Roy M. Stevens

Roy M. Stevens, 81, retired manager of Meadville Housing Corp. Hillcrest development, was found dead in his home Monday night, May 4, 1970.

Mr. Stevens was manager of Hillcrest from December 1939 until cataracts of the eyes forced his retirement in June 1956.  He came to Meadville in 1910 as a furniture salesman and later was employed in the shipping department of Spirella Corset Co.  For six years he owned and operated the Manhattan Theater in Meadville and in 1922 he was named NW PA district sales manager for Mueller Macaroni Co., a post he held for 15 years.

Although a member of Grace United Methodist Church,  Mr. Stevens was choir director at First Baptist Church for 27 years until retiring in 1954.  Active in musical circles, he organized about 1914 the Highland Male Quartet, composed of Meadville men.  The group sang professionally for 20 years, touring many of the eastern states.  He sang with the old State Street Methodist Church Choir for several years and was in the Grace Choir for several years.  A longtime member of Meadville Lions Club, Mr. Stevens was a member of a club quartet and served as club song leader.

Mr. Stevens was born at Nelson, Tioga County, March 28, 1889.  He was a graduate of Meeker Busniess College, Elmira, NY, in 1909.  He was a 55-year member of Cussewago Odd Fellows Lodge, serving as its chaplain at one time.  He also was a member of Meadville Grange and the American Assn. of Retired Persons.  Following his retirement as Hillcrest manager he served as a board member and its secretary for a period of time.

He was twice married.  His second wife, the former Edith M. Pilling, died in 1965.

Among surviving step-children is Mrs. B. E. Gartner of Cleveland.

Services were held with the Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.