Ronald Verle Haffner 91, of rural Colchester
Ronald Verle Haffner, 91, of rural Colchester passed away at 8:09 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Lamoine Retirement Living Center in Macomb, surrounded by family. He was born at home on July 9, 1935, in rural Adair, Illinois to Verle and Jennie (Hensley) Haffner. He married his high school sweetheart, Alice Wier on August 15, 1954. She preceded him in death.
Surviving are six children, Peg (David) Hainline of Good Hope, Pam (Jim) Wisslead of Sciota, Anita (Larry) Tingley of Galesburg, Annette Ault of Colchester, Rhonda Haffner of Morton and Randy (Natalee) Haffner of Colchester; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Glenda Grant of Roseville; and one brother, Roger (Norrie) Haffner of rural Macomb. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Nelva Thompson; one brother-in-law, Bob Grant; one son-in-law, Larry Ault; one grandson, Jared Haffner; and one great-grandson, Kelton Tingley.
Ron lived all his life in the rural Colchester/Macomb area where he and his wife, Alice, farmed. He enjoyed tending to animals (15 types at last count), repairing equipment and restoring his extensive IH tractor collection, and of course raising the six kids and crops (7 types at last count). Together with Alice they enjoyed gardening and preserving over 60 types of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. As a grandparent, he took special pleasure in educating the grandkids about the ways of farm life from dressing chickens to riding horses and learning to recognize the “smell of money”.
He is widely recognized in the farming community for a strong work ethic, even in his later years, and a wry sense of humor. Favorite sayings included “Well, I’ll be damned!” and “Ye Gods!”. He could frequently be seen putting around in the orange side by side. Later in life, he enjoyed tending to his 4 dogs by feeding them not only dog food but also fried eggs, and leftover pizza.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Macomb with Pastor Jim Clayton officiating. Friends and family are invited to a meal at the Macomb American Legion, immediately following the graveside service.
Memorials may be made to HSMC New Animal Shelter or McDonough District Hospital (MDH) Hospice. The family is grateful for the attentive care of MDH Hospice, his many caregivers when still at home, and the loving care team when at The Lamoine.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.
