Gaylord W. Hartranft

HARTRANFT, Gaylord W.
Kalamazoo, MI Gaylord died Sunday morning, August 30, 2009, at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born October 21, 1925 in Kalamazoo, MI, a son of Rex N. and Crystal I. Stevens Hartranft and had been a life long area resident. During World War II, Gaylord served in the US Army in Central Europe. He returned to Kalamazoo after the war and worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years, retiring in 1980. Gaylord was a lifetime Mason, a member of BPOE Lodge # 50, and a past member of the Kalamazoo Chapter of Barbershop Harmony Society. Gaylord also loved to bowl and play golf with his buddies and was a member of several leagues. Gaylord was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister. On December 27, 1947, Gaylord was united in marriage with the former Ruth Ann Cahours, who survives. Also surviving are: two children, Gaye Ann Densberger of Rockford, MI and Steven Hartranft of Houston, TX; two grandchildren, Emily Brandon Wilson and Matthew Densberger; three great-grandchildren, Austin Wilson, Julianna Wilson and Zachary Wilson; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St. Services will be held 1:00 Friday afternoon at the funeral home with Rev. Jane Ellen Johnson of Grace United Methodist Church in Lansing, MI, officiating. Graveside services will be held 1:00 Saturday afternoon in Hillside Cemetery, St. Clair, MI. Gaylord's family has designated the Alzheimer's Association or the West Michigan Cancer Center for memorial contributions. www.langelands.com 269-343-1508.