Jackie Lee Haines

Jackie (Jack) Lee Haines 96, of Decatur passed away, Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Primrose of Decatur.

A graveside service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026 at Payne Cemetery (17531-17597 N 200th St E Brocton, IL 61917). A celebration of Jackie’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made out to Macon County Animal Control and Care Center or New Day Community Church in Jack’s name. Tanzyus Logan Funeral Service and Care is in charge of the arrangements.

Jack was born in April of 1929 in Brocton, IL son of Ruth and Dwight (Pete) Haines. He grew up in the Brocton/Hume area and graduated from Brocton High School in 1947. Jackie served in the Navy from 1950 until 1954 and upon returning home he finished his degree in education at Eastern Illinois University. He married Wanda Wierman in December of 1954 and together they raised their four children until she preceded him in 2010. Jack began teaching and coaching in 1955. In 1966, he moved to Maroa and spent the rest of his career at Maroa-Forsyth High School teaching, coaching and driving the school bus for forty years. He taught nearly every student in the district to drive in drivers ed. Jack enjoyed riding his motorcycle and going on long trips with the Harley group. He enjoyed spending time with his family, extended family and his grandchildren.

Survived by his four children; Cindy (Tim) McQuality of Forsyth, IL, Marti (Norm) Deets of Milledgeville, IL, Amy (Mike) Smith of Youngstown, OH, AND Tim Haines of Dagsboro, DE, grandchildren; Katie Howley, Kristin Murray, Lindsey (Andy) Pfister, Tim (Erin) Deets, Kimberly (William) Woodring and Carley Bowlen, great grandchildren; Evan and Colin Howley, Ben and Jack Pfister, Lilianna, Cillian, Cian and Lorelai Deets, and his most loyal companion, his dog Fes.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of nurses and CNAS especially “his girls” at Primrose of Decatur and Kailey from Elara Caring Home Health for the wonderful care they gave to Jack. Also, a special thanks to Coziahr Harley Davidson, especially Travis Orr.