Donald J. Haler

Donald J. "Don" Haler, 83, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, departed this world Aug. 4, 2019, and is now blending his beautiful voice in the heavenly choir. Don, son of the late Donald W. and Permelia Haler, was born Sept. 14, 1935, in New Castle, Ind. He served in the U.S. Army for three years and was stationed in Okinawa. During that time a friend taught him to sign paint, an art he loved and turned into a 40-year successful career. Don, a devoted Christian who was active in the Methodist Church, served on many committees and was Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church "Man of the Year" in 2001. He loved music and sang tenor and bass in choirs and quartets for many years. He loved to play golf and played two or three times a week with friends from the church. He was a Master Mason and a member of the Lodge in Sherwood. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years Mary Nell Black Haler; two sons, Randy (Mary) of Sanger, Texas, Gary of Moore, Okla.; four grandsons, Alex of Fountain, Colo., Eric, U.S. Army Fort Bragg, N.C., Ryan (Svetlana), U.S. Army on tour in Afghanistan, and Aaron of Edmond, Okla.; one granddaughter, Lauren, and one great-granddaughter, Nicole, both of Edmond, Okla.; 11 brothers and sisters, Mary Kathern of Carthage, Ind., Charlotte Sawyers of Raleigh Durham, N.C., Larry (Rita) of New Castle, Ind., Jim (Carol) Yorktown, Ind., Dorothy of New Castle, Ind., Dale (Millie) of Moscow Mills, Mo., Ron (Ann) of Morgantown, Ind., Mike (Rhonda) Haler of Buckcannon W.Va., Marsha Haler of Morgantown, Ind., Kenneth (Patty) of Greely, Colo., Lisa (Larry) of Carthage, Ind. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a brother, Billy and a sister, Janet. Visitation will be Thursday evening, August 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock. Service will be Friday, August 9, at 9:30 a.m. at Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, 9921 Highway 107, Sherwood, Ark. with Rev. Sara Bayles Charlton officiating. Burial will be at Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, Dementia/Alzheimer's Research, or charity of your choice.