Marcella “Sally” Julia (Wolf) Stephan, 98, of Alexis, Illinois, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.
Sally was born on March 23, 1927, in Grayling, Michigan, the daughter of George Joseph and Edith Andrea (Neilson) Wolf. She spent most of her life in Grayling until moving to Illinois to be with her daughter Kay.
Marcella worked for many years at General Telephone until the company was bought out by Verizon. She continued working for Verizon until her retirement. Marcella spent most of her years working and raising her children. In her free time she enjoyed tending to her home, her flower garden, crocheting, and basket making. Marcella also liked to cross stitch, quilt, complete word searches, and jigsaw puzzles.
Sally is survived by two daughters, Kay Frances (Lane) Smallwood of Alexis and Penny Lynn Grice-Stephan of Skanee, Michigan; a son-in-law, Robert Bowles of Owosso, Michigan; six grandchildren, Jerome (Christine) Mankowski, Jr., Paul (Heather) Mankowski, Melissa Kalahiki, Jason (Monica) Bowles, Carolynn (Rob) Collard, and Lance (Megan) Bowles; twelve grandchildren; and one great great grandson. Along with her parents, Sally was preceded in death by one daughter, Sallie Lea Bowles; a granddaughter, Andrea Lynn Grice; and a brother and sister.
Cremation will be accorded. A celebration of life will be held a later date. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Grayling, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, Illinois. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
