William P. Haroff, 76, Hastings

April 6, 1934 – December 7, 2010

    William Priest Haroff, one of four children of Benjamin Raymond Haroff and Jennie Evaline (Priest) Haroff, was born at home in Hastings, on April 6, 1934.  Bill grew up in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1952.  He attended Iowa State University for one year and then joined the United States Marines and served from 1953 to 1955.  Bill then attended Wayne State College where he graduated.  His first job was with the Mills County Soil Conservation Service.  His second and final career was the Post Master of Hastings, which he held for 30 years.
    On Aug. 14, 1966, Bill and Edna Erline (Ridgeley) Farrington were united in marriage at his mother’s home.  They lived in Hastings and were members of the Hastings United Methodist Church. Bill and Erline had been married 34 years when she passed away on March 27, 2001, at the age of 73.  
    Bill continued to live in Hastings and was active in his community. He enjoyed his Masonic Lodge meetings and the lifelong friends he had in Hastings.  Bill had a special place in his heart and spirit for the Hastings United Methodist Church and his wonderful congregation of friends. He was blessed to have his dear friends, Cecil and Karen Clark, always by his side, even to his last moments.  He loved them dearly and they have been a great support to his family.
    Bill passed away on Dec. 7, 2010, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, at the age of 76 years.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and Ben Haroff; his wife Erline; and infant brother, Benjamin Haroff, Jr.
    Bill is survived by his sisters, Bettie Louise Peterson and husband Kyle Jr. of Sioux City, and Mary Genevieve Koehler and husband James of Dubuque; step-children, Dick Farrington of Kalispell, Mont., and Peggy Templeton of Portland, Ore., and step-grandchildren.  He will be missed by many, as well as his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  William P. Haroff is now with his beloved Erline and at peace.
    Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at Hastings United Methodist Church with burial in Hastings Cemetery.  Memorials may be made in Bill’s name to the Hastings United Methodist Church.  Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home of Malvern was in charge of arrangements.