Hal Bundy
May 23rd, 1929 - August 17th, 2024
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Hal's Obituary
Hal K. Bundy passed away peacefully on August 17 at the age of 95, at Caretel Inns, St. Joseph.
Hal was born on May 23, 1929 in Manistique, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was the son of banker H. Keith Bundy and teacher Alma (Howe) Bundy. There he enjoyed an idyllic childhood beside his beloved, younger brother Hugh, with whom he created such memorable boyhood adventures as running atop box cars, climbing and skiing story-high snowdrifts and swimming endlessly at the family's cottage on Indian Lake.
The Bundy family's depression era motto was, “Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without." This was a common theme throughout Hal's life. He was a 1947 graduate of Manistique High School and believed he was one of the last surviving members of his class. Hal’s first set of wheels was a 1939 Harley motorcycle that he rode downstate to visit relatives and while at college.
Hal graduated from Western Michigan College (now University) in Kalamazoo, where he studied Industrial Arts Education. There he met Shirley E. Moon, from Benton Harbor, who worked as a switchboard operator in her dormitory. Hal and Shirley were married on June 14, 1952 and celebrated SO years of marriage, before her passing in 2002.
Hal served in the Army for two years and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX where son Keith was born in 1953. From there, he traveled to Japan to serve as a clerk typist during the Korean Conflict.
The Bundy's settled in St. Joseph, Ml where they built their home based on Hal's drawings. The family traveled to Detroit to adopt daughter Kathy in 1960.
Hal started his career as an Industrial Arts teacher in Roseville, Ml but, soon found his calling as a manufacturing engineer for Bendix Corp., from where he retired in 1989 after 33 years. The Bundy's spent their retirement summers in Watervliet, Ml and winters in Lake Alfred, FL.
Hal earned funds for his private pilot's license by teaching night school and enjoyed flying with the Fruit Belt Flyers club. The family camped together at the EAA Fly-Ins in Oshkosh, WI every summer. He was a member of EAA Chapters 227 and 585. Boating was another passion of Hal's and he owned every kind of boat- including a sailboat he built himself and his final pontoon boat. Hal proudly served as Commander of the Power Squadron.
When Hal was not in the sky or on the water, he faithfully served several Methodist churches throughout his life. He was a member of the civic group, Civitan and sold many fruitcakes at holiday time, to raise funds. Hal could fix anything and would lend a helping hand to anyone. His 'happy place' was in his home workshop where he spent many hours drawing, building and repairing. His dream to build and fly a Coot amphibious airplane was not fully realized but, Hal enjoyed the process!
Hal found love a second time at his Florida church and married Natalie (nee Borgman) Bailey on December 8, 2007. The couple anticipated they would not have as much time together as most but, they beat the odds with 16 wonderful years of marriage. Hal and Natalie enjoyed many activities together including boating, basketmaking, traveling, concerts and local history. Natalie was a kind and loving partner to Hal, especially during his final journey.
Hal is survived by his wife, Natalie of St. Joseph, son Keith Bundy of St. Joseph, and daughter Kathy Catania of Fairplain; nieces Judith (Ron) Huggins, Jo Anna (Don) Carosello and nephew Hugh Bundy and their families in the St. Louis, MO area; his stepfamily in Florida, Tony (Sandy) Sanderson, Daniel (Debbie) Sanderson, Sharon (Dave) Rackley and sister-in-law, Patricia Williams of PA.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 23 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor.
Memorials may be made to EAA's (Experimental Aircraft Association) Aviation Foundation - earmarked for the Ford Tri-Motor Preservation fund at: EAA Aviation Center 3000 Poberezny Rd. Oshkosh, WI 54902. Hal enjoyed his last flight in a Ford Tri-Motor in 2023, for Father's Day. Fly high Hal!
Hal was born on May 23, 1929 in Manistique, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was the son of banker H. Keith Bundy and teacher Alma (Howe) Bundy. There he enjoyed an idyllic childhood beside his beloved, younger brother Hugh, with whom he created such memorable boyhood adventures as running atop box cars, climbing and skiing story-high snowdrifts and swimming endlessly at the family's cottage on Indian Lake.
The Bundy family's depression era motto was, “Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without." This was a common theme throughout Hal's life. He was a 1947 graduate of Manistique High School and believed he was one of the last surviving members of his class. Hal’s first set of wheels was a 1939 Harley motorcycle that he rode downstate to visit relatives and while at college.
Hal graduated from Western Michigan College (now University) in Kalamazoo, where he studied Industrial Arts Education. There he met Shirley E. Moon, from Benton Harbor, who worked as a switchboard operator in her dormitory. Hal and Shirley were married on June 14, 1952 and celebrated SO years of marriage, before her passing in 2002.
Hal served in the Army for two years and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX where son Keith was born in 1953. From there, he traveled to Japan to serve as a clerk typist during the Korean Conflict.
The Bundy's settled in St. Joseph, Ml where they built their home based on Hal's drawings. The family traveled to Detroit to adopt daughter Kathy in 1960.
Hal started his career as an Industrial Arts teacher in Roseville, Ml but, soon found his calling as a manufacturing engineer for Bendix Corp., from where he retired in 1989 after 33 years. The Bundy's spent their retirement summers in Watervliet, Ml and winters in Lake Alfred, FL.
Hal earned funds for his private pilot's license by teaching night school and enjoyed flying with the Fruit Belt Flyers club. The family camped together at the EAA Fly-Ins in Oshkosh, WI every summer. He was a member of EAA Chapters 227 and 585. Boating was another passion of Hal's and he owned every kind of boat- including a sailboat he built himself and his final pontoon boat. Hal proudly served as Commander of the Power Squadron.
When Hal was not in the sky or on the water, he faithfully served several Methodist churches throughout his life. He was a member of the civic group, Civitan and sold many fruitcakes at holiday time, to raise funds. Hal could fix anything and would lend a helping hand to anyone. His 'happy place' was in his home workshop where he spent many hours drawing, building and repairing. His dream to build and fly a Coot amphibious airplane was not fully realized but, Hal enjoyed the process!
Hal found love a second time at his Florida church and married Natalie (nee Borgman) Bailey on December 8, 2007. The couple anticipated they would not have as much time together as most but, they beat the odds with 16 wonderful years of marriage. Hal and Natalie enjoyed many activities together including boating, basketmaking, traveling, concerts and local history. Natalie was a kind and loving partner to Hal, especially during his final journey.
Hal is survived by his wife, Natalie of St. Joseph, son Keith Bundy of St. Joseph, and daughter Kathy Catania of Fairplain; nieces Judith (Ron) Huggins, Jo Anna (Don) Carosello and nephew Hugh Bundy and their families in the St. Louis, MO area; his stepfamily in Florida, Tony (Sandy) Sanderson, Daniel (Debbie) Sanderson, Sharon (Dave) Rackley and sister-in-law, Patricia Williams of PA.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 23 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor.
Memorials may be made to EAA's (Experimental Aircraft Association) Aviation Foundation - earmarked for the Ford Tri-Motor Preservation fund at: EAA Aviation Center 3000 Poberezny Rd. Oshkosh, WI 54902. Hal enjoyed his last flight in a Ford Tri-Motor in 2023, for Father's Day. Fly high Hal!
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