Obituary for Wayne Haupt
Wayne Lewis Haupt, age 74, passed away peacefully Monday, February 24, 2020 at the
University of Michigan Hospital. 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 on 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, MI
area.
Memorial services for Wayne will be held at a later date. Suggested memorial
contributions may be made to the Coldwater UMC, St. Andrews UMC of Milton, PA, Milton
Model Train Museum, Panther Packs program in Milton, local animal shelter or charity of your
choice.
University of Michigan Hospital. 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 on 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, MI
area.
Memorial services for Wayne will be held at a later date. Suggested memorial
contributions may be made to the Coldwater UMC, St. Andrews UMC of Milton, PA, Milton
Model Train Museum, Panther Packs program in Milton, local animal shelter or charity of your
choice.