George Gerald Levans

George G. Levans, 87, of LaHarpe, KS, passed away at his home on July 5th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on September 27th, 1938, to George and Helen Hahn (Cleghorne) Levans in Philadelphia, PA, and was raised in the Philadelphia area. He attended and graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1958, where he excelled on the football team as well as on the baseball team as a left-handed hitter. While in high school, George enlisted with the United States Marine Corps, completing bootcamp during the summer of his junior year of high school.

After graduation, he continued to proudly serve in the Marine Corps for four years. Following his service, he followed friends to Dodge City, KS, before moving to Pittsburg, KS, to attend Pittsburg State University. He studied education, graduating with his Bachelor's degree in 1964 before returning to school and completing his Master's degree with a focus in physical education.

While studying at Pittsburg State, he met Charlene (Sutherland) Strack, and the two quickly fell in love. They were married August 15,1964, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Iola. The couple moved to Langhorne, PA, where George taught and coached at Neshaminy High School, before returning to Iola, KS, to teach and coach at the Iola High School. George was the first women's basketball coach at Allen County Community College.

It was in Iola that they raised their three daughters, Anne, Allison, and Adrienne.

George worked diligently and tirelessly in all his vocations. He loved to teach and coached both football and baseball, he served the 31st district court as a magistrate judge for 12 years, while also working as a farmhand on the Sutherland Family Farm. He once agreed to help with maintenance for a couple of weeks at the Allen County Golf Course and then kept going back every day for 26 years. George never truly retired, as he always found ways to keep busy.

Despite his passion for work, George made time for his family and was endlessly supportive of them. He was incredibly proud of his daughters and grandchildren; he was always happy to hear about their accomplishments and never judged them for their stumbles. Family was often encouraged to move to Iola because he could "find a job for them anywhere".

George was an avid golfer. He also enjoyed mowing grass, a good book, terrifying his grandchildren with a gorilla mask, battling the armadillos digging up the foundation of his house and barn, and encouraging the county works department to improve the county roads.

George is survived by his devoted wife of almost 62 years, Charlene, his three daughters, Anne (John) Howington, of Bremerton, WA, Allison Levans of Oakwood, OK, and Adrienne (Krishnan) Paranjothi, of Lawrence, KS; his six grandchildren, George Howington and Grace (Joseph) Malafronte, Wilder and Mackenzie Parks, and Oliver and Cecilia Paranjothi; brother-in-law Richard (Paula) Sutherland of Iola, KS, sisters-in-law, Anne Divine of Monte Vista, CO, and Lynne Sutherland, of Iola, KS, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his older sister, Helen Reese; brothers-in-law, Joe Sutherland, John Divine, and Mackie Reese; sister-in-law Eva Jean Sutherland, and a niece and nephew.

George will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.

A visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, July 17, 2026, at The Venue, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola. Following the Mass, inurnment will take place at Highland Cemetery in Iola.

Memorials are suggested to Toys for Tots, Humanity House Food Pantry, or Southern Coffey County Honor Flight, and may be left in the care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.