Originally from Liberty, Ohio, he retired from the United States Navy after a 20 year career as a hospital corpsman. After traveling with the military for many years, he settled his family in Millington, Tennessee, living there for almost 40 years. His involvement in the Catholic Church led him to pastoral ministry, and he was ordained a permanent deacon on Aug. 29, 1981, in the Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee.

Deacon Hivner was assigned to and assisted the pastors at several parishes in the Diocese of Memphis until his retirement from active ministry in 2010. He and his wife, Eileen, then moved to St. Louis, and he was granted permission to serve as a deacon at St. Dominic Savio Parish in Affton, where he remained active until 2018. He served his parishes by presiding at baptisms, funeral and Communion services and weddings. Deacon Hivner also ministered to the homebound and to patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

Deacon Hivner is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, John Hivner Jr. (Francesca), Richard Hivner (Melissa), James Hivner (Brenda), Patricia Zahn (Martin), and Clare Iffland (John); grandchildren, Adam (Caitlin), Kyle, Marisa (Jay), Hadley, Lexi, John Henry, Hunter, Richard Joseph, and Victoria; and great granddaughter, Jacqueline. The eldest of 12 siblings, he also is survived by sisters Nancy and Peggy and brothers Larry, Carl and Chris.

Burial was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.