Sylva Havens, Jr., age 92, passed on August 1st, 2025, at Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville, Indiana, surrounded by his loved ones. Born to Sylva and Ethelberta (nee: Fite) Havens, Sr., on November 24th, 1932, in Ribolt, Kentucky. Sylva Jr., married Wendy (nee Kaercher) on January 7th, 1989, in Detroit, Michigan. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Sylva vividly recalled landing in Korea on his 18th birthday in 1950. He retired after many years with Ford Motor Company in 1998.
Sylva treasured socializing with friends over good company, food, and drinks. He was a known storyteller and avid reader. He was a member of the Batesville American Legion Post and the Knights of St John. Sylva was an advocate for animals and loved his family pets, especially his beloved Sophie and in later years, his cats. He and Wendy spent memorable time watching every season of the Big Bang Theory when it aired and in reruns.
Sylva is survived by his wife Wendy Havens of Batesville, IN; sons Dennis Havens of Batavia, OH, and Michael Havens of Cincinnati, OH; sisters Janet Reames of Blue Ash, OH, Karen (Dan) Freeman of Georgetown, OH, and Peggy Landers of Tampa, FL; brothers William Havens of Cincinnati, OH, and Phillip (Jenny) Beard in Dayton, OH, sister-in-law Barb Havens in Cincinnati, OH; four grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and best friend Paul Brockman. In addition to her parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Millard Havens, and sister-in-law Patti Havens.
Visitation is Friday, August 8th, from 4 – 7 p.m., at Weigel Funeral Home in Batesville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church, with Fr. EJ Stein, OFM officiating. The burial will be at Holy Family Cemetery in Oldenburg, Indiana, with military graveside rites being conducted by the Ripley County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3183 and by the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271 of Batesville. Memorial contributions may be made to the People Assisting Animals In Need (PAAIN) and Holy Family Cemetery Fund. For online condolences please visit www.weigelfh.com.