09/01/2025
Michael J. Stevens
Michael Joseph Stevens transitioned peacefully into his next life from his home on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 5:46 pm. Several family members including his wife Barbara were privileged to be there with him as he left our world.
To know this man of greatness, you need to know his story. It begins on Friday, September 13, 1946 with the birth of twins. Michael and twin brother Phillip were born to George Brintonand Mary Virginia (Slemaker) Stevens at Maryland Women’s Hospital in Baltimore. They rounded out the Stevens family as number as numbers 4 & 5 with big sisters Theadora, Georgia, and Sandra, at home on Croyden Rd. in the Lochearn area of western Baltimore County.
He grew up playing and exploring in the wooded area and stream near his house with other boys from the neighborhood. He spent some time in the Boy Scouts and also began collecting model trains. Throughout his adult life he loved to show off his collection and tell you all about the specific trains and unique features of the garden. His green thumb and love of gardening first became evident at a young age when he won an award from the Garden Club in the youth division. But life would throw him some curveballs when he was young. From a bout with scarlet fever to a near drowning incident in the ocean at Atlantic City where he gained a great respect for the water. At 12 he had another incident in the water which led to him losing all hearing in his left ear.
When he was barely a teen, Mike’s father began taking him to work in the family business of George B. Stevens Select Meats at Baltimore’s North Ave Market. There he was ingrained by the value of hard work where he started by cleaning up the byproduct of a busy butcher. He would eventually move up to learn the trade and later earn a living as a butcher at A.W. Schmidt and Sons. He loved telling stories of his time working in this profession with great pride. There wasn’t a cut of beef that hit the dining room table that wasn’t scrutinized before being carved just right by century old butcher knives passed down from his grandfather. We often heard, “That’s a good cut of meat but it’s nothing like what we had at the market.”
He attended All Saints Catholic School and later Calvert Hall College for High School graduating in 1964. At Calvert Hall he made lifelong friends in Bill Muth and Dennis McGough, whom he kept in touch with throughout his life. He excelled in lacrosse and ironically enough, swimming.
Tall and handsome with a charming personality, he was an active member of the Christian Youth Organization and must’ve caught the eye of many a young lady at the CYO dances. He was even crowned King of the CYO.
Mike moved onto college at LaSalle in Philadelphia where he entered ROTC in hopes of a career in the military. His hearing loss, however, would thwart his efforts to enter any branch of the military. His friends Bill and Dennis were along for the ride at LaSalle, where they met their college buddies Hank and Paul. He left LaSalle his junior year before moving home.
While working at Baltimore chemical company W. R. Grace he met a cute young country girl from Elkton named Barbara Slonecker who was attending the University of MD. It was love at first sight or a chemical reaction, as each worked with different nerve agents. While Mike worked with mustard gas, Barbara was creating paper for the NASA Gemini missionand dabbling in VX gas. Though Barb almost missed her chance by denying his invite to Peter, Paul and Mary, Mike didn’t give up. The two had drinks at the Hershey Bar in Woodlawn and eventually married on November 23, 1968.
Soon after marriage, the real fun began as they made a family. First came Debbie, then Tonja, next Missy, and finally Jenny. Surrounded by five females, being partially deaf wasn’t such a hindrance. His life was filled with gymnastics, swimming, and female fun all while working at the slaughterhouse.
Friendship blended into family, as his life-long friend, Bill Muth fell for Barbara’s little sister, Becky, during one Christmas in the seventies. This made family holidays full of love and more fun than most families can claim.
He was the announcer for the Rollingwood Swim Team, ran the Christmas trains for Fr. Fortenbaugh at St. Agnes Church, became president of the Medwick Garth association, all while achieving his bachelor’s degree from Towson State University in 1989 in Chemistry. In the early eighties, he switched careers to become the Maintenance Manager at the AAI Corporation in Cockeysville, to work alongside his friend, Bill.
Mike was beloved by his wife, daughters, and everyone who met him. His humor and good nature led him to be admired by many. He had the ability to do most anything and if he didn’t know how, he could figure it out. Mike could fix a car, build a deck, do the plumbing, electric, and everything anyone needed help with. His intellect made him the go-to for every family member and many friends. Mike is remembered fondly for his absolute willingness to help, no matter his own circumstances.There wasn’t much Mike wouldn’t do if someone asked for a helping hand.
His Christmas lights on the Garth and later, Tredegar Avenue, were well known by the community. His train garden was a massive and cherished part of the house. He knew most every plant by name and tended his garden with loving care. He loved folk and rock music, though he couldn’t carry a tune. He was always the first to get up and dance at a wedding or jump in the ocean as he rode the waves in. He loved a bit of smooth scotch or Long Island Iced Tea though he rarely drank.
Michael leaves behind a family who loved him greatly – wife Barbara Marie Stevens (nee Slonecker), daughters Deborah Ann (Tracey Thiels), Tonja Marie, Michelle Renee (Ron Poole), Jennifer Jean (Danny Coolahan) and bonus daughter Theresa Drayer.
Grandchildren Michael Joseph (Mikey) Stevens, II (Manuella), Britany Runkles (Chase), Shane Thiels, Justin Thiels (Elizabeth), Tristan Coolahan and Vivian Coolahan. Also two great grandchildren, Michael Joseph (MJ) Stevens III, & Maddox Stevens.
A visitation will be held at Ambrose Funeral Home in Arbutus on Tuesday from 5-8pm. A funeral service will take place Wednesday 11am follow by burial at Arbutus Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Wreaths Across America. Donate Now
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