Robert James Mortell passed away Nov. 1, 2013. He was born on Aug. 29, 1921, to John and Athlene (Meetz) Mortell.
He was active in the Boy Scouts and graduated from West Green Bay High School in 1941 and attended Badger Business College. He enlisted in the Army in the early years of World War II and served as a corporal technician from May 1942 until October 1945. He spent two and a half years in the Aleutian Islands. After discharge, he followed his interest in photography and worked as an apprentice for four years at Schneider-Nuss Studio in Green Bay.
On Aug. 3, 1946, he married Alice Landreman in St.Patrick’s Church in Green Bay. In 1950 they moved to Oconto Falls, where they owned and operated Mortell Studio for 50 years. They then turned the ownership over to their son Mark.
Robert was active in St. Anthony Church, working as usher, president of the Holy Name Society, president of the Home-School Association, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and as funeral Mass server. For many years he worked diligently for Right to Life. He was also very active in the American Legion Post 302. In 2011, he was fortunate to go on a Red, White and Blue Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., for World War II veterans.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, James, in 2003; and his brothers-in-law, Edward Landreman, William Zehms, Theodore Sinclair, Carlton Charles, Leo Meijer and Robert Reince. He was also preceded in death by his sisters-in-law, Irene Meijer and Mildred Sinclair.
Survivors are Robert’s wife, Alice Mortell; sons, Mike (Gayle) Mortell, of Carbondale, Colo., and Mark Mortell, of Oconto Falls; daughters, Susan Mortell, of San Francisco, and Marilyn (David) Shappell, of Chicago. He is also survived by his sister, Kathryn Zehms, of De Pere; sisters-in-law, Mary Reince, of Green Bay, and Leona Landreman, of Milwaukee; grandchildren, Alyssa Mortell and Benjamen and Samuel Shappell; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends called Monday at Jones Funeral Service, Oconto Falls. Visitation continued Tuesday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Oconto Falls. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Joel Sember officiating. Burial was in the St. Anthony Cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.jonesfuneral.com.
A special thank you to Unity Hospice for their extraordinary care.
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