Milestones: Apr. 20, 1970

Born. To Arlo Guthrie, 22, hip folk singer recently featured in the film Alice's Restaurant, and Jacklyn Hyde Guthrie, 24, his wife of six months: a son, their first child; in Great Barrington, Mass. Name: Abraham.

Married. Svetlana Alliluyeva, 44, Josef Stalin's only daughter, who astonished the world by defecting to the U.S. in 1967; and William Wesley Peters, 57, architect and vice president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, whom she met less than a month ago while visiting the foundation; in a Quaker ceremony near Phoenix, Ariz.

Died. Maurice Stokes, 36, former Cincinnati Royals basketball star who was struck down by paralysis at the peak of his career; of a heart attack; in Cincinnati. A 6-ft. 7-in. forward, Stokes was a three-time National Basketball Association All-Star, second in the league in rebounds (18.1 a game) and averaging 16.9 points a game in 1958, when he was stricken by post-traumatic encephalopathy (paralysis caused by brain swelling). Aided by his teammates, who inaugurated the annual Maurice Stokes All-Star Game to raise funds for his therapy, he began a gallant struggle for recovery. Completely helpless at first, he eventually regained partial use of his hands and voice, but was confined to a wheelchair until his death.

Died. Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, 46, Cleveland osteopath and central figure in a famed 1954 murder case; of as yet undetermined causes; in Columbus. After a nine-week trial that made headlines around the world, "Dr. Sam" was convicted of the brutal bludgeon murder of his wife Marilyn. Sentenced to life, he served nearly ten years before the Supreme Court upset his conviction in 1966 on the ground that "inherently prejudicial publicity" had prevented him from receiving a fair trial. Retried and acquitted (the murder weapon was never found), Sheppard married a German divorcee who had become his pen pal while he was in prison, and reopened his practice. Divorced in 1969 and harassed with malpractice suits, Sheppard became a professional wrestler, and five months before he died married the 20-year-old daughter of his manager.

Died. John O'Hara, 65, untiring and prolific cataloguer of 20th century U.S. manners and morals (see page 38).

Died. Mrs. Hope Goddard Iselin, 102, international socialite, noted horsewoman and sailor; in Aiken, S.C. Widow of Banker-Yachtsman Charles Oliver Iselin, she was the first American woman ever to sail as a member of an America's Cup crew (Defender, Columbia; 1895-99).