Hero of Socialist Labor, Ivan Makhonin was born in 1913 in Krapivnoe village, into a large peasant family. He had seven brothers and sisters. When his father died, Makhonin became his mother’s main support. He started working early: first, he graduated from the factory apprenticeship school in Shebekino, and then, got a job at the collective farm.

Soon, Makhonin was appointed a foreman for his hard work. In 1939, he completed Belgorod collective farm chairmen courses and headed the whole farm. When the Great Patriotic War began, Ivan Makhonin sent the collective farm cattle to the east of the country, and he was sent to the rear.

In the spring of 1943, Makhonin was called up into the Red Army. Until the end of the war, he served as a motor driver. He was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class, Medal “For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945”, as well as several commemorative medals.

After demobilization, Ivan Makhonin returned to his home collective farm. He recalled the aftermath of the war:

In 1950 — 1956, several farms in villages of Shebekino district were incorporated into a consolidated collective farm named after Lenin, and Makhonin headed one of the collective farm brigades. For many years, he and his brigade participated in the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy of the USSR (VDNKH) in Moscow and several times received awards for agricultural records.

Ivan Makhonin merits were nationally distinguished: he was awarded the title Hero of Socialist Labor by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on April 8, 1971. Along with that, he received the Order of Lenin and the gold medal “Hammer and Sickle”.

In addition, Makhonin was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, and in 2004, he received the Badge of Honor “For Merits to Shebekinsky District and the Town of Shebekino”, but posthumously.