Ivan was born to Joseph Patrick and Lola Elizabeth Shoemate Levings on September 10, 1931 in Englewood Kansas When Ivan was 3 years old, the family moved to Buffalo, Oklahoma and made their home on the farm. Ivan attended school at Buffalo High School and graduated with the class of 1949. Ivan went to College in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, living in the YMCA, and worked in the office of a mortuary. Other jobs in the city included labeling cans of food in a grocery warehouse, he sold donuts door to door for half a day and realized that was not his calling. He hired out for a while as a day worker and never knew from day to day what his job would be, sometimes it would be helping a woman clean house. When it was time to go home to Buffalo for a visit he would hitchhike and most of the rides would be in a cattle truck and he would wash out the trailer as payment for the ride. After graduating school he moved back to Buffalo and worked at the Conoco gas station for $35.00 a week. Ivan married Cora LaUna Ashlock on May 28, 1953 and to this union 5 children were born. Patricia, Dale, Carlita, Angaleea, and Michael. He started studying electronics via correspondence while working at the Conoco and then Ivan and LaUna went to work as custodians at the grade school in Buffalo and he also took care of the Athletic building and they gave him a room to work on electronics. Ivan also worked for Dean Carter on his Dairy Farm in Selman Oklahoma and later decided to go into business for himself and opened a TV, Electronics and Appliance store in Buffalo. He moved his family to LaGrange Texas and Tonkawa Oklahoma making his living in Electronics. In 1976 he decided to try his hand in restaurants. Dairy Queens in Arkansas and then later a Cafe in Alva, where he ended up planting some roots and stayed. Ivan retired from the restaurant business in 1997 and then took up custodial work at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and also took on odd and end jobs and painting houses. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, son Michael Levings, Grandchildren James Ivan Oxford, and Julie Howard, 1 brother, John Levings, 6 sisters, Thelma Levings, JoAnn Richardson, Wanda Chapman, Juanita Bowers, Lois Levings, and Pat Brown. Ivan left his earthly home on September 23, 2024 at Share Medical Center in Alva OK at the age of 93 years 13 days. Ivan is survived by his wife of 71 years LaUna, children, Patricia McCune, Dale Levings, Carlita Levings, Angie May and husband Leon. Grandchildren Regina and Chris LeMay, Joshua and Brandy Sensintaffar, Chad and Amy Levings, Dana Stone, Cory Levings, Jason, and Jerry and Kate May, Randall Levings. Great Grandchildren, Jayden and Dylan Sharp, Hunter and Maddison Levings, Sue Ann LeMay, Coltan Bliss wife Nicole, Mason Holman, Shelby and Brady Parrish, Justin and Joey Howard. Great-Great Granddaughters Charlotte Parrish, Rylie Bliss. Two sisters Virginia Chase, Reta and Walter Descher. Ivan will be missed by all who met him in life and will be remember for all the things he accomplished.
Viewing at Marshall Funeral Home in Alva, Oklahoma 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM Monday before the Rosary will be 6:00 PM Monday September 30, 2024 at Marshall funeral home.
Funeral Mass Tuesday, October 1, 2024 10:00 AM Sacred Heart Catholic Church Alva Oklahoma.
Graveside services 3:00 PM High Point cemetery Buffalo, Oklahoma.
The family suggest memorial to be made to Beadles Nursing Home PO Box 728 Alva, OK. 73717
Monday, September 30, 2024
2:30 - 6:00 pm (Central time)
Marshall Funeral Home
Monday, September 30, 2024
Starts at 6:00 pm (Central time)
Marshall Funeral Home
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Starts at 3:00 pm (Central time)
High Point Cemetery Buffalo
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