Douglas Mark “Mark” deHaas, was born October 16th, 1942 to Frank and Katie deHaas in Orange City, Iowa. He passed away November 4th, 2020 at the age of 78 years in the Kansas City VA hospital.
He grew up in Orange City, Iowa and was involved in hunting and shooting his entire life as his dad was a writer of many gun books and articles, so it was no surprise when that continued into adulthood. The Vietnam conflict was going on and the draft had started. He discovered he was going to be drafted so he enlisted in the Marine Corps. After enlistment in the Marine Corps, he was discovered to be a pretty good shot and was placed on the Marine Corps rifle team. He became very good friends with his other teammates as they traveled all over the United States representing the Marine Corps. They won many trophies and medals and set several records. One of Mark’s most memorable moment was winning the Leech Cup at Camp Perry in 1966. He was eventually deployed to Vietnam where he was a Sniper Instructor. He was there a year and a month when he was wounded. He was sent home and recovered in a Naval hospital. While in the Marine Corps, he married Margo Kleinheksel and to this union a daughter and son were born, Stephanie and Michael. After his recovery, he enrolled at South Dakota State University and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he worked in several states and industries as a maintenance technician. He ended up in Leon, Iowa and worked at an industry there at which time his marriage ended.
He was very involved in shooting and met his current wife, Linda Chandler, at the gun range in Bethany, Missouri. They were married in 1980 and moved to Florida for six years. He started working in the black powder barrel making industry in 1982 and then moved to Brooklyn, Missouri in 1986. He worked in road construction during the summers of 1986 and 1987. During winters he worked on his shop and barrel making equipment and started making black powder barrels in May of 1988. He loved what he did and was good at it. He continued making barrels until Alzheimer’s started clouding his ability to work and he was forced to retire. He joined other veterans in the Cameron Veterans Home where he was very well cared for when he was no longer able to be at home.
After moving back to Brooklyn, their son, Shane, was born. Mark enjoyed sharing his shooting knowledge with Shane and being involved in any sport Shane took an interest in.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Katie deHaas and a nephew, Donnie Hicks.
Mark is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Stephanie, Mike, and Shane; sister, Judi and her husband, George; brother-in-law, Bobby Chandler and his wife, Mari; sister-in-law, Cherie Chandler Newell and her husband, Bob; several nieces and nephews and a lot of friends.
Mark has been cremated under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO.
A Celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com