Melvin "Red" Stege

Melvin “Red” Stege, born on March 6, 1922, in Rich Township, Illinois, died on February 24, 2016 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Red is survived by his son, Steve (Cindi) Mason of Arvada, CO; and daughter, Mary Mason (Willis) Younker of Battle Creek, MI; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Colleen) Bettenhausen, Henry Bettenhausen, and Laverne Stege; his grandchildren Aaron Mason, Jane Mason, Nick Younker and Matt (Andrea) Younker; his great-grandchildren, Leo Forreider, Hyatt Hernandez and Zachary Younker. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Marie (nee Bettenhausen, 2007); parents Henry and Frieda (nee Kampe) Stege; brothers, Harold and George Stege; and sisters, Marion Tatgenhorst and Anita Yocum. Of German heritage, Red’s family arrived in the Tinley Park area in the early 1850s. Although a fourth-generation citizen, Red did not learn English until he started school in the one-room Sedan Prairie School in 1927 where he received eight years of formal education by only one teacher, Wesley Hollstein. Red was confirmed in both German and English at St. Paul Lutheran Church in what is now Matteson, IL. Red worked most of his life as a salesman, initially for Service Bakery in Tinley Park, and eventually went on to co-found IMPO Glaztile, Inc., a ceramic tile importing and distributing company based in Markham, IL. As IMPO’s first president, Red traveled many times to Japan, England, Italy, and Germany until he retired in 1984. In retirement Red occasionally worked for Bettenhausen Dodge delivering vehicles and parts until 2005. Red was a life member of Calumet Lodge No. 716 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons; served a term as church council president of Zion Lutheran Church; and was a past president of the Tinley Park/Frankfort Rotary Club. Red married Marie (nee Bettenhausen) Mason, a widow with two small children in 1952, and raised Steve and Mary as his own in the best possible way -- he allowed them just to be kids. A life-long Democrat, Red loved nothing better than to discuss politics while enjoying a cigar and a VO Manhattan. Red and Marie loved to entertain, play cards, travel, and just plain have a great time. Red delighted in Marie’s ability to cook, play piano, play bridge, and laugh at his jokes. Red missed Marie deeply since her death, and will now be laid to rest beside Marie at the Tinley Park Methodist Cemetery. Donations can be directed to the Tinley Park Historical Society. For info or to sign the guestbook visit heartlandmemorial.com or call Heartland Memorial Center at (708)444-2266.

Melvin "Red" Stege

March 6, 1922 - February 24, 2016