Fern Harlan Hallbauer

FERN HARLAN HALLBAUER, 88, of Belton, died Monday, July 21 at Scott and White Hospital in Temple. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 25, 2008 at First Christian Church in Temple with the Reverends Dr. Jerry Kirkpatrick, Deborah Jones and Andy Schmidt officiating. Entombment will be in Bellwood Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, Texas. Mrs. Hallbauer was born November 6, 1919 in Welch, Oklahoma to Frank and Ona Flatt Harlan. She attended high school and was a "Blue streak" cheerleader at Neodesha High School. She married Alvin Oren Hallbauer on March 28, 1937. They lived in Neodesha, Kansas; Hobbs, New Mexico; Brownfield, Texas; and moved to Belton in 1962. Mrs. Hallbauer was a devoted Christian and a longtime member of the Disciples of Christ Church. She was an active member of First Christian Church in Temple where she had served as a children's Sunday School Teacher, President of the Friendship Sunday School Class, Disciple Women's Fellowship committee member, member of the Homebound Visitation Team, and "Walk Humbly" Task Force member. She cherished the tasks of decorating for many church events through the years, serving ones who were ill or grieving, and sending birthday cards yearly to each church member. A loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she will be greatly missed. She loved to travel and being a part of the state, division, and national music associations with her daughter. She was an avid needleworker. She was an example to many of generosity and cheerfulness. She was preceded in death by her husband; one great grandson, John Burton Messer, III; her parents; two brothers, baby Francis Harlan and James Harlan; one brother that she raised and considered a son, Jackie Harlan; one sister-in-law Hazel Harlan; brothers-in-law Morris, Elmer, Woodrow, Frank, and Otis Hallbauer; two sisters-in-law Valeda Hallbauer Howard and Erma Hallbauer Schoonover. She is survived by two sons Leslie and wife Carolyn Hallbauer; Allen and wife Linda Hallbauer; one daughter Celinda Hallbauer and Billy Hirschmann of Belton; one sister that she raised and considered a daughter, Joan Harlan Bowen and husband Ray of Waco; two granddaughters Leslie Ann and Kristi Hallbauer of Belton; two grandsons Craig Hallbauer and wife Vona of Holland and John B. Messer, Jr. and wife Tricia of Belton; three great grandchildren, Erin Elizabeth and Seth Allen Hallbauer of Holland and Jackson Bradley Messer of Belton; nephews Tommy Harlan and wife Patsy; Mike Harlan and partner Sue of Houston; Doug Bowen and wife Etta; Steven Bowen and wife Jackie of Waco; Jackie Harlan and wife Diane of Temecula, California; Kenneth Harlan and wife Susan of Lubbock; Gary Hallbauer of Kansas City; Warren Hallbauer and wife Peggy of Houston; Kenneth Hallbauer and wife Awilda of Redlands, California; Jimmy Hallbauer and wife Erin of Mansfield; Shelby Howard and wife Janice of Sparta, Missouri; Gary, Robert, and Duane Hallbauer; nieces Vicki Hallagin and husband Ron of Ellis, Kansas; Meredith Holmstrom and husband John, Pam Creel of Houston; Maribeth Lyon and husband Mark of Lubbock; Lisa Downing and husband John of Corpus Christi; Ladona Webster of Hobbs, New Mexico; Betty Harshman of Altoona, Kansas; Emma Jean Johnson and husband Aubrey of Avinger; Theda, Linda, Judy, Shirley, Mary Ann, and Sheila of Kansas; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; many members of her church family both in Temple and throughout the Southwest region; many dear friends of Texas Music Teachers and Music Teachers National Association; and many others who lovingly called her "Mambo". In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 300 N. 5th Street, Temple, TX 76501; John Burton Messer, III Endowment Fund at Scott and White Children's Hospital, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508; John Burton Messer, III Memorial Fund, %Texas Exes, P.O. Box 7278 Austin, TX 78713; Music Teachers National Association, 441 Vine Street, Suite 505, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2814; or Texas Music Teachers Association, 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 240W, Austin, TX 78723.