CHICOPEE ~ Donald L. Stebbins, 75, of the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, April 7, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at his home in Chicopee surrounded by all the memories he loved and cherished. He was born at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on October 11, 1943, a beloved son of the late Lewis and Genevieve (Bevel) Stebbins. As the son of a United States Army Officer, he traveled extensively with his parents and lived in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Germany, Georgia and Alabama. He graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, GA. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. His Air Force Service brought him to Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee in 1967 and, following his military service, he settled in Chicopee where he lived for the remainder of his life. He furthered his education and received an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from Springfield Technical Community College where he was employed at STCC for over 20 years as a Computer Laboratory Technician. Previously, he had worked as a fork lift operator at the former Uniroyal Tire Company in Chicopee. During his leisure time, he enjoyed building and flying model airplanes. He also enjoyed cross stitching and was proud to have received a third place award at the Big E in West Springfield in 2018. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved infant son, David Patrick Stebbins who was Called Home on April 29, 1975; and his dear brother-in-law, Robert P. Lavallee who was Called Home on November 19, 2007. He leaves his loving wife and best friend of over 47 years, Suzanne E. (Lavallee) Stebbins; his two dear sisters, Linda Chance and her husband, James, of Opelika, AL and Micki Baker of Loachapoka, AL; his dear mother-in-law, Emma (Bernard) Lavallee of Chicopee; his dear sister-in-law, Jeanne Lavallee of Westport, MA; his dear brother-in-law, Richard Lavallee and his wife, Cindy, of Madison, AL; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Stebbins and Lavallee families. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Visiting Hour on Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. which will be followed by a Prayer Service at 1 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Prayer Service at Fairview Cemetery, Abbey Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01013. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com