It is with great sorrow to learn of the passing of Joseph E. Haik. Joseph was born June 5, 1946, in Springfield, Missouri, where he lived his whole life. Joe was a father, a grandfather, and a lifelong businessman who served over two years in the Army reserves. The 10th child of Joseph E. Haik and Mary Kouri. He was a graduate of St. Agnes School.
He is preceded in death by his son Josh, parents Mary and Joseph, and siblings James, Marlys, Gloria, Ronald, and Gary.
Joe spent his younger years traveling the road selling fabric and running several Fabric Mart stores and working with his family at Haiks Wholesale Dry Goods. During the 80s, he worked and operated three stores in the Battlefield Mall food court; The French Deli, The Fortune Cookie, and JJ’s BBQ.
Joe, aka “Papa Cats,” spent his free time watching his grandkid’s soccer games, never missing a St. Louis Cardinals game, watching Gunsmoke and other westerns during the baseball offseason, and having morning breakfast and coffee with family and friends, and spoiling his three cats, Fetch, Mochi, and Rubi.
He was a devoted lifelong Catholic who never missed his morning and nightly prayers by his bedside.
He was beyond generous to all who knew him and loved by all his customers at his business, The Fabric Outlet, over the past 33 years.
Joe was always incredibly generous to our quilt guild. He donated yards and yards of fabric at no charge or sold it for less than his cost. He was quick to give a “pricing deal’ when needed. He bought ads in our show programs to advertise his business and always helped our events by donating gift certificates to his store.
A few of our guild members shared their memories.
“So sad to hear of Joe’s passing. I started shopping at his Glenstone and Bennett store after retiring in 2014. He was generous and attentive to his customers. He’ll be missed by all.” —Mary V.
“I first met Joe when he only had one store on Republic Road. It was next door where I got my hair cut. He had this big cat that would sit on a roll of batting near the front door. When the store building changed ownership and raised the rent, he moved to a large location on Glenstone near Bennet. The first time I walked into his new store, I immediately asked Joe, ‘where’s your cat’!? Joe told me his cat did not like the new store, so he had to leave him at home. Joe was the type that never met a stranger. He would talk to everyone like he had known them forever, even though it might be his first time meeting them.”
RIP, Joe. —Yevonne S.
“It’s sad to know one of our long time friends in the Springfield quilting community is gone. Joe Haik was known for his sunny personality and his fun sense of humor. He was incredibly generous with much to offer just about every quilter who crossed his path. Joe also loved cats. He asked for me to bring my three-month-old rescue kitty to the store one Saturday about 17 years ago. Once there, a customer came in and saw the cat and complained she was allergic. Joe let her know the cat had first priority to be in the store! He always asked about the kitty after that. Joe will be greatly missed by many. Rest in Peace, Joe!” —Jillian G.
He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Visitation will be at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Monday, February 27, 2023, with a prayer service from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm and visitation until 8:00 pm. The funeral services will be Tuesday, February 28th at 10:30 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with graveside burial to follow at Hazelwood Cemetery. In place of flowers, please donate in his name to Immaculate Conception Church, 3555 S Fremont, Springfield, MO or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Obituary information courtesy of Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home