Paul Stephan

Paul Norman Stephan, passed away at his home on April 27th 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 20th, 1935 to Norman and Adelaide Stephan in Buffalo, New York where he attended school, graduating to enter the U.S. Coast Guard and be stationed in Michigan where he met his first wife.
   Paul was a lighthouse keeper on Beaver Island, Michigan where he was responsible to maintain the facilities and according to the manuals of yore, “keep a good light.” He later reflected on the solitude of this position which influenced his gregarious and friendly nature in the future.
There wasn’t a person Paul wouldn’t engage, working at Cross Fisheries in Charlevoix, he befriended townsfolk and “fudgies” alike. Later, he worked for The U.S. Postal Service and the Charlevoix County School District driving a bus. He was an avid member of St. Mary’s Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the VFW, and even The Boy Scouts of America.
   Paul was often spied pedaling around town on one of his makeshift bicycles, sporting one of his, self-proclaimed, “50 year-old shirts” and eclectic hats- “one for every occasion” his beloved granddaughter, Nikki Dominic, reported to me. He loved the outdoors: gardening, biking, and talking to neighbors with a big, light-hearted grin on his face. His idea of recycling was to not dispose of anything. Nothing outlived its usefulness; especially if it could be stored or displayed. Plastic Flamingos be warned. And don’t get me started on his tool collection, he could fix anything, but whether it stayed fixed was anybody’s guess!
   Paul was preceded in death by his mother, father, youngest sister (Barbara), and wife (Mary Ann). He is survived by his wife and her family (Peggy), 2 sons and their partners (Stephen (Kevin) and Scott (Marvin)), sister (Jeanne), 3 stepchildren and their partners (Kathryn (David), Robert, and Maureen (Dave)), and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
   My dad embraced life. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to help those in need. Much like his well-maintained lighthouse lamp, friends and family gravitated toward his light: learning, laughing, and loving along the way.
   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Mary’s School, the Charlevoix Public Library, and the Charlevoix Historical Society.
   A funeral mass will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Charlevoix.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Paul will be laid to rest in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery on Monday, May 13, at 11:00 a.m. with military honors.
   Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com