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Jack Haines

United States Army Veteran John Darrell "Jack" Haines, 77, passed away on Friday, November 12 in Springfield, MO. Formerly of Lexington, Nebraska and Rogers, Arkansas, he called Nixa, Missouri, home for the past three years.

Cremation has taken place.

Mass will be held at St. Ann's Catholic church in Lexington, Nebraska and a rendering of military honors will be held at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery, Springfield, on dates yet to be determined.

The fourth of seven children, Jack was born on August 26, 1944 in Hastings, Nebraska to Brigid Maloney Haines and Elmer "Lefty" Haines. On October 22, 1978 he married Margot Hintelmann Olson in Grand Island and became an instant father … "the dad he didn't have to be".

Jack attended St. Ann's Catholic High School in Lexington, where he was crowned Homecoming King, graduating with the Class of 1963.

In 1966, Jack joined the US Army serving one year and eight months overseas including a tour in Vietnam. While the Vietnam War deeply affected him for the remainder of his life, he always spoke fondly of the local women, children and babies he served while his boots were on the ground, and he wore his "Vietnam Veteran" ball cap with pride.

Jack was an active member of his church and an avid collector of many things, but guns, knives and baseballs were his favorites. He loved sports … especially baseball and Nebraska Husker's football …. and he was a huge NY Yankee's fan, just like his mother. He will be remembered for his love of God, Family, Service to His Country, his warm, patient demeanor and witty, eccentric sense of humor.

Known by many endearing names, John Darrell Michael Patrick Louis Theodore Haines III, Jack, JJ, Opa (that's grandpa in German) will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by his children:

Laura Riggs (Daryl) of Nixa, MO; Kurtis Olson (Leah) of Springfield, MO; Eric Olson (Gloria) of Aurora; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren along with his siblings:

Anita Morris of Omaha; Charlene Korgan of Nelson; Shirley Haines of Lexington; Richard (Lynne) Haines of Lexington; and William P. Haines of Lexington along with many nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.


Russell Dean Edeal

Eugene A. Schwarz, 79, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 16, 2024, at his home as the result of a house fire.

He was born on June 6th, 1945, to Frank and Dorothy (Woodside) Schwarz of Smithfield, Nebraska. “Gene” was the ninth child of ten born to Frank and Dorothy. When Gene was young the family moved to Lexington. Gene graduated from St. Ann's High School in 1963 and completed his education at the Grand Island School of Business. On August 14th, 1965, Gene was united in marriage to Virginia “Ginny” Carbaugh at the St. Anns Catholic Church in Lexington. The couple had five children, Paul, Kim, Jeff, Becky and Bradley. The couple would later divorce. 

Gene managed his own accounting business with his brother Keith for several years, then went to work for his brothers Raymond, Mike and Kenny at Schwarz Brothers Construction and Masonry. For several years Gene played the drums in the band Mel Uphoff and the Country Lads with his brothers, Keith and Kenny. After construction, Gene went to work at the First National Bank of Elm Creek, managing the insurance agency. He moved his family from Overton to Elm Creek. In 1984 he began his own insurance agency in Elm Creek and later that year moved his family back to Lexington. He then went to work for Carey Masonry in Ft. Collins, Colorado and moved his family there. During his later years, Gene maintained his accounting business and worked odd jobs including security in the Ft. Collins area. On January 5th, 1996, Gene was united in marriage to Nancy Whitaker in Ft. Collins and lovingly accepted her two children, Lindsay and Matthew, into his life. 

Gene enjoyed following his children’s many sporting events and was a huge fan and supporter of the Elm Creek Buffalos while they lived there. He was also a member of the Elm Creek Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club. Gene also served on the Elm Creek Village Board for several years. When the family moved back to Lexington, he did his best to follow his children’s sporting events and transitioned into a big Minuteman fan for his children. Gene enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed traveling back to Nebraska to watch bull ridings and rodeos. He was always asking for pictures and videos of different bulls and his favorite was a bull named Pappy. He joked that the bull was named after him. Gene was known for his huge smile, his pranks and his joke telling. His large, wonderful laugh and strong bear hugs will truly be missed. 

Gene was proceeded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothy Schwarz, wife Nancy, his in-laws James and Wanda Carbaugh, brothers Harry, Carl, Robert, Raymond and Keith and sister Alice Wenburg. Sisters-in-law, Phyllis, Lucy, Helen, Darlene, Sandra, and Shelby. Brother-in-law Floyd Wenburg. 

Gene is survived by his sons, Paul (Billie) Schwarz, Jeff Schwarz, and Bradley Schwarz and daughters Kim Ellis and Becky Titus, his stepchildren Lindsay (Preston) Peterson and Matthew (Heather) Grippen. His brothers Mike Schwarz and Kenny (Shirley) Schwarz sister Martha (Wally) Hubbard, sisters-in-law Judi and Cindy. Grandchildren Zachary (Stacey) Schwarz, Anastacia (Omar) Moreno, Jeffrey Schwarz, RJ (Amary) Ellis, Sadie (Jordan) Ley, Cody (Bridget) Ellis, Nina Titus, Levi Ellis, Sayde Titus, Fiona Titus, Caleb (Kaylee) Schwarz, Raylinn Ellis, Isabelle Schwarz, and Gunnar Titus. Step Grandchildren Valerie (Robert) Carmody, Melissa (Aaron) Galvan, Vanessa (Zachary) Larimore, Chianne Rodriguez, and Clay (Courteney) Trejo and 23 great grandchildren, and numerous beloved nephews and nieces. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington with Father Jose Chavez, officiating.

A Private Family Burial will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com


  • Date Posted: 2024-08-28