Marshall Lee Hlatko

Marshall Lee. Hlatko Sr.
February 8, 1926-January 23, 2021

Marshall passed quietly in his sleep the morning of Saturday, January 23, 2021. Marshall was born the only son of George and (Catherine) Hlatko in 1926. He grew up in the Battle Creek area and graduated Battle Creek Central High School. Upon Graduation, he attended Tri-State (now Trine) University in Angola, Indiana and obtained Batchelor Degrees in both Electrical and Aeronautical Engineering.

He was then called to serve his country in WWII as a Naval Radar Technician. While stationed at Navy Pier in Chicago, he was assigned to the Radar Development Group responsible for the design, development and testing of shipboard radar systems. At the war's conclusion, he was transferred to the USS Egeria in Astoria, Oregon to decommission Radar systems on ships returning from the war. He received an Honorable Discharge as a decorated veteran.

After receiving his Discharge, he began work for the Curtis Wright Aircraft Corporation in Columbus, Ohio as an aircraft design engineer working on airfoil design for fighter aircraft. While visiting home, through family friends, he met the love of his life, Edna Howard. The two soon fell in love and were married on June 20, 1948. Marshall then began working for the Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle, Washington as an Aircraft systems design engineer. His team was instrumental in the design of the mid-air refueling system on the Boeing B-52 Bomber, as well as other aircraft.

Wanting to begin a family life, they returned to their hometown of Battle Creek, MI., where Marshall worked as a letter carrier for the USPS and as a sales agent at the AB Stove Company. Ever wanting to improve his life, he became a sales agent working for the State Farm Insurance Company in April of 1950. After several years with the company, and always the engineer, Marshall wanted to computerize his office, but personal computers were not yet readily available, so he decided to build a computer himself. He spent months building a computer and writing his own software to create quotes for his customers. He became the first State Farm agent to computerize his own office. He continued to run a very successful business for 42 years before retiring in 1992.

During his career, Marshall was active in many community organizations including the local Shriner's club, the Battle Creek Exchange Club, the American Legion, the 40&8, Cereal City Toastmasters, and many others. As a Shriner, he spent countless weekends transporting children to and from the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Chicago, IL. He was a member of the Ira A. Beck Lodge 503 F.& A.M. for over 70 years. He was also an Elder in the Pennfield Presbyterian church. He always gave generously to a number of worthy causes. Marshall always put others before himself, and was well known for his loyalty, honesty, support, generosity, and reliability.

Marshall and Edna recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June of 2018 to celebrate their undying love for each other. Soon after, as Edna's last request, they renewed their wedding vows in the presence of family and close friends. Edna passed three days later.

Marshall always put his family first, and will be remembered as a generous, loving, caring Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.

Marshall is survived by his 3 Children: Chip (Pat) Hlatko, Kathy (Gary) Weemhoff, David (Debbie) Hlatko, 1 Niece Cyndie (Doug) Blue, 7 Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren.

The family will receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 28th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where a private Masonic Service by Ira. A. Beck Lodge #503 will follow the visitation. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks will be required. A private family service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 29th with Celebrant Jonathon A. Barnes, officiating. The service was recorded and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/506170181. In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, would be greatly appreciated. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Marshall may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.