Daniel Warren Altenburg
December 21st, 1934 - April 9th, 2026
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Daniel's Obituary
Daniel Warren Altenburg, 91, of South Haven, passed away on April 9, 2026. He was a kind and gentle man born in South Haven on December 21, 1934, to the late Clayton E. and Grace E. (Swan) Altenburg. Other than traveling 20 years with the military, he lived his entire life on the family farm in Casco, in the house he was born in.
Per Dan’s request there will be no service. Burial of his cremains will take place privately later in McDowell Cemetery.
After graduating from South Haven High School, Daniel voluntarily joined the United States Navy during the Korean War. After 4 years of service, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. A year later he re-enlisted, this time in the United States Air Force and served for a total of 20 years in the military, including a one-year tour in Phu cat, Vietnam (1968-1969). After retirement from the Air Force, he moved back to his hometown of South Haven where he taught himself to make jewelry while earning an Associate in Arts degree from Lake Michigan College. After 10 years of selling jewelry at art shows he opened The Perfect Setting Jewelry store in Old Harbor Village in South Haven, where he continued to make jewelry until his passing.
On December 26, 1953, in Kendall, he married his high school sweetheart Signa (Becky) Elizabeth Watkin. They were married 65 years until her death in 2019. Together they had 4 children, Shelley Jane (Jeffrey) Hollis, Phillip Michael Altenburg, Tracey Ellen (Peter Noirot) Altenburg and Lisa Renee’ Nahin. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren, Bryan (Brittany) Heisler, Rebecca (Ben Schrot) Nahin, and Erin (Ryan) O’Neil, 4 great-grandchildren, Makenna, Emma, James, Emmarie, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Heisler, and 2 sisters, Viriginia Carter and Audrey Sherman.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army in honor of Daniel. Those wishing to share a memory of Daniel online may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
Per Dan’s request there will be no service. Burial of his cremains will take place privately later in McDowell Cemetery.
After graduating from South Haven High School, Daniel voluntarily joined the United States Navy during the Korean War. After 4 years of service, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. A year later he re-enlisted, this time in the United States Air Force and served for a total of 20 years in the military, including a one-year tour in Phu cat, Vietnam (1968-1969). After retirement from the Air Force, he moved back to his hometown of South Haven where he taught himself to make jewelry while earning an Associate in Arts degree from Lake Michigan College. After 10 years of selling jewelry at art shows he opened The Perfect Setting Jewelry store in Old Harbor Village in South Haven, where he continued to make jewelry until his passing.
On December 26, 1953, in Kendall, he married his high school sweetheart Signa (Becky) Elizabeth Watkin. They were married 65 years until her death in 2019. Together they had 4 children, Shelley Jane (Jeffrey) Hollis, Phillip Michael Altenburg, Tracey Ellen (Peter Noirot) Altenburg and Lisa Renee’ Nahin. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren, Bryan (Brittany) Heisler, Rebecca (Ben Schrot) Nahin, and Erin (Ryan) O’Neil, 4 great-grandchildren, Makenna, Emma, James, Emmarie, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Heisler, and 2 sisters, Viriginia Carter and Audrey Sherman.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army in honor of Daniel. Those wishing to share a memory of Daniel online may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.