Michael L. Haines, 81 of Eldon, MO went to meet his Lord and Savior on October 22, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born October 18, 1943 in Ottumwa to Russell and Marjorie Hartly McCarty Haines.
Upon graduating in 1961 from Ottumwa High School, he furthered his education at Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Sciences and later a Master’s in Administration from Truman University. He met the love of his life, Betty L. Pratt and eight days later they were united in marriage on July 6, 1968.
He started his teaching career at East Buchanan High School in Winthrop, IA teaching Social Sciences. Wanting to be closer to his hometown, Ottumwa, he accepted a teaching position at Hedrick High School where he taught social science, driver’s education, counseling and coaching. It was there that he had the privilege of coaching an extraordinary group of young men that became the 1971 Cross Country State Champions. Wanting to keep the kids off the street and give them a place to hang out after school and with the assistance of a few students, he opened “A Place to Bee.” Kids could play arcade games, pool, have a snack, or get help with homework in a safe and healthy atmosphere.
He left education for a couple of years, but his passion was always working with young people. His desire was not to just educate, but to enable them to be successful in life.
He returned to education for one school year at Paris, MO before accepting the Secondary and Elementary Principalship at Miller County R111 in Tuscumbia, MO. He said he would only stay two years and then move back closer to his hometown of Ottumwa. However, after one year he fell in love with the students and the community and stayed eighteen school terms, retiring the first time in 2000. Upon retiring as principal, he returned the next school term as a part-time social studies and diver’s education teacher. He then went to Boys Town in St. James, MO as a house parent, then drove the Head Start bus and the Blood Bank Mobile. He returned to Tuscumbia to lead the after-school program for three years and ended his years in education as a school bus driver for Eldon R1 School District.
He loved coaching, golfing and traveling. One of his goals was to travel to as many places that he taught about in his history classes. He traveled to all 50 States at least once, 15 countries in Europe, Costa Rica, Canada and Mexico. He was an active member of Eldon First Assembly of God Church.
Surviving is his wife, Betty; son, Marcus (Joan Glass) of Eldon, MO; step-brothers, George Brown of Ottumwa, Danny (Crystal) McCarty of Ottumwa; step-sister, Becky Baker of Ottumwa; sister-in-law, Diane (Tom) Box of Fairfield; brother-in-law, Phil Pratt of Bloomfield; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; infant brother, Patrick; step-father, Donald McCarty; step-mother, Jane Haines; brother-in-law, Gene Pratt; and daughter, Melissa Lei.
Graveside services and inurnment will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 9th at Shaul Cemetery with Pastor Bill Hornback officiating.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
