John William (Bill) Stephan of Portage died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. He was 73.

Born in Hammond, he settled in Portage with his wife of 51 years, Joan Beatrice (Nabhan). He was the son of Edgar and Eulalia Stephan, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by brothers Gerald Stephan (wife Daria) of Michigan, Thomas Stephan (Linda) of Illinois, Joseph Stephan (Nancy) of Crown Point; sister Martha Stephan of Florida; children Kim Riley (husband Kelvin), Patti Boyer (David), Chris Turner (Ken), Bill Stephan (Maria), and Jerry Stephan (Diane). He is also survived by grandchildren Michael (Winter), Bryon, and Mark Riley; Christopher, Tom, and John Boyer; Alec, Sarah, Trevor and Julia Turner; Brittny, Braxton, Brianna, Bryce, and Brock Stephan; and Andrew, Lauren and Nicholas Stephan.

He was a member of the Nativity of Our Savior Parish in Portage and a Bishop Noll graduate. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. He retired from Lafayette Warehouse in 2004. He was an active member of the Northwest Indiana Steelheaders Association and an avid hunter and fisherman.

Funeral services were held today, Oct. 1, at the Nativity of Our Savior Parish in Portage with Father Walter Rakoczy officiating. Visitation was held on Sunday at the Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Portage. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. www.funeral1.com

Posted 10/1/2007