Lester Linwood DeHaven, 85, of Winchester, VA passed away on December 9, 2015 in the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center. He was born February 7, 1930, in Hampshire County, WV. He was the son of the late Lester Lee and Irma Leith DeHaven.

He graduated from Gainesboro High School in 1947, and Winchester Business College in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was discharged as Staff Sargent. While in the Army, he married Pauline (Polly) Smith Shiley in August 1951.

Linwood was employed for 43 years by the Caldwell-Sites Company (later Unijax and Unisource) in Winchester. He was recognized by the National Paper Trade Association with the Golden Eagle Award in 1990.

Linwood was a member of the Winchester-Frederick County Jaycees from 1954 – 1966, serving on the Board of Directors and as Secretary, Vice-President, State Director, and local President. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award as Young Man of the Year in l963, and was recognized in the l965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America. Linwood served on the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1962-1966, as First Vice-President in 1964 and as President in l965. He served on the American Red Cross local Board, and was a regular blood donor.

After retirement, Linwood was a member of the local Izaak Walton League, serving as Treasurer from l995-l999 and receiving the “Ike of Year” award in l998. He served for 10 years on the Board of the Adult Care Center of Northern Shenandoah Valley, as Vice-President in 1995-96 and as President from 1997-1999; in 2010, he became the first recipient of their Sonny Shiley Volunteer of the Year Award. He also volunteered at local food banks.

Linwood was a long time active member of Montague Avenue United Methodist Church and Welltown United Methodist Church congregations, where he was known affectionately as “Poppa Linny”. He enjoyed hunting with his son and brother-in-law, playing cards, and watching baseball.

Linwood is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pauline “Polly” Shiley DeHaven; son, Kenneth L. DeHaven and wife, Mindy, of Raleigh, NC; daughters, Karen DeHaven Estridge and husband, Doug, of Rockwall, TX and Kaye DeHaven Smith and husband, Gerald (J.J.), of Winchester. He is also survived by his sisters, Eunice Bucher of Winchester, Fay Householder of Hedgesville, WV, and Shelby Yeakley of Springfield, VA; grandchildren, Dabney Robinson, Caroline Stalder, Christopher and Michael Estridge, Evan, Emily and Elise Smith; great grandchildren, Hudson, Paisley, Veda, and Oakley Stalder, Shiley and Coleman Robinson; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 6 to 8 pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Reverend Carl Chapman and Reverend Marc Roberson officiating. Entombment will follow at Shenandoah Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Householder, Rodney Sherman, Timothy Bucher, Donald Nichols, John Simpson, Edwin Simpson and Jerry Sirk. Honorary Pallbearers are the Men of the Welltown UMC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601; Adult Care Center, 411 North Cameron Street, Suite 100, Winchester, VA 22601 or Welltown United Methodist Church, 1444 Welltown Road, Clear Brook, VA 22624.