Dr. Wallace J. Haelterman

April 4, 1925 - December 16, 2020

Dr. Wallace J. Haelterman, 95, resident of Iron Mountain and a winter resident of Sarasota, Florida for many years, passed on at Freeman’s Nursing Home, on December 16th, 2020. Wallace was born on April 4, 1925, in Norway, Michigan to the late Lucian and Mary (Giuliani) Haelterman who had been lifelong residents of this area. He graduated from Norway High School in 1942 and attended Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio; Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1949. He did graduate work at Wayne /state University, Detroit, receiving a Master’s degree in 1957 and a Doctorate in 1962, specializing in school administration, guidance counseling, and psychology. He did post doctoral study at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, in curriculum development. Dr. Haelterman pursued various careers in education in Colfax, Wisconsin and in the Detroit Public School system where he was a teacher, counselor, and administrator. He was a visiting lecturer at Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University and the University of Detroit, mainly in psychology and related fields. His last position in education was as Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Dr. Haelterman was appointed to that position by the late John Cardinal Deardon. In addition to his many activities within education, he was owner and administrator of a child care center in Downriver Detroit; owner of an apartment complex in Northwest Detroit; co-owner, with his son Robert, of Haelterman Distributors of Anheuser Busch and Miller Brewery products; co-owner with his son, of Jiffy Lubes in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida; was licensed to sell stocks, bonds, and real estate; and again co- owner, with his son, of Sun Diversified Investments, Inc., a Florida corporation. He had been active in many civic and social groups including Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; parish advisory groups; Board of Directors of Our Lady of Mercy High School; Board of Directors of Peoples Community Hospital Authority; Wayne State University Alumni Association; National Honorary English Fraternity, Sigma Tau Delta; Hall De Winter American Legion Post, Norway; Disabled American Veterans Club, Iron Mountain; Moose Lodge, Norway; Elks Club, Iron Mountain; Dickinson County and Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel; Pine Grove Country Club; the Chippewa Club; Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and the Church of SS Mary and Joseph.Wallace was married to the former P. Katherine Possi in 1950. He is survived by his daughter, Margaret (James) Petersen and their sons, Dr. Matthew (Tiffany), Christopher (Meghan), and Steven (Kate); and by his son, Rob Haelterman of Kingsford and his sons, J.T. (Ginny) and Jon (Jenni). He is also survived by several great-grandchildren: Kelsie, Karsten, Emerson, Hannah, Hazel, Marenn, Stevie Anne, Elle, Henri and Georgia. In addition to his parents, Wallace was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; his sister, Margaret; and two brothers, Leonard and Gordon. Condolences to the family of Dr. Wallace J. Haelterman may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.