Richard A. "Dick" Haney (88) of Salem

Richard “Dick” A. Haney was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Aaron and Julia (Connelly) Haney on March 24, 1933 and passed away peacefully on July 25, 2021 surrounded by family while watching the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-6 as a tribute to dad according to family.

Richard served in the United States Airforce during the Korean War. Upon graduating for Southern Illinois University, he started his lifelong career in the field of education. He held positions in the Salem School district as a teacher and principal. He also served as an interim Regional Superintendent for Pope, Hardin, Gallatin and Saline counties, and he worked for Western Illinois University for the Star Schools project. He spent the majority of his career as the Assistant State Superintendent of Education for the Illinois State Board of Education with offices in Mount Vernon and Springfield. Upon retirement from the State Board, he became the grant writer for the Regional Office of Education located in Salem. Throughout his career he served on numerous local, state and national boards and associations. Richard was a member of the Salem Elks Club #1678 and the American Legion Post 128, and he served on the Marion County Health Department board for 18 years. He was very proud to serve on the Salem Township Hospital Board for 29 years where he served as Chairman of the Board for 25 years. He attended St. Theresa of Avila Church.

Richard loved spending time with family and friends. He liked to winter in Florida and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Annette. He loved telling stories and drinking good wine. Richard could discuss Cardinals baseball and Illini statistics and players with the best of them. He loved a good Swisher Sweet cigar when fishing with family and friends. Richard also planned special trips and outings with his children and enjoyed helping with his great granddaughter, Blaike, which always included a trip to McDonalds.

There will be an intimate celebration of life for Richard Haney held at his home at 1587 Hawthorn Road in Salem on Friday, July 30. Close family and friends are invited to attended between 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. with a short program beginning at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Salem Township Hospital Foundation, 1201 Ricker Drive, Salem, IL 62881.

He is survived by his wife Annette (Merz) Haney; children Carla and husband Terry Heern of Salem, Julie and husband Tim Webster of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Rich and wife Amy R. Haney of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren Josh Jourdan of Salem and Tyler Jourdan of Phoenix, Arizona; great granddaughter Blaike Jourdan of Salem; step-children Andy and wife Wendy Cutright of Denver, Colorado and Nick Cutright of Effingham; step-grandchildren Sydney and Ava Cutright of Denver, Colorado; and brother Bob and wife Linda Haney of Salem.

He was preceded in death by his parents Aaron and Julia Haney.