Obituary of Stephen B. O'Donnell

Stephen B. O'Donnell, age 80, of Whitewater, WI� passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2015 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Stephen was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 16, 1935, the son of Michael and Beatrice (Zirzow) O'Donnell. He graduated in 1953 from Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, IL. After serving our country in the U. S. Army, he graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1961. Stephen worked his entire career in the insurance industry until his retirement from Heritage Insurance (Acuity) in Sheboygan, WI, after 30 years. On July 8, 1961, Stephen married the love of his life, Gloria Stanfa, in Chicago Heights, IL. They had four daughters and he often joked how outnumbered he was, but he loved his family dearly. He was an active member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Sheboygan, WI for many years, where he served in a variety of roles including president of the parish council.� Stephen loved to golf and was an avid bowler; achieving�three perfect "300" games. He was a very involved father, supporting his girls in all their endeavors and taking leadership roles in the church youth group and 4-H. In retirement, he and Gloria traveled and were dedicated volunteers, most recently at Watertown Hospital. He enjoyed playing Bingo, and watching sports (especially the Packers and Chicago Cubs) usually with his beloved dog, Daisy, nestled in his lap. Surviving are his cherished wife, Gloria O'Donnell, and their four daughters: Teri (Kevin) Tedford, Spring Lake, MI, Patti (Doug) Prey, Libertyville, IL, Karen (Christopher) Mayer, Whitewater, WI, and Kathleen O'Donnell, Milwaukee, WI. Eight grandchildren: Michael Tedford, Katie (Mike) Lach, Laura (Kirk) Prather, Emily and Allison Prey, and Sophie, Jack, and Audrey Mayer, and one great grandchild: Everett Prather. He also leaves three dear brothers-in law (Joe, Mario, Nick) and three sisters-in-law (Diana, Joanna, Linda) and many nieces and nephews. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Whitewater, WI. Interment will be private at the Greenlawn Memorial Park, Kohler, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 AM until the time of the service. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, a gift may be made to the American Cancer Society.