Lewis Paul Haney

Born May 28, 1935 to Paul and Vada Haney in Larned, KS, died Dec 14, 2019

He married Darlene (Brandt) Haney July 17, 1959 and they had two children, Kris Ann (Mike) Smith, and Jon (Susan) Haney and one grandson, Logan Haney. Had a brother Lee Earl, and a sister, Pauline of Larned, KS. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lee Earl and wife Darlene.

He was a Specialist 4 (T) in the army, and served in Korea running the “ammo” dump, and working on military equipment 1955 – 58 and then stateside till 1961. It was shortly after he came home that he met and later married his wife Darlene. He had two years of college where he studied Mechanical Engineering and Drafting. He had multiple jobs in his lifetime, working for KG&E, Southwest Grease & Oil Co, and Hillsboro Equipment to name a few.

He and wife Darlene loved to camp and fish, and that led them to Lake Texoma, where they ran the Newberry Creek Resort and Café for six years. While growing up and working alongside their parents, their children learned the value of hard work, responsibility, honesty, faith, perseverance and resourcefulness and also to love one another and to enjoy life.

After they sold the resort and moved back to Wichita he worked at several small engine repair shops. After retirement he ran “Lew’s Small Engine’s” from his garage where he fixed and also sold countless mowers, and other lawn equipment, and visited with friends and neighbors. Even the garbage truck drivers commented when they no longer saw him in the garage working.

He took great pride in his children. He taught them both to ride motorcycles and the family took motorcycle trips, camping and fishing trips together, including a very memorable trip to Hawaii where they did Deep Sea Fishing. The fish he caught was the smallest one caught on that trip – but it was proudly displayed over the fireplace in their home until the house was sold. It is also probably during this trip that Lewis developed his taste for Hawaiian shirts, and the colorful “matching ensembles” which he wore frequently in later life.

He was a proud supporter of his son when he played football in high school and also racing motorcycles, even traveling to Pomona California to watch when Jon was competing as a division finalist in the Super Pro Motorcycle class. He was also quite happy to be a practice subject for his daughter and to pass out business cards as she built her Massage Therapy Business “Integrity Massage.”

Lewis traveled frequently with his family, his wife and a group of friends affectionately called “the silly six”. One very notable trip though was with his daughter Kris, when he got the opportunity to travel to Washington DC on the Kansas Honor Flight. One big highlight was meeting Senator Bob Dole.

Lewis was a man of faith, serving as a youth leader for a short time when First MB was at 17th & Gow and never hesitating to share his faith with others throughout his life. He also did several MCC Relief motorcycle “Poker Runs”, and drove tractors at the Kansas State Fair to transport visitors between the parking lot and the fairgrounds. He also enjoyed singing in the choir and was an active member of the Primetimers Sunday School Class until his health declined. When we listened to Pastor Kyle’s sermon about “How you Finish” we definitely recognized that he finished well. This was quite evident as we read the letters he received from friends while on the Kansas Honor Flight to Washington DC. Many mentioned how they enjoyed trips they had taken with him because he was a good Christian friend.