Russell C. Hantke

Celebration of Life services for Russell C. Hantke, 95, of Harker Heights, will be held Friday, December 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Killeen. Mr. Hantke died Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at his home. A private family inurnment service with full military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen.

He was born September 15, 1917, in Wood, Wisconsin, to Otto Ernest and Frances Lucille (Roberts) Hantke. He entered military service as a horse cavalryman in 1939 at Ft. Clark, Texas, and served as an Armor Officer during WWII and Korea. He retired from the army in 1963, entering civil service shortly thereafter and retired a second time in 1986 from the education center on Ft. Hood.

Russell married Rogene Ann Schissler on December 5, 1944. They were married for 63 years. He was an active member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church for 60 years. Russ was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gene on October 17, 2007.

Survivors include one daughter, Judith Ann Van Riper and husband George of Harker Heights, two sons, James R. Hantke and wife Terri of Littleton, Colorado, and Jonathan C. Hantke and wife Susan of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Toys for Tots and / or the St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Building Fund.

Words of comfort may be made to the family at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com