Claude "Sandy" J. Hornbacher

Claude "Sandy" John Hornbacher, age 93, of Sebewaing, went to see his Lord and Savior, Thursday, January 30, 2014, in the comfort of his own home.

Claude was born March 31, 1920 in Sebewaing to the late William and Metha (Dressler) Hornbacher. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church-Kilmanagh by Rev. Stoskopf in April 1920 and confirmed by Rev. Stoskopf on Nov. 26, 1933. He attended Mast School (District #3) and graduated from Sebewaing High School in 1935. He graduated from Michigan State College in June 1940 with a BS Degree in Agriculture.

He married Clara Roemer June 22, 1941. They were married 72 years.

Claude served in the U.S. Army. He entered at Fort Riley, Kansas on February 11, 1942 as a 2nd Lieutenant (ROTC at college). He served in the Pacific Theater of War with the 7th Infantry Division. Fought battles on Attu, Kwajilin, Leyte and Okinawa. Claude received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Units of Citation with Oak Leaf Clusters and many other medals. He was honorably discharged on December 27, 1945 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He farmed for several years and was appointed rural mail carrier at the Sebewaing Post Office on August 11, 1957. He retired on January 3, 1986 after 28 years on the same mail route.

Claude was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church-Kilmanagh. He was church Treasurer for some years and served as Sunday School Superintendent for 25 years. Hobbies include avid book reader and collecting stamps since 1957. He was the pioneer of card playing at the Hornbacher family gatherings. He loved to play with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially Ryan and Luke. He served on the Board of Directors of the Sebewaing Co-op for 21 years. He was chairman of the Sebewaing Township Library Board for many years. He was a lifelong member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and a life member of the American Legion.

Claude is survived by his wife, Clara; children: Bruce Hornbacher, Royce (Sheila) Hornbacher, Rhoda (Wayne) Bolzman, Dave Hornbacher, Rudy (Tona) Hornbacher, Ruby (Paul) Martinez and Jan Hornbacher; sister, June Bush; grandchildren: Eric (Kim) Hornbacher, Joshua (Barbette) Hornbacher, Denise (Tom) Bambach, Chris (Anna) Bolzman, Matthew (Gina) Bolzman, Michael (Michelle) Bolzman, Angela (Mike) Mandich, Joel (Spark) Bolzman, Dave (Bethany) Hornbacher, Neil (Laura) (Hornbacher) Tracy (Joseph) Beindit, Gregory Hornbacher, Nathan (Kim) Hornbacher, Justin Hornbacher, Krista Hornbacher, Heather Hornbacher, Jenny Martinez, Chad Hornbacher, Rachel Hornbacher, Ryan Hornbacher and Sarah Hornbacher; great grandchildren: Lindsay Hornbacher, Christian Hornbacher, Jordan Hornbacher, Zachary Bambach, Kaylee Bambach, Kelsey Bolzman, Luke Bolzman, Lyndsey Bolzman, Brandon Bolzman, Brianna Bolzman, Lauren Mandich, Michael Mandich, Madison Mandich, Layla Bolzman, Grady Bolzman, Kady Hornbacher, Dave Hornbacher, Jr., Maxwell Hornbacher, Jacob Beindit, Tyler Beindit, Brayden Hornbacher, Korbin Hornbacher, Zyon Hornbacher, Andrew Hornbacher and Alexa Houthoofd.

Preceded in death by brother, Willard Hornbacher; a stillborn baby brother; son-in-law, Wayne Robert Bolzman; a stillborn great grandson, Aaron Bolzman; and great grandson, Logan Bolzman.

Visitation is Sunday, February 2, 2014 at Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home in Sebewaing from 1-8 PM.

The funeral service is Monday, February 3, 2014 at St. John Lutheran Church-Kilmanagh. Visitation will begin at the church at 10 AM until the time of service at 11 AM.

Burial will take place privately at Silverlawn Cemetery in Sebewaing.

Memorial donations may be given to St. John Lutheran Church-Kilmanagh.