Thomas and Connie Havens

Thomas E. Havens, age 79, and his wife Connie L. Havens, age 77 both of Elkhart passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 24.  Tom and Connie were married on November 9, 1962. He was born on June 17, 1941 in Rushville, IN to Charles and Mildred Havens. She was born on July 22, 1943 in Indianapolis, IN to Buford Asher and LaVern Weddel.

Tom and Connie spent their lives together “doing family” and serving others. Both Tom and Connie asked Jesus Christ into their lives and sought to live a life that would be pleasing to their Savior.  They both served actively as members of Osceola Grace Church for over 43 years: Tom was an Elder, teacher, counselor, and a master of encouragement to others.  Connie volunteered her decorator touch, planned large women’s events, and exercised her gift of administration- aka “telling people what to do.”  She loved studying God’s Word at Bible Study Fellowship. Tom was a pastor in his younger years, worked in sales for many years and retired from Waste Away Group of Elkhart. He was also the owner of TNC Logistics. Connie enjoyed her job of many years as the school secretary at Brethren Christian School, and was the owner of A Silke Haven Floral Design.  Although Tom and Connie loved airplanes, gardening,  baking, travel, and serving their neighbors, their greatest joy was found in being with family over anything else.

Tom and Connie are survived by son Chris (Juli) Havens and grandchildren Jaymes (Abby), Joel (Andrea), Joshua (Jasmin), Ashlyn (Vincent) and Taylor;  daughter Cari (Greg) Serafino and grandchildren Clint (Tara), Timothy (Hannah), and Jenna (Alex); and son Ricc (Vallie) Havens and granddog, Izzy.  They are also survived by 9 great-grandchildren. Their surviving siblings are Judy Perry, Ty Weddel, Jan Stanage, Cindy (Jerry) Dobbs, Lori (Pete) Gyke, and Toni Weddel.  They were preceded in death by their parents, grandson Ryan Serafino , two great-grandsons Matthew and Keegan, and siblings Dan Havens, Mike Perry, Chip Weddel, Rocky Weddel, and KJ Stanage.

The family will greet guests on Friday, October 2, 2020 from 5-8 PM at Osceola Grace Church, 58343 Apple Road, Osceola, IN 46561. Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, at 10:00 AM at the church. The family would strongly recommend the wearing of masks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Tom and Connie Havens at Sonset Solutions of Elkhart: sonsetsolutions.org, or Foundation Fighting Blindness: donate.fightingblindness.org

Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home in Elkhart is assisting the Havens family. Online condolences may be made to the Havens’ family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com