SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — W. Ardell Haines, 91, son of Waide B. Haines and Ida M. Haines, passed away on May 18, 2011.  

He was born in Punxsutawney, and was a 1935 graduate of Punxsutawney High School.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma (formerly Wilma Gall of Punxsutawney); and his son, Dr. Gordon A. Haines. Gordon and his wife, Beverly (Brockman) live in St. George, Utah.

Ardell graduated from Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania) in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in business education. In 1940 he began his career in education at Baldwin Township High School in Pittsburgh, where he taught business education courses in the commercial department.

In 1942 he was employed in cost accounting by Oil Well Supply Company, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel, and was assigned to Wilson-Snyder Mfg Co. in Braddock, Pa., a manufacturer of maritime pumps for the Navy.

In early 1943 he was drafted into the Army under Limited Service and was assigned to the Education Testing Unit of the Maryland Induction Station in Baltimore, testing all Maryland draftees for their educational eligibility for service.   

In late 1944 Ardell was transferred to the Separation Center at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Ga., as an occupational counselor where he assisted the returnee in adjusting to civilian life and planning for reentry into employment. Ardell was promoted to the rank of M/Sgt. before discharge in March 1946.   

Following his discharge from the Army in 1946 as M/Sgt., Ardell was employed for four years as a training officer with the Veterans Administration in Pittsburgh, developing training programs for disabled veterans and working with business colleges in the Pittsburgh area as they enrolled veterans under the GI Bill.

During this time he enrolled in the Master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh and earned the M.Ed. degree in secondary school couseling. In 1950 he and his family moved to Cumberland, Md., to accept the position as guidance counselor at Fort Hill High School. Two years later, in 1952, he was appointed principal of Bruce High School in Westernport, Allegany County, Md.. Ardell continued his graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh and received a Ph.D. in school administration in 1956, at which time he was assigned to be principal of Allegany High School in Cumberland, a position he held for 10 years.

In the fall of 1966 Ardell was appointed as Professor of Education at Frostburg State University. In 1967 Dr. Haines was appointed the second president of Allegany Community College. Dr. Haines had the privilege of seeing a beautiful new campus open to students in September of 1969. Under his administration, during the years that followed, the campus grew, student enrollment was increased, additional faculty was recruited, new curricula were introduced and new college programs were developed. The role of the community college in the Cumberland area was enhanced. Dr. Haines retired as president of Allegany Community College in June 1980.

In late 1981, Sister Cecilia, administrator at Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland, invited Dr. Haines to be the executive of the new Sacred Heart Hospital Foundation, a part-time position. With his administration, during the next two years, the foundation developed assets amounting to almost $2,000,000.

During his 28 years in Cumberland, Ardell was involved in many community programs, activities and projects. He was a member of the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce for many years, serving a two-year term as president in the 1970’s. As a member of the Cumberland Rotary Club, Ardell served as club president in 1970-1971. Other organizations in which he had active membership included the Allegany Retired Teachers Association, the Council of the Alleghenies, the order of Masonry and the Scottish Rite. Along with his wife, Dr. Haines was an active member in the LaVale United Methodist Church.

Ardell and Wilma moved to Sun City West in 1988. He soon became involved as a volunteer with AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) in Arizona, eventually becoming state training director, and in 1994, Arizona State AARP president.

Since living in Sun City West, Ardell had been an active member of the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, joining in 1988 and then serving with his wife for almost three years as chairman of the Membership Development Committee, with almost 300 new members joining during this period. Ardell also joined the church choir as a baritone and often contributed solos. His latest service was secretary to the SHUMC Foundation.

Ardell had been a Rotarian for over 50 years, joining first in 1952 in Maryland. He recently served as secretary of the Sun City West Rotary Club. At his residence in Grandview Terrace, a retirement complex in Sun City West, Ardell was a member and secretary to the Grandview Terrace Service Foundation.

A memorial service was held at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church on May 23, 2011, at 2 p.m.  

Interment will be in the family plot in Circle Hill Cemetery, Punxsutawney, Pa.  

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made, if desired, to the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church Foundation (SHUMC, 13658) W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, AZ 85375 which provides scholarships for worthy students.