Memorial Service for Homeless Veteran who was a light to many
MEMORIAL SERVICE
First United Methodist Church
203 Wisconsin Avenue; Madison WI
Wednesday, July 17 at 5:00 p.m.
Reception to follow at 6:00 p.m.
Rev. Dr. Mel Vance will lead a memorial service honoring the life of John Haines who passed away May 7, 2019.
A Chapel service will be held Wednesday, July 17th at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church in downtown Madison (203 Wisconsin Avenue; Madison, WI 57303) followed by a reception in the Chapel Lounge at 6:00 p.m.
We hope that you are able to attend and invite you to share this invitation. John touched the hearts of many while experiencing homelessness in downtown Madison. He soon had a new family here in Madison who looked out for him including an adopted mother he fondly called “Ma”, Diane Szymanski.
Many individuals and agencies provided support for John who made the difference in helping him survive and eventually find housing.
John volunteered his time generously at Hope’s Home Ministries and First United Methodist Church, Bethel Homeless Support Ministries and The Beacon. He was proud to have served as a Marine and shared a kinship and respect with Veterans. John was forever looking out for our most vulnerable on the streets. He joined Friends of the State Street Family, Karen Andro and Carrie “Chaos” Riddle in helping with Street Outreach, and wherever John went he shared what little he had with others in need. John was a brother and friend to many.
Doug Erickson and Dean Mosiman listened to John in a unique way covering the day and night in the life of an individual suffering homelessness on the streets of downtown Madison. They shared a respect and dignity for John that he later shared changed his life. John felt he was shining a light in places of darkness that would help illuminate and give hope….to tell the story…share realities no matter how difficult.