Eldon LaVerne (Verne) Haselwood

Eldon LaVerne (Verne) Haselwood (87) of Omaha, NE crossed into eternity at his home on December 1, 2020. Verne was born on July 19, 1933 to William Calvin Haselwood and Ellen Lorene (Jackson) Haselwood in Barnard, MO. He was a 1951 graduate of Graham High School in Graham, MO. Verne served as a Corporal in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. He earned a BA in English Literature from Omaha University, and while there met and married Joan McQuiddy on July 24, 1960. Over the next several years, Verne and Joan welcomed four daughters: Ann Etta in 1963, Karen Kay in 1966, Polly Sue in 1968, and Amy Michelle in 1974.

Verne continued his education at the University of Denver, receiving a Master of Arts in Library Science. In 1972, he defended his doctoral dissertation at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, earning a Ph.D. in Educational Administration. Verne was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity for Men in Education. His professional career took him from work as a librarian to a position as a professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), from which he retired in 1999. During his career, Verne served as a councilor for the American Library Association, as president of the Nebraska Library Association and on the Board of Trustees at York College. He also held memberships in the Mountain Plains Library Association and the Nebraska Educational Media Association. He was also a consultant for the National Park Service Library. After his retirement, he served as a docent at Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha as well as an Ambassador for the Omaha Performing Arts. Verne’s dedication to professional excellence earned him a number of awards, including the Nebraska Library Association Meritorious Service Award, the Nebraska Library Association Education Honor Roll Award, the Nebraska Educational Media Association Distinguished Service Award, the UNO Devoted Service Award, and the Mad Hatter Youth Service Award.

Verne was a gentle, wise, patient man of faith whose dedication to excellence and dignity touched every aspect of his life. He served as an elder for Southwest Church of Christ for decades, touching numerous lives and earning the love and respect of hundreds of church members. His Christian faith led him to serve on the board of Nebraska Christian Services, where he earned the Nebraska Christian Services Service Award.

Verne lived a robust and full personal life. He was a devoted son to his parents, a faithful husband to his wife, a protective father to his daughters and a tender grandfather to his grandchildren. He loved his family through acts of service, prayer, and mentorship. His hugs and handshakes were genuine. His care for his family frequently manifested in tears at each departure. Verne loved to laugh and had a unique sense of humor that lives on in his daughters and grandchildren.

Verne is preceded in death by his parents, William and Lorene (Jackson) Haselwood. He is survived by his wife Joan (McQuiddy) Haselwood; his daughters, Ann Wakefield (Derrill), Karen Dineen (John), Polly Owens, and Amy Johnson (Mike). Sixteen grandchildren, Amy (Wakefield) Mount (Michael), Stacey (Dineen) Rodenbeck (Jim, deceased), Elizabeth (Dineen) Shearer, John Dineen (Briana), James Dineen (Jennifer), Joshua Dineen (Tori), Jacob Dineen (Amilka), Joseph Dineen (Lauren), Jared Dineen (Grace), Josiah Dineen, Nancy Dineen, Jason Dineen, Bethany Tharp, Ayden Owens, Hannah Owens, and Tyler Johnson (Danielle); and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Verne will be laid to rest on December 19 at Evergreen Cemetery in Omaha, NE. A visitation will be held on December 18 from 4-7pm at Southwest Church of Christ, with a funeral service on December 19 at 10am at Southwest Church of Christ.