John A. Havens

John Arthur Havens died peacefully Sun., Sept. 24, 2023, at his home after a brief battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 24, 1948, in Holdrege, Neb., to Gaines and Laveda (Pitts) Havens. He grew up in Holdrege and graduated from Holdrege High School in 1966. He was married in 1992 to his loving wife, Sheryl. John retired in 2005 as Roadmaster with BNSF Railroad where he had spent his entire career, working in Broken Bow, Neb., Edgemont, S.D., and McCook, Neb. He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church of rural McCook and was an avid hunter and active in community theater and community chorus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gaines and Laveda Havens. John is survived by his wife, Sheryl, four beloved step-children, who lovingly called him their very own Step-John, and two granddaughters Christina Abney and her daughters Mercedes and Liberty of Casa Grande, Ariz.; Dana Rye and her husband John, Persons of the World; Brock Ruggles of Tempe Ariz.; and Vanessa Ruggles of Palm Springs, Cal. He is also survived by one brother, James, and sisters Mary, Margaret, and Monica, nieces, nephews, and a host a friends. Memorial services are planned at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Ash Creek, on Sun., Oct. 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Lonnie Felcher officiating. Inurnment will be in the Ash Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to St. Johns Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook. Memorial Service St. John's Lutheran Church (Ash Creek) Sunday, October 1, 2023 2:00 PM - 2:40 PM 39097 Rd 712 McCook, NE 69001