Pharold Jacob Haist

Haist, Pharold Jacob (“Jake”), peacefully passed away July 26 at age 95. Beloved husband of the late Phyllis for 42 years, devoted father of Dennis (Cynthia) Haist of Lafayette, CA and Lista (James) Person of Northville, proud grandfather of David (Stephanie) Person, Rebekah Person, and Curtis Haist, brother of Floyd Haist of Kinde and the late Eugene. Survived by a sister-in-law, Doris, three nieces, four nephews, and four great-nieces. A longtime auto worker, Pharold was born on a farm near Pigeon in Michigan’s Thumb region on October 28, 1919. He graduated from Pigeon High School and worked on the family farm until 1942, when he moved to Detroit to work in the defense industry at N. A. Woodworth as a machinist apprentice during World War II. After the war he worked for several auto companies, eventually working in quality control at Ford Motor Company’s Livonia Transmission Plant for over 30 years and during retirement at Murray’s Discount Auto Parts and Meijer. He was an active member of the Plymouth Optimist Club and a 44-year member of Plymouth First United Methodist Church where he served as an usher, an original member of the soup-kitchen outreach at Cass Community United Methodist Church, and participated in fellowship groups. Pharold enjoyed gardening, repairing cars, traveling to national parks, camping, listening to Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell songs, woodworking, ice fishing, and helping others. He was also preceded in death by his parents Roy and Laverta, sisters-in-law Delores Haist and Elizabeth “Lista” Hitchens, and brother-in-law Garfield Hitchens. Visitation at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home in Plymouth on Wednesday, July 29, 2-9 p.m. Funeral service at Thursday, July 30, at 11 a.m. at Plymouth First United Methodist Church, 45201 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, with visitation before the service starting at 10 a.m. Donations can be made to Plymouth First United Methodist Church or to Huron Woods, 5361 McAuley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0995. The family would especially like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff at Huron Woods Assisted Living who loved, nurtured, and compassionately cared for “Jake” during his four years at their residence. You were truly a blessing and inspiration to him and to us.