Dr. John R. Haehn

Dr. John R. “Doc” Haehn, 86, of Wapakoneta, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at 5:00 a.m., Thurs. Nov. 10, 2016, at St. Rita’s Medical Center Inpatient Hospice, Lima. He was born Aug. 29, 1930, in Delphos, OH, the youngest son of the late Edward L. & Mathilda (Von Lehmden) Haehn. John devoted his life to his family and his faith. He graduated from St. Johns High School, Delphos. In 1953, he graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He then served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in Waco, TX where his primary responsibility was to provide optometric care to the enlisted pilots. In 1956, John began his private practice in Wapakoneta. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta, and served as a Cub Scout Master for his sons. John served as president of the St. Joseph School Board and was a member of the St. Joseph Parish Council. He sang with the St. Joseph Church Choir & Chorale. He also was instrumental in starting the Adoration Chapel and designed the stained glass windows for the chapel as well, at St. Joseph. His other memberships included the Wapakoneta Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus Council #1272, and the American Optometric Assn. John served on the boards of the Hauss-Helms Foundation and the Klienhenz- Moeller Foundation. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Home Savings & Loan. Some of his favorite hobbies included gardening, fishing, oil painting, stained glass, wood working, & hunting, but most of all was spending time with his family. He was a man of many talents, from home repairs & remodeling to cooking, baking, canning & and making jam. John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen (Landwehr) Haehn. Other survivors include, 5 sons, John, Jr. “Jack” (Barbara) Haehn, David Haehn, Edward (Julia) Haehn, Daniel (Margie) Haehn, & Kevin (Cheri) Haehn, 3 daughters, Lisa (Ric) Bible, Debra (Phillip) Bellman, & Katherine Swisher, 17 grandchildren, Kelly Bible; Andrea (Bible) Hall; Jennifer (Haehn) Brown; Alec & Rachel Haehn; Kimberly (Haehn) Below; Angela Haehn; Danielle (Haehn) Allende; John Haehn; Thomas Bellman; Megan (Bellman) Doty; James Bellman; Jacob & Nicholas Haehn; Molly, Lydia & Jack Swisher; 16 great grandchildren, siblings, Ralph J. Haehn, Mentor, OH, & Margaret (Haehn) Todd, Ostrander, OH. He was preceded in death by his 30 year old grandson, Richard L. Bible, Jr., and his siblings, Louis E. Haehn, James B. Haehn, Arthur F. Haehn and Martha (Haehn) Welch. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Mon. Nov. 14, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta, with Rev. Patrick Sloneker officiating. Burial is to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wapakoneta, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Wapakoneta V.F.W. Post #8445. The family will receive friends 2-6 p.m., Sun. at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, 1102 Lincoln Ave., (St. Rt. 501) Wapakoneta. Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Renovation Fund or the Stained Glass Window Fund.

Dr. John R. Haehn

August 29, 1930 - November 10, 2016