Donald "Jake" Waltenburg

Donald "Jake" Jacob Waltenburg, 91 of Fort Wayne, passed away on August 30, 2024, at StoryPoint, Fort Wayne. He was born on January 25, 1933, in Rome City, the ninth child of the late Henry Edward and Regenia Francis (Murphy) Waltenburg. Jake spent his time as a youngster living in Rome City and Fort Wayne, and graduated from Central High School, in 1951. He enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Korean War from 1951 to 1955, where he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, then in the reserves from 1955 -1959. Jake married his junior high sweetheart, Sally Jean Shively, of Churubusco, on December 26, 1952. They celebrated 68 years together, Sally preceded him in death on May 29, 2021. Jake's dedication to all he did was shown even in his work as he spent 31 years at International Harvester, from which he retired on May 1, 1983. Having retired, his favorite part-time job was jockeying rental cars for Fort Wayne's Airport Jake loved his family greatly and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jake enjoyed many years of interests including oil, watercolor, and acrylic painting; bass fishing; watching football and baseball- an avid Cubs fan; and especially car and train travel around the U.S. Beyond his work and service, Jake was a steadfast member of the Ascension Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, where he worshipped and served faithfully. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 47 for 47 years. He is survived by two daughters, Julie (Steven) Fetters and Vickie Waltenburg; a son, Mark (Jerilynn) Waltenburg; six grandchildren, Jacob S. Fetters, Kimberly (Charles) Heath, Samuel Fetters, Kelilyn (C.J. Skidmore Jr.) Waltenburg, Joshua (Jacqueline Hernandez) Waltenburg, and Julianne (Anthony Hagstrom) Waltenburg; 10 great-grandchildren, Jackson Fetters, Katelyn Fetters, Alexander Fetters, Clarissa Fetters, Chelsea Phillips, William Heath, Montgomery Fetters, Agatha Fetters, Charles Skidmore, and Ryleigh Skidmore. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, George, James, and Robert; three sisters, Laucie, Mary, and Dora; also, two infant siblings. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco, Chapel, with viewing beginning at 11:00 a.m. The burial will follow at Eel River Cemetery, Churubusco. Memorials may be directed to Ascension Lutheran Church. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.