Okie Haden

Okie Haden, 83, of Burlington, IA passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Oakview Nursing Home in Burlington, IA.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m July 18, 2024, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.  Full military honors provided by the Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post #55 and burial will be in the Barkley Cemetery in New London, MO.

The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel of Hannibal.

Okie Warren Haden was born January 12, 1940, to parents Kennedy and Lorena (Burroughs) Haden. After graduating from high school, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Miller on November 14, 1959, at the First Christian Church in New London, Missouri. Shortly after his marriage, Okie was drafted into the United States Army and served his country for two years active duty, and then served in the reserves for several years. Okie and Dorothy lived in New London briefly after he was discharged from the Army.  The couple then moved to Burlington, Iowa when Okie found work as an assistant ice cream maker. Later he worked for Merchants Wholesale for over 20 years until it went out of business, then at the G.E. plant.

Okie liked fishing and hunting.  He enjoyed baseball, and played semi-professional baseball as a youth.  Okie was an active member of his community. He spent numerous years as a scout leader and little league coach. Okie was also very involved in activities of the First Christian Church of Burlington. He participated in ‘paint-a-thons,’ where church members would paint houses for families in need. He also grew sweet corn with a church group and served as a bell ringer at Christmas time. Okie also purchased Christmas presents for local children in need every year.

Okie really tried to help anyone who was in need. Friends, family, and even strangers could count on his support when they needed it. He was a sweet man who cared. He will be missed dearly by those lucky enough to have known him.

His family includes: wife Dorothy, sons Dave, Steven (Marge), and Eric all of Burlington, granddaughter Courtney (Mitch) Miller of Shakopee, MN, grandson Seth of Mediapolis, bonus granddaughter Bobbi Jo (Les) Gaul and Billi Jo (Kent) Strabala, bonus great grandchildren Trystan and Zoie Gaul, brother Larry (Chiara) Haden of Eloy, AZ, and sisters Eunice Whitaker of New London, MO and Kathryn Morawitz of Center, MO, niece Sandra Agnew of Burlington and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews across the U.S.

He was preceded in death by: His parents, an infant child Jeffrey, sisters Mildred Noel, Emma Huff, and Jean Marshall, and brothers Oscar Haden, Jack Haden, and Bobby Haden.

Online condolences may be made to the family on Okie's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com