Nov. 3, 1931 – Sept. 3, 2010
 

Frederick G. "Fred" Portz Jr. of Waukesha died Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at Virginia Health and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 78.

He was born in Milwaukee on Nov. 3, 1931, the son of Frederick and Elizabeth "Betsy" (nee Swickard) Portz Sr. On Sept. 3, 1982, he married JoAnn (nee Love) Portz at First Baptist Church in Waukesha, where he was a former member serving on all church boards and the Wisconsin State Mission Board. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church since 2004. Fred owned and operated Scientific Plastics from 1952 until his retirement in 2000. He also owned the Stamp Center and Coin Corner in Waukesha, along with the Jiffy Jell building at 550 Elizabeth St. in Waukesha.

For many years, he was a stamp and coin appraiser for channels 10 and 36. Fred was a dedicated member of the Waukesha Kiwanis Club, achieving perfect attendance for more than 40 years, and he was also a recipient of the Hixson Award through the club. Fred was very active in many Waukesha clubs and organizations, including being on the advisory board of the Salvation Army, a volunteer for the Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce (where he received the small businessman of the year award from the chamber), a founding member of the Waukesha County Art Museum, on the board of the Waukesha County Historical Society, a board member of the Cooperating Congregations of Greater Waukesha, and in past years, was involved in the Waukesha Civic Theatre and the Waukesha Symphony. He was also a proud member of and fundraiser for the Waukesha Choral Union for 28 years, where he was very involved with the Messiah Creation Project.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, JoAnn of Waukesha; their children, Thomas J. Portz of Brookfield, Karelyn (Randal) Beck of North Prairie and Mark (Sheri) Misfeldt of Waukesha; his grandchildren, Timothy (Denise) Portz, Joshua Portz, Dustin Wenzel, Jaclyn Beck, Derek Beck, Monique Misfeldt and Marcus Misfeldt; his great-grandchildren, Macayla and Madelyn Portz and Tara and Alex Wenzel. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, the Rev. Jan Davis of Green Bay, Juanita Gorden of Waukesha and Judith (Richard) Quade of Richland Center; his brother-in-law, Jack (Doris) Love of New Berlin; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his father; mother, Elizabeth Bennett; stepmother, Caroline; daughter, Wendy Misfeldt; granddaughter, Amanda Kay Beck; and his mother- and father-in-law, Joseph and Gladys Love.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Sept. 10, at First Presbyterian Church, 810 N. East Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186. Visitation continues from 9:30 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Saturday, Sept. 11, at the church. The Rev. Dee Talley will preside. Graveside services will immediately follow the service at Prairie Home Cemetery.

If desired, the family suggests memorials to the Salvation Army, 445 Madison St., Waukesha, WI 53188; First Presbyterian Church – Deacons Fund (address above); the Waukesha Choral Union-Messiah Creation Project, P.O. Box 495, Waukesha, WI 53187; or to MPTV Friends, Foundation Hall, 5th Floor, 700 W. State St., Milwaukee, WI 53233.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an online tribute.