ATHENS, Ohio – Luther L. Haseley of Lancaster, Ohio, formerly of Athens, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of June 13, 2026, at the Primrose Retirement Community in Lancaster, Ohio.
Luther will be missed and remembered for his infectious smile, warm and caring heart, generous spirit, laugh-out-loud sense of humor, and love for family and friends.
Born in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, on April 29, 1932, Luther was the son of Leonard Luther Haseley and Gladys Woldt Haseley. He graduated from Ambridge High School and went on to attend Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he met the love of his life, Jeanne Rengert.
On September 2, 1956, Luther married Jeanne, daughter of Ralph and Edna Rengert of Cardington, Ohio, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cardington.
Luther and Jeanne spent their first year of marriage living in Bush Hall on the East Green of Ohio University while Luther was a graduate assistant working on his master’s degree. To make ends meet he pumped gas at the old Matthews Filling Station on West Union Street.
Luther received his master’s degree from Ohio University and earned his Ed.D. from the University of Toledo. He taught at West Virginia Institute of Technology, University of Toledo, Ohio State University and Ohio University.
Luther spent the majority of his career at Ohio University, joining the faculty in 1965 as a professor in Counselor Education, where he spent two decades shaping the lives of students, particularly those who attended his classes on marriage and family counseling and group therapy. He served as Chair of the Education Guidance and Counseling Department, as a counselor in the College of Education’s Counseling Center, and as a member of Faculty Senate, where he helped lead one of the first faculty unionization drives in the university’s history. He was never one to sit on the sidelines.
His reach extended far beyond Athens. He was instrumental in promoting Ohio University’s international education programs both on campus and abroad. Through his decades of onsite work helping to organize and lead international projects, Luther and his family lived in Nigeria, Japan, Germany, Spain, Botswana, and Mexico, and together they traveled the world. But Athens was always home.
Luther operated his own counseling practice for many years serving people in central and southeastern Ohio. He also served the Athens community through his participation in organizations including the 317 Board, the Live Healthy Appalachia Board, the Athens Disability Commission, the United Campus Ministry Board and the Christ Lutheran Church Council. He founded the Care Line suicide prevention hotline, a legacy that quietly touched countless lives. He was a past president of Kiwanis Club and remained engaged in the Athens Senior Club, the Tuesday Club, the Kiwanis Club and the Athens Democratic Party well into his later years. As professor emeritus, he also remained actively engaged in the Ohio University Emeriti Association.
Luther and Jeanne purchased 94 acres in Alexander township and tried their hand at raising cattle, planting trees, gardening and other farm activities alongside teaching. He loved dogs, especially Maisie, chosen for him by his granddaughters 13 years ago.
Luther is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jeanne, and their beloved dog, Masie; his children, Donna Haseley Moylan (Brian Moylan), Susan Haseley Collins (Craig Collins), and John Haseley (Amanda Haseley); his grandchildren, Jack Haseley (Sierra Haseley), Aaron Moylan, Annie Haseley, and Caroline Collins; and his great-grandchildren, Levi Haseley and Magnolia Haseley. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Martin, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Gladys Haseley; his sister, Rhoda, and her husband, Charles Oestreich; and his brother-in-law, Don Martin.
Celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. July 18, at Christ Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Mill Street, Athens, Ohio 45701, or a charity of your choice. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.