Joseph "Joe" F. Portman, 87, Kaukauna, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2015. He was born on February 26, 1927 to the late Frank and Matilda (Kern) Portman. In 1941, Joe joined the Navy and served 5 years including a tour in WWII. On February 21, 1945 he married Frances Grissman in Springvale, Maine.

Joe enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, music and spending winters in Arizona. He worked at Appleton Paper in Combined Locks for 46 years and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was also a member of the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 and in 2011 went on the Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Joe is survived by his wife of 69 years, Frances; eight children: Cindy Tepolt, Alan (Marilyn) Portman, Karen (Robert) Van Den Heuvel, Mary (Jerry) Wittmann, Tom (Karen) Portman, Joe (Karen) Portman, Robert Portman and David (Sandy) Portman; grandchildren: Bob Tepolt, Carri (Jeff) Laszlo, Courtney (Clint) Marsh, Cassandra (Ed) Hall, Amy (Scott) Janssen, Aaron (Nicole) Portman, Brian (Cindy) Van Den Heuvel, Scott (Lisa) Van Den Heuvel, Cory (Megan) Van Den Heuvel, Jared Portman (Special friend Kayla), Ryan (Michelle) Portman, Adam (fiance Nicole) Portman, Jeremy Wittmann, Jason Wittmann (Special friend Casey), Joelle (Dale) Knauer, Miranda (fiance Adam) Warnke, Megan (Nick) Will, Michelle (Mathew) Baxter, Christina Portman and Travis (Ashley) Portman; 35 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; as well as many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Debra; brothers, Norman and Irv Portman; sisters, Rosie Strassman, Lucy Schley and Leona Steffens; son in-law, Rod Tepolt; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 10 am until the time of service at 12 pm at ST. KATHERINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY CHURCH (119 W. 7th Street, Kaukauna). The Rev. Jerome Pastors will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 will immediately follow. Committal St. Mary Cemetery. To sign the guestbook, please visit oconnellfh.com.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people on the 7th floor at Appleton Medical Center for all the loving care they gave him as well as Dr. Werner, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Whiteside for their care and compassion.