Levi Mahlon Willits was born in Bangor Township, Marshall County, IA, the only son of Louisa Upton and Earl Vining Willits on September 23, 1922, joining three sisters, Ruth, Rosella, and Mary. He attended Bangor School through eighth grade and graduated from Union High School in 1939. Levi completed three years at Iowa State College and then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. After a short time of service, he returned to the family farm after his father’s death where he resided for the majority of his life. Levi was united in marriage to Anna Lea Martin on June 18, 1944. They had four children: Earl Martin, Nancy Carol, Ray Eugene and Donald Lee. He exemplified a life of Christian service. Levi was an active life-long member of the Bangor Friends Church, serving as clerk of Bangor Monthly Meeting, clerk of Iowa Yearly Meeting and a trustee of Friends United Meeting. He was a trustee of the Board of Directors of William Penn College. Levi served as a trustee of the Quakerdale Boys and Girls home for 21 years. He was secretary of the Bangor Friends Cemetery Association for 51 years. Levi served on the Bangor School Board and the Union-Whitten School Board and was a Bangor Township Trustee. He was a member and leader in 4-H clubs.

Levi was an early pioneer in no-till farming and was a member of the Marshall County Soil Conservation. Levi married Ramona Lea Coffman in 1990 after the death of Anna Lea, his wife of 45 years. They volunteered for Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity, and the Church of the Brethren Service Center. Levi and Ramona were representatives of Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (VOCA) in El Salvador. They were volunteer park hosts for many years at state parks in the U.S. Levi and Ramona spent winters in Tucson, Arizona where they were active in the their retirement community. His family will remember him for his generosity, strong Christian faith and his love for a good party. He welcomed all who would gather for any occasion. He was looking forward to family and friends gathering to celebrate his 97th birthday. Now we gather to remember him and have thankful hearts for a life well lived.

Levi is survived by his wife Ramona; daughter in-law Martha Willits; daughter Nancy (Ron) Woodward; son Ray and son Don (Lynn). Eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren survive him and have many wonderful memories of Grandpa and Great Grandpa Levi.

An infant sister, Lydia, his parents, his first wife, Anna Lea; son Earl and sisters Gertrude Hall, Ruth Hitch, Rosella Lane and Mary Wantiez preceded Levi in death.