Arnold William Haak

Arnold William Haak

LINCOLN - Arnold William Haak, 89, Lincoln, passed quietly Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy. He had been residing at the Quincy Illinois Veterans' Home.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 16 at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln with Rev. Andrew Nyren officiating. Burial at Zion Cemetery, Lincoln with full Military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15 at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln. An AMVET memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Illinois AMVETS Service Foundation.

Arnold was born on September 6, 1921 to Arnold Carl Haak and Anna Cecelia Schaub Haak and married Ruth Marie Bratcher on January 15, 1944, his wife of nearly 67 years. "Arnie" is survived by four sisters: Ruby Haak Voyles, Decatur; Betty Haak Evans, St. Joseph, MO; Janice Haak Waters, Gower, MO; and Rosalee Haak Swingle, Lincoln; two sons: William (Rhonda) Haak, Lincoln and Michael (Nancy) Haak, McLean and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, and seven siblings.

Arnie served from 1941-1945 in the United States Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart during service in the European Theater, being discharged as a First Sergeant. Transferring to the Illinois National Guard, he was called again to service in 1950 during the Korean Conflict.

After W.W. II, Arnie worked 23 years for Barrick Transfer and Beverage Company in Lincoln, becoming foreman of drivers. He then spent 15 years with Consolidated Freightways, retiring in 1983. In his "retirement", he also enjoyed 16 years with Pete's Hardware in Lincoln.

Honored repeatedly for his devoted veterans' advocacy and twice as Lincoln Courier Man of the Month, Arnie is a life member of the AMVETS, VFW, American Legion, DAV, 40and 8, and Order of the Purple Heart. In them, he has served in various local, regional and state-wide leadership positions. Most notably, he was AMVETS Illinois Department Commander n 1964-65. He was a driving force in the 1980s refurbishing of the community Bandshell at Lincoln's Latham Park and in the establishment of the All Veterans' Park at College Ave. and Union St. in Lincoln.