FREDERICK “RICK” STEBBINS II

PITTSBURG, Kan.- Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Countryside Christian Church for Frederick “Rick” Stebbins, II, 81, Pittsburg, who died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at his home in Pittsburg. Pastor Jim Frech will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg.

Memorial donations can be made to Countryside Christian Church of Pittsburg, the First Christian Church of Olathe or the Christian Church of Liberal, Mo.

Survivors include two sons, Timothy Stebbins and wife Chandra, Pittsburg and Paul Stebbins and wife Heather, Liberal, Mo.; a daughter, Kimberlee Towner, Olathe; a brother, Peter Stebbins and wife Trish, Salado, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Beatrice Roseland, Sarah Stebbins, Ayden Stebbins, Tory Towner, Chance Towner, Tristan Towner, Madison Towner, Tyler Stebbins, Molly Stebbins, Libby Stebbins and Tanner Stebbins and a step-grandchild, Jason Reed and one great-grandchild, Haylee Towner.

He was preceded in death by a sister Patricia “Pat” Wells.

Mr. Stebbins was born Sept. 3, 1942, in Schenectady, NY, to Frederick and Ruth (Bauer) Stebbins.

He married Sheila Lee Limpus (mother of Tim and Kim) on July 31, 1964, in Independence. While they subsequently divorced, they remained lifelong friends and continued support for each other. He later married Linda Gilmore (mother of Paul) in Olathe. They were also subsequently divorced, but remained good friends.

Mr. Stebbins lived his life as a Christian and had been active in his churches. He completed his confirmation at Emmanual Lutheran Church in Kansas City area. Later, he was very active at the Baptist Church in Lamar, Mo. and was an Elder and was in charge of the outreach department, as well as the food pantry at the First Christian Church of Olathe. Upon moving to the Pittsburg area, he attended Countryside Christian Church in Pittsburg.

During his life, he worked in several occupations including electronics retail, owned a gas station, was a deputy sheriff for Johnson County, farmed and ultimately retired as a fraud investigator for the State of Missouri.

He loved his family and that was paramount of importance to him. He would often be seen at events of his children and grandchildren. His vacations and fun almost always centered around visiting family, especially his three children and brother. He loved projects and was always ready to be present when building, painting, cleaning, or tinkering was involved. He was an excellent craftsman and loved to make and distribute palm crosses among other things.

He was a devoted Christian and beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend.