John Ivan Taverner

John Ivan Taverner passed away on August 22, 2017, after an earthly life which was richly blessed by God above. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM, Monday, August 28, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be at 10 AM, Tuesday, August 29, at the Lorena Cemetery in Lorena, TX John was born July 6, 1943, to Ivy George and Ina May Taverner in Long Beach, CA. He grew up in Blythe, CA, where he loved running track and field at Palo Verde High School. Being the oldest of 11 children, he learned early in life that life is best lived with nothing more than the love of the family and friends that surround you. In 1966, he graduated from Kearney State College in Nebraska. While there, he met the love of his life, Karen Lu Cherry. On October 8, 1965, they were united in marriage and were blessed with three children – Brenda, Bill and Betty. In 2002, after many years working in the retail industry, raising a family together and putting three kids through college, John and Karen achieved their lifelong dream and opened the Center Street Antique Mall in Lorena, TX. John and Karen loved the community of Lorena. Their time in Lorena has blessed them both with many local neighbors as well as long distance “antiquers” that over the years have become lifelong friends. Customers and friends alike were always blessed with a friendly chat and one of his great stories that were guaranteed to put a smile on their face. In addition, John was also a member of the Journey Lorena Church, where he served as a board member. He also served on the Economic Development Committee for the City of Lorena, and for almost a decade he served as a board member of the Lorena Cemetery Association. Those who knew John, remember him as a quiet man with a huge servant’s heart. He was an amazing husband, an incredible father, an awesome grandfather, a caring uncle and a great friend. He made everyone feel like they were loved, because they were loved. He was a gracious man not just because of his faith in Jesus Christ as his savior, but because he also lived out this same faith every day in community with those God had entrusted to his care. He will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivy and Ina Taverner. Survivors include his wife, Karen; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Mike Smith; son and daughter-in-law and 4 grandchildren, Bill and Donielle Taverner and Ryan, Blake, Seth and Sofia; daughter and son-in-law and 3 grandchildren, Betty and Pat Hart and Alison, Leah and Daniel. His siblings and spouses include Margaret Owens, Dorothy Roybal and Keith, Bruce Taverner and Linda, Jim Taverner and Melinda, Joe Taverner and Kathy, Susan Unverzagt and Tom, Tom Taverner and Diane, Sara Taverner, Kathy Taverner, Jenny Michaels and Don. He was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank everyone that prayed for healing and strength, offered hugs, brought food, helped with the store, and visited us at the hospital. We are forever grateful for your love and friendship. We would also like to express are deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Providence Hospital, Waco Surgical Center and Texas Oncology for the wonderful care that John received in their care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Lorena Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 51, Lorena, TX 76655 and designated for grounds improvement. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.