Gene Mahan

John Eugene (Gene) Mahan, age 90, of rural Altamont, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 69 1/2 years, Laveta, their children: Kaylene (Richard) Hinthorn of Independence, KS, Dwight (Pam) Mahan of Bald Knob, AR, (Cheryl) Mahan of Coffeyville, KS, Dean (Denise) Mahan of Altamont, KS, and Doyle (Stacy) Mahan of Noblesville, IN, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.

Gene was preceded in death by his son, Dale Mahan (1954-1988) and his sister, Dorothy Singleton (1931-2015).

Gene was born December 31, 1927 to Earl Hite Mahan (1904-1991) and Zeta Hanna (Peterson) Mahan (1905-1994). Born and raised in Labette County, Kansas, Gene was a life-long member of the Altamont community.

On Valentine's Day, 1948, Gene met his sweetheart, Laveta Mae Knight, and they were married in a double wedding ceremony along with their life-long best friends, Raymond and Lela Mae Ware, on July 18, 1948.

Gene and Laveta raised five children in their Christ-centered Altamont home and he ensured they all received an education with Christian Biblical values. He was a man who exemplified a life of faithfulness and he strove to serve God in all he did. Gene was a life-long farmer, a charter member of the Altamont Holiness Church, a board member of the Farmer's Co-op for 35 years, and a 39-year board member of the Foreign Missions and Publications Department of the Bible Holiness Church.

Gene cherished his family and time spent with them. His children fondly remember growing up with Sunday afternoon games of croquet, and the farming traditions and Bible teachings he passed along. Gene loved his church family and special occasion gatherings. He taught his family the importance of quality time and often treated his grandchildren to "coffee breaks" at the local convenience store, and he appreciated the small joys in life, like his favorite dessert (after any meal), vanilla ice cream.

His devotion to family always showed, for example, someone once made a remark to Gene about his boys driving 4-wheelers through the grass in his yard and Gene softly responded, "I'm not raising grass, I'm raising children." Gene was a prayer warrior and loved singing hymns, including his favorite, Amazing Grace.

The visitation will be Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, at 510 South Wabash St., Altamont, Kansas.

The funeral will be Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 10:30am, at the Altamont Holiness Church, 708 East 7th Street, Altamont, Kansas, 67330, with the burial to follow at the Mound Valley Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Independence Bible School, 2246 S. 10th St., Independence, KS 67301.