Walter Hudkins

Walter Hudkins, age 87, of Cassopolis, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was born on August 26, 1938 in Kewanna, IN to Walter and Lucille (Frauhiger) Hudkins. He married the love of his life Patricia "Pat" Claire Deisenroth on August 17, 1963. They have been married 62 years, and she preceded him in death on February 21, 2026.

After graduating from Elkhart High School in 1956, he worked as a tool and die maker for over 45 years mostly with American Electrical Components (Hermaseal/Durakool). He made special lifetime friends there and loved to tell us stories of a few tricks he played on them while at work. He was smart and knew details on just about any topic. He loved telling funny stories (some true and some not), gardening, fishing, and cooking. He wasgreat at them all but never believed he was. You would never leave hungry when you stopped by their house. Most of all he loved to spend time with his family and life-time friends. He made many fly-in Canadian fishing trips, took his family on summer cabin week-long stays, and his grandkids out for Saturday morning breakfasts more than they can count! He selflessly took wonderful care of his wife for 62 years and showed a lifetime of incredible love to his only daughter, husband, and her family, so well.

Walt is survived by his daughter, Heidi (Ron) Cripe of Elkhart, IN; his grandchildren, Jake (Samantha) Cripe, JoEllen (Matthew) Fincham, Luke (Shania) Cripe, Great-Grandchildren: Brady, Kallen, Jackson, McKenzie, Elsie, Vivian, and Walter, and his sister, whom he also loved dearly, Leann Moyer, and many nieces and nephews. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Hudkins and Lucille Lundgren, his brother, Kenny, and his wife, Pat.

Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:30 am on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 where funeral services will be held at 11:30am. Pastor Kyle Grant will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace Bible Church. Following the funeral services, Walt will be laid to rest, with his wife, at West Goshen Cemetery in Goshen, IN. Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com