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James Haffenden Obituary
Kalamazoo
Passed away March 31, 2014, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. Dr. Haffenden was born April 26, 1926 in Marshall, the son of Fay and Dorothy (Tidd) Haffenden. He was a graduate of Battle Creek Central High School , Western Michigan University and the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine. Doctor served his internship at Grand Rapids Metropolitian Hospital and practiced medicine in Battle Creek from 1953 to 1996. He was certified in the area of family practice. Dr. Haffenden has chaired the Legislative Committee of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and was on the board and chair of public relations for Visiting Nurse services, and has served on the board of Life-Care Ambulance Service. He was on the executive committee for Community Hospital and the terms and ethics committee for Battle Creek Health System. In 1959, Dr. Hafffenden received a "George Award" for his initiative in creating the medical examiner system in Calhoun County, where he was the Calhoun County Medical Examiner from 1957 to 1963. Dr. Haffeneden has always been very active in the professional medical community as a member of the Michigan Osteopathic Association and the American Osteopathic Association. He was also a member of the Battle Creek Antique Car Club and the Audubon Society. He enjoyed water sports, snowmobiling, wild life and birds.
Doctor Haffenden is survived by his children: James (Terrie) Haffenden, Richard (Sue) Haffenden, Julie (Ken Bennett) Naji, and John Haffenden, his former wife: Joan (Aalbregtse) Haffenden, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and wives: Lois Haffenden and Margaret Haffenden.
Dr. Haffenden's family will receive friends, Thursday, 5:00-8:00 PM at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home, Delton, where Dr. Haffenden's memorial service will be conducted Friday, April 4, 2014 at 1:00 PM, Pastor Brian Bunch officiating. Burial will take place in Cressey Cemetery. Memorial contributions to a charity of your choice will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to leave a condolence message for Dr. Haffenden's family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Haffenden
Walter J. Duffin, D.O.
April 11, 2014
I extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of James T. Haffenden, D.O. During my 4TH year at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, I was an extern with Dr. Haffenden during March, April and May 1968. Following graduation on June 6, 1968, I again externed with him until my internship at Lakeview General Hospital 7/1/1968 through 6/30/1969. During that year, I had frequent encounters with him both professionally and socially. I joined him in practice on July 1, 1969 and continued until the end of June, 1975 when I left to begin a radiology residency at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital Corporation July 1, 1975. He was a major mentor in my early years in medicine. I have so many memories from those years when I was associated with Dr. Haffenden.
Nannette Miller
April 5, 2014
Dr. Haffenden was our family doctor until he retired. My Mom thought the world of him. She died on March 31, 2003. I send my condolences to you, but I'll bet she looks him up to say hi when she hears he has arrived.
Ben and Beth Scholtes
April 5, 2014
Our condolences to the Haffenden family. We have such great memories of our Battle Creek families .
Georgia an Bill Bedford
April 4, 2014
He will be sadly missed by both of us. A great neighbor,wonderful friend,a caring Doctor for our family. We have many fun memories with him, The Florida Trips, A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, Snowmobiley in Mercer, WI.(out rode us for sure). God Bless his family, We can not say enough nice things about him, we could just go on an on. He will be truely missed...
Jim will be sadly missed by both of us, such a good friend,
Jim will be sadly missed by both of us, a great friend,wonderful neighbor an such a caring Doctor to our family. The memories of some really fun times we had with him and the family will stay with us thur our lifetimes. The Florida trips, The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, Snowmobling in Mercer, WI. ( he out rode us for sure ) God bless all of his family, Can't say enough good things about him, Truely will miss him....
Judith Gresly
April 4, 2014
RIP. Dr. Jim had been our families physician forever since he had office on North Ave..then moved to 20th St
He delivered both my children....my mom n dad also loves him and he was good friends with my dad. Prayers to all of his family...and yes...he was a great docotor...well respected
Mary Green
April 4, 2014
Dr. Haffenden was a good and gracious man. As his patient for many years, I benefitted from his expertise,his caring concern and his wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed.
Gary Aalbregtse
April 4, 2014
As my brother in law, Jim was like my fourth brother. Not only did he provide excellent and care for my parents and my family he was a loving Uncle to our daughter. In her younger years she referred to him as her Dad and I was her Father. He was also an inspiration to me and very supportive in all that I did.
muhammad Rafi
April 3, 2014
A caring physician and a good friend.I will miss him
Joyce Carpenter
April 3, 2014
To the family of Dr. James Haffenden: I met and worked with your father when I was a new RN at Lakeview General Hospital in B.C. in 1968. He was an excellent physician whose patients loved him and he was easy to get along with for us nurses. My mother, who is also deceased, graduated from Battle Creek Central HS with him. I was so sorry to hear of his death. My son worked for a volunteer at Friendship Village; wish I had known he was there. With my deepest sympathies, Joyce A. Carpenter(Moody)
Robert DeVries
April 3, 2014
My goodness, (in 1983) what can we do to restore ambulance services for the greater Battle Creek area? Dr. Jim and Larry Anderson had the answer. Together, we founded LifeCare as a free standing, community based, nonprofit service that has stood the test of time. Jim was a fine clinician and great humanitarian!
Bob DeVries
Ron Slagell
April 3, 2014
Dr. Haffenden was a founding board member of LifeCare Ambulance Service (CCEMS at the start in 1983). With his support of our organization the greater Battle Creek area now has a high quality ambulance provider and 31 years later has grown to serve parts of 7 counties in southern Michigan. His belief and support in our mission and dedication to quality care has benefited countless lives. I am proud to have worked with him.
Larry Anderson
April 3, 2014
Jim was very involved in our Battle Creek Boy Scout Troop as both a father and a donor of a wood lot for the scouts to cut and split firewood for our troop's fund raising effort.
Jim served as the first physician on Cereal City EMS' (now LifeCare Ambulance Service) Board of Directors providing communications among the several medical staffs in Battle Creek. His input was valued.
My condolences to his family.
Larry Anderson
CEO, retired
LifeCare Ambulance Service
Stephen Fedele
April 3, 2014
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Dr. Jim.
Joy Tice Allen
April 3, 2014
We go back a long way. I first knew Dr Jim as my childhood physician. In high school, I baby-sat his boys a few times. As a new RN, I worked with him at Lakeview Hospital. He delivered our first child and cared for my family for several years. I moved on in my career and have not had contact with him in many years but we will never forget him, his kindness and expertise. He will be missed. My 91 year old mother,Doris Tice who was Dr. Bloch's employee for 21 yrs, well remembers him too. In fact, just recently we were trying to remember which of the original Lakeview Hospital doctors were still living and where. She knew he was at Friendshop Village.
Our sincere sympathies to the family.
April 3, 2014
You made such a difference in the lives of so many people and I am so blessed to have been a part of your life. Love, Kris P.
Cindy Wagner
April 2, 2014
Dr. Haffenden delivered both my children & I couldn't have had a better Dr. He was a wonderful man & I'm so glad I was referred to him. May he rest in peace. My thoughts & prayers are with the family.
April 2, 2014
Jim & I became the best of friends when I began practice in 1955. Many,many good memories. Rest in peace dear friend. Dr. Dave Wright
David & Mary Rich
April 2, 2014
Jim was a great Doctor and a wonderful friend. We will always remember our times together on Goguac Lake.
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Williams-Gores Funeral Home133 E. Orchard Street, P.O. Box 217, Delton, MI 49046
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