Sterling Loven

Sterling Loven, 84, of Morganton, NC passed away Sunday, August 24, 2014. Born in Burke County, NC on February 9, 1930, he was the son of the late Robert Vance Loven and Ellie Dula Loven. A man of many talents, Sterling helped build Steele Creek Park, quarried rock on the family land, helped build the bridges on Hwy 181, worked in military aircraft production in 1951 during the Korean Conflict, and for many years in water and sewer line construction on projects throughout the Southeast. During the last 28 years, he built and operated Horse Shoe Bend Family Campground on Hwy 181. He enjoyed spending time there with his family and the campers, whom he considered his extended family.
Sterling is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nina Faye King Loven of the home; sons, John J. Loven and Vance Loven, both of Morganton; daughters, Doris McMahon and her husband, Larry, and Renee Faircloth, both of Morganton; grandchildren, Crystal, Jonathan, Amanda, Betty and Brooke Loven, Tana Thielen, Shelley Hobbs and husband Roger; great-grandchildren, Caleb Thielen, Tristin Loven, Jaden and Kadence Loven, and Kara Hobbs; a brother, Dick Loven; and a sister, Huldah Story.
In addition to his parents, Sterling was preceded in death by a son, Michael Scott Loven; a grandson, Jason Loven; and two sisters, Cornelia Key and Leah Baker.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2014, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with the Rev. Ed Stephenson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery. At other times the family will be at the residence of the daughter, Doris.
Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.