Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Everyone who knew Jack respected his integrity, intelligence and compassion, kindness and sincerity. He appreciated life and enjoyed and absorbed everything around him. He was a quiet man, but loved listening to everyone around him, especially his close friends and family.

He was given the name John Earl Haegele when he was born in Chicago, Illinois, to his parents Ruby and Earl Haegele in 1935. He was always known as Jack. He was raised with his sister, Juanita, and his brother, Buck. Jack had a complicated childhood with a lot of hardships. He did have a best buddy, his dog "Duchess," who he often talked about with love. Instead of toys and children's books, he only had National Geographics to read which started his life-long love of knowledge. There never seemed to be a time when he didn't have a book in his hand, even while standing in line to see a movie.

He graduated high school at 16 and then spent two years in the Army stationed in Germany. He came back and spent the next five years going to college at night while working at IBM, a career that lasted 30 years.

In 1959, Jack and Anita got married. He not only married the woman of his dreams but also fell in love with Anita's parents, Leo and Helen, who Jack considered his true Mom and Dad.

And then there was Leo Jr., who Jack always said was such a special and wonderful brother-in-law who gave him the laughter that he never had during his childhood. Leo Jr. was always much more than a brother-in-law…Jack loved and considered him a brother.

For 50 and a half years, Jack and Anita lived in sin (just kidding!). They had a great life together through the good and hard times and got through it all with the love they had for each other.

Their love for each other brought about their two sons, Darren and Kevin. He was such a proud father and loved them so much. It was very important to him to teach his sons to be independent and strong because he knew that one day they would have families of their own.

There were so many things he loved to do with the boys but his favorite times were playing with them in the pools in Palm Springs, teaching them how to body surf at the beach or taking them hiking at Will Rogers Park. He loved the time he spent with them.

Such a brave man, Jack always protected his family. In the late 1980s, Jack saved the lives of his family and friends. One night, Jack was with a couple of friends when he pulled his car into a parking space in the back of their Hollywood home. Two thugs put a gun to his head demanding money and jewelry and led him to the front door. Jack walked in front of the thugs and as he slammed the door shut to protect his family, he was shot in the shoulder. The bullet ricocheted and lodged near his heart. He saved everyone that night.

Jack always led by example. He taught the kids to be independent and he tried to be there for the boys as they got older. He couldn't have been happier when they found the love of their lives, Sue and Isabel, whom he loved as daughters.

Then, of course, came the grandchildren and ohhh how much pride and love he had for them. First came little Evan. Jack had so much fun babysitting and playing with Ev. He couldn't wait until Evan would come over. And as Evan grew, Jack got a kick out of watching and hearing about Evan's friends, video games and skate boarding. He had so much joy watching his little Evan growing into such a fine, caring young man.

Years later, he had the thrill of having his precious granddaughter, little Hanna. He loved watching her sing and dance in all of her adorable outfits. She was such a beautiful little princess in his eyes.

Before he became ill, he was blessed one more time and held baby Matthew in his arms on the day he was born. No matter how he felt, his grandchildren always put a smile on his face and we know he will be watching over them for the rest of their lives.

None of this would have happened if he hadn't met and fallen in love with Anita. As the years went by, their love grew stronger and stronger. Anita was his life as he was to her. They spent everyday together and loved the closeness they shared. Each and every night he said "I love you." He always kidded that they were joined at the hip and their favorite words to each other were "you and me Babe."

During the past 14 months of his illness, he said he couldn't have gone on without Anita by his side each and every day. And on their very last night together they blew a kiss and said "I love you, Honey."

Even in the end, they knew how precious each moment was to be together and how their love was such a beautiful gift.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sister, mother-in-law and father-in-law. He is loved and remembered by his wife Anita; son Darren and daughter-in-law Isabel; son Kevin and daughter-in-law Sue; grandchildren Evan, Hanna, and Matthew; brother Buck and sister-in-law Loanne; brother-in-law Leo Jr. and sister-in-law Dawn; extended family, neighbors and friends.

Happy 50th Anniversary
To my wonderful husband
Jack

To my Dear Sweet Jack

I was going to buy you a card for our 50th Anniversary but didn't feel it was right to have some stranger write the words I wanted to say.

I want to first tell you how happy I am to have said "I do" so very many years ago. It felt so right. I have always been so proud of you and how you have taught me so much about life. You always made me feel smart and special. We have had some good times and some hard times but I think the "love" we have for each other got us through everything. I never thought our marriage was a commitment but rather the 2 of us sharing, caring and wanting to be together. We gave each other 2 wonderful sons and now they in turn have given us such wonderful, lovable grandchildren. I think the most important thing was that we liked being together. We like the same TV, movies, restaurants and vacation places as long as we were by each other always holding hands.

The fun we had "christening" all of our new cars and furniture!
The fun we have with our family.

When you were "up" you were there for me and I hope you know that when you are down I am with you and will never leave you "because you are my life."

I have always wondered, if you were not with me, right by my side where you have always belonged, how I would go on. I treasure our moments together…I love you with everything I have and more.

"You are my Babe"

With all my true love for you forever, Anita

Thank you for being you.