Joel Michael Stevens, age 78 of Stow, Ohio passed away Monday, June 16, 2025. He was “born June 9, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Leonard and Bernice (nee Parch) Stevens. He was the loving brother of Richard (Linda) Stevens, and the late Jacqueline (Jim-surviving) Polcen; and cherished uncle of Monica Stevens, Jeffrey Polcen, Jonathan Polcen, and Dan Stevens.
Joel attended Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. He moved to the Kent / Ravenna, Ohio area in the late 1960’s. He was a member of the Kent Axillary Police during the 1970 Kent State University student protests and riots.
Joel was an expert welder working a number of years with Quick Service Welding and Machine in Kent, Ohio. He repaired radiators, gas tanks, worked in the fabrication shop and also did field work for Quick Service’s “Outside Truck”, servicing the local community with welding and repair needs.
In the 1990’s he moved into sales with Hibbard Marine, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. His love of fishing and boating made him a very knowledgeable and skilled sales person in the boating industry. He was an avid boater and fisherman regularly boating on local lakes and reservoirs. For a number of years, he kept his boat at the Sandusky, Ohio Marina spending much of his free time boating with friends and fishing for walleye on Lake Erie.
In the early 2000’s Joel took a position with MTD – manufacturer and service for commercial lawn mowing equipment such as Cub-Cadet. He moved into testing and trouble-shooting for MTD, traveling throughout the US. He very much enjoyed his work with MTD, especially the travel, customer servicing, and problem solving.
Joel was a very good cook, always preparing delicious meals for friends and family. He was also a “history buff”. The History Channel was one of his favorites. He was “always” willing to lend a helping hand to “literally” everyone. He could repair just about anything as he was an extremely knowledgeable and skilled craftsman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joel’s name can be made to St. Jude Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/give.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Northfield-Macedonia Cemetery, 9804 Olde Eight Road Northfield Ohio 44067. Everyone please meet at the cemetery.
Arrangements by Busch-Romito Funeral Home, Northfield Center, Ohio. www.buschcares.com
