Claude Havens

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, Oklahoma - 918-273-2700............................................................. Funeral services for Claude Lea Havens are 2:00 P.M., Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel with Chaplain Jsue Wagner officiating. Interment will follow at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Claude Lea Havens, 82, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Journey Home in Bartlesville. He was born June 30, 1934 in Newton County, Missouri to Fred and Zona Ruhamah (Alleger) Havens. Claude was a class of 1953 graduate of Childers School and also received his Associates Degree from Tulsa, Oklahoma Technical College. He married his high school sweetheart, Edna Louise McWilliams in Dewey, Oklahoma on September 19, 1953. Claude was drafted into the U.S. Army in February of 1957 for two years. In 1961 he was recalled to active duty during the Berlin Wall Crisis. Claude and his wife Edna put their life on hold for six years while he was in the military. Claude was proud of his six-year obligation in the military because he did his part in helping preserve our freedom. Claude played baseball and was on the FT. Chaffee Company Baseball Team and then on the post all-star team. When he got out of the Army he could have signed to play pro baseball. He thought they didn't want to pay him enough so he didn't sign. He would also have to be away from Edna too much. Claude and Edna were successful in having Cemetery Patent 110 also known as Bezion Cemetery in Nowata County, Oklahoma on the National Register of Historic Places. Claude retired as a Construction Representative for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on January 3, 1986 with over 26 years of service. During his working years Claude and Edna lived in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri. After retirement, they returned to Oklahoma. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, tennis, and traveling. Claude is survived by his wife, Edna Louise of the home; a son, Chris Lea Havens and his wife Susan of Inola, Oklahoma; a sister, Joyce Evelyn Bright of Locust Grove; four grandchildren, Christopher Lea Havens, Sharon Sue Washburn, Catherine Ann Rathbun, Stefen Charles Havens; a great granddaughter, Samantha Grace Washburn. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ruhamah Havens; a brother, Nolan Jackson Havens. Memorials in Claude's name may be made to the Journey Home at 3406 SE Kentucky St. Bartlesville, OK 74006. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Thursday, May 18th, 2017 12:00pm - 7:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Friday, May 19th, 2017 9:00am - 12:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Friday, May 19th, 2017 2:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery