Dennie C. Haltiwanger

Dennie Haltiwanger, 94 and a Jacksonville native, passed away on December 10, 2017 in Aventura, Florida where he had been recently residing. Born on March 8, 1923, he was the only child of Howard and Lillian Massey Haltiwanger and was educated in the Duval County schools. At Kirby-Smith Junior High, he played on a championship basketball team. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and went directly into the US Army. He was decorated for his service during World War II with the 69th Infantry Division, the first Allied unit to meet up with the Soviet Army in Germany, historically uniting the Western Front with the Eastern Front. He told stories of his encounter with Russian soldiers, and many of his army buddies from around the US remained lifelong friends.At the conclusion of the war, he returned home and accepted a position with the Jacksonville Police Department, beginning a long career in law enforcement. Initially in the Traffic Division, he often worked "Bay and Main", at that time the busiest intersection in Jacksonville. He was later promoted to the Detective Division, the position from which he retired after 20 years with the JPD. He immediately went to work as an investigator for the Public Defenders Office. After a few years, he switched to the State Attorney Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where he remained until his second retirement.During his years in law enforcement, he was actively involved in the Fraternal Order of Police and served for a number of years as President of the Jacksonville Lodge. At the time he was first elected, he was the youngest person to ever hold that position. He also had the honor of being elected President of the State of Florida FOP. He was also a Shriner and a member of the Morocco Temples Motorcycle Escort Unit. As a Mason, he was a member of the Barnett Lodge. He was a member of Mayfair Baptist Church for many years and later attended Arlington Baptist Church.He was happily married to Elsie OBriant Haltiwanger for 63 years. She predeceased him in 2013. He is survived by their three children, David Haltiwanger of Baltimore, MD, Sherri Golden of Coral Springs, FL and Wayne Haltiwanger of Miami Beach, FL, plus his two grandchildren, Spencer Golden and Tyler Golden.Dennie will be returning home to his beloved Jacksonville for his final rest. Services will be held at George H. Hewell & Son Funeral Home at 4140 University Blvd S. Visitation will be Friday December 15 from 6pm to 8pm. The funeral service will be Saturday December 16 at 10am, with Dr. Terry N. Collins officiating followed immediately by a graveside ceremony and interment at Greenlawn Cemetery..VisitationFriday, December 15, 201706:00 PM - 08:00 PM George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home4140 University Blvd., So.Jacksonville, FL 32216IntermentSaturday, December 16, 2017 Greenlawn Cemetery4300 Beach Blvd.Jacksonville, FL 32216FuneralSaturday, December 16, 201710:00 AM Chapel of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home4140 University Blvd., So.Jacksonville, FL 322164140 University Blvd S Jacksonville, FL 32216 f: 904-739-81594747 Main St N Jacksonville, FL 32206 f: 904-353-0763