Henry J. "Hank" Haarmann, age 88, of Edwardsville, died at 4:20 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2014 at Hitz Memorial Home in Alhambra. He was born March 8, 1926 in Florissant, MO, the son of the late Harry and Helen (Niehoff) Haarmann. He married Helen M. Dussold November 26, 1949 in Jennings, MO. She survives. Besides his wife, he is survived by six children and their spouses: Steve (Mary) Haarmann of Edwardsville, Carol Sue (Vince) Hess of Alhambra, Judy (Roger) Frank of Edwardsville, Patty (Dale) Frank of Alhambra, Debbie (Randy) Meier of McLean, IL and Ron (Lori) Haarmann of York, NE; 21 grandchildren: Christopher Haarmann of Hamel, Crystal (Keith) Bradley of Edwardsville, Eric (Carissa) Hess of Edwardsville, Jill (Jim) Klostermann of Highland, Lindsay (Rob) Eakin of Glen Carbon, Todd (Sarah) Frank of Worden, Amy (Mike) Hamann of Troy, Chad (Denise) Frank of Marine, Ryan (fiance Sara) Frank of Worden, Molly Frank of Edwardsville, Ashley (fiance Mike) Frank of Edwardsville, Tina (Ryan) Wuebbels of Albers, Doug Frank of Highland, Karen Frank of Alhambra, Ellen Frank of Alhambra, Beth (Gerry) Stewart of Dunlap, Emily (fiance Ryan) Meier of Armington, Brad (fiance Lindsey) Meier of McLean, and Abby Haarmann, Kyle Haarmann and Lucy Haarmann, all of York, NE; 18 great-grandchildren: Maggie, Tyler, Paige, Nathan, Justin, Hailey, Taylor, Claire, Connor, Allie, Katelyn, Brandon, Dylan, Lydia, Max, Tucker, Caden and Jackson; one brother, Melvin (Marlene) Haarmann of Edwardsville; one sister, Hildegarde Moellering of St. Louis; one sister-in-law, Dolores Haarmann of Florissant; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters: Marge (Leonard) Ebbesmeyer, Bernard (Hilda) Haarmann, Brother George Haarmann, S.M., Anna (Bernard) Goeke, Sister Rita Marie Haarmann, CPPS, Ray (Norma) Haarmann, Lambert Haarmann, and Al Haarmann; and a brother-in-law Lawrence Moellering.

Henry was a lifetime farmer, and was the owner and operator of Hank's Blacksmith and Welding Shop in Edwardsville from 1960-1983. He was a US Army veteran of WW II, and was a member of Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Council 1143. Henry was a very active member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville, where he was a long-time usher and Eucharistic Minister; while also serving on the St. Boniface Cemetery Board and numerous church committees. He was a member of the Madison County Farm Bureau and Pin Oak Senior Citizens. Henry was known as a very talented "handy-man", especially with metal, and was able to repair almost anything. If it couldn't be repaired, he was known to "create or invent" a replacement. He enjoyed bowling, playing softball, pitching horseshoes, playing cards and helping others. But more than anything, he enjoyed fishing and eating ice cream with his grandkids.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2014 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the church. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the church with the Very Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner officiating. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorial contributions may be given to Hitz Memorial Home, Heartland Hospice or to the charity of the donor's choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry J. "Hank" Haarmann, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Affiliations