Ruben Haertling

Ruben E. Haertling, 88, of New Wells passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Born July 18, 1932, in New Wells to Theo and Olga Koch Haertling, he was the eldest of eight children. He and Carol Lorenz were married Aug. 25, 1956, in Altenburg, Missouri. Two children were born to their union, Rodney and Carla. They had been married 52 years when Carol passed away Feb. 24, 2009.

Ruben was born and raised on the family farm in the New Wells area. He, his wife and their son owned and operated a dairy farm a half mile from where he was raised. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, where he was baptized in July 1932 and confirmed April 14, 1946. He was faithful in church attendance and also served as an usher and elder.

Ruben worked briefly as a driver for Shawneetown Feed and Seed.

He honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, and was stationed abroad in Landshut, Germany, during the Korean War.

Loving survivors include his daughter, Carla (Kevin) Kasten, and their son, Nicholas, of Lorena, Texas; a sister, Lorna (Kenneth) Steffens of Frohna, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruben was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; son, Rodney, on May 29, 2020; four brothers, Elton, Harlen, Clinton and Wayne Haertling; and two sisters, Alida Evans and Lorene Mayfield.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells.

The Rev. Virgil Kelm will officiate the funeral service at 11 a.m. Graveside committal and military honors will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation, or the donor's choice of church or charity.

Ruben's arrangements were entrusted to McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Ruben's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.