Edward J. Porter Sr.

Edward J. Porter Sr., age 70, passed away Friday morning, August 3, 2012. Edward was born in Kenosha on July 14, 1942, son of the late Leo and Josephine (nee: Shepard) Porter.

On June 19, 1965, he was united to the love of his life, LeAnn Stich and they had forty-seven beautiful years together.  Ed was a sheet metal journeyman and was a member and strong supporter of Sheet Metal Union Local 18 for 50 years.  Ed served as a trustee for many years, and was actively involved on the apprenticeship committee.  He also served as Vice President of the Racine Union Hall Association and Treasurer for the Sheet Metal Workers Retiree Club.  Ed was a handyman of all trades, with the ability to fix anything. His family never needed a repairman, and, with his talent and generosity, neither did many of his neighbors. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  In his spare time, Ed enjoyed playing a wide variety of card games (both in person and online), visiting casinos, and '50s and '60s muscle cars and rock n’ roll music.  He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, LeAnn; children, Kimberly (David) Prott of Racine, Edward (Sharon) Porter Jr. of Lake Villa, IL, Cathleen Porter of Racine; grandchildren, Mikayla Prott, Caitlin, Christine and Kinzie Kujawa; sister, Virginia Otto of Spokane, WA; sister-in-law, Betty Blount of South Dakota; nieces and nephews, including Laura (Steven) Kujawa and David Stich; other relatives and friends, including his very close friends Bill Baxter of Waukegan, IL, David Dworak of Frederick, MD, and Jerry Nelson of San Dimas, CA.  Ed was preceded in death by: his parents, Leo and Josephine; his in-laws, Paul and Myrtle Stich; and brothers-in-law, Richard Stich, Ronald Stich, Archie Blount and Roger Otto.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 10 a.m., with Rev. Terry Huebner officiating.  Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass.

The family extends a special thank you to Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints, Select Specialty Hospital, and Kindred North Nursing Home.

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888