Michael Bevins

MICHAEL C. BEVINS

Belle Plaine

Michael C. Bevins, 89, of Belle Plaine, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at Mercy ICU from pneumonia.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, at St. Michael's Church, Belle Plaine. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery with military honors. There will be a luncheon following the committal at the church.

Visitation is 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com.

Mike (M.C.) was born April 30, 1927, in Keystone, to Leo and Loretta Bevins. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1944, was in the Navy from 1945 to 1946, then attended and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1949. He was a proud and dedicated Hawkeye fan! While in college, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. After graduation, he was employed at the Ford dealership in Belle Plaine. He was married to Bette Kleiman, daughter of Roy and Georgia Kleiman, in 1950. They lived in Belle Plaine till 1961 when they moved to Lincoln, Neb., and Mike was employed by the BF Goodrich Tire Co. as a territory manager. They then moved back to Belle Plaine in 1966 and purchased the Ford dealership from Chal Winders. In 1990, he purchased the GM dealership in Belle Plaine and later sold the dealership to John Grieder. Bette and Mike wintered in Green Valley, Ariz., for many years after his retirement in 1991, but always returned to their home in Belle Plaine that they dearly loved.

He was a member of the Rotary Club, past president of the Country Club and Lions Club, served on the board of directors of the Chelsea Savings Bank, St. Michael's parish council, Belle Plaine Athletic Booster Club and Chamber of Commerce. Mike also was a 60-year member of the Belle Plaine Legion. He was an avid supporter of the Hawkeyes and donated a new car to the football program for many years. He loved the Hawkeyes and golf, but most of all Mike loved his family.

Mike is survived by his sons, Daniel (Susan) and Scott (Kelly) of Belle Plaine; daughters, Victoria Pavisha of Denver, Colo., and Tracy (Ted) Novak of Elberon; grandchildren, Ryan Bevins, Rachel (Bevins) Bjork, Rob Bevins, Elizabeth Pavisha, Anna Marie Pavisha, Caitlin Pavisha, Ben Novak and Kristen Bevins; stepgrandchildren, Jason, Shawn and Corey; six great- grandchildren; and brother, Kenny Bevins.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bette, of 65 years; infant son, Steve; sister, Mary Ann Pohlmann; brothers, Keith and Chuck Bevins; and grandson, Nick.