Michael Stephan Jr.

"> Michael Stephan Jr.
Michael J. Stephan Jr., 88, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at Hospice of the V.N.A. of St. Lukes, Lower Saucon Township. He was the husband of Agnes A. (LaBuda) Stephan. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 8. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Michael Sr. and Dorothy (Pribulski) Stephan. Michael worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 44 years until retiring in 1982. He worked for the Y.M.C.A., Bethlehem, for more than 30 years and was also the caretaker for Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery for many years. He was a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Bethlehem, and its Holy Name Society, Slovak Catholic Sokols and the U.S. Steelworkers Union. He enjoyed going to many retreats at St. Francis Friary. He proudly served his country in the Navy during World War II as a coxswain, where he had the honor of being a witness of the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay in 1945. He served on the USS Augusta, Knapp, Samaritan and Colorado. He was an avid gardener and a loyal Phillies fan. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, daughter, Nancy Hutt and her husband Carl of Lower Nazareth Township, son, Michael J. Stephan III and his wife Linda of Bethlehem, daughter, Michelle Shannon and her husband Patrick of Lower Saucon Township, sister, Lucille Kuchera, and sister-in-law, Mary Stephan of Bethlehem, and grandchildren, Ryan, Taylor, Kyle and Madison. Services: Visitation, 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Cantelmi Funeral Home, 1311 Broadway, Fountain Hill, followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, 617 Pierce St., Bethlehem. Interment with full military honors, Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com. Contributions: In Michaels name, to a charity of choice.