John C. Hackenberg

Hackenberg, John C. Saginaw, Michigan Today we are gathered to say good-bye to John Hackenberg, who passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Covenant Medical Center – Harrison. John was born on April 30, 1945, in Saginaw, to the late Theodore and Maude R. (Hammond) Hackenberg. John was a big part of our family, the youngest sibling. When John graduated from Arthur Hill High School, he took a job at General Motors, the biggest business in our area, where many in our area made it their career. John didn’t think he fit there, so in 1964 he chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, with his wife, Karen, and new baby, “little Janet”, at home. He liked some of his time there. He got to monitor the space programs, but he also had to send off some of the bombers, while never wanting anyone to be killed or injured due to his part of the mission. When stationed in some of the southern areas of the U.S., he joined the groups making music. He enjoyed that. He was often sent to a gravesite to play Taps. John served in the Air Force until his discharge in 1968. He later resided in the San Fransico area before coming back to Michigan where he stayed for a while. In Petosky, he started seeing a specialist that was helping him with his PTSD. When he returned to Saginaw, he was well counselled at the Army Hospital. By then he was thinking about a more “home like” atmosphere and bought his first house. He was also thinking about Karen and their baby, little Janet. However, by then they weren’t around much. They had moved on with a new boyfriend and family. John and Karen only had occasional contacts, losing track of each other until recently. In recent years, John had a way to encourage people to be friendly and kind. He was known to say the phrase, “have a nice life” to many people. If he didn’t say it, it meant he was telling people how they should live their life. His phrase was meant to encourage people to have an expression of kindness and friendship. Surviving are one daughter and one son, Janet (Robert) Benjamin of Alger, Michigan, and Andrew J. Howard of Pennsylvania; one brother and two sisters, Ted Hackenberg, Janet Hackenberg, and Carol Miller; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; step-father, Andrew Zagata; brother, Larry Zagata, and sisters-in-law, Joyce Zagata, Marianne Hackenberg, and Ann Marko. Cremation has taken place. Private military services and inurnment of his cremated remains are being planned for Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Memories and sympathies of John may be shared with the family on his memorial website at WakemanFuneralHome.com When you remember John, pass along his greeting to others, HAVE A NICE LIFE.

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John C. Hackenberg

April 30, 1945 - June 21, 2026