bradley Stauffer.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Joyce Irene (Rouse) Stevens; his children, Ruth (Paul) Stauffer, David (Linnet) Stevens, Debbie (Joe) Pedersen, Rita (Kenneth) Hadley, Stephanie (Timothy) Truong, and Sherry (Andy) Collier; and his surviving siblings, Carl Stevens, Nellie Livingston, and Elmer Stevens.

He is also lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Aaron Stauffer; Calvin (Jessie) Stevens; Mark (Lydia) Stevens; Katherine Stevens; Steve (Jessica) Pedersen; Saraphine (Pedersen) Donovan; Alyssa Hadley; Kristiana Hadley; Nirel Hadley; Jeremy Truong; Angelie (Francis) Casey; Gregory (Kelsey) Truong; Emilie (Long) Pham; Benjamin Collier; and Jonathan Collier.

His great-grandchildren include Hannah Stevens, Caleb Stevens, Aaron Stevens, Leon Stevens, Remy Stevens, Maisie Pedersen, Kaleo Casey, Esmae Casey, Maverick Casey, Jericho Casey, and Zoelle Casey.

Marty's life was not about one particular accomplishment or title. It was about a lifetime of loving Jesus, loving people, loving his family, and sharing what he knew. He leaves behind generations of family who carry his stories, his wisdom, his humor, his love of Scripture, and his example. His influence will continue through the lives of those who knew and loved him.

His family is grateful for the many years God gave them with Marty and for the countless ways he touched their lives. While they will miss his stories, his laughter, his questions, his wisdom, and simply having him there, they take comfort in knowing that the Jesus Marty loved and served throughout his life has now led him all the way home.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Marty's life and his love for sharing God's Word to make a contribution to Bloomingdale Bible Church. (Checks may be made out to Bloomingdale Bible Church and sent to P.O. Box 266, Bloomingdale, MI 49026)

Two Celebration of Life Services will be held. The first service will be held at Calvary Knoxville, 3330 W Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 on September 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM. The second service will be held at Bloomingdale Bible Church, 210 Chestnut Street, Bloomingdale, MI 49026 on October 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM. 

Feel free to scroll to the Guestbook section below to leave any memories or pictures of Marty.