Harold Haines

Funeral services for Harold Haines were held February 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Northern Hills Baptist Church in Holt, MO, with Larry Stevens officiating. Music was provided by Amy Turpen, vocalist, Becky Collison, narrator, and Kevin Burgoon, pianist. Readers were Lanny Rawdon and Harold Kennedy. Casket bearers were Travis Auer, Ginger Auer, Joe Watts, Hallie Watts, Nathan Bowman, and Carley Bowman. Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery in Kearney, MO. Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Kearney, MO, was in charge of arrangements.

Harold was born October 13, 1939, in Omaha, NE, the son of Bennett H. Haines and Evelyn (Chocholousek) Haines. In his early childhood, his family moved to a farm in Gregory County, South Dakota. Harold graduated from Gregory High School in 1957 and was always proud to say he was a Gorilla.

Harold attended South Dakota State College where he met Barbara Stevens. They were married on December 27, 1960 and to this union, two daughters were born. Harold graduated from South Dakota State College and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, June 1962. He was honorably discharged in August 1967. Harold was a Vietnam Veteran and was awarded the Air Medal for 25 combat missions in South East Asia. He was a pilot with TWA for 28 years. He retired as a captain in 1995.

Harold was active in his community by serving as a member of the Kearney R1 School Board, a board member of the Kearney Swim Club, and a member of the Northland Human Relations Committee. He also served many years as an active member of the Northland Compassion Ministry for the homeless.

Harold was a member of Northern Hills Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, worked in the AWANA ministry, and with vacation Bible school, and served on numerous committees.

Harold LeRoy Haines, 83 yrs. old, of Kearney, MO, passed away on February 5, 2023, at Liberty Hospital, Liberty, MO.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of Kearney, MO; two daughters Paige Auer and husband Mark of Kearney, MO, and Patty Rubin and husband Dave of Smithville, MO; grandchildren Travis Auer and wife Ginger, Hallie Watts and husband Joe, Carly Bowman and husband Nathan; step-grandchildren Jennie Smith, Dan Rubin and wife Erin; six great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; brother Bill Haines and wife Marta; sister Madeline Pastian and husband Dale; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bennett and Evelyn Haines; sister Darlene Tappe and husband Lee, and brother Edward Haines.

Monetary donations that are made can be made to Northern Hills Baptist Church designated for the Harold Haines Memorial. All donations will go directly to Fostering Christmas Hope and The Lee and Dana Trotter Prescott Community Outreach of Urban Kansas City, KS.

Please share stories and memories for the family at haroldhainesmemories@ hotmail.com