James E. Haar, 87 of New Baden, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO. He was born November 2, 1923 in Little Prairie, IL, son of John and Gertrude (Henke) Haar. He married Rita Lampe on November 4, 1944 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mattoon, IL and she survives in New Baden.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, James Haar of Germantown, Harry (Doris) Haar of New Baden, Angela (Larry) Eversgerd of Germantown, Donna (Steve) Pasquale of New Baden, David (Brenda) Haar of Chippewa Falls, WI, Paul (Vickie) Haar of New Memphis, and Joe (Lydia) Haar of New Baden; 20 grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Deutschmann of New Baden and Lucille Klingman of Albers; a brother, Keith (Linda) Haar of New Baden; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorraine Strohl and Edward Lampe both of Mattoon, IL, Rose Ann Chapline of Scottsdale, AZ, Paula Mae and John Beukema of Amory, MS, and Mary Ann Helling of Turtle Lake, WI; he is also survived by nieces and nephews and they are anticipating the birth of a great- grandchild and a step great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Betty Ann Driscoll; a son-in-law, Robert Driscoll; a daughter-in-law, Gerri Haar; a step great- granddaughter, baby Amelia; three sisters, Catherine Macke, Mary Ann Ford, and Agnes Macke; a brother John Haar; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Herman Macke, Edward Ford, Henry Macke, Clarence Deutschmann, Laverne Klingman, Florence Haar, Henrietta and Oscar Gain, Leo Strohl, Donna Lampe, Kate Lampe, Clarence Lampe, Emmaline Lampe, Betty Lampe, Frankie Lampe, Willie Chapline, Ray Helling, and Eugene and Naomi Lampe. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, August and Theresa Lampe.

Mr. Haar was a retired maintenance welder for the General Motors- Fischer Body Assembly Plant, St. Louis. He was a member of St. George Parish where he served as an usher and he was a former member of United Auto Workers. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, ceramics and woodworking.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Vincent Haselhorst officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2011 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden.  The American Legion Auxiliary will visit the funeral home at 7 PM on Friday

Memorials may be made to the family and will be received at the funeral home.