Dwight M. Haas

Dwight M. Haas, 77, of Meadville died Monday, April 20, 2015 at the Marquette Hospice House following a period of declining health.

He was born in Marion, OH March 5, 1938 a son of Florren E. Haas and Pearl I. Hutchinson Haas Rayfield.  He married Janet E. Miller September 14, 1963 and she survives.

He was a 1956 graduate of Harding High School, Marion, OH and received his Bachelor degree in education in 1960 and Master’s degree in administration in 1961 from George Williams University in Chicago, IL.  In 1962 he spent a year in Istanbul, Turkey as a YMCA Junior World Service Worker.  He then attended Yale Divinity School from 1963-1964 and was employed at the New Haven, CT YMCA as Assistant Youth Director.  He then moved to Meadville and was the Youth Director at the YMCA from 1964-1966.  His next position was as Youth Director at the Dayton, OH YMCA from 1967-1970.  He returned to Meadville in 1971 and was the Executive Director of the Meadville YMCA until 1973.  In 1974 he was hired as the Executive Director of the United Way of Western Crawford County, a position he held for 24 years until his retirement in 1998

He was instrumental in the formation of the Crawford Heritage Foundation and served on its board for 14 years.  He was also instrumental in the founding of the Meadville Area Free Clinic.  He served on the Wesbury United Methodist Community board.  He was a very active member of Stone United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School and serving on several committees over the years.  He was a member of the Meadville Golden K Kiwanis Club, a 45 year member of the Meadville Kiwanis Club, a 42 year member of the Meadville Elks Lodge #219 and a 67 year member of the YMCA.

He enjoyed boating and loved his 24’ Bayliner.  His travels included trips to Canada and the “Great Loop” trip down the Mississippi to Florida and back the intracoastal waterway.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Janet of 51 years, include: a son, Scott Alan Haas and his wife Sue of Stevensville, MD; two daughters, Jennifer Jean Hill of Erie and Tracy Lynn Haas of Espyville; a half-brother, Greg Haas of Columbus, OH; two grandchildren, Natasha Haas and Marshall Haas and a great grandson, Braylen Dwight.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Regina Green and a step-mother, Zelma Haas.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville with Rev. Sarah Roncolato, Pastor, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St., the Crawford Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 933, or Hospice of Crawford County (for the Marquette Hospice House), 464 Pine St. all of Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net