Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Haga, Martin "Mel" Melvin December 4, 2023
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net May 25, 2024, 1:05 pm

Ionia Shopper's Guide -Sat. December 9, 2023

              HAGA

Martin Melvin Haga, 88, of Ionia died on December 4, 2023 at UM Health West in 
Grand Rapids. Mel was born on July 29, 1935, in Oak Harbor,WA.the son of Burt 
and Fredericka (Brown) Haga. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School with the 
Class of 1953.Being raised in a strong Christian Reformed home, it was important 
for Mel to attend Calvin College in Grand Rapids, pursuing a degree in social 
work. While at Calvin,Mel also worked as a typesetter for the Grand Rapids Pres. 
He subsequently earned a master's degree in social work form the University of 
Michigan and devoted his life and career to helping others.He was married to the 
love of his life, Nancy Schaar, on August 29, 1972 in Castle Rock, CO.

Mel began working at the Muskegon County department of Social Services, became a 
field representative in Mt.Pleasant for the State of Michigan, an administrator 
for the El Paso County (CO) welfare department, progressed to Director of Social 
Services for Ionia County in 1973 and later worked in field services in Lansing, 
retiring in 1995. He then began working for Helping Hands Home Care and Hospice 
in Ionia. Mel continued in the field via Michigan County Social Services 
Association from 2004 to 2019. He remained active with many causes, including 
serving on the board of the Ionia County Commission on Aging and working with 
the Ionia Free Fair where his favorite projects were the antique village and car 
show. He was a long-time member of the LeValley United Methodist Church, serving 
as an usher and various other programs within the church. When he did have some 
free time, Mel's interests were many including camping, fishing, hunting, 
photography, wood-working, antiquing with a recent focus on counter bells, 
keeping up the yard and hobby farm, and spending time with family. He was always 
ready for a trip, especially to Shipshewana. Mel was also a huge University of 
Michigan fan. Maize and blue were the only true colors.


Mel is loved and survived by his wife, Nancy, brother Henry (Lyla) Haga of 
California, daughter Lee Ann Paul of California, several nieces and nephews, 
many other extended family members and countless friends He was predeceased by 
son Scott, daughter Lila Hughes, and several aunts and uncles.

Me;'s life and work positively impacted many. He will be greatly missed and 
always remembered with a smile, including for hi appreciation of a good joke and 
willingness to help others.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am.Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Le Valley United 
Methodist Church in Ionia with Pastor Nancy Patera officiating.Visitation will 
be Friday, December 8, from 4:00-6:00PM at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home in 
Belding, and one hour before the service at the church. Committal prayers will 
be 3:30 pm Saturday at Surrey Township Cemetery in Farwell, Michigan

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LeValley United 
Methodist Church (4018 Kelsey Highway, Ionia,MI 48846) or the Ionia County 
Commission on Aging(115 Hudson St.,Ionia,MI 48836). To share a message of 
condolence or light a candle in memory of Mel, please visit the website of the 
funeral home at www.jffh.com

Additional Comments:
Surrey Twp. Cem.,
Farwell, Mich.

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