Mahlon N. Haines Iii

Mahlon N. Haines III of Fairview Twp, New Cumberland, died suddenly at Holy Spirit Hospital on Tuesday, September 26th after a courageous battle with an unusually complicated condition.

Mahlon was born on January 3rd, 1941 in York, PA to parents Mahlon N. Haines II and Sarah M. (Shull) Haines. To his family, friends and all who had the privilege to know him, he was called “Zilch,” a nickname he earned as a child. Zilch graduated from Randolph Macon Academy in VA and then entered the US Navy serving on the USS Independence. After an honorable discharge, he continued his education and graduated from The Pennsylvania State University. Zilch spent his professional years as an employee of The Commonwealth of PA, Dept. of Public Welfare before retiring in 1996. Retirement for Zilch meant spending his days swimming and working out at the West Shore YMCA, hiking with his dogs, golfing, skiing and snowboarding, practicing Tai Chi, and volunteering his time helping others. Zilch also participated in Dragon Boat Racing, a new sport to him which he loved. Zilch had a passion for cooking as was evident by his perfectly roasted turkeys and delicious cioppino at Christmas Dinner, and he worked part-time as a sous chef always looking forward to shopping at his local Farmers Markets.

Zilch will be loved and missed terribly by his surviving wife of 37 years, Nancy (Casselman) Haines, sons Jeremy and Matt and their wives Kerrie and Mindi, two sisters, Susan Gearhart and JoAnne “Annie” Haines plus grandchildren, Jordan, Dakota, Caden and Zoe, a nephew Andy and nieces, Carrie, Janis, Abby and Josie along with numerous cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held with friends and family at the Lodge at Liberty Forge, 3804 Lisburn Road in (Lower Allen Twp) Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 on Wednesday, October 4th at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to The Humane Society of Harrisburg, (www.humanesocietyhbg.org), 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Zilch and Nancy provided happy homes to many lucky dogs over the years and your gift will help in saving many more deserving lives.

For more information or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.