Arthur R. Haase

Arthur R. “Big Armer” Haase, Sr., 81, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, February 09, 2009 at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, February 12, 2008 at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, 3001 Veronica Dr., St. Joseph with Rev. Dan Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Haase was born June 2, 1927 in St. Joseph to Arthur A. & Pauline (Kuden) Haase. He served his country in the United States Army during WWII. On October 14, 1950, he married the former Mary L. Brittin in St. Joseph. Art, for many years, operated a fruit & vegetable farm which was started by his father in St. Joseph and the surrounding area. He was known for having the best sweet corn around. He sold some of his produce at the stand in front of his home-Art’s Fruit & Vegetables. Following retirement from farming, Art was employed for many years as a security officer at Whirlpool Corporation. He also loved to repair lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and snow blowers in his garage, and resell them roadside in front of his home. Art was very much a people person, he never met a stranger. Many people looked to him for assistance and advice when they were in need. Art was a member of Zion Evangelical UCC where he formerly served as president of the men’s group, as a Sunday School teacher, and on various boards and committees. He was a member of the National American Legion, and one of the first volunteer fire fighters for St. Joseph Township. Art loved music, and often played his harmonica to entertain those around him. Art is survived by his wife Mary; his daughter Cynthia (Phil) Langer of St. Joseph; three sons-Arthur R. (Keiren) Haase, Jr. of Paramount, CA, Timothy (Kathy) Haase of Dickinson, TX, Terry ( Virginia) Haase of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren-Laura Haase, Victor (Sharon) Brown, John (Heidi Herbstreit) Brown, P.G. (Connie) Langer, Alexandra Haase, & Nicholas Haase; one great-grandson Cole Ingle; and two sisters-Caroline Siewert & Elaine Kerill, both of St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister-Leona Ott-Higgins.