Wayne Lewis Haupt, age 74, passed away peacefully Monday,
February 24, 2020 at the University of Michigan Hospital.
Memorial services for Wayne will be held at the Coldwater United Methodist Church Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11;00 a.m. with visitation an hour before services.
Wayne was a kind and
loving husband, father, grandfather,brother, uncle, and friend. He was born January 8, 1946
to Everett and Bernice (Flanagan) Haupt in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Wayne will be remembered
for his ability to help others both in his professional careers and as a friend and neighbor.
Wayne was a graduate of Wayne Memorial High School in
Wayne, Michigan. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, Michigan
State University, and the University of Kentucky College of Law where he earned his Doctor of
Jurisprudence degree.
1973-74 were eventful years for Wayne. He moved to the
Coldwater area, was married to Mary J Goodwin February 9, 1974 in Fremont, Indiana and
formed the law practice of Haupt and Stevens with Ralph Stevens. Several years later Wayne and
Ralph joined Lowell Kelly and the law practice became Kelly, Haupt and Stevens.
In 1978 Wayne
left the law firm to accept the challenge of establishing Branch County Bank’s Trust
Department. He served as Senior Vice President – Senior Trust Officer until 1987 when he
accepted a position at the University of Michigan as Coordinator of Staff Benefits at the Medical
Center. In 1990 Wayne was offered an opportunity to serve as Vice President and Trust Officer
at County National Bank in Hillsdale, Michigan. He retired from that position in 2006.
Wayne was a member of the Coldwater United Methodist
Church, was a founding member of the Coldwater Sunrise Rotary, and served on the Habitat
for Humanity Board of Directors.
In 2004, Wayne was privileged to accompany his Uncle, a
WWII veteran, on a unique trip to Europe commemorating the 60th anniversary of WWII, along
with members of Easy Company 506 PIR, 101st Airborne Division. From Normandy to
Berchtesgaden and Austria, they were treated to state dinners and parades in various countries
as they retraced their steps from 1944-45. He was honored to be included and afterward gave
presentations regarding the details of the trip to several clubs and groups.
During retirement years Wayne and Mary spent time in
Milton, Pennsylvania where Wayne was able to expand upon and enjoy his many interests and
hobbies. Some of these included home remodeling, woodworking, riding his Harley Davidson and
Vespa, classic cars, and building a large S-gauge model train layout.
He was a member of St.
Andrews United Methodist Church in Milton, where he served on their Board of Trustees. He
actively participated in their Panther Pack program that provides meals for school children.
Wayne was a veteran of the United States Army and served on the Milton American Legion Post
#71 Honor Guard, a role he accepted with great pride. He was active in the Milton
Model Train Museum, the White Deer Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society, the
North Central Mustang Club and the Elks Lodge #754 in Danville, PA.
His greatest enjoyment
came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He had a special
nickname for each of them, and he was their “Papa”.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Mary, son, Jeff, daughter,
Suzanne (Chris) Allen of Battle Creek and grandchildren Joscelyn, Cassidy, Tasha, and Jake.
Brother, David (Sally), sister, Jan, and nephew Steven, niece, Alison (Chad) Massey, and two
great-nephews, all of the Saline, Michigan area.
Suggested memorial contributions may be made to the Coldwater United Methodist Church, St.
Andrews United Methodist Church of Milton, PA, Milton Model Train Museum, Panther Packs program in Milton,
la ocal animal shelter or the charity of your choice.
