Obituary of Richard C. Haning

Richard C. “Dick” Haning, 83, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 16, 2014, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. A Funeral Mass for Dick will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 21, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, Father William Reynolds and Deacon Dan Goetz officiating. Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation with the family will be held 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at the church, with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.. In LIEU of flowers, memorials are being designated to: Newton American Legion Post #111, Skiff Hospice, Newton Salvation Army or Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Dick, the son of Oliver Earl and Nina Grace (Hodgson) Haning, was born June 17, 1931, near Colfax. The youngest of six boys, he graduated from Colfax High School in 1949. A lifelong resident of the Jasper County area, he served his country with the US Army during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in Panama. He later attended a year of college. Dick was united in marriage with Karen Crabtree, who would later precede him in death. In 1975, He married Joan Kathleen Devereux, and they would live in Newton. He was employed at the A.S.C.S. office in Newton, in accounting. On March 1, 1996, his wife Joan passed away and he later retired from Johnson Aviation at the Newton airport, as the office manager. On Oct. 10, 1998, he was united in marriage with Helen Schmelzer. He had devoted his life to his family, friends and community, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Newton American Legion Post #111. He enjoyed volunteering with the Newton Salvation Army and a board member with Hospice. He was a kind and warm hearted man, and will be greatly missed. Those left to honor Dick’s memory include his wife Helen; his daughters: Maria Stanley and Kim (Robbie) Howe; his step-daughter Maureen (Jim) Geringer; his sons: Randy Haning and Kevin Haning; step-son Greg Schmelzer; his seven grandchildren: Jenny Jensen, Robert Howe, Grace Stanley, Alivia Stanley, and Zachary, Travis and Nathan; great-grandsons: Henry and James Jensen; brothers: Edward Haning and Jim (Roberta) Haning; and his many friends. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; and three brothers: Bob, Ted and David Haning.