Harvey L. Hafeman

Harvey L. Hafeman, 93, Greenleaf, a decorated WW II Navy veteran died Oct. 9, 2014, at a local hospital as a result of injuries suffered in an accident. Born June 9, 1921, he was the son of the late Walter and Bertha (Raduechel) Hafeman. Harvey entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 where he piloted landing craft in two amphibious operations in the Mediterranean (N. Africa, Sicily) and six in the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Kwajalein Atoll; Marianas, Saipan, Guam; Philippines, Leyte, Luzon; and Iwo Jima). At the end of the Pacific war he landed supplies at Nagoya, Japan. He was the proud recipient of the Purple Heart (from enemy fire while operating anti-aircraft batteries at sea) and Good Conduct medals. After his discharge, he returned to the Hafeman Homestead, a Century Farm, where he farmed until 1995. During the war he married Florence Kluender and together they set about raising their five children, mainly on the farm. Harvey’s second passion after farming was backhoe excavation, which he enjoyed until his death. Harvey was honored as an Outstanding Young Farmer of Brown County and was a member of several cooperatives & clubs including Lake to Lake Dairy (charter member), Progressive Farmers, Equity Livestock, Wisconsin Feeder Pig, Greenleaf Lions, and the American Legion in Wrightstown. He had the distinction of participating in a Badger Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2011. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Green Bay and attended Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Sun City, AZ, where he and his long-time companion, Connie, wintered for many years.

Harvey is survived by Connie Reynolds; his children, Cheryl (Willard) Knoespel, Patsy (Richard) Drews, Dean (Evelyn) Hafeman, Wayne (Kathy) Hafeman, Don Hafeman; his former spouse, Florence Hafeman; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his brother, Norman (Ruth) Hafeman; his sister, Mabel Wagner; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Irene and brother-in-law, Gerhardt Kiekhaefer; and brother-in-law, Don Wagner.

Visitation will be at Faith Lutheran Church, 2335 S. Webster Ave., Sunday, Nov. 9 from 1pm until the time of the memorial service at 2pm. Military honors to follow. Inurnment, later, in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund has been established in Harvey’s name at Faith Lutheran Church.