St. Clair County Obits

IRVIN ALBERT HAVERLAND

Kansas City Star
29 July 2004

Mr. Irvin A. Haverland, 85, of Lowry City, MO, passed away July 27, 2004, at Sac-Osage Hospital in Osceola, MO. Funeral services will be Friday, July 30, at 1 p.m. at the Valley Center United Church of Christ, with Burial in Valley Center Cemetery, Deepwater, MO. Family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Thursday at the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola, MO (417) 6468135.

Clinton Daily Democrat
16 August 2004
Irvin Albert Haverland was born April 28, 1919, the first of a pair of twins, to John Henry and Otilla (Neuenschwander) Haverland, at their home south of Deepwater, and in the Valley Center community. He died July 27, 2004. Irvin attended school at Valley Center School, where he and his twin brother walked to school each day. He carried his lunch to school in an old syrup tin. Growing up in the Valley Center UCC, Irvin went through confirmation. He later took an active role in the church, serving on the cemetery committee and as deacon and elder for several terms. To him, working for his church was a privilege, as well as a duty. On May 9, 1954, he married Barbara Jones at Valley Center UCC. They made their home two miles north of Lowry City on the farm where they have lived for over 50 years. To this union three children were born. Later, he gladly welcomed a son-in-law and three grandchildren. His principle hobbies were collecting barbed wire samples and fishing. He loved taking his children fishing and later his nephews, Jeremy Boucher. Not only did he teach several young people to fish, but it often gave him quality time with his own children and Jeremy. He was a self-starter when it came to farming. He really appreciated the farm life, the outdoors and the responsibilities that went with the job. Melvin and Irvin were never hesitant to try a new method of product. They were the first ones to make silage out of high moister corn and had one of the first four-wheel drive pickups in the county. Irvin finally retired from farming at the age of 80 as his health declined. After retirement, his job then was watching his grandchildren grow and watching baseball games on television. He especially enjoyed the occasional trip to Branson and the music shows. Irvin very gladly served his country in World War II. He was a staff sergeant with an antitank company. His 90th Division was called the Tough Ombres. He earned several campaign ribbons, a Purple Heart, and a Bronze Star for single-handedly knocking an enemy tank out of commission. He also received the Sharp Shooters Medal. His service years were in the European Theater. He was in several countries and in several battles. Among them was the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He belonged to several groups, mostly farm-related; The Missouri Trappers, soil and water programs, the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association to name a few. He was a lifetime alumni member of the Lakeland FFA. He also served a term as a school board director on the Lowry City School Board. He was chosen with Barbara and his family as Farm Family in 1966 for St. Clair County. He and Melvin were both stewards of the soil they used. Irvin was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Raymond. He leaves his wife Barbara, of the home; his son Alan; daughter Julie; daughter Laurie Stinnett; son-in-law Dick Stinnett, and his grandchildren, Amber, Jordan and Lauren Stinnett, all of rural Deepwater. He also leaves his sister, Irene Haverland; his brother Melvin Haverland and his wife Maxine, and sister-in-law, Olga Haverland, plus several nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, his church family and friends. He was tired of the trials of this earth and only his Lord could give him rest. His departure from this earth is definitely a release of constant pain for Irvin. He will be missed by family and friends and be welcomed by Jesus, his lifelong companion. Services were held Friday, July 30, at Valley Center United Church of Christ. Interment was in the Valley Center Cemetery.