John W. Haines

John W. Haines, 94, of Chatham, passed away at 8:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at Memorial Hospice at Heritage Health. John was born August 10, 1924, in New City, IL, the son of Ira F. and Bessie A. (Grieme) Haines. He married Eileen Louise Bergschnieder on March 10, 1947. She preceded him in death on January 25, 2005. On December 3, 2005, he married Doris (Roth) Dautel at St. Josephs the Worker Church in Chatham. At age 11, he began farming and cultivating corn because the rest of the family had smallpox. He continued farming for the majority of his life. John was a 1943 graduate of Ball High School and was sworn into the U.S. Army nine days after graduation. John proudly served in the United States Army during World War II where he spent 16 months in New Guinea and the Philippines. He served on the local draft board 195. John was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church and had served as President and Secretary of their mens club. He was recently recognized for his 70 years of membership with the American Legion. He had held several different offices, including Chaplain and County Commander and was a member of Chatham American Legion Post #759. He also served as Commander and Secretary of AMVETS Post 61 and Past Superintendent of Sangamon County Veterans Assistance Commission where he served 16 years. He was also a member of Catholic War Veterans, AMVETS Post 61, Chatham VFW Post #4763, Auburn VFW Post #8157, Disabled American Veterans, and Voiture 344 of 40 8 of Sangamon County. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Wilma Kerr, Mary Elizabeth Betty Redpath, Shirley Ann Haines, and an infant sister; six brothers, Gene, Henry, Thomas, Harry, Edward, and Donald Haines; and brother-in-law, William Sausaman. He is survived by his wife, Doris Haines of Chatham; step-son, William Roth of Liberty Township, OH; two step-daughters, Rita (John) Evans of Glenarm and Joyce (Tom) Brooks of Chatham; brother, Robert Haines of Manhattan, KS; sister, Edith Haines Sausaman of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 24, 2018, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Fr. John Nolan, celebrant. Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and Department of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 East Spruce Street, Chatham, IL 62629 or Chatham American Legion Post 759, 206 West Chestnut Street, Box 402, Chatham, IL 62629.