Wallace Owen Haight

Wallace Owen Haight, 87, of Hartford passed away the evening of Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Wally was born May 11, 1933, at the Haight family farm in Allegan, Mich., the son of Harold F. and Esther G. Haight (O’Brien).

Wally moved with his family to Hartford in 1939, where he attended Hartford Public Schools, graduating in 1952. He joined the U.S. Army in 1953 and was stationed in Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1954, and returned to Hartford where he worked in the family restaurant. In 1957 he and Carol Ann Coon, also of Hartford, began their life-long marriage of 63 plus years. After several career changes, Wally attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 1968 with a degree in English and education. He spent almost 30 years teaching in the Comstock and Vicksburg school systems. Wally truly loved what he did; he positively affected the lives of many students who passed through his classrooms. Wally retired from teaching in 1996. He and Carol lived for many years in the home they built on the VanAuken centennial farm in Webster Hills outside of Hartford. Wally enjoyed many different activities throughout his life, including sailing on local lakes and Lake Michigan, winemaking, and golfing in Michigan and Florida. He was an avid reader, writer, and tinkerer. He was creative and artistic; he painted, he drew, and he built. He also loved any project where he could spend time on his John Deere tractor.

He is survived by his wife, Carol VanAuken-Haight; along with two sons, Harold Kevin Haight (Mindy Russell-Haight) of Hartford, and Brien Wallace Haight (Deanne) of Midland, Mich. He has five grandchildren: Ian, Benjamin, Christiana, Patrick, and Helen; four great-grandchildren: Liam, Finn, Addison and Arabella; one sister, Shirley Koorhan; and one sister-in-law, Nancy Haight. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: George and Fred; and his sister, Camilla Diebold.

Wally was buried in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends on Sunday, April 11, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hartford Public Library. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.