Joshua Steven `Josh` Haney
Joshua Steven `Josh` Haney
Joshua “Josh” Steven Haney, son of Douglas and Edith (Golding) Haney, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the age of 33.
Josh was a graduate of Baraboo High School (class of 2009), and an accomplished wrestler that participated in many tournaments and State competitions. His love for wrestling continued beyond graduation where he served as a mentor to aspiring athletes and always accepted challenges from those looking to “tackle the lion.”
Nowadays, you’d find “Big Baby Haney” at Brother’s on Oak, where he worked for nearly the last decade. There, he would show off his dice-shaking abilities, throw in the occasional magic trick, hustle some pool, and work towards keeping his Buck Hunter Championship score all while putting a smile on each customer’s face.
Josh was the kind of person whose presence always made you feel safe. Physically, he was hard to miss, being larger and stronger than almost everyone. But that was never the hand he led with, and he rarely had to play it, because his heart was just as large and full of love.
Meeting his match in high school, Josh and his fiancé, Kylie Pace, spent the last 15 happy years together. They shared a love for fine dining, adventures with friends, and riding their motorcycles. There weren’t many times you’d find them apart!
To all who knew him, Josh was full of life and laughter. His thunderous, jolly laugh was contagious to all who heard it, and it will continue to echo in our minds as we relive our greatest memories of him.
He is survived by his parents, fiancé, sister, uncle Sean (Vicki) Haney, niece Paisley, and nephews Grayson and Jase. He is further survived by countless friends and patrons, all of whom will miss him deeply.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11am at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home in Baraboo. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4pm-7pm, and on Saturday from 10am until the time of funeral service. Memorials may be made to the family with plans of establishing a scholarship fund in Josh’s name.
To help celebrate Josh’s vibrant life, the family asks that all attendees wear their favorite Hawaiian or patterned shirt.
Condolences
Miles Manske September 04, 2024
Loyal Patron Racine , Wisconsin
You raised a hell of a guy. His likeness is very rare in this world, It is an honor to have known him.
Andrew Bekx September 04, 2024
Friend Schaumburg , Illinois
I am so sorry for your loss, Josh was an amazing person who was always so nice to everyone. He will be missed by everyone
Jeff Buck September 04, 2024
Friend Wisc Dells
So So sad so sorry what a terrible tragedy gone to soon Josh will be greatly missed
Tim Rose September 04, 2024
Friend baraboo
Josh had an ability to pull you out of any funk or bad mood you might have been in. His heart was as big as his arms.. He will be forever missed
Aubry Meadows September 04, 2024
Friend Wisconsin dells , Wisconsin
Simply put, I’m better for knowing him. A wonderful person, and I’ll hold his memory close forever.
Julie September 05, 2024
Prior Co Worker Holmen , Wisconsin
A man who's loyalty to his friends and family was a true pledge of truth to oneself and to others. He said to me on more than one occasion, " Trust is earned, respect is given". But something I concluded, Loyalty is demonstrated.
Jason Klemm September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Kylie and all of Josh's family and friends.
Shantina Johnson September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
He was a very nice man and me in my boyfriend Donald are going to miss him very much. On are date night we away go by him and have fun and laughing and just having a good time and we are going to miss that very much. My boyfriend Donald is not really taking well because that was his best friends. Apologize for your loss. Love Tina
Matt Roelke September 05, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Haney made me feel so welcome every single time I seen him. He always had time to listen to me if I had a hard day and either give me some tough love (if needed) or some heart felt advice. Truly one of the biggest hearts. My heart aches at his passing.
Mama Dee September 05, 2024
Friend Nashville , Georgia
RIP Josh. You were always an Amazing person and a Wonderful Kind young man. Gone way too soon! Thank you for being so helpful to me when I ran the save ride program. I will miss seeing you when I go back to Baraboo. ? Fly high my friend! ?
Theresa Dolfen September 05, 2024
Friend BARABOO , Wisconsin
Just heartbroken over losing such a great guy. He will be forever missed by so many who knew him. Rest in peace, Haney. God got another great soul.
Athena September 05, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Josh was the best person you could ever meet in life he was always putting a smile on everyone’s face no matter the kind of day your having he would brighten it with just being himself. Rest easy josh your memories will live on forever.
Sarah Kowalke September 05, 2024
Classmate Albuquerque , New Mexico
Josh was in my Algebra class in high school with Mr Ebright. He would always give him a hard time and Josh was such a good sport about it. Always laughing. Years later I ran into him a Brothers. He was an amazing bartender and cook. Always made sure things were going smoothly. Such a tough loss. RIP
Michelle September 05, 2024
Customer Baraboo , Wisconsin
Anytime I seen him he was so kind. Always up beat and just a great guy all around. So very sorry for your loss. My condolences to his family.
Cody J September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
My condolences to Josh’s family. Josh was and always will be one heck of man that we all should strive to be like. The welcoming smile. His laugh and welcoming personality, a man that would do so much for others. Fly high my friend. Next round is on me. Gone to soon
Ryan September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
You will be missed by many Hane-dog. Thanks for 20 or so years of memories with me and being the best dude. I wouldn’t be the same person had I not met you, and you will be missed by many
Kimberly Knight September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Met Josh when my sons (Michael and Matthew Kowalke) wrestled for the TBirds in high school and then met his beautiful fiancee Kylie thru work. He was truly one of the good ones. Thoughts and prayers to Kylie and the family!
Mckenzie Dahlen September 05, 2024
Friend Madison , Wisconsin
Truly was an honor knowing him. He put out such good energy into the world and always was there to uplift my spirits when I was down. He’s going to be missed by anyone who got the chance to be in his presence. Rest Up Buddy ??
Mary Campbell September 05, 2024
Customer Baraboo , Wisconsin
Fly high.You will be so missed
Charlie Schick September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
When I moved to Baraboo, Josh was one of the first people I met. He always brought so much light and life to my day when I saw him. My deepest condolences. Josh is one of the best guys I’ve ever met. The memories made with him are something I will always cherish. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
DOUGLAS FAUTH September 05, 2024
Barfly BARABOO , Wisconsin
I'm just so sad. Just a few days before, we had the loss of a much beloved educator in his elderly years, in hospice. THAT, I can understand. But Josh, at 33, big guy as he was, I'm just incredibly stunned. Big bear, loving...wow. I'm so sorry. I will never really be able to go into Brothers and not miss his positive presence; I'm just so sad, again.
Leslie Matt Hamilton September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
We're so sorry for your loss. Josh will be missed dearly. Sending prayers and hugs to everyone. The Hamilton's.
Jon J Dolfen September 05, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Honestly, I still can't believe Josh is gone. He was an incredible person, and he always was the first one to offer a hand to those that needed it and had a way of making your day better even if his was not going very well. The world needs more people like Josh, and it will never be as bright as when he was amongst us. God speed to you buddy and thank you for making the world a better place
Tera September 06, 2024
Former Coworker Wisconsin Dells , Wisconsin
My heart goes out to Josh’s wife, family and friends as well as the community. Such a loss and he will forever be missed.
Nancy Heaton September 06, 2024
Mother of one of his close friends Pembroke , Massachusetts
I just wanted to share with Josh’s parents: We came out to visit our daughter Kaitlin a few weeks ago and after dinner went down to Brothers. Josh was bartending and was so gracious and friendly. You raised a wonderful man. So sorry for your loss
Nick Carter September 06, 2024
Friend Sun prairie , Wisconsin
Josh was a great person. Joining wrestling for the first time my junior year Josh was my mentor and quickly became my friend. He taught me lessons in life through wrestling such as hard work, commitment,, camaraderie and character. I always admired how friendly he could be but also how fierce he could be on the mat. I know so many others were also impacted by his one in a million personality.
Becca September 07, 2024
High school peer/occasional BOO patron Rock springs , Wisconsin
I didn't know Josh that well but I remember that he always had a smile on his face and was always kind when I interacted with him. My heart breaks for Kylie & all of his family and friends. I can tell that he left a positive impact and will be truly missed. I hope all the memories bring comfort now and always.
Chris D September 07, 2024
Friend and Classmate Muskego , Wisconsin
I knew Josh back in high school and he was always super nice and always tried to see the best in everyone and every situation. I remember the first time I came back to baraboo after being away for college and he immediately remembered me and welcomed me by name when I went to brothers. Josh was a kind soul, great bartender, a protector, cook, great friend, and one heck of a man. You will be missed by many far and wide. My condolences to his family and his fiance.