Joseph "Joe" G. Stevens

Joseph “Joe” G. Stevens, age 79, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.  Joe was born on December 25, 1945, in St. Louis, MO, the son of the late Edward & Loretta (Schoemehl) Stevens.  Joe married Linda S. (Errett) Stevens on October 28, 1971, in East St. Louis, IL.  Besides his wife of 53 years, Joe is survived by his three sons, Greg Stevens & wife Lori, of Edwardsville, IL, Clay Stevens & wife Chrissy, of Edwardsville, IL, and Jason Stevens & Kristen Staff, of Edwardsville, IL; three grandchildren, Gavin, Sydni, & Aidan Stevens, all of Edwardsville, IL; three step grandchildren, Steven Hartzel, of Portland, OR, Ian Hartzel & wife Corinne, of St. Louis, MO, and Sarah Hartzel, of Portland, OR; step great grandchild, Avery Hartzel; a brother, Don Stevens & wife Sandy, of Edwardsville, IL; a sister, Mary Burke; nieces & nephews; and many other friends and customers. Besides his parents Joe was preceded in death by his four brothers, Ed, Rick, Ray, & Hank Stevens; and two sisters, Ozzie O’Hara and Virginia Burkemper.  In 1971, Joe and Linda Stevens started The Market Basket selling produce out of the back of a pickup truck in Edwardsville, and together they built the business into a successful landscape, garden and grocery store, now with five locations in the metro area.  Joe retired in 2011 and let his sons take over the reins after forty years of running the family business. Joe was a member of the Edwardsville Rotary Club and a past member of the Edwardsville Jaycee’s Club. In his free time Joe enjoyed playing golf, cards, and traveling. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Leclaire Room 600 Troy Rd #109 in Edwardsville from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be made to the Glen-Ed Pantry.     Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.