Obituary of Joseph Louis Stephan

Joseph L. Stephan, 85, of Dyersville, Iowa died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 5 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 26, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Petersburg, IA. Officiating will be Rev. Robert Gross. Military rites will be accorded by Dyersville American Legion Post 137. Joe was born on January 14, 1925, on the family farm where his father was also born and died, in Thompson Township near Schapville (Scales Mound), IL., the son of Louis and Annie (Waldschmitt) Stephan. He faithfully attended the Jo Davies County Public Schools where he finished eighth grade. He later earned his High School GED. He served in the US Army from 1949 - 1951, and was awarded the the US Army Silver Star and the Korean Wharang Distinguished Military Service Medal with a Silver Star for his gallantry in action against an armed enemy in Korea. After his return he married Eileen A. Scherbring on January 3, 1956. She preceded him in death on April 27, 1962. He later married Lorraine Burkle on July 29, 1978. Together they resided in Dyersville where they were active in the St. Francis Xavier Parish. Joe was an Usher, Mass Server, Eucharistic Minister, Rosary Leader, Bible Study Leader, Adoration attendee, and general volunteer. Joe also unlocked the church every day. Joe's career was as a welder in several factories until retiring to make a career of volunteering. He began as a caregiver/custodian with Dyersville Progress, Inc., was a custodian at St. Francis Xavier School, ministered to the prisoners at the Anamosa State Penitentiary - Men's Reformatory for at least 35 years. He was also a member of several Marriage Encounter Groups, CEW Weekends, was a member of the Mary of the Angels Prayer Group, a volunteer at Mercy Health Center in Dyersville, raised a large garden and shared produce with many families, shoveled walks and mowed yards. Survivors include his, wife, Lorraine, 2 children: Joleen (David) Stephan-Mease of Charlotte, NC and David (Kitty) Stephan of Dyersville, 4 grandchildren: Justin & Casey Offerman of Charlotte, NC, Brian Stephan of Bernard, IA, and Ashley (Ryan) Schultz of Grimes, IA, 1 great grandchild, Sophia Rose Stephan, 1 sister, Loretta Upmann of Stockton, IL, brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert L. (Anna Mae) Scherbring of Dyersville, Elaine Scherbring of Edgewood, IA, Harry McBride of Anamosa, IA, Charles Burkle of Dyersville, Leon (Theresa) Burkle of Earlville, Walter (VernaMae) Burkle, Bernard (Lorraine) Burkle, Betty Gassmann, Harold (Gladys) Burkle, Gerald (Rose Ann) Burkle and Doris (Alvin) Hermsen, all of Dyersville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Eileen, 3 siblings: John (Margaret) Stephan and Pearl Stephan, Florence (William) Huilman, brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Walter (Mary) Scherbring, Lester Scherbring, George (Thelma) Burkle, Luetta Burkle, Jerry Hermsen and John Gassmann.