Haven O. Sions, 91, formerly of Keyser and Antioch, WV, died Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Grant County Nursing Home, Petersburg, WV.
Born on May 31, 1917 at Old Fields, WV, he was a son of the late Elijah and Minnie (Lyons) Sions. He also was preceded in death by a grandson, Gregory Umstot; six brothers, Creed, Sidney, Gilbert, Floyd, Calvin and Sampson and four sisters, Lottie, Stella, Fausta and Burrell.
Mr. Sions began his employment in the life insurance industry with Shenandoah Life where he served as an agent for 5 years. He then went to work for Reserve Life Insurance Company where he was employed as agent and state manager for 30 years. He was a member of the Antioch United Methodist Church, Davis Lodge # 51, A.F. & A.M., Keyser, Damascus Commandery 23, Knights Templar, Keyser, Keyser Chapter 19 Royal Arch Masons, Scottish Rite Bodies, Wheeling, WV, and was a 50 year member of the Shrine, being a member of Ali Ghan Shrine Temple in Cumberland, MD and the Upper Potomac Shrine Club, Keyser. He was also a former member of Olive Branch Lodge # 25, Knights of Pythias, Keyser.
Mr. Sions was also an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, and for 20 years, was an outfitter and big game hunting guide in Wyoming.
Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Twila E. (Agnew) Sions; one son, Haven O. Sions, II and wife Jackie of Morgantown, WV; two daughters, Shelby Raines and husband Dewayne of Cross Junction, VA and Joyce Ann Holroyd and husband Tom of New Creek, WV; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, on Wednesday, August 27 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel on Thursday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gwen Wolford officiating.
Interment will be in the Thrush Cemetery, Antioch, WV.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to either the Antioch United Methodist Church, HC 75, Box 177, New Creek, WV  26743 or to the Shriners Children Hospitals, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida  33607-1460.
Condolences and personal reflections to the family may be left after Mr. Sions' obituary at www.smithfuneralhomes.net.