Benny Haws

Benny Haws, 88, of Decatur passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Generations in McKinley Court surrounded by family.Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Tuesday, July 17, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Private family graveside services will be held at Boiling Springs Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army in Benny’s name.Benny was born in Decatur on November 5, 1929, the 8th child of ten born to Cleveland and Minerva Jane (Mershon) Haws.In grade school, he won the Decatur Marble Championship. As a young fellow, he played the tuba in the Salvation Army Band and later while serving in the Army, he played the tuba in the U.S. Army Band.Benny met Marilyn Matson at Danceland Skating Rink. They married on April 28, 1950.He wore many hats, literally and figuratively. He retired from the Decatur Fire Department after 25 years of service as a fireman and a rescue scuba diver. His nickname was the SmokeEater. His father was a brick layer, so Benny began the art of brick and block laying in his early teens. Over the years, he co-owned several businesses, including the Haws Brothers Service Station, the Alamo Tavern, a used car lot with Wayne Webb, and Ben’s Used Furniture and Antiques. He was also a real estate broker, owning Action Realty.Benny built homes, renovated and repaired homes, fixed appliances and vehicles for numerous family members throughout the years. If you had a problem, were in a jam, or had something broken, you knew to “get ahold of Benny”. He would take care of it.Benny was always on the side of the underdogs of the world, including being a Cubs fan. He was of the breed that would stop to help anybody.He and Marilyn enjoyed many years at their lake lot on Lake Taylorville. He loved the sunsets and campfires.Surviving is Marilyn, his wife of 68 years; his daughters, Vickie (Ross) Nelson and Terri Deetz, both of Decatur; grandchildren, Stacey (Jimmy) Huffman of Decatur, Michael (Lizeth) Kinney of Forsyth; five step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Jacob Huffman, Gabriel, Danica, and Joseph Kinney; eleven step-great-grandchildren; sister, Ruby (Harry) Cook of Decatur.He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, David, Cleveland Jr., and Jimmie; sisters, Zelda Neeley, Dorothy Harbour, Mary Thimens, Judy Arndt, and Jean Kay; and son-in-law, Charlie Deetz.The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. D. Patel and the girls at McKinley Court. "
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