Curtis J. Hatlevig

Curtis J. Hatlevig, 61, of Antwerp, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019 at Parkview Regional Medical Center.

Curtis was born in Stoughton, WI on July 19, 1957, a son of the late JoAnn (Estes) & Ronald Hatlevig.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was a valued employee at General Motors (UAW Local 2209). His best days were spent cooking for everyone & cheering for the Packers.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Vicky (Lisser), whom he married Dec. 18, 1976; children, Shaun (Jessica), Brock (Jami), Randi (Dustin Minatrea) & Demi (Jeremy Zuber); siblings, Rhonda Thomlin, Jeannie Cadena, & Scott; grandchildren, Brooke, Aliyssa, Brady H., Brady Z., Kennedy, Beckett, Avery, Grayson, Gauge & Chance, and great granddaughter, Dahlia. 

He was also proceeded in death by his siblings Ronald (Butch) Jr., Jeff & Debbie and grandson, Ryan. 

His funeral service is 11 AM, with viewing one hour prior on Saturday, May 18th at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp. 

Viewing is also Friday, May 17th, 2-4 & 6-8 PM, at Dooley Funeral Home. 

He will be laid to rest at Maumee Cemetery, with military honors. 

Fond memories may be shared at dooleyfuneralhome.com

CURT'S LIFE STORY

Loving, generous, and kind, Curtis J. Harlevig lived a life rich in family and friends. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Curt welcomed everyone into his heart and embraced all people as friends. Curt valued both hard work and the importance of play, and he met each day with an unwavering commitment to getting things right and inspiring joy along the way. In Curt’s good company, life’s hardships were lessened, and blessings were doubled. A gift to many, Curt will long be remembered in the hearts and lives of those who were blessed to know him.

The 50s proved a decade of vibrant growth with consumerism taking off in previously unimaginable ways. For the first time in history, seven out of ten families in the U.S. owned an automobile, and new laws were created to require seat belts to be installed on all new cars. The new home market exploded while the baby boom continued to proliferate. McDonald’s, TV dinners, cans of Coca-Cola, Lego, Velcro, and I Love Lucy all became household mainstays, while Rock and Roll's music continued to grow in popularity with more idols including Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters. In Stoughton, WI this time of peace and plenty grew especially bright as JoAnn (Estes) & Ronald Hatlevig welcomed their son Curtis into their hearts and home on July 19, 1957.

Growing up in the midwest during the ’60s and '70s Curt was raised to value family, hard work, loyalty, and service to others. Not only were these values conveyed in his childhood home and community, but they were also reinforced by his participation in Cub Scouts as a boy, and his work farming and harvesting tobacco in the summers of his teen years. Curt also worked on cars in auto shop class in high school in Wisconsin where he came to know his capacity to problem solve and expertly wield the tools of the trade. He loved to soup up cars and once completely rebuilt a 1957 Chevy.

At the age of 15, Curt had the good fortune of meeting the love of his life, Vicky Lisser, while playing baseball. Upon being introduced to one another by Vicky’s cousin, the pair were instantly smitten. They began dating and went to the Junior Prom together. It didn’t take long for the young couple to begin setting their eyes on spending the future together; at the age of 19, they married on December 18, 1976.

From August 11, 1975, to Aug. 10, 1979, Curt proudly served as an Aviation Boatswain Mate in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning home, he began his career with GM working in Janesville, WI where his father had worked before him. In 1986, he transferred to the Fort Wayne, and he and Vicky settled in Antwerp Ohio across the state line. Curt was a valued employee who loved his job and the people he worked with at Local 2209.

While Curt loved his job, there was nothing that gave him greater joy than creating a loving home for his family. He and Vicky were blessed to welcome four children into their family; Shaun, Brock, Randi, and Demi were truly the center of their world. Curt raised his family with the core values that had served him so well; love, integrity, service, and hard work. Leading by example, Curt provided a powerful role model; he worked hard and played hard, was an undauntable stand for his children, and proved an unwavering source of comfort for anyone he met. All were welcome in Curt’s heart, and many a friend considered the Harlevigs’ a second home.

Curt enjoyed the simple things in life like tending his garden and turning his amazing tomatoes into the best homemade salsa. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations and held the memories of their times at Disney, Niagara Falls, and attending Green Bay Packers games as true treasures. His dogs were his buddies. Midnite, Daisy, Daphe, and Zoey could not have asked for a better companion than Curt. Whether serving as a Cub Scout leader for his kids, cooking up a fantastic meal, spending Sundays with his family cheering on his beloved Packers, making real popcorn (none of that microwave stuff), or cheering on his grandchildren, Curt embraced each moment as a gift. He faced life’s challenges with courage and a “we’ve got this” attitude, knowing that with the love of his family and friends, anything could be endured.

Clearly, it is hard to imagine a world absent of Curt’s steadfast presence. His enormous smile, hearty laugh, delicious meals, loyal friendship, and unwavering faith in others will be missed beyond measure. And, while his days with us were far too few, may we find comfort in knowing that with each moment we listen with our hearts, share time with our loved ones, curl up with our canine companion, cheer on the Packers, and enjoy life’s garden, we carry Curt’s loving legacy forward in our own lives. In so doing, Curt’s love and light will continue to inspire countless others as he has so inspired us.

Curtis J. Hatlevig, 61, of Antwerp, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Curtis was born in Stoughton, WI on July 19, 1957, a son of the late JoAnn (Estes) & Ronald Hatlevig. His dad worked at General Motors in Janesville, WI.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Vicky (Lisser), whom he married Dec. 18, 1976; children, Shaun (Jessica), Brock (Jami), Randi (Dustin Minatrea) & Demi (Jeremy Zuber); siblings, Rhonda Thomlin, Jeannie Cadena, & Scott; grandchildren, Brooke, Aliyssa, Brady H., Brady Z., Kennedy, Beckett, Avery, Grayson, Gauge & Chance, and great-granddaughter, Dahlia.

He was also proceeded in death by his siblings Ronald (Butch) Jr., Jeff, & Debbie, and grandson, Ryan.

Curt’s funeral service is 11 AM, with viewing one hour prior on Saturday, May 18th at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp. Viewing is also Friday, May 17th, 2-4 & 6-8 PM, at Dooley Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at Maumee Cemetery, with military honors. Fond memories may be shared at dooleyfuneralhome.com.