Barbola Funeral Chapel

Steve W. Sponholtz

Steve W. Sponholtz, age 56, of Berlin, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center with his wife and pastor by his side following an accident at his home.

He was born January 24, 1960, in Elgin, IL, the son of James and Donna Sponholtz. He moved to Berlin, WI when he was eight. Steve was a 1978 graduate of Berlin High School. He attended UW-Oshkosh and Milwaukee Area Technical College. Later in life he went back to UW-Oshkosh and received his teaching degree in Broadfield Social Sciences. He took great pride in his studies, graduating on the Dean’s List in 2007. On October 11, 1980, Steve married the love of his life, Cathy Meyer, at Borth United Methodist Church. They moved to Waupun where Steve worked for Aid Assoc. for Lutherans (now Thrivent Financial) for five years. During this time their son, Eric, was born.

In 1986, an opportunity arose to purchase Barbola-Marchant Funeral Home on S. Adams Ave. in Berlin. Steve loved photography so this began the 22+ years of “Sponholtz Photography” at the Adams location. Over those 22+ years, Steve photographed many, many families, children, high school seniors, weddings, school and sports pictures. He would also photograph new businesses being built. Whatever he was asked to photograph, he found a way.

After the move back to Berlin in 1986, Steve became a true “Berlin” guy. He quickly became involved in City politics, being elected to the City Council as Alderman. One of his greatest accomplishments that he was so proud of was becoming the Mayor of Berlin. He was elected to two terms from 1997-2001.

Steve held many occupations along with his photography studio. He became a fraud investigator, along with his dad, for Green Lake County. He was elected to the Berlin School Board, a member of Green Lake County Crime Stoppers Board, an assistant basketball coach at Berlin High School, coached Little League baseball, announced Berlin High School football and basketball games for the local radio station, WISS, (even announcing some games with his son) and was a member of the Green Lake Economic Development Board. Currently, Steve was a member and past president of Berlin Kiwanis Club, he MC’d the Walleye for Tomorrow Banquet for the past 15 years, and he was a full supporter of the Berlin Booster Club, helping for the last 20+ years to co-ordinate the Annual Berlin Booster Club Golf Outing. He was a member at Grace English Lutheran Church, serving as past president of the Council, head usher and confirmation mentor.

After selling the studio, Steve worked at Mascoutin Country Club mowing the golf course. He loved getting up and being out in the serenity of the course where he enjoyed the outdoors and could just think. He was a great golfer too and always enjoyed whenever he had a chance to play a round.

Steve became a financial advisor for 1st National Bank in Berlin for seven years. He loved all the bank employees and his customers. His current place of employment was at Wal-Mart in Berlin as an assistant manager. Steve loved his job there and enjoyed seeing, talking with and helping anyone in any way that he could.

Steve loved his family immensely. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; his son, Eric (Heather) Sponholtz; 6-month old grandson, Connor; his mother, Donna Sponholtz; sisters, Jamie (Tom) Stobbe, Jill (Marty) Weiske; mother-in-law, Esther Meyer; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dean (Kerri) Meyer, Cindy (Dave) Matthias, Coreen (Chris) Jorgensen, and Carleen (Craig) Rohde; nieces and nephews, Ryan (Stacie) Stobbe, Lindsey (Josh) Beaman, Evan Weiske, Nora Weiske, Brad Meyer, Ann (Joe) Trapp, Noralynn Meyer, Brian (Kelly) Matthias, Jeremy (Alexandria) Matthias, Laura (Matt) Hohl, Devin, Jenna and Riley Matthias, Courtney (Matt) Mathia, Chelsey Jorgensen, Clint Jorgensen and Alyssa, Carter and Camdyn Rohde. He is further survived by his closest friends and buddies, Dale and Judy Albrandt and Steve and Susan Dyer; great nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James, on September 2, 2011 and his father-in-law, Ellsworth Meyer.

Steve adored his entire family, his friends and neighbors and his community. He always had a kind word for everyone he came in contact with.

Visitation for Steve will be held on Friday, June 3, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Grace English Lutheran Church in Berlin. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the gymnasium at Berlin High School. Visitation Saturday will precede the service from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the school, with Rev. Scott Piper officiating. Interment will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin. A memorial has been established.

He was the best husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor and overall person you would ever want to meet. I will always miss you and love you Steve. You were my everything. “Have a good day at your Heaven job.” Love you mostest! Cathy