Hubert Hafner, Jr.

Hubert Joseph Hafner, Jr., 85, died Friday, September 25, 2020 in Memorial Hospital, Gulfport, MS.  A native of Joliet, Illinois Hugh was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his three children, Mary Ann Flowers Hafner of Joliet, Illinois, and his parents, Hubert Joseph and Rose E. (Coder) Hafner of Joliet, Illinois.

He is survived by his second wife, Lynn Moon-Hafner.  They were married for ten years and resided in Biloxi, MS.

He is also survived by his children and their spouses William Hubert Hafner (Jackie) Madison, Alabama;  Ronald Hafner ( Sandy) Carlock, Illinois; Lynn Wiersema (Greg)  Cresthill, Illinois; William (Billy) Moon (Carrie)  Poplarville, Mississippi; Lucinda “Cindy”  Moon-Cowan (Jim)  Biloxi, Mississippi; his sister, Patricia Gladkowski (Ted) of Channahon, Illinois; grandchildren Kristina Joann Owens, Jennifer Rena’ Cherry, Joshua Alan Hafner, Ronald Joseph Hafner, II (Cindy), Jacob William Hafner, Chris Wiersema,  Lisa Wiersema,  Brett Wiersema, Dennis Kevin Hilton, Jr. (Danielle), Michael Shaun Hilton, James Jeffery “Jeff” Cowan, William Thomas “T-Bo” Cowan (Julie), Christina Cowan Wilcox (Mike), Dana Renee Cowan Gron (Mike), Haley Elizabeth Moon,  Billy Joe “B.J.” Moon (Amber) , Austin Tyler Moon (Starr), and 21 beloved great grandchildren.

Hugh earned his high school and graduate education while in the United States Marine Corps.  He proudly served the Corps from 1953 to 1961 as a communication specialist serving a tour of duty in the Korean War.  He frequently quoted “once a Marine always a Marine”.    After his military service he returned to Illinois and was employed until his retirement as a Boiler Operator  at Will County Station, Commonwealth Edison.

He and his first wife purchased a condominium in Gulfport, MS and enjoyed some retirement years on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  After her death Hugh continued his life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Hugh loved searching for treasures in thrift stores and flea markets.  Hugh one day found a new love on the Mississippi Gulf Coast – his beloved Lynn.  They both enjoyed searching for treasures.  One of his quests was finding unusual hats and ties and wearing them with pride.  Hugh had many hobbies.  He loved constructing seasonal yard art, painting and jewelry making.  He never met a stranger and over the years he and Lynn enjoyed the friends they made at the local Casinos.  Hugh was a lifetime member of the VFW#2434, Biloxi, MS where he participated in daily activities for the betterment of the local Chapter.

Hugh will be buried in his family plot in Joliet, Illinois.  A celebration of his life will take place at a later date in Biloxi.

Family members would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Memorial Hospital, Dr Paul Mullen and Hugh’s internal medicine physician Dr. Paul Matherne.

In Memoriam

“And when he goes to Heaven,

To St. Peter he will tell:

Another Marine reporting, Sir;

I’ve served my time in hell.”