Allan Hirt
Allan “Al” Arnold Hirt, 86, of Okemos, a civic-minded man, passed away on November 5, 2022. He was born on January 19, 1936, to Arnold and Lydia Hirt in Cleveland, Ohio. On June 4, 1960, Al married Shirley and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage. He graduated with a Business degree from Cleveland State University and began his career at Ford Motor Company in the Lansing District Sales office. In 1974, he bought Al Hirt Ford-Mercury in Charlotte. After closing the business in 1980, he became VP of Sales for a beverage distributorship in Battle Creek until 1985. Al joined a startup computer company in Okemos and later became a financial planner for Thrivent, a Lutheran insurance company. Next, he became district sales manager for a Cleveland company and concluded his employment history at Adtech Plastics in Charlotte in 2000. Al took two part-time retirement jobs: Eaton County Sheriff Department, 17 years; Wheat Jewelers, 21 years.
Al’s love of community, country, and God led him to belong to the Rotary, Gideons, American Legion, First Lutheran Church, St. Luke Lutheran Church, AARP Foundation Tax Aide, HGB Development Council and Executive Committee, and the University Club of MSU. He proudly served his country in the National Guard and with active Army duty (1958-1964), serving during the Berlin crisis in the Kennedy years.
Beloved hobbies included golf, travel (especially to California to visit his daughter and her family), and many cruises. He enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling with the kids, lots of motor home trips, and was a Spartan fan. His greatest source of enjoyment was raising two successful children and his marriage to Shirley. Al loved classic and luxury cars and this began early – at 16, he took an engine out of a 1940 Ford and rebuilt it, much to his father’s surprise.
Al is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Denise (Fred) Macias; son, Douglas (Linda) Hirt; grandchildren, Alex (Danielle McGraw) Brown, Cole (Sabrina) Macias, Logan Hirt, Lindsey (Daniel) Kopechek; great-grandchild, Willow Brown; and brother, Geoffrey (Linda) Hirt. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald.
Friends are encouraged to support Al’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Rd, Haslett, MI on Monday, November 14 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, November 15 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral services are Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Trevor Sutton officiating. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Allan Hirt tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Luke Lutheran Church or Gideons International. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.