Michael Francis Haines, 76, born July 18, 1945, in Miami, Florida, was the son of the late Harry Patrick and Eleanor America (Hockman) Haines. Mike lost his battle with Mesothelioma on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at his residence.
Mike served in the U.S. Navy, aboard the USS Raleigh LPD-1 and USS Mountrail LPA-213 as a Machinist Mate in the main engine rooms.
Mike attended Archbishop Curley and Miami Norland High Schools, Miami-Dade Community College, Florida Atlantic University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Nova Southeastern University, obtaining his Engineering Degree, postgraduate Engineering studies, and MBA.
He worked at United Technologies in South Windsor, Connecticut, Motorola in Plantation, Florida, Rascal Datacom in Sunrise, Florida, and retired from Unipower LLC in Coral Springs, Florida, as Director of Manufacturing Operations.
Mike was a member of the Elks, Eagles, Lions and American Legion. He was an avid boater and fisherman and Past Commander of the Coral Ridge Sail & Power Squadron, having taught the principles of Safe Boating to many hundreds of students in South Florida since 1975.
On May 22, 1987, he married Shirley Scott. Mike and Shirl retired to Kewanna, Indiana, where they built a new house residing on the land of Shirl’s birth. Although he missed their boats (Hoosier Gal and Hoosier Gal too) and the deep-sea fishing and salt air of the Florida Keys, Mike loved rural Indiana, the change of seasons and made many new friends with their unbelievable “Hoosier Hospitality.” This became his forever home. Mike will surely be missed.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley Elizabeth Haines (Scott) of Kewanna, sisters, Kathleen Haines and Christina Sollenberger (Haines), both of Newberry, Florida, brother, Anthony Haines of Jacksonville, Florida, and sister, Rosanne Nicholson (Haines). He is also survived by step-children, Kimberly Butterfield and James Butterfield, and grandchildren, Justine Rodriguez, Mary Katherine Butterfield and Devin Butterfield. Also survived by nephews Chris Haines and Mike Haines, Ethan Henderson, nieces Caitlyn Haines, Shannon Haines, Mikayla Robinson and Tracy Robinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services were held June 29, 2022, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory in Kewanna, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Michael Haines to Kewanna Union Township Library, 210 E Main Street, Kewanna, IN 46939. Mike’s online guest book is available and condolence can be shared with the family at ransfuneralhomes.com.
