Former Rosemont public safety superintendent Stephens dies

Donald E. Stephens II, who served the village of Rosemont for more than 43 years, including a long tenure as its public safety superintendent, died Saturday morning, the village announced Sunday.

Stephens, 63, succumbed to a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his family when he died, according to the village's statement.

"Stephens II was a tireless public servant whose legacy is one of professionalism and loyalty," the statement reads. "His strong leadership and determination will be everlasting in the department and the Village of Rosemont."

Stephens, son of founding Rosemont Mayor Donald E. Stephens, began working for the village in 1971, and was instrumental in the opening of the Rosemont Horizon, now known as the Allstate Arena, as well as the village's convention center and other municipal buildings and projects. Besides serving as public safety superintendent, he had a short stint as deputy mayor in the late 1980s under his father.

Since his father's passing, Stephens' son, Christopher Stephens, said the family has received messages of love and support from friends and community members.

"'He's one of the good guys.' 'He's always fair.' 'He looked out for us and was the voice of reason,'" Christopher Stephens said in describing the messages. "I've heard all those things multiple times. He was a great man."

Donald Stephens II received the Rosemont Public Safety Department's Life Saving Medal and Medal of Merit in 1979. He also was one of the charter members of the department's K-9 unit and served as a police dog handler for several years.

The third superintendent of public safety in the village's history, Stephens retired in 2014, but remained active within the department as the chairman of the Police and Fire Commission.

Donald E. Stephens III, Stephens' son and successor as superintendent, said his father taught him many valuable lessons about loyalty and leadership.

"The thing that stuck out to me the most is, 'Don't ask somebody to do something that you wouldn't be willing to do.' That was instilled in me from Day 1," he said. "That speaks volumes for his character. It goes back to how you treat people - treat people the way you want to be treated - and I think that's really the biggest take-away."

Donald Stephens II is also survived by his wife, Kathy, and daughter, Brittany. as well as four grandchildren, his mother, two brothers and one sister. Village of Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens is his younger brother.

"We're all very proud of him," Donald Stephens III said. "He'll be badly missed."

Services will begin for family only at 9 a.m. Wednesday, at Our Lady of Hope Church in Rosemont. They will be open to the public starting at 10 a.m.