Haven, Granville James “Jim”, 98, passed away, Tuesday, January 13, 2026 peacefully at home with family.
Beloved husband of the late Joyce (nee Alsmeyer) Haven. Loving father of Joy (Harry) Haury and Grant (John Stanley) Haven. Loving grandfather of Lane (Stacey Smith) Haury, Elise (nee Haury) (Kyle) Penniston and Grace Haven. Dearest great-grandfather of Ethan and Isaac Penniston. Dear uncle, friend and neighbor to many.
Preceded in death by his mother Matilda Oberfeld Schmitt Haven, father David F. Haven, grandson Evan Haury, five half brothers and sisters and spouses, William (Juanita) Schmitt, Harold (Robbie) Schmitt, Anita (Glennon Thomure), Harral (Alta) Haven and Ira Haven and several nieces and nephews.
Jim’s greatest love in life was absolutely his family for whom he worked tirelessly and provided abundantly. He celebrated 70 years of marriage with Joyce whom he met at college on a Halloween blind date. Together they celebrated the anniversary of their first date every year until Joyce’s death in 2022. His senior prophecy in high school suggested his “Favorite Subject” was “beautiful intelligent and smiling girls” which he found in Joyce. Together they traveled to most countries in Europe, Mexico multiple times and Australia and New Zealand. Beautiful photos of these trips have inspired his children to see many of the same places. There was no event abroad or home that was not photographed.
He was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and rarely missed their games, performances, contests, graduations, concerts, or events. He encouraged them to be good students and get a good education. He attended a monthly birthday party for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their first year of life and always wanted to postpone family dinner plans to times when all could be present!
Jim also cherished his friendships from the Kappa Alpha Fraternity while at college and maintained connections even up to this past year when a fraternity brother came to visit him at his home. He also greatly enjoyed his long tenure with the Veiled Prophet organization from 1975 to the present and the dear friends he made while serving on many committees including the Krewe where he eventually served as Chairman leading the VP Parade, Vice President of the VP Fair and Chairman of Electric for the fair for 9 years.
Raised as a Lutheran, after marrying Jim was a faithful member of Normandy Presbyterian Church for 28 years serving in lay leadership, Bonhomme Presbyterian Church for 39 years and Manchester United Methodist Church for 11 years. He was a man of very strong faith and knew it would and did sustain him in times of life’s challenges and sorrows.
While hard to imagine he found time for it he also was an avid golfer (weekly and more often when retired) at his club, Bellerive, where he was the member with the longest affiliation - 59 years - at his death. A great fisherman, he pursued this at his lake home and on trips with dear fishing buddies. He played bridge in a club with his wife for decades and enjoyed a group of friends who formed a dinner and wine club. Both Joyce and Jim loved to dance and relished their nights of ballroom dancing. Raised on a hardscrabble farm in Barnhart MO (still shown as Haven Hill on maps), he never lost his love of growing things and worked diligently in his yard growing roses edging his circle driveway, beautiful orchids in the greenhouse at his home and water lilies in the goldfish pond with fountain he created in his yard. His early life also instilled a love of nature and he loved walking in the woods and taught his children how to identify trees and wildflowers in the region as well as birds around both his homes.
Jim was a graduate of Windsor Elementary in Kimmswick, Crystal City High School in Missouri and had degrees from Washington University in St. Louis in Industrial Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi business honorary. Union Electric Company was his employer for his entire post college career of forty plus years. He held executive positions including Manager of Industrial Development, Secretary and Treasurer, Vice President of Regional Operations, Vice President of Transmission and Distribution, Vice President of Engineering and Construction and Vice President of Research and Development.
Serving in the US Army in Japan, China and the US, he was acknowledged as a WW2 veteran. He was in the Infantry, Artillery and a qualified parachutist and gliderman who made 99 jumps during his tenure. Although already having received the highest official recognition of Master Parachutist Badge there is an informal milestone to have achieved 100 jumps…When offered the opportunity to complete his 100th Jim declined saying “that was tempting fate”. He continued in the U.S. Army Reserves serving another 15 years with honorable discharge as a Major, Artillery.
Memberships and leadership in many organizations related to his profession and industry was characteristic of Jim who was a Registered Professional Engineer, Member of the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis, Chairman of the Electrical Power Research Institute Electrical Systems Division and long time member of the Research Advisory Committee, committee member within the Edison Electric Institute, Chairman of the Utility Coal Gasification Association.
Leadership in non-profit and other organizations that benefited St. Louis and the Missouri region included President and Director of the St. Louis County Industrial Development Authority for four years, President of the Missouri Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, member of the St. Louis County Economic Council, member of the metropolitan St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and the Highway and Traffic Committee, Board of Directors Convention and Tourist Board of Greater St. Louis, Chairman Northwest District St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Board of Trustees Bellerive Acres Village, Board member Normandy Bank and a Director of the St. Louis Hearing and Speech Center. Jim was also a Town and Country alderman for many years having lived in the same house there for 59 years until his death in January. His goal was to make the city more beautiful and maintain its ‘country’ atmosphere for the residents. He was well known in Ward 3 as he walked the streets from house to house to meet and greet people in his trademark fedora which never went out of style in his opinion.
The family appreciates the loving care of Carlene, Melinda, Clementine, Charline and Randi for many years which enabled Joyce and Jim to remain in the home they loved up to the end.
Services: Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, Friday, January 23, 2026, from 4-8 pm. Funeral at the Schrader Chapel on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. If desired, floral arrangements to SCHRADER or contributions may be made to Washington University School of Engineering.
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