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Walter J. Huebner 1939-2020

AUSTINTOWN — Mr. Walter Jones Huebner, 81, died peacefully at his residence on Sunday, April 26, 2020.

Walter was born Jan. 10, 1939, to the late John F. and Helen Irene Mlynarski Huebner. He graduated from South High School in 1957.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army. Walter served in the 3rd Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany, Ledward Caserne Barracks from January 1959 to December 1961.

In September 1960, while on weekend leave in London, England, he met the love of his life, June E. Goodenough of Liverpool, England. They married in Youngstown on Oct. 20, 1961.

Mr. Huebner enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served with the Communication Division, Keesler Air Base, in Mississippi, beginning in 1962 as well as Lakenheath Air Base, England, in 1965, and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 1967. During that time, they were blessed with a daughter and a son.

In 1967, they returned to Youngstown and settled down to raise a family.

Walter proudly worked at General Motors for 34 years from November 1967 until his retirement in November 2001. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1971, serving in the 76th Mobility Aerial Port Squadron in the 910th at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. During Operation Desert Storm, he deployed to Ramstein AFB, Germany.

He received decorations for service in the Cold War as well as Desert Storm and retired in 2002 as a master sergeant. In retirement, he enjoyed working with local car dealers as a driver.

Walter obtained his private pilot certificate in 1977. He shared his love of aviation with his son and grandsons. He was a lifelong fan of the Youngstown State University football team and enjoyed games, road trips and tailgating with family and friends.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2799, where he conversed regularly with his fellow veterans. Upon hearing the club was to be closed, he generously made monetary donations to each server for their personal needs.

In 2012, he re-met Linda Sarver of Austintown, a close childhood friend from Bryn Mawr plat. They spent the last eight beautiful years together, enjoying their families, travel, music and all of the best that life has to offer.

His wife of 42 years, June Ethel Goodenough Huebner, preceded him in death on March 14, 2004.

He often said, “No two days were ever the same.”

Walter loved his family dearly and will be greatly missed by his beloved companion, Linda Sarver; one brother, William Huebner of Girard; two children, Diane Huebner Olekshuk of New Middletown and John Huebner of Camarillo, Calif.; son-in-law, David Olekshuk; daughter-in-law, Mary Wirtz Huebner; five grandchildren, Ashley E. Olekshuk, Walter A. Huebner, William J. Huebner, Thomas M. Huebner and Jonathon Elliott Huebner; a nephew, Craig Huebner; and a niece, Shari Huebner. He also leaves extended family members in England and Australia.

Private services were held Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Mr. Walter Huebner to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Visit lanefuneralhomes.com to leave condolences for the family.

(special notice)