Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

Logan Williams and Kensington Ryun are the proud parents of a baby boy they have named Liam Patrick Williams.

He was born July 18th at Pella Hospital.  He and mom are home and doing well.

Proud grandparents are Clyde Williams and Julie Shaw who are Logan’s parents.  John Kelly and Debbie Ryun-Kelly are Kensington’s parents.

We are happy for you and wish you all the best Liam!

Gilbert/Post Wedding

Jacquelyn Kate Gilbert an Timothy Joseph Post were united in marriage by Richard Grimes on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Soap Creek Lodge near Unionville, Iowa.

It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony in a gazebo in the woods with family and friends present.  The bride’s colors were pink and white.

They are living in Lovilia on E Avenue South.  Congratulations and best wishes !

Former Lovilian’s Welcome Second Child

Nikki (Gilbert) Force and Jake Force have a baby boy. They have named him Elijah.  They live and work in the Des Moines area.  Congratulations and best wishes to you Elijah!

Lovilia Fall Festival will be Saturday, September 23rd

Mark your calendars so you don’t forget to save the day for fun and action. There will be a car show you can enter, bag tournament you can enter, kids games, good food, musical    entertainment, and an evening parade at 7 pm. you can enter or watch also. Watch here for more info. and posters will be going up soon.  Firemen water fights in the afternoon too.  Lots to see and do for all ages. We welcome all former Lovilians to come home and visit us for the festival!

Tess, age 90, passed away at Monroe Care Center in Albia surrounded by family.

She was born to William Martin and Mary Ann (Bingaman) Flahive in Weller, Iowa on Oct. 13, 1926.  She attended Lovilia School and graduated from high school with the class of 1945.

She worked in Des Moines as a file clerk for an insurance company until she married Emmett Grimes at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lovilia in November 1946.  They were blessed with four children: Bob, Kathy, John, and Barb. They were married 34 years when he died in 1981.

After raising her children, Tess worked at Chamberlain’s factory in Albia  and then at HyVee in the bakery until her retirement.

Tess was an active member of the Catholic church over the years in Lovilia, Albia, and Knoxville and served in the Altar and Rosary Society of all three. She also served by bringing communion to the sick.

Her enjoyments were: sewing, playing canasta, gardening, canning, dancing, and entertaining guests on Sunday evenings.

Tess is survived by her three children:  Bob (Beverly) Grimes of Agency, Mo.; Kathy (Steve) Herwehe of Cedar Rapids, Ia; and Barb (Joe) Crall of Albia; eleven grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.  She is also survived by four sisters:  Marjorie (Edward) Martin of Cave Creek,AZ; Florence (Donald)Welch of Winterset, IA; Catherine (Jack) Thomas of San Marcos, CA; and Delores Littlejohn of West Des Moines, IA.  She leaves one brother, Jim (Diane) Flahive of Albia, IA.

Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, son, a grandson,  three brothers (Edward, William and John Flahive) and four sisters (Madeline Stanley, Jo Ann Derby, Bernice Flattery, and Geraldine Grimes).

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia with Father MIchael Volkmer, Father Mark Yates, and Father Kevin Anstey officiating.  Burial will follow services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia.

Visitaion will be Sunday, July 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia.  Her family will be present throughout that time to greet family and friends.  There will be a rosary at 4 p.m. led by St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society and a wake service will be at 6 p.m.

A memorial has be established to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

May she rest in peace.

Connie was born to Wayne and Virginia (Ammons) Allen on Sept. 26, 1945.  Connie was the oldest and had a sister, Karen and two brothers, Gary and Terry.  The family shared hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and time with horses.  Connie’s personal talent was music.  Because she was always singing as a child she was nicknamed “Cricket” by many.  She even tried singing at the dinner table but her father said, ” Only fools and gypsies sing at the dinner table” which stopped her performance.  Her vocal talents did earn her a 1 in the state vocal contest in high school.  Connie graduated from Albia Community High School with the class of 1963.  She also attended Centerville Community College.

Connie married Daniel Creagan and they had a daughter, Julie Lynn.  The couple later divorced.

She married William “Bill” Barnes 111 on  September 13, 1969.  Bill brought to the family a daughter, Melissa, from a previous marriage.  Bill and Connie added three daughters to the family:  Dana, Amy and Ginny.

Connie had a working experience that was varied from:  Mick’s Drive In, Dick’s Drive In, Dept. of Human Services (social worker and case manager), Contel and GTE phone companies (secretary), and lastly as secretary with Monroe Co. Secondary Roads Dept.

Connie and Bill raised their family and made their home in Lovilia, Iowa for 47 years. She played piano for church (almost 40 years) and bible school and was a youth group leader for some years. Some of her favorite activities were:  crafting, sewing, knitting, flower gardening and bowling.

Surviving are her husband, and daughters:  Julie Spears, Melissa Lenger (Kyle VanZante), Dana Lennie, Amy (Jason) Simmons, and Ginny Halling (Jeff Beath).  Also she has sixteen grandchildren and her sister, Karen Pottorff.   She also leaves her mother-in-law, Norma Barnes and Bill’s sisters:  Christy, Pamela, and Loita.

Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, father-in-law (William Barnes Jr.), sister-in-law (Judy Geno), and brother-in-laws (Jerry Geno and Pete Pottorff).

Visitation will be at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia on Friday July 7, 2017 from 1-8 p.m.  Family will be present from 6-8 p.m.

Services will be held Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church with Rev. Marvin Lindley and Rev. Raymond Doser officiating.  Her body will be cremated following services per her wishes.  A luncheon will be served at the Lovilia Community Building after services.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimers Association, Lovilia United Methodist Church, or Pella Comfort House.

May she rest in peace.

New Property Owner in Lovilia

Martin McMillen has purchased the former Tony Loncarich residence in the north end of town.

Mitzi, age 78, of Marysville, Iowa died under the care of Hospice of Pella with her family by her side.

She was born June 28, 1938 in Ada, Minnesota to Paul and Lyla (Bulson) Wallace.  Mitzi was a graduate of Lovilia High School.  On May 5, 1956 she married Clifford “Harp” Pettyjohn.  They were blessed with five Children.  Delbert, Doreen, Donald, Karen, and Mark.

Mitzi played softball for Marysville, was a girl scout leader for many years, served on Marysville City Council, and Twin Cedar Booster Club. She loved her church family at Crossroads Gospel Church in Attica.  Her homemade bread was famous and she was a sports fan especially for Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings.

She is survived by her husband; son, Delbert Pettyjohn of Marysville; daughter, Doreen Pettyjohn and Don Carter of Flagler; son, Donald (Debbie) of Marysville; daughter,Karen (Gary) Ballalatak of Lovilia; son, Mark (Wendy) Pettyjohn of Marysville; and one sister; Paulette (David) Carlson of Bussey.  She also has 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Arlene, and granddaughter Christina Pettyjohn.

Mitzi’s body was cremated per her wishes. A graveside service was held Sunday, June 18, 2017 in Marysville Cemetery with Pastor Leo Freel officiating.  Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Pella or the Marysille Cemetery.

May she rest in peace.

Catherine Julia Beary died July 1, 2017

Catherine, age 96, died July 1, 2017 at Homestead Assisted Living in Albia under the care of HCI Hospice.  She was born September 4, 1920 to Mike and Julia (Navin) Knowles.

Catherine and Martin Leo Beary were married September 25,1941 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, Iowa.  The lived on a farm west of Lovilia together for 51 years until Leo died in 1993.  They were blessed with six children: Jim, Don, Marge, Mary Kay, Rita, and Gene.

She graduated with the class of 1938 from Melrose High School and then received her teaching certificate from William Penn College. She taught for three years at Jack Oak country school east of Melrose before she married.  When her children were raised, she worked as a substitute teacher for over 25 years in Albia and Twin Cedars school districts.

Catherine was a devout Catholic and served in Weller and later Albia in Altar and Rosary Society.  She was a 4-H leader and on the county 4-H committee and was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.  She was a member of the Monroe Country Retired Teachers Association.  She was a skilled cook and seamstress.

She was proud of her family and her favorite slogan was “We do the best we can, and if we could do any better, we would”.

Surviving are five children:  Jim (Shirley) of Lovilia, Don (Mary) of Lenexa, Kansas, Marge (Gene) Waters of Muscatine, Mary Kay (Mike)Lampe of West Point, and Gene (Shelly) of Lovilia.  Also son-in-law Gary Kalmes of Glen Allen, Virginia and eighteen grandchildren and 41 great great grandchildren, grandson-in-law Rich Purkey, and sister-in-law Lois Knowles.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter Rita,granddaughter Elizabeth Purkey, great grandson Zachary Beary, sister Mary Mahoney, brother John Knowles, and brother Pat Knowles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia with Fr. Michael E. Volkmer, CPPS and Fr. Mark Yates CPPS officiating.  Burial will follow services in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Albia.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 1-8 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with family present throughout.  A Rosary will be led at 4 p.m. and a Christian wake will be held at 7 p.m.

May she rest in peace.

Yard Sale Earned Funds for Fall Festival

July 1st the Fall Festival committee held a yard sale at the Conner garage on hwy 5.   Shoppers purchased enough to make over $400 for the coming up festival this year on Saturday Sept. 23rd. (This is one week earlier than originally planned due to a conflict with Albia School Homecoming.) So note the new date on your calendar.

You can also donate your redemption can and bottle money for the festival at Jim and Charlies grocery in Albia by telling them to put it in the Lovilia Festival account.

Thanks for supporting the festival and mark your calendar, Sept. 23, Saturday.

Jim Mc Ginn tells us the picnic will be July 22.  He says there will be dinner, music, and fellowship.  Jim invites all Weller friends to join him there! There is of course where the Weller church use to be.

Thomas Orville Dunkin Died May 5, 2017

Thomas, age 75, died at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

He was born May 16, 1941 to Kenneth and Ruth Dunkin.  Tom enlisted in the US Army in May 1959 and married Phyllis Waters on October 2, 1959.  They were blessed with three children:  Tina, Lisa, and Tom.

Tom retired In January 1980 as a Master Sergeant after 21 years of service.  His family traveled with him all over the world including:  Germany, Turkey, Ethiopia, Okinawa, and Japan.  They returned to Lovilia to live. Tom worked at Star Coal Mine and trucked for Visser Trucking and Foodliner until he retired in 2003.

Besides the enjoyment of family gatherings he liked fishing, boating, and working on cars.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children:  Tina (Randy) Beary, Lisa Shelford, and Tom (Petra) Dunkin; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and three brothers:  Ken Dunkin, Tim Dunkin, and Ron Fletcher.

Funeral services were May 11 at Lovilia United Methodist Church with Randy Beary officiating. Tom was cremated following services.  Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia.

A memorial was established to Hospice of Davis and Wapello County.

May he rest in peace.

Kevin Leroy Bunch Died May 9, 2017

Kevin, age 52, died May 9th at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Born on April 10, 1965 to Walter and Sherry (Blomgren) Bunch in Albia, Iowa, he grew up in Lovilia. Later graduating with the Albia High School class of 1983.  He worked at Allied Construction and was an apprentice working to be a journeyman when he was injured.

In March 1986 he married Tammy Robinson and they had one child, Whitney.

He was a member of the Carpenters Union #106 in Des Moines. After his injury, he received lessons and became a talented mouth painter.

In high school he competed in wrestling and made it to the state tournament in his sophomore year.  He and a friend modified a gun so Kevin could still enjoy hunting. Kevin liked fishing and out of doors and time spent with family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Whitney (P.J.) Tedford of Jacksonville, Florida; his mother, Sherry Clark of Centerville; four grandchildren: Leah, Abigail, Elayna, and Caroline; brother, Steve (Dawn Worthington) Bunch of Lovilia; sister, Michelle (Hugh) Scieszinski of Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

The Bunch family thanks all the caregivers who gave Kevin wonderful care over 31 years.

Funeral services were May 13, 2017 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia with Pastor Roger Henry and Pastor Lynda Carlson officiating.  Burial followed the service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa.

May he rest in peace.

Edith Elnora Blomgren Died May 25, 2017

Edith, age 99, died on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Monroe Care Center in Albia, Iowa.

She was born April 5, 1918 in Mahaska Country to Roy and Nellie (Cain) Scott.  She went to Albia High School and then received her teaching certificate.  She later earned her bachelors degree from Drake University.

Edith married Elmer Keeton September 28, 1941. They were blessed with two sons: Joe and Dennis.  Elmer died Nov. 21, 1975. She later married Wilmer Blomgren on Jan. 19, 1980.  He died Feb. 21, 1997.

She taught school in one room country school and then in Monroe, Marion, and Mahaska counties for many years.  Edith was also a member of Eastern Star and the VFW Auxiliary. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Albia and in later years she attended Lovilia United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her two sons:  Joe Keeton of Newton, Iowa and Dennis (Beth Ann) Keeton of Greensboro, North Carolina. She also has five step children:  Mary Sue Slay, Wilmer “Junior” Blomgren, Jerry Blomgren, Sherry Clark, and Judy Jones.  She is blessed with five grandchildren and many great grandchildren.  Siblings surviving are:  Charles (Rose Mary ) Scott of Albia; Richard (Mary) Scott of Saucier, MS; Raymond (Emily) Scott of Cape Girardeau, Mo; and Alice Fontanel of Payson, AZ.

Funeral services were June 1, 2017 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church with Rev. Raymond Doser officiating. An Easter Star Service was also held. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa.

May she rest in peace.

Wiley Hutchinson Died June 3, 2017

Wiley, age 82, died on June 3, 2017 at the Hospice house in Ottumwa.

He was born March 14, 1935 to Lloyd and Mabel (Davis) Hutchinson at his home in rural Mahaska County. He grew up and attended Lovilia High School graduating with the class of 1954.  On Oct. 30, 1954 he married Ruth Elizabeth Detar.

They had two children:  David and Debra. Wiley and Ruth shared 62 years of marriage until she died in February 2017.

Wiley farmed his whole life and drove semi-trucks part time. He also won many awards as a well known square dance caller and was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame in 2005 and the “Caller-Cuer Hall of Fame Award” in 2011.  Wiley and Ruth traveled and hosted square dance events from Iowa to Texas. He also initiated and hosted the Border Fest Square Dancing Event in Mexico for over 20 years.  He enjoyed attending grandchildren’s sporting events and family time.

Wiley is survived by his son, David (Melinda) Hutchinson of Lovilia; daughter, Debra (Cory) House of Ottumwa; nine grandchildren:  Dustin (Karrie) Hutchinson, Ken Hutchinson, Jess (Alana) Hutchinson, Austin Hutchinson (Sarah Kahler), Tyler Crall (Jessica Brady), Josie (Brock) Davis, Cody House, Kaylee House and Makenna House; and six great grandchildren.  His brother, Donnie (Beverly) Hutchinson also survives.

Funeral services were June 6, 2017 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, Iowa with Pastor Roger Henry officiating.  Burial was after the service in Woodlawn cemetery, Lovilia, Iowa.

May he rest in peace.

New Home Owners In Lovilia

The Leon Chamberlain home, two doors north of the funeral home, has been purchased by Mark Seavey and Danny Johnson.

The home for years, the Romanco house, south of Jack Tuttle and north of Ben Pettyjohn on a dead end street, has been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Bowman.

Welcome to these new home owners and we hope you will enjoy living here in Lovilia.

New Garages in town

Shelly Beary has a new four door garage erected across the street from her home and includes a paved driveway. A nice addition to the area.

Milo Comstock has a new garage next to his driveway which will be an asset to his property.

Beary’s Tour the Netherlands

David and Susan have returned from three weeks in Nijmegen, Netherlands visiting their daughter and son in law.  Both have jobs and after living there two years decided to buy a home there.  They have a narrow , three story house, as do most people because they are taxed for each foot of width to the house but not on its height .  Therefore everyone builds up and not out!  Bus and train service is excellent and you can catch one about every fifteen minutes.  They live two blocks from the bus stop.  But like most people they ride bikes to work and everywhere else.  It is common to see men in suits and ties and women in dresses riding their bikes.  Gas is expensive and car costs are too so most prefer to bike.  We biked too while there and it is easy as the country is flat. Hills are rare.  People even grocery shop by bike and have a basket or saddle bags to haul their produce home.  There are local bakeries and butchers in every neighborhood but also good size grocery stores also.  In three weeks we never saw a police car or a policeman.  Yet the crime rate is low and we felt safe traveling by bike or foot even at night.  It is a nice place to visit if you like to travel. Bedankt (thanks)

Harold, age 73, died at Westridge Specialty Care Center at Knoxille, Iowa April, 4, 2017.

Visitation will be held from noon until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville.  Harold’s family will be there from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. to share memories  with family and friends.

The funeral service will be Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Winfield Funeral Home.  Pastor Brian Harris officiating.

Burial will be held immediately following his service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in Harold’s memory to HCI Care Services of Knoxville.

May he rest in peace.

Linda Elaine Chance Kendall died March 16, 2017  She was born on Oct. 5, 1942 to Alva and Pauline (Hittle)Chance of Lovilia.  Linda had five siblings:  Jim ( and the late Alice) Chance, Duane and Betty Chance, Bobby and Linda Chance, Jim and Nancy (Chance) Lenger, and Carolyn Chance.

Linda graduated from Albia High School.  She then worked as a secretary, helped on the farm, worked in her husband’s business, Gamble’s Hardware Store in Albia, and helped her son with his businesses,Quiktron and Muddy Outdoors.

On January 7, 1962, Linda married Dayton Kendall and shared 55 years together. They had two children, Dee and Larry.

Linda enjoyed listening to the music of her husband’s band, quilting, playing cards, and caring for the farm’s animals.  She was a meticulous bookkeeper, frugal, and a very hard worker.

Her husband and daughter preceded her in death. Surviving are her son, his wife Gervaise, and three grandchildren, Gage, Lainy, and Jack.

Visitation at Tharp’s funeral home in Albia will be Tuesday, Mar.21 ,2017 from 3-8 p.m.  Family will be present from 6-7:30 p.m.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Mar.22, 2017 at Tharp’s.  Burial will follow at Osborn Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Osborn Cemetery.

May she rest in Peace.

Lovilia 2017 Fall Festival Has a New Date

The festival will be September 30, 2017, Saturday.  Our festival chairperson this year is Kristen Mick.

Plans are for a night parade this year. If you want to enter the parade, start planning on putting lights on your entry.  The parade will line up at 6:30 p.m. and start down main street (E avenue) at 7 p.m.

Some activities being planned are:  firemen water fights, car show, kid’s games, bags tournament, food booth at the Community Building, kettle corn, and a 50/50 raffle.

It was decided not to print a new T-shirt this year. Hopefully, guests will wear last year’s or vintage shirts from past  years.

More information will be posted here as the plans are made.  The date was set for later in the month to avoid the Iowa/Iowa football game day which drew away many Lovilia folks.  The new date coincides with pancake day in Centerville but we hope our locals will stay home for our festival.  It is darn near impossible to find a Saturday with nothing going on. So the 30th of September is when we will celebrate.  Please mark your calendar now and plan to be there.

The next festival planning meeting will be the second Monday of April, the 10th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lovilia Community Building.  If you would like to help, come to the meeting.

David Valentino Lucas was born February 14, 1925 in Monroe County, Iowa to George and Ann (Mitrisin) Lucas.

He grew up in Lovilia and graduated from high school  there. In 1948 on June 5th he married Bernadine “Bernie” Aversing.  He farmed with his father for a while and then worked at the VA  hospital in Knoxville, Iowa in the engineering department.  David  retired at the age of 55.   The family moved to Knoxville in 1975.

Dave liked gardening, exercising, and traveling with his wife.

Dave, 92 years old, died Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Park Lane Village.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, daughter (Vicki), son (Tim) and siblings (Eldon, Elna, and Maxine).

Surviving are son, Greg (LuAnn) of Newton, Iowa and daughter Lynne (Jody) Kasal of Elberon, Iowa.  Also grandchildren and many other family members and friends.

May he rest in peace.

A mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 16,2017 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Knoxville.  Family will receive guests from 9:30 a.m. until mass begins at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to H.C.I. Care Services-Knoxville Office or to St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Susan Marie Travis, age 66, of Coralville died after a battle with cancer January 21, 2017.

She was born in the Navy Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland to Thelma Sofranko Murray and Richard Murray on April 21, 1950.  Susan grew up and was educated in Lovilia, Iowa.

Herk Travis and Susan were united in marriage on September 21,1973. Together they enjoyed traveling, the Corvette Club, and NASCAR races, especially attending the Dayton 500 for many years in February.  Herk preceded her in death in 2005.

Susan began employment in 1974 with Sheller-Globe and worked in the International Automotive Components area until her illness forced her to leave in the fall of 2016.

Susan is survived by relatives in the Lovilia, Iowa area and many friends from her years at Sheller-Globe and IAC.  Friends recall her quick wit and dry humor.

A time of remembrance and sharing was held January 27, 2017 in Iowa City at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, Iowa.

May she rest in peace.