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The loss of a spouse or family member can be a time of great stress and grieving for a surviving member. U.S. Army Europe has seven enduring garrisons, each with their own retiree services officer who, in many cases, also serves as the area’s casualty affairs officer.
The men and women acting in these capacities are trained to provide help and assistance, relying on the knowledge they have obtained through training and experience, to those have to taking on this undertaking, which can be difficult for anyone.
One such person to serve in this capacity was John Edward Haldeman of Apex, North Carolina.
Born Sept. 24, 1938, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, to the late Esmond and Grace Haldeman, John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956 and retired after more than 30 years as a Vietnam War veteran at the rank of command sergeant major in 1986.
Shortly afterward, in 1987, he continued to serve his country and his fellow service members for 23 years in civil service duty.
Formerly the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern retirement services and casualty affairs officer, John worked with the local retiree population to help and guide survivors from all over Europe to apply for survivor benefits during times of great stress and grieving. He was on duty 24/7, ready to assist anyone in need. John really highlighted the need for retirees helping retirees, and shortly after his retirement, the Kaiserslautern retiree community formed an official retiree council with approval of the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz. This council remains today staffed and fully active in the support and assistance of our local retiree population.
John Edward Haldeman passed away peacefully at the age of 79 on Sept. 17, at Cambridge Village Retirement Community in Apex, North Carolina.
Though news of John’s passing was received with great sadness, it also led to the reception of many testimonies highlighting the kind of man he was and is remembered as.
Testimony 1:
“Mr. Haldeman was there for us and bent over backwards to ensure that we were taken care of in our time of grief. I’ll always remember that. He was the very definition of a good and caring person.”
Testimony 2:
“John was one of a kind of man. I will never forget all he did for me along with all he did for the countless others. Regardless of whether his skills were needed during a normal duty day or the middle of the night, he was always there to lend a helping hand. I will most remember his kindness during the Iraq and Afghanistan War. John worked tirelessly, helping family members coming from the U.S. to visit their wounded warrior at the hospital in Landstuhl. When the families needed a place to stay, he would take them to the Fisher Houses or the nearest hotel, and sometimes he would even take them to his home for a quiet respite. He would ensure all their basic needs were met: shelter, food and if necessary, a bit of money until they could go to the bank. This was the epitome of John and his kindness. He went so much further than providing advice; he provided action. We will never be able to replace him and will spend our lifetime remembering his generosity with love.”
There are many other testimonies recorded on his behalf.
For his more than 53 years as a servant leaders to our nation, men and women in uniform, and their families, John will always have our thanks. For his kindness and friendship, he will always be missed.
John Edward Haldeman is survived by his wife Jacqueline Pierrot Haldeman, and their two daughters, Peggy Ann and Francine.
A memorial service and burial will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project or the American Diabetes Association.
Condolences may be sent to
www.ApexFuneral.net.
