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Raymond Haars
RAYMOND HAARS
Marion
Raymond "Ray" William Haars, 87, of Marion, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, after a brief illness. His family will greet friends and relatives from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Ray was born to William "Bill" and Ruth (Welsh) Haars on July 16, 1927, in Center Point, Iowa. He was a member of the graduating class of 1944 from Center Point High School. Following his graduation, he began work at Iowa Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids for a brief period before entering the U.S. Army in December 1945. He proudly served his country in Korea with the 754th Tank Battalion. After completing his service, he returned to Iowa Manufacturing where he worked for 49 years before his retirement in 1992.
On Nov. 21, 1948, Ray married the love of his life, Violet Benson, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They made their home in Center Point before moving to Marion in 1971. Ray and Vi celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in November. Together, they had three loving children, Doug (Christy) Haars of Cedar Rapids, Judy (Jim) Hannen of Hiawatha and Jayne (Patrick) Galligan of Waukesha, Wis.; five beautiful grandchildren, Chad (Nancy) Hannen of Lees Summit, Mo., Chris (Melissa) Haars of Cedar Rapids, Cory (Jo) Hannen of Marion, Shannon (George) Bartz of Fort Meyers, Fla., and Andrew Swindle of Chicago; and seven great-grandchildren, Owen and Quinn Hannen, Elizabeth and Ann Marie Haars, Cade and Cole Hannen and Izabelle Bartz, who were the joys of his life. He is also survived by many loving extended family members.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, Virgil.
Ray and Vi spent many fun-filled retirement years in Mission, Texas, making many new and lifelong friends. He also enjoyed playing town team baseball, golfing and bowling. Most of all, Ray loved attending his children's, grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sporting events.
Memorials may be directed to the family which will be donated to American Legion Post No. 298 of Marion and Hospice of Mercy in Ray's memory.
Please share a memory of Ray at www.murdoch
funeralhome.com under obituaries.
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