Stephen L. Kalmon

Stephen L. Kalmon, 87, of Medford, passed away early Sunday morning, August 11, 2024, at Aspirus Hospital in Medford, with his daughters by his side.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Patrick McConnell will be officiating.  Military honors provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team will immediately follow the mass at church.

A luncheon reception will be held at Marilyn’s restaurant in Medford, with burial following at Molitor Cemetery.

Stephen was born January 14, 1937 at home in the town of Hammel to Stephen G. and Laura (Larson) Kalmon.  He graduated from Medford High School, class of 1955.

Following high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served honorably from 1955 to 1958. He later continued his education at UW-Stevens Point with a double major in Biology and English.

After serving in the military Steve worked for American Motors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In June of 1959 he married Joan Holmes. They resided in Milwaukee until moving back to the Medford area in 1961. Together they had eight children, and later divorced.

Steve and his family farmed two years west of Medford, and then moved to Perkinstown in 1963. After college, he worked for Patterson Dental, and in later years, Sullivan Dental as a dental salesman. Dad spent a number of years setting up dental clinics in orphanages in Guatemala and Nicaragua, with the support of many dentists from around the globe.

Family was always important to Steve. Being close to his children, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren was a major joy in his life.

Steve’s Catholic faith was his strong connection to God. Dad belonged to the Holy Rosary Monks singing group. A high note for dad was to sing and play guitar for family and friends.

Some of the joys in his life were writing and photography. He wrote for the Marshfield News Herald and The Star News. He wrote Newsletters for Tombstone Pizza and Memorial Hospital. He also wrote freelance for many daily and weekly newspapers and small magazines, as well as numerous literary works with the Gilman High School. Dad also published several books.

He is survived by eight children, Stephen (Deana) Kalmon of Wausau, Charles Kalmon of Medford, Melanie (Mark) Olson of Chelsea, Clayton Kalmon of Marshfield, Jackie Kalmon of Jacksonville, Florida, John (Trudy Brooks) Kalmon of Jump River, Calvin (Kristine) Kalmon of Withee, Marilyn Frank of Medford; siblings, Elaine Southworth of Medford, Patricia Huber of Medford, David (Laura) Kalmon of Medford, Jeff (Debbie) Kalmon of Oakland, California, George (Rita) Kalmon of Medford; 17 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen G. and Laura Kalmon, and siblings Allen Kalmon, Frank Kalmon, and Dennis Kalmon, and brother in laws George Southworth and Allen Huber.

In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly request that memorials be made to Medford VFW Building Fund or to Hope Hospice of Medford.

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