Pike Township Family Stories
JON KEVAN AND MARY CHOWN
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 332-333
By Alberta Metcalf KellyWritten by Kevan and Mary Chown – from Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984 Kevan Chown was born the son of Robert Taft Chown and Doris Poole Chown in Nichols. He attended West Liberty High school, where he participated in basketball and football. After graduation, Kevan was employed at various jobs until he lost his hand in an industrial accident. At that time he decided to take classes at Muscatine Community college and became a welder.
During his employment in Oklahoma, Kevan’s parents died, and he married and returned to his parents’ home in Nichols. During the next year a daughter, Mindy Jo Chown, was born, and Kevan’s wife left to move to California.
Kevan bought the gas station next to the house and operated his own welding shop. In December of 1979 Kevan was struck by a car, and due to the resulting injuries became paraplegic. During his rehabilitation at Schoitz hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, his physical therapist was Mary Heffron, who became his wife. Mary is the daughter of Joe Heffron and Fran Sofvanko Heffron of Ida Grove, Iowa.
Kevan changed occupations after the accident from metal work to woodworking. The shop grew from the basement of his home to a downtown location in the old Rice Café building and finally to the reconverted garage. The business grew from toys to larger handcrafted items, such as gun cabinets.
Mary Chown worked in Davenport at Mercy hospital and the Good Samaritan Nursing home as a staff physical therapist. She also became involved in fitness, opening a Fitness Center in West Liberty until financial problems led her to teaching aerobics for Muscatine Community college.
Kevan and Mary enjoy boating and fishing, travel, Hawkeye football, basketball and playing cards.
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Page created December 31, 2010 by Lynn McCleary