Richard Andrew Haviland Sr., age 71, of Adams, WI fell asleep in death on Saturday April 26, 2014 at his home, embracing his beloved wife, after a short but courageous fight with cancer.
Memorial services will be at 2:30pm on Saturday May 17, 2014 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Friendship, WI. Dennis Kitowski will officiate. Visitation will be from 1:30p.m. until the time of service.
Richard was born April 8, 1943 in Fort Dodge, IA to Daniel and Ellen Haviland. He attended school in Humboldt, IA, and after a move with his parents he graduated from Tri-County High School, Plainfield, WI in 1961.
On December 29, 1962 he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Avis J. Nelson. Shortly after marriage they purchased a little hobby farm outside of Bancroft, WI as he started his career with Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Their marriage was blessed with three children. After subsequent moves to Plover, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids then in 2003 Richard and his wife of 51 years came to reside in Adams, WI.
Richard will always be lovingly remembered for his warm smile and gracious hospitality. He was an active member of the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 43 years and served both as an Elder and Ministerial servant within the congregation. Richard had many interests throughout life, woodworking, construction, photography, and tinkering with anything mechanical. After his retirement in 2000, from the storeroom at Consolidated Papers, Richard chose to increase his time in helping to teach others Bible truths.
He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Haviland; sister, Judy Johnson; father-in-law, Reuben Nelson; brother-in-laws Dennis Nelson and Kenneth Beggs, and son-in-law, Dayle Zant.
Survivors include his wife, Avis Haviland of Adams, WI; son, Richard (Cindy) Haviland Jr. of Bancroft, WI; daughter, Jennifer (Vian) Coddington of Wisconsin Dells, WI; daughter, Christina (Keith) Zant-Luke of Appleton, WI; mother, Ellen Haviland of Plainfied, WI; one brother, Gary (Judy) Haviland of St. Claire, MI and three sisters, Betty Beggs of Plainfield, WI, Margaret Nelson of Loves Park, IL and Linda (Darrell) Hoffman of Plainfield, WI; brother-in-law, Charles Johnson of Palmer, IA; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchilren, and mother-in-law, Dorothy Nelson, he is also survived by many relatives and friends.
We send our love and condolences to you, Avis and your whole family. We loved Richard and will miss his smile and sense of humor. We look forward to a life where death will be brought to nothing as well as all other horrible things. We are so Blessed to have a beautiful future to look forward to. See you this week-end.
Avis, Our Condolences to you and the family in this time of your loss of Richard. We will miss seeing his smiling face at the Assemblies. He was always a very supportive and loving brother. Never had an unkind word to say. We look forward to seeing him again here on earth in perfect health!
Prayers to Avis and the family. We are very saddened to hear about dick. We feel blessed to have known him, He was a great man. we will miss him deeply.
Miss our kind hearted, generous friend already. Love and prayers to Avis, the children and entire family.
Sorry to hear of our beloved friend passing, he will be surely missed for his wonderful smile and great personality.
May you all be surrounded by Love and Healing at this time.
Blessings and prayers to all that were touched by knowing this great Man!
Dawn & Charlie Page
(Please let us know if we can be of any help to the family)