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Submitted: 12/24/18 • Approved: 1/30/19 • Last Updated: 2/2/19 • R1248390-G0-S3
Dec 4, 1924 - Sept 26, 2018
Mason
Obituary
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
John Lyle Havens Jr. of Conway, Arkansas, passed away on September 26, 2018, in the Perry County Nursing Center at the age of 93. He lived a full life of service to his community and his country. He loved his family, good food, dogs, many kinds of music, the United States and its founding principles, and a real bargain. He had little patience for fools, slobs, laziness, or ignorance. While we are relieved that he is at peace now, he will be missed by all those who loved and respected him.
John was born December 4, 1924, on a rocky ridge near Wooster, Arkansas. He was the second child and first son of John Lyle Havens and Sarah Delores Porter Havens. Given the harsh circumstances of the times, it is remarkable that all seven children lived long, productive lives. Throughout the years, John relished getting together with his siblings to share a meal, reminisce, and laugh. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sisters Colleen Stewart and Mary Glover, and his brothers Edward Havens, James Havens, and Doug Havens. He felt the loss of each of these loved family members keenly.
In June 1943, having finished tenth grade at Greenbrier High School, John joined the U.S. Army. He served for almost 3 years in Central and South America and in the Eastern Pacific. Growing up during the Great Depression had a lasting impact on John, and he knew that the uncertainty of farming was not for him. In 1947, he took up residence in Conway, where he married Maxine Moreland, who had also left the farm to improve her lot. Their son, William Donald Havens, was born in 1948.
With the Korean conflict heating up, John joined the Air Force Reserves in 1951 and served for a year at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Macon, Georgia. Determined to better himself, he entered Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) in 1952. He graduated with a degree in business in 1954, the same year, his daughter, Lila Ruth Havens, was born.
John began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1954. Having started as a part-time clerk, he advanced to postmaster in Conway, retiring in 1981. After his retirement, he held a wide variety of jobs, restored several classic cars, and built many clocks and pieces of furniture. Especially in his later years, he devoted himself to volunteer and charitable activities. He served on the UCA Alumni Board for 10 years, as president of UCA Alumni for 1 year, and on the UCA Foundation Board for 5 years, with 1 year as president. At the Conway Human Development Center, he developed the pilot program for a state-supported work program for handicapped adults. He was a devout Christian and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Conway for decades. He held many offices in the church and served for 8 years on the Methodist District Board of Building and Location.
After his marriage to Jerry Lynn Brasel in 1995, John moved to Jasper and became actively involved in his new community. Seeing a need for youth activities, he supported the Jasper School Band program and helped start a Girl Scout troop. He served 2 years on the board of the Newton County Special Services. After being treated at the Claude Parish Cancer Center of North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, he served on its board for 4 years, with 1 year as president. He also organized the Newton County Cancer Support Program. After moving his membership to the First United Methodist Church in Harrison, he made many friends who fondly called him “Mister Peanut Brittle” for sharing the delicious peanut brittle he made.
A passionate patriot, John felt privileged to serve as Veterans Service Officer for 2 years in Conway and for 3 years in Jasper. He held this post until the age of 86, when his memory began to fail him. He was deeply gratified when he was able to obtain benefits for veterans and their survivors. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Vets, and the American Legion.
He was a proud and active Mason throughout his adult life. He became a member of the Green Grove Masonic Lodge #107 in 1949 and attained the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite. After his move to Jasper, he became an honorary member of Jasper Lodge #21. In December 2011, he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of the Scottish Rite of Arkansas, which he considered the greatest honor of his life.
John is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Jerry Lynn Brasel Havens, her children Mitch Brasel and Micki Somers, five step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandsons; his son Don Havens and his wife Kay Longing Havens; his daughter Lila Havens and her husband Marshall Brezonick; five grandchildren: John Coy Havens, Luke Havens, Katie Havens, David Robinson, and Sarah Hope Robinson; six great-grandchildren; his first wife, Maxine Roop; his friend and former wife Rebecca Hawley and her children Warren O’Donell and Leah Ryan; his brother Harold “Pete” Havens; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 2 o’clock at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Wooster, with visitation beforehand at 1 o’clock and interment to follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s honor to the Claude Parish Cancer Center, the Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association, or the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association.
Contributed on 12/24/18 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1248390