obit-brother-allan.jpgSHERMAN - Brother Allan (Norbert) Haiar, OFM, age 84, died Dec. 19 in Loretto Home at the Motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in Springfield.
He was born in Humphrey, Neb., on July 2, 1924, the son of John P. and Margaret (Huthmacher) Haiar. He entered the U.S. Army in 1948 and served for four years. Then he entered the Order of Friars Minor in Sacred Heart Province as a tertiary brother on Dec. 14, 1952, and received the name of Allan. On July 4, 1955, he entered the novitiate of the First Order; a year and a day later he made his first profession. He professed his final vows on July 5, 1959.
In the years between his simple vows and solemn vows Brother Allan continued his initial formation while working at St. Joseph Seminary in Teutopolis. Following final vows he served the brotherhood in various capacities and at various friaries throughout the province, usually in the field of maintenance.
He was at Our Lady of Angels in Cleveland (Rocky River) for seven years. He worked at Good Counsel Retreat House in Lincoln, Neb., for 13 years. Then he was a member of the maintenance staff at Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago for nine years. After a year at St. John the Baptist Friary in Joliet, he retired to St. Francis Village in Crowley, Texas. There he was known as "Brother Fix-It" because he was willing to help anyone at any time. In 2003, he came to Our Lady of Angels Friary at Villa West in Sherman. When even more care was needed, he was moved to Loretto Home at the Motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters in Springfield.
Brother Allan is survived by one brother, Francis Haiar of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Helen Meyer of Valley, Neb., and Evelyn Heiman of Davenport, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and the Franciscan family of the Sacred Heart Province.
The funeral Mass was held Dec. 23 at the chapel at Villa West Healthcare in Sherman. Burial was in Friar's Plot at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield.
Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, was in charge of arrangements.