David Haigler

David Haigler, 76, of Oglethorpe, Georgia passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024.

A memorial service will be held at Mt. Zion - St. Luke Lutheran Church, 401 Randolph Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall, where family and friends can fellowship together after the service.

The memorial service will be LIVE STREAMED on Watson-Mathews Funeral Home Facebook page.

David was born to the late Hayne Courtney Haigler and Frances Watkins Haigler on July 15, 1947 in Cartersville, Georgia.

After graduating from Cartersville High School in 1965, he attended Oxford College of Emory University. He graduated from Oxford College with an associate degree and then earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Georgia. He later earned the Master of Social Work and the Doctor of Education degrees from the University of Georgia.

David served our country as a US Army medic in Vietnam first in combat with the 8th Infantry and later at the 95th Evacuation Hospital.

David considered himself a social worker and educator. After his discharge from the Army, he worked as a caseworker and supervisor with the Cobb County Department of Family and Children Services. He worked in training at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville becoming Training Director for the hospital. He resigned his job at Central State Hospital in 1990 to become Deputy Director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute, Georgia Southwestern State University retiring from there in 2004.

David was a member of Mt. Zion-St. Luke Lutheran Church where he was active in a variety of the church’s programs. He also served the broader church on the Southeastern Synod Council from June 2015 to June 2023.

Both in Milledgeville and Macon County, he was active in community organizations. At the time of his death, he was serving as one of the Macon County representatives on the Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare Board.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Mary Martin Haigler of Oglethorpe; his son Will Haigler of Oglethorpe; daughter Katie Felker of Perry, Georgia; and granddaughters Ava Felker and Emma Felker.

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Jim and Jane Haigler of Cartersville, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Billy and Ginny Martin, Bobby and Sharon Martin, and Tommy and Wendi Martin all of Oglethorpe, Georgia. Also surviving are many nephews, nieces, and cousins whom he loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry, c/o St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.

Friends may visit online at www.watsonmathewsfuneralhome.com to extend condolences to the family.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Watson-Mathews Funeral Home in Montezuma, Georgia.