White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence –George E. “Rabbit” Hare, 76 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Friday, August 8, 2014, at the BuchananCounty Health Center in Independence.  He was born on June 20, 1938, in Rowley, Iowa, the son of Frank B. and Adry Maree (Jestes) Hare.  He graduated from high school in Independence.  On August 4, 1959, he and the former Betty Lucille Romjue were married in Independence, Iowa, where they made their home and raised their family.  Mr. Hare worked in the foundry at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa, for 30 years.  He retired in 1993.  After that, he returned to John Deere and enjoyed leading tours of the factory. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence and was formerly a member of the Independence Lions Club.  He was active in the Independence Community School System as a volunteer.  He was a greeter at West Elementary, chaperoned students on band trips, and helped build sets for theater performances.  He helped with the different boys’ baseball leagues in Independence as his children and grandchildren were involved.  He loved his family, hunting and fishing, horses, and woodworking.

Mr. Hare is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty, 1 daughter, Jami (Terry) Tekippe of Independence, Iowa, and 1 son, Russell Hare of Lecksville, Mississippi.  He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Brian (Annie Lefeber) Tekippe, Nick (Melissa) Shafer, Andy (Diane) Tekippe, Ben Shafer, and Amanda (Robert Badgett, 3 great grandchildren, Annabelle Shafer, Addison Shafer, and Wyatt Badgett, and 1 brother, Frank “Bud” Hare of Independence.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers, Raymond Hare, Carl Hare, Lewis Hare, James Hare, and Everett Hare, and 2 sisters, Clara Stock and Viola Caldwell.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating.  Casket Bearers will be Lanny Buls, Terry Tekippe, Nick Shafer, Ben Shafer, Brian Tekippe, and Andy Tekippe.  Burial will be in Wilson Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.