Obituary: Rodney Hartung, 82, of Ludington.

Rod Hartung

Obituary: Rodney Hartung, 82, of Ludington.

Rodney Lee Hartung, 82, of Ludington, was taken from this earth on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Affectionately known as Rod, he was born on July 3, 1939 in Ludington. An only child of Arthur and Verle (Minster) Hartung.  Rod delivered Ludington papers in his youth. He was a graduate of Ludington High School and received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Tech College in 1961. At Michigan Tech., Rod was a member of ASME and Gamma Delta. 

After graduating college, Rod put his mechanical engineering skills to work building one of the many foundries in Muskegon, something he talked about often with fond memories. He later created, designed, sold, and implemented sand mold solutions to foundries internationally. However, when asked by his children what he did for a living, Rod would reply, “I’m an engineer. I drive trains,” and then laughed. 

While frequenting a restaurant in Newaygo, Rod met the love of his life, Susan (Burgess) Hartung. They married in 1965 and accumulated 56 years of memories filled with travel, family, and friends. Together, Rod and Sue had two children, Michelle Hartung and Wendy (Joseph) Englert; two grandchildren, Erin Brown and Aidan Brown; and numerous fur babies and fur grandbabies. 

Rod taught his daughters that they could be whomever they wanted to be. That they could accomplish anything. A spirit that each daughter possesses to this day.

Social media postings describe Rod as, “a gentle soul”, “a great friend”, “a wonderful person”, and “a second family.” The world was a better place because Rodney Lee Hartung lived in it. He was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all. To quote the first Father’s Day card I gave to him, “I’m glad. You’re my dad.” 

Visitation will be held at Oak Grove Funeral Home, Ludington, on Tuesday, April 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be conducted on Monday, April 18, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 209 N. Rowe Street, Ludington, Michigan at 11 a.m. Rod will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.