In Loving Memory of Paul Haverluk

Paul lived a full life of 86 years and then peacefully went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he served and loved dearly. He was a unique and wonderful character known by many. He will be greatly missed.

Paul was born on July 9, 1928, which he strongly proclaimed on his 86^th birthday this year!  He was born on a farm in Gorham, ND to parents Michael and Mary (Dribnenki) Haverluk, the middle of eleven children.

Paul was drafted into the U.S Army in 1951 during the Korean conflict.  While on leave from the Army he married Bettie Kanski on July 28, 1951 at the St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church in rural Fairfield, ND.  They were married 63 family filled years!

When he was discharged from the Army, Paul took up training in dry cleaning under the G.I. Bill in Sidney, MT and after completion he opened his own dry cleaning business in Belfield, ND, which he operated for ten years.

In 1965 Paul and Bettie decided to venture out of North Dakota and move the family West. Paul went out first in search of work and as he would say, “I took a wrong turn on my way to Portland and ended up in Richland.”   He decided to look for a job there while he was in town. He went into the first dry cleaning business he saw and was immediately hired.  He took employment in June 1965 and spent the next 28 years at New City Cleaners. He eventually became the sole owner of New City Cleaners in Richland, Ray-D-Ant Cleaners and Deluxe Cleaners in Kennewick, Lena’s Draperies in Pasco and Coit Carpet and Drapery Cleaners of the Tri-Cities.

Paul painstakingly earned a business degree from the School of Hard Knocks and all his business education paid off in a grand way.  Everyone came to him, from as far away as Seattle, with their most difficult cleaning problems when they needed real professional and thorough cleaning work done, even his competitors.  Paul loved his work so much that it took him three attempts before he finally fully retired 21 years ago. 

Paul had a very sociable and comical personality. He never met a person that he considered to be a stranger. He loved everyone, even people that were difficult for others to love. Although he will be dearly missed by all who knew him, our memories of him will be treasured forever.

During his retirement years Paul fished, traveled, and golfed.  He also loved playing cards with his family and friends.  He was an enthusiastic cook and frequently engaged in another of his favorite pastimes, dancing at family celebrations.  Paul was a fanatic when attending his grandchildren’s sport activities.  We still recall his favorite cheers, which also described Paul’s attitude toward life; “Try harder!”, “Don’t give up!” and “Yep, Yep, Yep!”

Paul spent many hours with his great collection of family photos and made time to dictate his memories on a cassette tape recorder.  He never retired from his passion of being a Patriot.  Paul had a life-time membership in the American Legion, Christ the King Church and the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, based in Dickinson ND.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters who were of the Sister Servants Mary Immaculate Order; Sister Philarette and Sister Serverina, his dear son Gerard and infant grandson Gerard. Paul is survived by his gracious wife, Bettie and his four wonderful remaining children; Paulette Haldeman of Dickinson, ND, Charlette Cole ( Kenneth), Colette Carman ( Bruce), from Kennewick, WA and Bernard Haverluk (Tina) of Eugene, OR, and also 15 grandchildren and nine great-grand children.

He is also survived by his siblings Pearl Ewoniuk of Dickinson, ND, Steve Haverluk of Miles City, MT, Ella Basaraba Lewiston ID, William Haverluk, Margie Grosulak  & Josephine Shypkoski of Belfield, ND, Regina (Al)  Wagner of Santee, CA and Joe (Connie) Haverluk of Kennewick, WA.

Rosary and viewing will be on Thursday at 4:30 pm December 4^th at Einan’s Funeral Home at 915 Bypass Hwy., Richland, WA.

Mass of Christian burial will be on Friday at 1:30 pm on December 5^th at Christ the King Church, 1111 Stevens Dr. in Richland.

The graveside services will be at Einans at 3:30 pm with Full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the TC Chaplaincy & Hospice, 1480 Fowler, Richland, WA or Human Life of Washington, 14400 Bel-Red Rd., Ste. 207, Bellevue, WA  98007.