Alden Phelps

Stoughton- Alden "Al" O. Phelps, age 76, passed away Friday Dec. 13, 2013, at home with his loving family present after a short battle with cancer. He was born on March 7, 1937, in Poynette, WI to Orlando and Evelyn (Reumann) Phelps. He lived in Portage before marrying Elvera Edna Erdman of Westfield on October 20, 1962 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Al served his country in the Korean War while in the Navy. He was an Operating Engineer for over 50 years, retiring in 1998 from Madison Crushing and Excavating. He spent his last 7 winters in McAllen, TX, which became his 2nd home. He loved fishing, reading, playing cards, playing pool, dancing, and singing in church and at funerals. Al loved visiting shut-ins and friends that were in the hospital/nursing homes, and he took the time to speak to everyone whether he knew them or not, believing everyone needs a friend; he was a friend to many and would help out anyone that needed a hand.
Al was a very loving and caring person to all he knew during his lifetime. He was an active member of the Stoughton American Legion Post 59, serving as Commander, Vice Commander and Chaplain. He was also a member of the Legion Honor Guard which he enjoyed very much. He was a member of the Stoughton United Methodist Church.
Al was a loving husband, father and grandfather and leaves behind his wife Elvera (of 51 years); two sons, Brian Phelps (Kelly Buss) of Stoughton and Gary (Sue) Phelps of Delafield; two grandchildren, Emma and Michael Phelps; sisters-in-law, Janice Spillner, Connie (Freddie) Cavanaugh, and Wilma Guerten; aunts, Helen Phelps and Arlene Ziehmke; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and coffee buddies.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Orlando and Evelyn Phelps; his wife's parents, Ernest and Edna Erdman; brothers-in-law, Ron Erdman, Jim Guerten, J. Skip Spillner, and 1 sister-in-law Karen Erdman.
Many thanks to the Agrace HospiceCare of Janesville, especially Dawn and Ellen, who helped make his last days comfortable.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 18 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Cress Funeral Home 206 W. Prospect, Stoughton. There will also be a visitation on Thursday, December 19 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. before the service at the Stoughton United Methodist Church, 525 Lincoln Ave, Stoughton. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Stoughton United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Dawn Jeffers Ramstad officiating. Interment will be at Lutheran South Cemetery with full military honors. Lunch will be served at the American Legion Post following the interment service.
God called Al home sooner than we wanted and now he is a Guardian Angel watching over us and will be in our hearts forever. He will not be forgotten for his love, Kindness and visits to all he knew in his life. He has left footprints on all our hearts.
Memorials can be made to Agrace HospiceCare of Janesville, the Stoughton United Methodist Church Music Ministry, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin.