John Havel

John E Havel, beloved husband, brother, friend, father, and grandfather died peacefully on June 25, 2025. He was in his Wichita home and surrounded by family during his last days.

John was born on June 5th, 1940, in Mt. Clements, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan in 1962 and began a series of career promotions that would take him from Michigan to Ohio, Kentucky, and eventually, Wichita, KS.

He met Janice Schreifer at Western Michigan University and she became the love of his life. They were married in 1964 and happily celebrated their 60th anniversary last year. One his last statements was telling his wife “Thank you for going on this journey with me”.

During his “journey”, John worked for General Motors, Owens Corning Fiberglass, Enmar, Ameron, and eventually with Pratt and Lambert as the Vice President of Sales. While he greatly valued his career experiences, his life passions included WMU Bronco sports, The Detroit Tigers, fishing trips to Canada with his family, the world of wine, comparing betting results on thoroughbred horse racing with son John, and watching son Steve play West Point baseball. He recently began “Keeping the Faith” with Billy Joel as he was a late convert.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jan Havel, sons John (Carol) and Steve (Stacey) as well as grandchildren Siofra Lynch, John and Louis Havel, Luke, Emma and Ben O’Keefe; sister, Kathrine Muckenhirn, brother-in-law Stephen (Karen) Schreifer and nieces Jill and Sarah Schreifer and Lisa Muckenhirn. Services will be held privately by the family.