John K. Bevan

John K. Bevan passed away on October 11, 2023, at the age of 89 in Lenexa, KS  surrounded by his children.  He was born on August 25, 1934, in Lost Springs, KS to Lamoine and Bernice Bevan. 

His family moved to Newton, KS in 1942 where the family operated a dairy.  He graduated from Newton High School.  After high school, he joined the Navy and spent 4 years aboard the aircraft carrier Philippine Sea during the Korean war.  After being discharged, he attended Bethel College and received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  During his junior year at Bethel, he married Sharon Grey. 

After graduating from Bethel, he took the assignment to teach in El Dorado, KS.  He and Sharon were blessed with 3 children, Diane, Debra, and Richard.  While teaching in El Dorado he earned his master’s degree in School Administration.  He was quite the busy man raising a family and pursuing his higher education.  The family returned to Newton where he was an elementary school principal for 26 years. 

His passion was working with youth through teaching, coaching, scouting and church.  John was actively involved in the community.  He was president of the El Dorado Kiwanis club and president of the Newton Lions club.  He also served on several boards in Newton and El Dorado including trustee at Salem United Methodist Church, Harvey County CASA and Housing.  John was an active member of Salem United Methodist Church and could be found there daily having coffee with Tony, assisting with various events, and helping anyone in a time of need.  He loved to keep busy and was a man on the go!  His social life was very active and included bowling, garage and estate sales with Jean, social time with Lawrence and Robert, golf with his brother Billy, watching KU basketball games and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs to name a few.

Family was very important to John.  He was an unspoken hero in the compassion and care of his wife after she had her stroke until the day she passed away.  John loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, sister June, brothers Bill and Rowlan plus all of his nieces and nephews.  His house was the bed-and-breakfast for family, and everyone was always welcome.

John is survived by his daughter Diane Foreman and her husband Kevin and their son Peter John of Shawnee, KS.  His son Richard and his wife Christina and their children John Alan and Kaitlyn of Aliso Viejo, CA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, aunt Iva June, wife Sharon and daughter Debra Mellentine.  Also, by his sister June (Frank) Little, brother Bill (Karen) Bevan and brother Rowlan.

His service will by at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton on Thursday, October 19th at 10:00 AM.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton following the service.  The viewing will be from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Peterson Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 18th.  The family will be present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, a memorial fund donation be made to the Salem United Methodist Church in his name at 115 Old Main, Newton, KS.