Maurie Hahn

If there was one word to describe Maurie Hahn, it could very well be fun-loving as he lived to make sure that everyone enjoyed life as much as he did. He could make an adventure out of anything, and all who knew him would agree that life with Maurie around was never boring. The heartbeat of his family, he was a loving husband and father who loved spoiling his grandchildren later in life. Maurie was a dedicated worker in everything he did, and he was the sort of person who was there to lend a hand to whoever needed it in ways both great and small. He leaves behind a priceless collection of memories, but even more important is his timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those he leaves behind.

The first half of the 1940s were defined by the WWII. Countless young servicemen and women were serving overseas, and those who remained stateside became all too familiar with rationing on common goods. Victory gardens were planted to lessen the demand on the nations food supply, and loved ones gathered around radios to hear the latest news from the front lines. Amidst this time there was much to anticipate in the lives of Scott and Irene (Bruns) Hahn as the promise of spring began to emerge on Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1944 as they were expecting a new baby at any time. Their wait was over on March 1st when the baby boy they named Maurie made his arrival. He was one of two boys in his family and was raised alongside his brother, Keith.

Maurie was very much a young boy of his generation. He attended Concordia Lutheran Schools and played center on the football team for all four years of high school. Maurie was also required to serve in the ROTC program along with everyone else, and he could not wait to get out of the uniform. Before school started each day Maurie delivered the morning newspaper to his neighborhood, and he also worked at Allen County Tire. On the weekends he usually helped out on his uncles farm across the state line in Ohio. Always resourceful, it was not uncommon for Maurie and his buddies to hop train cars to get around from Fort Wayne to New Haven. Luckily, they were never caught.

A bit later, Maurie bought his first car - a 1961 black Ford Starliner with red interior. It was while driving this car around during his senior year that he caught the attention of a certain young woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Regina Shull, and she jokingly motioned to the car. To her surprise Maurie drove up, and she then recognized him as her fellow classmate. The rest is history as they say as they began dating and later fell hopelessly in love. With a desire to build a life together, the sweethearts were married on July 27, 1963, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne.

It was easy to see that Maurie was a loving and devoted husband. Together he and Regina were thrilled to welcome three children into their hearts and home including Greg, Melanie, and Paul. Maurie was an amazing father who was the cruise director of the family. He could often be found playing games like hide and seek with his children - and he took it to the next level as they played in the family basement in complete darkness. Maurie gave them a while, but after they could not find him he lit up a cigarette for them to see the glow of the red as their hint. Even being snowed in was a game as he had the kids pull a number out of a hat to see who got which one of the three desserts that they had left. The family had a pool, and as if that alone wasnt enough fun Maurie often set up obstacle courses in the water with tubes that the children would have to swim up through. In addition, he loved hosting family gatherings including the annual Labor Day event for his family and friends. Of course Maurie had it all planned out including sack races, three-legged races, badminton, and obstacle courses. When he and Regina took their children to Disney World, Maurie even called the room and pretended to be Mickey Mouse. It was not until recent years that his daughter, Melanie, found out it was him!

Although his family was Mauries primary focus, he also took his work to heart. After graduating from high school in 1962, he continued working at Allen County Tire. Maurie left for a few years and worked at Swim Pool Inc., but after a fire broke out at Allen County Tire he and his brother bought and reopened Allen County Tire in 1977. In 1986, Maurie left the tire business and started working in excavation. He went to work at Zimmerman Excavating, which was later acquired by Liberty Construction.

Maurie was lucky enough to work with his son Paul at both companies. Maurie worked hard throughout his entire career. In fact, even after retiring from work full-time, he worked part-time until just this past summer.

As the family expanded to include four grandchildren, Maurie couldnt have been happier. He made Christmas extraordinary as he had a special Santa bag for them. The bag always appeared after dinner, and his grandchildren were thrilled when he started passing out the extra Santa gifts. In 2004, Maurie and his family were given a tough pill to swallow when his oldest grandson, Logan, was in an accident at home and died.

A longtime resident of the community he loved, Maurie was active in many things. He was a man of unshakeable faith and loved Aboite Lutheran Church and his church family. He enjoyed golfing at Colonial Oaks Golf Course in Fort Wayne, was a NASCAR fan and loved cheering for his favorite driver, Rusty Wallace. He also enjoyed watching football, especially the Indianapolis Colts. His son, Paul, was a Chicago Bears fan, and the two had wagers on whose team was better each year.

With unending love for his family, Maurie Hahn lived each day to the fullest. He was content in all things, fully embracing both the peaks and valleys along his lifes journey. Mauries zest for life was contagious, and there was no one who met him and left unchanged. Although he will be deeply missed, his family finds comfort in knowing that he is enjoying perfect peace in his eternal home. In the words of 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Maurie Hahn, of Fort Wayne, IN, died at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at his home. Mauries family includes his wife, Regina Hahn; children, Greg (Carrie) Hahn of Holland, OH, Melanie Hahn of Fort Wayne, and Paul (Ruby) Hahn of Columbia City; grandchildren, Lucas, Olivia and Lawson Hahn. Maurie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith Hahn; and grandson, Logan Hahn in 2004. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015, from 1 to 5 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the funeral home with Pastor Rich Pagn officiating. Casket Bearers will be Greg Hahn, Paul Hahn, Luke Hahn, Lawson Hahn, Kevin Shull and Rex Coomer and Honorary Casket Bearers are Logan Hahn, Reggie Shull, John Kuker and Ron Dunn. Memorial contributions can be made in Mauries honor to Aboite Lutheran Church, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or ALS. Burial will be at Covington Memorial Gardens. Visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.