John "Jack" P. Haines

John (Jack) P. Haines, 95, of Arcadia, passed away on Wednesday March 8, 2023, surrounded by family at Azura Memory Care in Eau Claire.

He was born in Arcadia on October 6, 1927, to Ralph Sr. and Anna (Kronschnabl) Haines. He would often say he was born above the Arcadia Brewery owned by his grandfather, "old man" Pete Kronschabl. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1946. He was a 4-sport athlete and a stand out pitcher in high school. After graduation he signed with the St Louis Browns. He was known for his fast pitch, 90 miles an hour, and his curve ball. He played on their minor league team in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for 3 years. His baseball career was interrupted when he joined the National Guard. He was in the National Guard for 13 years and was stationed in Fort Lewis Washington for 9 months.
He worked as a painter and continued to play ball while in the National Guard. He pitched with much success in the Southern Minnesota (Minny) League - a strong semi-professional league in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.


Baseball brought him to Waseca, MN where he met and fell in love with Mary Ann Bower. He said he knew he found the right one because she would row the boat when they went fishing, cleaned the fish, followed by cooking up a good meal. He was deeply devoted to and loved Mary. They were married on June 13, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. He cherished the Bower family and he spent many wonderful 4th of July celebration with them all. He continued to play ball and painted with a contractor after they were married.


Once Mary and Jack settled in Arcadia, he and his brother Rollie took over the family business which became Haines Decorating. The business had an ecclesiastical painting focus with decorating many Catholic Churches using gold leaf and custom stencils.


Jack was a wonderful family man. The family spent many weekends on the Mississippi River at Merrick State Park in Fountain City, WI, camping, boating and fishing. He was an incredible outdoorsman, who loved to share his passion with his family. He showed love and kindness to his children and grandchildren. He always put a smile on our faces and always knew how to make us laugh.


Later in life, golf replaced time on the river and winters were spent in Arizona. The Haines boys (Ralph, Rollie and Jack) were a fixture at the Arcadia golf course. Jack loved hunting (pheasant and deer) and fishing and continued these things along with golf well into his 90s. He shot his last deer at 92 years old at the Schultz's farm.


Jack is survived by his children: Jim (Bea) Haines of Pepin WI, Andy (Michelle) of North Creek, WI, Barb (Chris Melkovitz) Haines of Wauwatosa, WI, and John Haines of Hudson, WI; 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; brother: Rolland (Sharon) Haines of Arcadia.


He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, his parents, brother Ralph Haines and sister Ann Marie Haines.


Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Holy Family Church in Arcadia, WI, with Father Kyle Laylan officiating. Family and friends are invited for visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, rural Arcadia.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the Arcadia Sportsman's Club, PO Box 142, Arcadia, WI with a note "in memory of Jack Haines." To express condolences to his family online, please visit www.wozneykillianfh.com.

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