MICHELLE A. “SHELLY” PORTEN
Michelle A. “Shelly” Porten, 46, of Sheboygan passed away Saturday, July 31, 2010 at her home.
Michelle was born Oct. 19, 1963, in Sheboygan to Peter and Luetta (Pagelow) Van Wyk. She graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1982 and attended the University of Milwaukee from 1982-85.
On Sept. 26, 1987, she married John Porten at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Sheboygan.
Michelle worked at Bemis Manufacturing for more than 16 years.
She was a member of St. Peter Claver Parish. She was a religious education teacher and was involved with Septemberfest. She also volunteered for fish fry and bingo.
She enjoyed reading, walking, arts and crafts, and loved animals, especially her dog, Mitzy, and her daughter Lauren’s dog, Tyler.
Michelle is survived by her two daughters, Lauren Porten and Megan Porten, both of Sheboygan; Lauren and Megan’s father, John (fiancée, Stacie Gehr) Porten of Sheboygan; mother, Luetta Barber of Sheboygan and currently a resident at Rocky Knoll in Plymouth; father, Peter (Delores) Van Wyk of Sheboygan Falls; one sister, Renee Van Wyk of Sheboygan; two brothers, William P. (Mary) Van Wyk of Sheboygan and Steve (Jill) Van Wyk of Sheboygan; three nieces, Stacy (Jon) Backus, Melissa (Robert) Pack and Samantha Van Wyk; one nephew, Derek Van Wyk; two stepsisters, Cynthia Kelso of California and Cathleen (Wayne) Clark of Florida; one stepbrother, Michael (Rahima) Clevers of California; other relatives and many friends.
Michelle was preceded in death by one nephew, Shawn Van Wyk; and stepfather, Reginald Barber.
A celebration of Michelle’s life will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls with Deacon Mike Burch officiating. Inurnment will take place in Sheboygan Falls Cemetery at a later date.
Relatives and friends may call from 4 p.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Michelle’s family requests that memorials be directed to the Genesis Residential Center, 503 Wisconsin Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53081, in her name.
For online condolences and more information, please visit www.wenigfuneral home.com.
The staff of Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting Michelle’s family with arrangements.
