Don J. Hortop

Don J. Hortop, age 96, a resident of Imlay City since1993 and formerly from Armada Township, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015 at Heatherton Place in Imlay City. Don was born June 13, 1919 in Bloomfield Hills, MI., the son of Frank and Charlotte Pearl (Prowse) Hortop. Don married Arletta Alwardt at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Macomb, Michigan on July 20, 1944. Don retired from the Macomb County Road Commission after 25 years of employment in 1982. From 1960 till 1970 he also worked at Hayride Lodge, where Don drove a team of Belgian horses, taking visitors on hay rides. Don, along with Arletta joined the Country Band the “Black River Cowboys” in 1947 and together they played in horse barns, cow barns, and even the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Around 1950, they started their own band call the “Saddledusters” and played all around Michigan. Don played the guitar, harmonica, and vocals and Arletta played the vocals, washboard, the “gutbucket” and tambourine. Their love of God and their church will be remembered always by anyone that knew them. They joined Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Washington Township in 1952, and both helped with the Youth Group for many years. Don is survived by his wife of 71 years Arletta, children Allen J. (Cindy) Hortop and Louann A. (Jim) Hanvey along with 4 grandchildren: Dawn (Phil) Campbell, Lisa (Brian) Franey, Deanna (Josh) Brownfield, and Benjamin (Jane) Hanvey. Great grandchildren include Collin Donovan Campbell, Sarah Campbell, Alaina Franey, Abby Franey, Gwen Hanvey, Oscar Brownfield and Natalie Brownfield. Don was preceded in death by his brother John and sister Thelma Rock. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, November 25 at 11 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Washington Twp., with Pastor Jeffrey Draeger officiating. Burial will follow in St John’s Cemetery in Shelby Twp and immediately following the burial, a luncheon will take place back at the church. Donation to Our Redeemer would be appreciated. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2-8 at the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home, Romeo Michigan.