John Walter Haines, Jr.

John W. Haines, Jr., age 76, 108 Shultz Hollow Road, Benton, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 10:39 p. m. shortly after he was admitted to the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He was in failing health for the past year.

He was born on August 10, 1940 in the home where he currently  resided in Jackson Township., a son of the late John W., Sr. and Elizabeth (Smith) Haines. He was a 1959 graduate of Benton High School.

John was employed by Milco Industries, Inc., Bloomsburg, for over 42 years, retiring in 2005.  He started his employment at the former Dockey Shirt Co., in Benton, which later merged into Milco.  He also was employed as the assistant police chief in Benton Borough for about 15 years and was the Jackson Township Constable for a number of years.

He was a member of the Waller United Methodist Church.

John was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, joining the former Benton Lodge 667 F & AM in 1966 and became a member of Oriental Lodge 460 F & AM, Orangeville when the two lodges merged in 2006. He received his 50 year membership pin last year. John served as Worshipful master of the Benton lodge in 1970 and 1974 and was the secretary from 1976 to 1986. He was appointed as the District Deputy Grandmaster of the 35th Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1985 and served until 1995

John also belonged to the Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, and was recognized for having been a member for 50 years earlier this month. In addition he was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine and Crusade Commandery 12, Knights Templar, both of Orangeville;  the Mt. Moriah Council 10, Berwick; and the Bloomsburg Berwick Chapter 210, Royal Arch Masons, Berwick.

He served with the U. S. Army from 1962 to 1965, and was stationed in Korea and Washington, DC during his service.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his twin brother, George Y. Haines on Sept. 13, 1981; a sister, Jean O'Neill; and two brothers: Leonard F. Haines and Russell G. Haines.

Surviving are his wife, the former Helen Moon, with whom he celebrated his 42nd wedding anniversary on April 10, 2017; a step daughter, Karen , wife of Dennis Charles, Sr., Benton; three step-grandchildren; seven step great-grandchildren; and a nephew G. Steven Haines, Benton.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton, with his pastor, Matthew R. Verstraeten officiating. Interment will follow in the Waller Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6-9 p. m. Oriental Lodge 460 F & AM will conduct Masonic funeral services at 8 p. m.

The family will provide flowers. Friends may remember John  with a contribution to the American Heart  Association, 1704 Warren Ave., Williamsport, Pa 17701 or the Kidney Assn. of Central Pennsylvania, 1500 Paxton St., Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17104.