Richard Gilbert Stehno

Richard Gilbert Stehno, age 94, of Lapeer (formerly of Omaha, Nebraska), died Thursday, May 25, 2023.

Richard was born April 16, 1929, in Omaha, Nebraska to Vincent and Mary (Palecek) Stehno. Upon graduation from high school in 1945 Richard enlisted (at age 17) in the US Army and served proudly as a WWII paratrooper. After his honorable discharge Richard earned his law degree from Creighton University in Omaha. He opened law offices in Flint, then North Branch and ultimately in Lapeer. Having been inspired by the Detroit riots in 1967, Dick's passion and specialty became civil and minority rights law. He married Betty Lou Pedler Allen on November 24, 1979, in Burton, Michigan. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church since 1985. He was a life member of the State Bar of Michigan. In his spare time he was a voracious reader and loved researching issues. Physically, Dick enjoyed horseshoes and bodybuilding.

Dick is survived by his wife, Betty Stehno; children: Richard (Kathy) Stehno of Florida, Michael (Susan) Stehno of California, John (Laura Stehno of Oregon and Suzanne (Walter) Tindall of California; stepchildren: Dave (Kathy) Allen of Holly, June (Jack) Wickstrom of Marquette and Tom (Janet) Allen of Goodrich; sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by brothers: Robert Stehno and Vincent Stehno; sisters: Janet Brown, Joanne Tate and Betty Felt; step-grandson, Michael Allen as well as his aforementioned parents.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM Friday, June 2, 2023, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Lapeer. Pastor Rodney Sanderson-Smith will officiate. Dick’s family will receive friends from 10-11AM Friday prior to the service. Dick will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 North Dayton Street, Davison, Michigan 48423. Please share condolences and memories with the Stehno family at www.MuirBrothersLapeer.com.