Louis E. Hapke

Louis E. Hapke
December 15, 1921 - February 11, 2017

Louis E. Hapke, 95, Michigan City, IN, died on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 4:00 am in Brentwood Assisted Living, LaPorte, IN.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN with the Rev. John Peterson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery with full military services conducted by the American Legion Skwiat Post 451 and V.F.W. 2536. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm -8:00 pm, Friday and from 10:00 am until service time Saturday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel.

He was born December 15, 1921 in Michigan City, IN to the late Edward C. and Elsie (Reetz) Hapke. On September 6, 1947 in Michigan City, IN he married June E. Lindquist preceded him on July 27, 2014. As his wife, she was his dance partner, business associate, traveling companion and beloved mother of their three children. And, he was her devoted, loving care giver during her five-year journey through Alzheimer’s. After she no longer recognized anyone else, she always knew him.

Lou was deeply affected by the experience of WW II as well as a proud veteran who had served in the Army Air Force with the 348th Fighter Group, spending 2 ½ years in the Pacific Theater from Port Moresby, New Guinea, thru the Philippines and at IE Shima of Okinawa when the war ended.

He began his business career at the Hays Corp as assistant treasurer thanks to Phil Sprague, Jr. During his years at Hays, he attended the South Bend College of Commerce and participated in a four-year summer program in management at Dartmouth College. He was also a graduate of the University of Chicago management program. After leaving Hays, he was the controller at Royal Metal followed by similar positions at companies in Rochester, MN and in Rochester, NY. He returned to Michigan City, in 1975, becoming the General Manager of Interstate Industries.

In the early 1980’s, he formed Lou Hapke & Associates through which he was the Manufacture’s Agent for two upholstery mills in England, serving the bus and seating markets of North America. He sort of retired in 1995.

Lou was a passionate husband and father who was committed to providing well for his family and insuring his daughters’ educational opportunities. All of Lou’s and June’s children and later their grandchildren remember adventuresome summer vacations in Northern Michigan, wonderful winter breaks in Florida, countless baseball games in Chicago, and their fervent desire to encourage and support each one per their unique abilities and talents. He tended to launch into the serenade of a barbershop song at any given moment as well as sang "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music at many of special life events over the years.

He was a third generation, lifelong member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Michigan City and was President of the congregation when the decision was made to move to their new (and, current) location rather than renovating their building on 9th and Franklin He sang in the Y Glee Club as well as a Barbershop Quartet for years with Roger Linton, Bob Fryer and Devon Lewis. He was a proud member of the Egypt Volunteer Fire Department, Fairport, New York. In Michigan City, he was a charter member of "It’s Your Government Group", served on the local Cemetery Board, and was a long-time member of the Exchange. One of the civic projects he enjoyed most was the development of the Veteran’s Monument at Swan Lake.

Surviving are three daughters, the Rev. Lark J. Hapke of Michigan City, IN, Kay M. (Ron) Dimon of Manlius, NY and Kristine E. (Marty) Green of Kalamazoo, MI; five grandsons, Matthew Dimon, Daniel (Melissa) Dimon, Peter (Meghan) Dimon, Tyler (Alyssa) Fleming and Benjamin Fleming; two granddaughters, Marci (Chad) Bennett and Hannah Fleming; six great-grandchildren, Carley Dimon, Trevor Dimon, Collin Bennett, Cooper Bennett, Joel Dimon and Aiden Rouse; two nephews, Jon King and Doug King; and his niece, Carolyn Hauk.

He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Jean Louise Hapke; three sisters (and their husbands) Helen Sadenwater, Gladys Luchtman and Marion King; and his niece, Janet Luchtman.

Contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, 200 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI 49117.

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