Darl E. Haines

Darl E. (Bender) Haines, 87, 125 South Street, Catawissa, died at  3:43 a. m. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she had been a patient  since January 7th.

Born on May 21, 1930 in Fishingcreek Township, she was a daughter of the late R. Donivan and B. Marie (Hess) Bender. She attended the one room schools in and around Fishingcreek Township. The family moved to Benton in 1941, where her father worked at the former Sutliff Brothers Farm on Route 239.

Darl graduated from Benton High School with the Class of 1947 and was selected as the May Queen that year. She only attended school for 11 years because she went from first grade to third grade, while attending one room schools.

She married the love of her life, Russell G. Haines, on June 25, 1949, having a marital span of 44 years at the time of his death on December 6, 1993. They lived in Benton after their marriage, moving to Catawissa in 1956, and  moving to her present home on South Street in 1963.

At  the age of 11  she worked in the fields for the Sutliff Brothers Farm, since men were joining the military. She worked at the former Dockey Shirt Factory between her junior and senior years of high school.  Following graduation she went to work at the Dockey  Shirt Factory full time. Later she worked at the former Regal Shirt Factory, Catawissa, which later became Emenee Shirt Factory, until it closed in 1981. She last worked at Milco Industries, Bloomsburg,  leaving there in 1990.

Darl was an avid sewer/tailor, making all the clothes she and her daughter wore, as well as some of Russell's and other family members, designing many of them to make them different. She also made curtains, bed spreads, cushion covers for their porches, deck, etc. Other interests were crocheting, gardening, reading, travel, shopping and writing in her daily journal. She loved doing projects with her daughter Linda around their home, especially  in the  last 14 years since Linda retired early.

She was a member of the Catawissa United Methodist Church for 62 years where she served as president of the Dorcas Class.  From 2003 until the class disbanded, she and her daughter hosted the class at their home for lunch once a month. She was a former member of the Catawissa First United Methodist Church United Methodist Women (UMW).  When the Trustees had a fund raiser, she was always there  helping, especially helping Linda think of a theme and decorating the church social hall for the Mother  Daughter Banquet for the last eight years. Most recently she did any sewing for the church decorating team.

Darl and Linda were known for decorating their home, inside and outside, for every month and season. They always enjoyed having family and friends there to eat, either in their kitchen or on the back deck.

She is survived by her daughter Linda Kay Haines, residing together since the death of Russell.

Also surviving are nieces, Joyce Haines Krolick, Benton and Judy A.  Haines, Catawissa; a nephew L. Jeffrey Haines, and his wife Angela, Catawissa; great niece, Maria, wife of Eddie Hartman; great-nephew, Steven A. Krolick, and his wife Tammy; great-great niece, Bryanna Krolick, great-great nephews, Matthew Krolick, Lucas Hartman, Jacob Hartman  and Steven Krolick, Jr., all of Benton.

Darl was the last of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by her parents and husband and also three siblings: Richard J. (Dick) Bender, July, 1990; Virginia Bender Yorks, May, 2012; and Dorothy Bender Haines, February, 2015.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2:30 p. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg, with her pastor, Rev. Susan O. Rogutski , officiating. Interment will follow in St. James  Cemetery, Fishingcreek Township. Friends may call from 1:30 to 2:30 p. m.

The family will provide flowers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the  First United Methodist Church, 228 South Street, Catawissa, PA 17820 in her memory for the Pavillion Fund; the Sign Board Fund or For The Kids, your choice.