The week after Christmas was always the busiest for Donald Ivan Stephens, whose longtime commercial photo shop in downtown Aurora each year processed hundreds of film rolls in a matter of days.
“Customers would all come in at once wanting their film developed right away,” recalled his son, Bruce. “So my dad would retreat to his lab, practically working around the clock, just to keep everyone happy.”
Mr. Stephens, 79, of Aurora, the former owner and operator of Assell Photo Shop in Aurora, died after a heart attack Monday, Dec. 26, in Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora.
Born and raised in Aurora, Mr. Stephens was a graduate of Aurora West High School. While still in his teens, he enlisted in the Army and served four years as a military base photographer in the Pacific Theater in World War II.
Mr. Stephens then worked several years for Parkway Galleries, a commercial photography studio in Chicago. It was there he honed his skills in the processing lab and learned the intricacies of photo restoration.
“That’s when he figured out he was better at the processing than working behind the camera,” his son said.
In the late 1960s, Mr. Stephens began working for Thor Thorsen, a photography studio in Oak Park. with whom he later formed a business called Quality Color Service, a photo processing shop also located in Oak Park. That shop closed in the late 1970s, after the partnership was dissolved.
In 1981, Mr. Stephens bought the Assell Photo Shop in Aurora, which he ran with his wife, Althea “Sue,” who died in April. The shop also sold photography equipment and gift items before it closed in 2003.
“Don could process film faster than anyone I know,” said Gerald Wauters, a longtime customer and friend. “He was talented and a very hard worker. If he said he’d have your film ready by a certain time, he always delivered.”
Mr. Stephens was an active member of the Moose Lodge, the Masons and the VFW Naperville Post, and past commander of the VFW Aurora Post. He also volunteered for the Salvation Army and delivered meals to homebound seniors through the Golden Diners club in Aurora.
“He liked keeping busy while reaching out to the community,” said his son.
Other survivors include another son, Lowell; two daughters, Diana Carl and Laura Ross; a half-sister, Carol Ruckman; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Pl., Aurora.
