John Michael “Mike” Harty

PORTAGE  -- John Michael “Mike” Harty, age 69, of Portage, died on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at University Hospital in Madison after a brief, courageous battle with colon cancer.

Mike was born on May 22, 1940 in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, the son of James and Ella (Cherrey) Harty.  He served his country with the U.S. Army.  Mike was married to the former Shirley Haffele on May 12, 1962. He was a loan officer with Associated Bank for many years.  Mike was a member of the Portage Library Board, he helped with Meals-On-Wheels for many years, and drove for the Commission on Aging.  He loved the natural beauty of the local marshes, parks, and hiking trails.  Mike was an avid Packer fan, a voracious reader, and enjoyed a wide variety of music.  He had a great sense of humor, and could strike up a conversation on almost any topic, with anyone he met.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley;  two children, Jane (John-Marc) Bilezikian, Wheaton, IL, and Matthew Harty, Madison;  eight brothers and sisters, Sharon (Mike) Ennis, Texas, Mary (Steve) Ubersox, Cherry Valley, IL, Joseph (Debbie) Harty, Freeport, IL, Cherry (Paul) Hingtgen, Colgate, WI, Patrick (Lauri) Harty, Genesee Depot, WI, Andrew Harty, Battle Creek, MI, Thomas (Mary) Harty, Whitewater, and Timothy (Heidi) Harty, New Berlin;  a grandchild, John-Michel Bilezikian;  his mother-in-law, Jane Bruun, Hazel Green, WI;  his sister-in-law, Jan Harty, Rockford, IL;  other near relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Sally, and two brothers, James and Frank.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010 at Portage United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Tom Countryman officiating.  Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Monday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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