John Henry Iven

John Henry Iven, age 86, of Freeburg, departed this life on Monday, July 1, 2013, in the Westphalia Hills Care Center, Westphalia. He was born on January 9, 1927, at Poplar Bluff, a son of Peter James and Agnes Mary (Wegman) Iven. Mr. Iven was united in marriage on September 12, 1989, at Jefferson City, to the former Dorothy Gertrude Nilges. On May 4, 1945, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, Mr. Iven entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until October 31, 1946, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Lawton, Washington. He was awarded and entitled to wear the World War II Victory Medal. Prior to his discharge, Mr. Iven had served as a Medical Aid Man and had attained the rank of Private First Class. A man of excellent character, his "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country. Mr. Iven was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, and the Paul A Hasenbeck Memorial American Legion Post No. 317, both in Freeburg. During his working life, he had been employed as a heavy equipment operator since 1954 specializing in the excavation of farm ponds and lakes, and was later employed by Twehous Excavating, Taos, in mostly highway construction. Mr. Iven retired in 2006 at the age of 79. Activities he especially enjoyed were gardening, cooking, canning, wood working, reading, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Iven include: Four sons, Steve Iven, Linn, George Iven (Linda), and Andy Iven (Michelle), all of Freeburg, and Randy Iven (Donetta), Vienna; four daughters, Sheila Kliethermes (Bill), Westphalia, Wanda Reinkemeyer (Roger), Freeburg, Becky Libbert (Craig), Jefferson City, and Victoria Evans (Richard), Hope Mills, North Carolina; one brother, Leo Iven (Jay), Stanton; one sister, Theresa Huether (Jack), Morrison; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife on June 17, 2013; his father on December 11, 1988; his mother on July 16, 1970; and four brothers, Charles, James, Edward and Jerome Iven. Visitation for Mr. Iven will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 4, 2013, with an American Legion Memorial Service followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Nicholas Reid leading, and from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., on Friday, July 5, 2013, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Iven will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, July 5, 2013, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg, with the Rev. Nicholas Reid as the celebrant. Interment with full military honors will be in the Holy Family Cemetery, Freeburg, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Memorial contributions are suggested by the family of Mr. Iven to Masses, to the Holy Family Catholic Church, or to the Holy Family School with envelopes available at the church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be left for the family of Mr. Iven at birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com