Donald "Hatchet" E. Haines' Obituary
HAINES, Donald "Hatchet" E., age 71, of Waynesville, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2022, at the Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties.
Hatchet worked for Valley Kitchen Cabinet in Lebanon for 23 years. He worked for an additional 14 years at McDonald's in Springboro, where he retired in 2012. Even though he was a hard worker, he couldn't wait for the weekends to arrive and for the partying to start. The weekends always included spending time with his family, dancing to bluegrass music, and sipping ice-cold beer. Every weekend he packed himself a suitcase to take with him where ever he went, you can imagine what was in the bag.
He was a big kid at heart and had a collection of blankets and soft animals. During the holidays, he would purchase wind-up toys and other knick-knacks to set around the house. Hatchet enjoyed going with his family on car rides during the Christmas season to look at all the lights in the different neighborhoods. He would take treats to the staff at his doctor's office so that they could feel special and appreciated. For the holidays, he enjoyed watching the Christmas classics and Christmas cartoons, including Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Frosty. His favorite thing to watch was the TV Land channel, where he could watch Gun Smoke, Bonanza, The Waltons, and Andy Griffith to his heart's content.
No matter how many trials or tribulations life threw in his path, Hatchet always had a happy-go-lucky personality. He never had a sad face or even a mean bone in his body. He never met a stranger and was always extremely kind and generous to everyone he crossed paths with. Since he never had any children of his own, he had a soft spot in his heart for children and would always buy them ice cream or give them a dollar bill. He took on his nieces and nephews as if they were his kids and helped raise them. Many nieces and nephews looked up to him as a second dad, grandfather, and the best uncle anyone could ever ask for. His family was his pride and joy, and he made sure they knew how much he cared about them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Frances Haines; one brother, Charles W. Haines; and four sisters, Mary Helen Morgan, Jacqueline "Jackie" Lanier, Ruth Ann Brangers, and Linda "Lou" Haines. He is survived by his brother, Ronnie (Lynn) Haines; two sisters, Janet Lanier and Patty (Donald) Covey; one sister-in-law, Laurie Haines; many nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and nephews; several great-great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, December 27, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. Tyler Johnson will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends 6 – 8 PM Monday, December 26, at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made to the Kettering Cancer Center. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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