Gregory Charles Stephan, 74, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on April 10, 2022, after a brave battle with cancer at the Algoma Long Term Care Facility. He was born Sept. 17, 1947, to Edwin and Joanna Stephan. On Feb. 7, 1970, he married Cheryl Schmelzer at Corpus Christi Church in Sturgeon Bay.
Greg graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and UW-Whitewater. He first worked at 1st National Bank in Sturgeon Bay which would become Associated Bank and worked there for 42 years. He then was instrumental in opening the Bank of Luxemburg Branch in Sturgeon Bay and worked there until his retirement in 2018.
Greg was a very active member of the community and was involved in many organizations. He served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at Corpus Christi Parish, treasurer for the St. John Bosco School Board of Trustees, board member and chairman of the Door County Economic Development Corporation, board member of the DCEDC Revolving Loan Fund, board member and past president of the Door Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau, past president of the Sturgeon Bay Lions Club and Melvin Jones Fellow. He also served on the boards of the United Way of Door County, the St. Joseph Cemetery Association, and the Sturgeon Bay Fire and Police Commission.
Greg enjoyed golfing, boating, camping, walking in the park, downhill skiing and at one time was a member of the National Ski Patrol, registered at Ski Brule.
He is survived by his wife Cheri, 2 children, Corey (Erin Hahn) Stephan, Waunakee, WI, and Casey (Jason) Bieri, Jacksonport, WI; 5 grandchildren, Caitlin and Colin Stephan; Ainsley Stephan; and Luke and Cartier Bieri; 2 sisters, Susan (Ed) Hunsader, Sturgeon Bay, and Mary (Clancy) West, Luxemburg; in-laws, Cynthia Schmelzer, Craig (Mary) Schmelzer, Carla (Kurt) Minten, Chad (Leah) Schmelzer, Cami (Rob) Gunnlagusson, mother-in-law, Arlene Schmelzer; numerous nieces and nephews; and dog Kate. He was preceded in death by his parents, and father-in-law Wilmer “Daw” Schmelzer.
A private family memorial mass will be conducted at Corpus Christi Parish. Forbes Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences may be offered at forbesfuneralhome.com In-lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Door CANcer (P.O. Box 423, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235) or St. John Bosco School (730 W. Maple Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).
Special thanks to the staffs of Algoma Long Term Care Facility and Unity Hospice for their wonderful care and support.
