Walter James "Walt" Hardenburg, Sr.

Walter James "Walt" Hardenburg, Sr. of Battle Creek, MI

Walt passed away on March 29, 2019. He was born in Battle Creek on October 30,1923, the son of Russell Ernest and Fern Myrmeta (Waterson) Hardenburg.

Walter is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Martha; and their three children, Jane (Donald) Porter, Walt Jr. (Leatha) Hardenburg and Nancy (Mark) Sackrider. Walter is also survived by six grandchildren, Kathy (Roger Jr.) McCowan, Scott (Jaynie) Porter, Lance Hardenburg, Haley Hardenburg, Kyle (Rachel) Sackrider, and Kevin Sackrider; along with three great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Mary Norris Koerner; cousin, Mary (Donald) Coss and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Russell and Fern; brother, Richard Allen Hardenburg and brother-in-law, Herb Koerner.

Walter began school at the Spaulding one-room schoolhouse on the corner of Beadle Lake Road and B Drive North in Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1933, his parents moved downtown where he attended W.K. Kellogg Junior High School and Battle Creek Central High School.

In 1942, Walter became an employee of Post Cereals. In 1943 he was drafted to become a serviceman of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Group. Walter was stationed in the South Pacific-Solomon Islands, Philippines and Okinawa until his service ended in 1945. Back in his hometown, he returned to Post cereals in the carton container division until he retired on April 1,1980, after 39 years of service. During his career, Walter also worked for Pennfield Schools as a bus driver.

On April 12,1947, Walter married Martha I. Dale whom he met through mutual friends. He and Martha vacationed at Big Manistique Lake in the Upper Peninsula and traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, and Scotland. The couple owned a cottage on Wall Lake in Delton, Michigan, with their brother-in-law & sister in-law, Herb & Norris Koerner, for 40 years. Walter and Martha also wintered in Ft. Myers, Florida for 27 yrs. The Hardenburgs loved supporting Harper Creek athletics and attended numerous events long after their kids graduated.

In 1958 Walter was one of the founding members of the Wattles Park Men's Club. The Club's first vision was to start the Baseball program, which is still in operation today. A true baseball fan, Walter never missed a Detroit Tigers game whether he was watching it on TV or listening to it on the radio. Walter was one of many leaders for Wattles Park Boy Scout Troop 335, which took the group to Hamlin Lake in Ludington and several canoe and camping trips. Walter's other hobbies included fishing both on and off the ice, golfing in several leagues and hunting pheasant and deer. Walter was 80 years old when he took his last hunting trip to the Upper Peninsula.

Walter's family will greet friends 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Friday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek, Michigan, where the funeral service to celebrate Walters's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2019. Committal and interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his honor to the Wattles Park Men's Club, 13166 11 Mile Rd. Ceresco, 49033 or Hospice Care of Southwestern Michigan.