James Stephens, 73, of Newton died on Sunday, June 17, 2012, at Newton Healthcare Center.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at the funeral home. Memorials in James’ name may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home.

James, the son of Ward and Esther (Dicks) Stephens, was born on June 28, 1938, in Monroe County, Iowa. He grew up in Albia and graduated from Albia High School. He later made his home in Newton and began working at the Maytag Company in 1969. James retired from there in 1999. He was a member of the UAW Local 997 and the Monroe Chapter No. 125 of the Masonic Lodge.