Lewis Ray Hevel, 91, longtime Parsons resident, died at 5:58 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at the Parsons Presbyterian Manor.
He was born July 21, 1934 in McCune, a son of Frank Otto and Esther Constance (Selix) Hevel. He grew up in McCune and Oswego and graduated from Oswego High School in 1952. He then attended Parsons Junior College, graduating in 1954, and Pittsburg State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. He then received a Master’s degree in 1962 and an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in 1975.
He worked in the Parsons Public Schools for 35 years from 1958 until retiring in 1993 and never used a day of sick leave. He began as a teacher at East Junior High School where he taught English and social studies until 1962. He became the first official Junior High School Counselor at Parsons Junior High School when the two junior high schools, East and West, were combined in 1962. He relocated to the former high school/ Jr. College Building at 2719 Main St. In 1966 he became the first Junior High School Assistant Principal and served in that role until 1969. He then served as Parsons Junior High Principal from 1969 until 1972. He became Assistant Superintendent in 1972 and retired from that position in 1993. He touched many students’ lives and loved them all.
Lew joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1952. He served on active duty in the Pacific from 1954 – 1956 and served aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) and the USS Bexar (APA-237). He remained in the Navy Reserve until 1976 and attained the rating of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) and then served in the United States Army Reserves from 1976 – 1977. He retired as Master Seargent (E-8) after a total of 25 years of reserve and active-duty service.
On Dec. 29, 1956 he and Wanda Sue Hodgkinson were united in marriage at Parsons. She survives of the home.
He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church at Parsons. He was a part of numerous professional teacher, counselor and administrator organizations, including the Parsons Lions Club in the 1970s, having served as President in 1976.
He was a member of the Labette County Zoning Board, the Labette County Rural Water District No. Five and the Parsons Historical Museum Commission for fourteen years, having served as Chairman for seven years. He was also a driver for the Meals-on-Wheels program since 1994 and worked many years, beginning in 1994 as a volunteer for the U.S. Park Service, building hiking trails along the Buffalo National River in Northwest Arkansas for several weeks of each year. He also worked as a volunteer for the American Red Cross blood mobile and was a regular blood donor, donating over 14 gallons as of 2009.
In addition to his wife, survivors include: His children – Jane Shue (David), Joe Hevel (Lori), and Julie Encarnacion (Tony), all of Parsons; Six grandsons – Jason Stringer of Parsons, Jared Stringer, and his wife, Micha, of Parsons, John Stringer of Springfield, Missouri, Christian Encarnacion of San Francisco, California, Jordan Hevel of Manhattan, and Brett Hevel of Manhattan; two great-grandsons – Isaac Stringer and Tyler Stringer of Parsons; two great-granddaughters – Gracie Stringer, of Parsons, Kelsey Stringer, and her companion, Dakota Pousher of Parsons; one great-great-grandson – Carter Pousher of Parsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday Dec. 12, at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Tony Encarnacion and Reverend Travis Ball officiating.
Burial will be in the Oswego Cemetery. Military Honors will be given by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Historical Society Museum or to the First Baptist Church. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices. com.
