Gary L. "JR" Halter, Jr., age 53, of Huntertown, Indiana, passed away on November 3, 2026, after a brief illness. Gary was a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne and a 1992 graduate of Northrup High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from IPFW and then received his master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan. He worked as a city planner for Allen county. Gary was a longtime firefighter for St. Joe Township beginning his career at the fire department at the age of eighteen and served the department as an officer for many years. He finished his career as the fire chief with a total of over twenty years of service. He also played high school hockey and enjoyed playing club hockey as an adult.

Gary L Halter, Jr. was born on October 2, 1973, in Fort Wayne. He married Shelley R. Borchelt on March 23, 2002, and she survives.

Survivors include his wife, Shelley; one daughter, Abigail Halter, at home; one sister, Lisa (Gregg) Koppelmann, of Fort Wayne; on niece, Samantha (Adam) Rentschler, and their children, Lily and Owen; two nephews, Brandon (Danielle) Koppelman, and their daughter, Monroe, and Kyle Koppelmann. He was preceded in death by his father, Gary Lynn Halter, Sr.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 3:00-7:00 P.M. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 1986 Cedar Canyons Road, Huntertown, Indiana. Services will follow in Divine Mercy Funeral Home, Huntertown, with Pastor Paul Offhaus officiating

Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to the Huntertown Fire Department.

To sign the online register or to send condolences, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org.