Obituaries

 

Joseph Stephen “Steve” Mulhern

PORTAGE – Joseph Stephen “Steve” Mulhern, age 58, passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 of natural causes.

Steve graduated from Portage High School in 1977 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

All who knew Steve will remember him for his huge heart, hilarious sense of humor, great storytelling ability, and cultivator of deep and abiding friendships. We remember wonderful times with Steve as he would hold court telling funny tales that had us laughing until we cried. He was always the funniest guy in the room, the life of the party. His ready smile and positive energy in those days made you feel happy just to be with him.

After college, Steve met and fell in love with Mary Susan Draper. They married in 1995 and had three wonderful children. Steve followed Mary into the insurance business and worked in several locations in the Midwest. His impressive interpersonal skills made him a natural salesman. He took on increasing roles of responsibility as he rose from sales to management, culminating in a multi-state regional management position with USAA insurance in Virginia, Beach, VA. In a very short time, Steve managed a complete turnaround in the region’s ranking within the company, taking it from near the bottom to the top. Steve’s success in business was due not only to his business acumen but his understanding of and care for people -- he truly was a “people person.” He was a gifted, empathetic and insightful listener, and always wanted to lend a helping hand.

He is survived by his three children, Benjamin Stephen Nicholas (age 22), Colin James (age 20) and Mallory Ann (age 16), their mother, Mary Susan, and his former mother-in-law Mary Ann Draper, all of Cumming, GA; seven siblings, Maureen (Lester)Bortz, Jeannie, John, Michael (Bonnie), James, Scott (Jeannie)and Kathleen; 19 nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom he loved dearly, as well as many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Marjorie Mulhern, his sister Mary Ann, and former father-in-law Jack Draper.

In recent years many friends reached out in loving embrace of Steve as he suffered with illnesses of depression and addiction. The family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to all of you, especially noting the deeply caring support of Steve provided by Don and Jan Weideman, Pastor Dan and Rachel Kelm, and Tom and Sally Drury.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with visitation at 10:00 am and funeral service at 12:00 pm, followed by a luncheon at the church. Rev. Greg Hovland will officiate.  Inurnment will be at Sunny View Gardens in Cumming, GA.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

An Irish Blessing: May the road rise to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. 

 

 

Obituaries
For information please call 608 742-2126 (Portage, WI) or 608 635-2763 (Poynette, WI)