Reverend Father Stephen James Umhoefer entered eternal life on December 2, 2021, at the age of 81, at All Saints Retirement Center in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born on July 12, 1940 in Wausau, Wisconsin. Father Umhoefer is survived by his brothers: John Umhoefer, Charles (Pam) Umhoefer, Thomas (Allison) Umhoefer, and Robert (Molly) Umhoefer and by his sister: Mary (Terry) Gliedt, and is predeceased by his parents, James and Zita Umhoefer, née Reuter.
After attending St. Patrick Parish Grade School in Janesville, Wisconsin, Fr. Umhoefer completed his high school and collegiate studies, including philosophy and theology, at St. Francis Seminary in Saint Francis, Wisconsin, and pursued Graduate Study in German at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Fr. Umhoefer was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend William P. O’Connor, Bishop of Madison, on May 28, 1966 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison.
Fr. Umhoefer began serving in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains. He then served the students in various capacities at Holy Name Seminary, Madison, including as a full-time Instructor, German teacher, and Forensics instructor. Fr. Umhoefer continued his service in the diocese as Pastor of St. Paul University Catholic Center, Madison, St. Victor Parish, Monroe, and Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, from which he retired from full-time active ministry. He served as the originating Director of the Office for Radio and Television, which later became the Office of Communications for the diocese, and served as a member of the Presbyteral Council.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 117 N. Wisconsin Street, Janesville, Wisconsin, on Friday, December 10th at 11:00 am. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with The Reverend Father David Timmerman as homilist. Recorded live streaming of the Funeral Mass will be available through Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Nativity-of-Mary-Parish-Janesville-WI-993856040679399
Visitation at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church will be held on Thursday, December 9th from 3 pm to 7 pm, when the Rosary will be prayed, and on Friday, December 10th, before the Funeral Mass, from 9 am to 11 am. Burial will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1827 N. Washington St., Janesville, immediately following the Funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville.