Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

Karen, age 59, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2021 at her home in rural Lovilia surrounded by her loving family.

She was born February 22, 1962 in Albia to Clifford “Harp” Pettyjohn and Mitzi Karen (Wallace) Pettyjohn.

Karen was joined in marriage with Gary Ballalatak on November 5, 1983. They were blessed with two children: Tim and Steph.

Besides family time her joys included: cooking, baking, dancing, music, travel, casino trips, fishing, mushroom hunting, sitting on the porch, and Lord of the Rings.

She is survived by her husband, her children, grandchildren ( Harper Bonnett and Mitzi Ballalatak) and her father. She also leaves her siblings: Delbert Pettyjohn of Monroe City, Mo; Doreen Pettyjohn of Flagler; Donald (Debbie) Pettyjohn of Marysville, and Mark (Wendy) Pettyjohn of Marysville, Iowa.

Preceding her in death were her mother, and a niece, Christina Pettyjohn.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 9:30 a.m.- 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, Iowa. Then a Mass of Christian Burial will follow there at 11 a.m. with Father Mark Yates officiating. Internment will be right after mass at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to St. Peter’s Cemetery.

May she rest in peace.

James “Jim” Walter Lenger of Bussey passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 76.

December 23, 1944 he was born to Albert and Kathryn (Flahive) Lenger in their farm home east of Hamilton. He grew up and attended school first at Hamilton and later at Lovilia.

On October 11, 1969, Jim and Nancy Chance were married at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Weller, Iowa. Before he passed, they shared 51 years of marriage. They were blessed with two sons, Jeff and Kevin.

Jim had a duel career: 30 years of various positions at Maytag in Newton, Iowa and all his adult years farming.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lovilia and a member of the Albia Knights of Columbus.

His enjoyments were: the outdoors, farming, gator riding, the company of his dog (Blade), Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball, and attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, two sons, and three grandchildren (Jacob, Josh, and Aydan), Also, he leaves two sisters: Theresa Lenger, and Marge Comer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Pauline Conway; and five brothers: John, Ed, Daniel, David, and Joseph Lenger.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 2-8 p.m. at Tharp’s Funeral Home in Albia with family present from 5-8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 8, 2021 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, with Father Mark Yates C.P.P.S officiating. Burial will follow services at Osborn Cemetery in Monroe County.

Memorials have been established to Autism Speaks and the National Kidney Foundation.

May he rest in peace.

Donald “Mark” Major, age 60, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia, Iowa.

He was born on December 15, 1960 to Donald Eugene and Martella “Marty” Ann (Holcomb) Major at the Monroe County Hospital. Mark grew up and attended school in Albia before enlisting and serving in the United States Army in Germany.

After the service, he was a farmhand for several farmers, then held some manufacturing jobs, and the last one was with L & S Tools in Albia. He made his residence in Lovilia, Iowa

Mark was an outdoors man who enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and time at his lake home at Leisure Lake in Missouri. He proudly served in the military Honor Guard at parades and other events.

Mark is survived by three daughters: Kassie Williams of Sigourney, Ia.; Crystal (Jerry)Humphrey of Lisbon, Ia.; and Katie (Tony) Cook of Albia, Ia. Also surviving are his mother of Lovilia; sister, Donna (Mike) Flattery of Knoxville, Ia; Jeannie (Lonnie)McCombs of Knoxville; Mike (Vicki) Major of Georgia; and Norm (Sandy) Major of Albia. He has ten grandchildren.

Preceding him death were his father; a son, Corey Short; and grandparents: Milo and Icle Major and Eugene and Estella Holcomb.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with family present from 6-8 p.m.

The memorial service will be held at 10:30 a. m. on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Tharp’s with Pastor Brad Gray and Kirby Selby co-officiating.

Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Melrose, and Lovilia will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia.

A memorial has been established to the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia, Iowa.

May he rest in peace.

Easter week Masses at St. Peter’s Church, Lovilia, Iowa

There will be a 9 am mass on Tuesday. On Good Friday services will be at 3 p.m. Easter morning Lovilia mass is at 7 a.m.

To attend Holy Thursday or Saturday Easter Vigil you could go to Albia, St. Mary’s.

Due to Covid safety: call the Albia secretary’s office to reserve a seat for any mass in Lovilia, Albia, or Georgetown.

Everyone at mass must wear a mask and sit in seats that are designated six feet apart and the usher will show you your seat.

HAPPY EASTER!

Linda Kaye Chance of rural Lovilia, Iowa passed away on Sunday March 21, 2021 at her home surrounded by family and under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. She was 73 years old.

She was born on December 22, 1947 to Winston W. and Lorene Louise (Lepley) Pace in Osceola, Iowa. Linda went to school at Moulton-Udell where she grew up and graduated with the class of 1966. After that she took clerical classes at Indian Hills Community College.

In 1966 she was married to Merle David Bronson and they had two sons, Michael and Randy. They later divorced.

On June 30.1973, she was married to Bobby Chance at the Bussey Independent Church.

Linda was employed at Monroe Plastics and Chamberlains before she went to work as a secretary for the REC in Albia where she worked for 26 years.

She was a extremely talented seamstress and had her own business, Linda’s Quilting. She was a member of the Crazy Quilter’s Club, Sewing Sisters, the Veteran’s Peace Quilters, and enjoyed quilting with her sisters. Linda also liked TV game shows and playing slot machines at the casinos and in Las Vegas. Family was everything to Linda and she was a very loving caretaker for many family members.

Linda is survived by her husband, two sons, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Also left are her siblings: Wanda Selvy of Lovilia; Mary Wilson of East Moline ,Il.; Judy Stevenson of Moulton; Thressa (Jimmy) Robinson of Centerville,; Connie (Jodie) Gillispie of Albia; Lucy (Ron)Elswick of Albia; Winston Jr. (Vicki) Pace of Udell; and a brother-in-law, Mike Stevens.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Janet Stevens,; and brother-in-laws: Robert Selvy, Jay Wilson, and Oren Dale Stevenson.

Visitation will be from 2pm-8pm on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with family present from 5-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Pastor Richard Grimes officiating.

Burial will follow services at Osborn Cemetery near Lovilia, Iowa.

A memorial has been established to the Crazy Quilter’s Club or the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia.

May she rest in peace.

Nancy Ann Franzen, age 76, died March 5, 2021 at Prairie Vista Village Nursing Home in Altoona, Iowa. She was born on March 21, 1944 in Carroll, Iowa to William and Tetta (Dieckmann) Rath.

Nancy graduated from Southeast Warren Community High School Class of 1962.

She married Hal Franzen and were long time residents of Lovilia, Iowa.

He enjoyments were playing golf, bowling, being outside, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hal Franzen; and sister, Norma Goodman.

Survivors include her brothers: Bill (Toni) Rath, Chuck (Kristi) Rath, John (Diana) Rath. Also, her sisters: Sandy Chaplin and Wilma (Jon) Robinson. Nancy and Hal were blessed with two daughters who survive: Lisa (Jim) Acord and Patricia “Missy” (Kyle) Beasley, and two grandsons, four granddaughters, and two great=grandsons.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March10, 2021 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, Iowa with Father Mark Yates C.P.P.S. officiating. Interment will follow in Osborn Cemetery near Lovilia.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 opening at 3 p.m. at Sinnott Funeral Home, Gilbert Chapel in Lovilia. Family well be present from 5-8 p.m. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 6 p.m. at the Lovilia Gilbert’s Chapel.

Memorials be be directed to St. Croix Hospice or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

May she rest in peace.

Patricia Lynn (Ross) Maddy passed away at age 64 years of age on January 30, 2021 at the UnityPoint Hospice-Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa.

She was born August 23, 1956 to Gerald and Claudine (Gullion) Ross in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Patricia graduated from Albia school with the class of 1974. She went on to Indian Hills Community College where she earned an Associate’s Degree in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse until she developed health problems.

Bill Maddy and Patricia were joined in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Weller on August 23, 1975. They were blessed with one child, Ross.

She loved animals especially cats. Her only grandson, Will, held a special place in her heart.

Surviving her are: her husband, son, grandson and his mother, Danielle Landers, and her father, Gerald Ross. She also leaves her siblings: Deb Clough of Lovilia, Greg (Lora) Ross of New Sharon, Kenny (Anna) Ross of Albia, and Brian Ross of Oskaloosa. Also left is a sister-in-law, Dorothy Parker.

Preceding her in death were: her mother; mother and father-in-law, Bernadette and Russell Maddy; brother-in-laws, Roger West, Denny Parker and Chris Clough; and sister-in-law Mary Jo West.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia, Iowa with Father Mark Yates C.P.P.S. officiating.

Inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Weller. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Dept.of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event.

Memorials may be directed to Animal Rescue League in Des Moines.

May she rest in peace.

Don died January 20, 2021 as the result of a vehicle accident. He was 89 years old and a Lovilia resident.

Don was born to Reuben and Minnie (Lemonds) Shelford on February 11, 1931 in Melcher, Iowa.

Don’s education was in the Lovilia School and then he had forty years employment with Maytag until he retired in 1988.

He was a veteran who served from Oct. 1951-Oct. 1955 in the United States Air Force.

Rowena Tucker and Don were married on January 16, 1954. They had two sons: Terry and Larry.

He is survived by Terry (Linda) Shelford of Knoxville, Larry (Beth) Shelford of Lovilia, several grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and one-sister-in-law, Janette Flahive of Albia.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, brother Dean, brother Jack, and sister Joan Loncarich.

Visitation will be January 27, 2021, Wednesday, at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia from 9-11 a.m. Services will be at 11 a.m. at Sinnott’s followed by interment with military rites conducted by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia, and Melrose in Woodlawn Cemetery, Lovilia, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the Lovilia United Methodist Church.

May he rest in peace.

Teresa, age 43, passed away Dec. 17, 2020 after a courageous fight with breast cancer.

She was born on Aug. 28, 1977 in Pella, Iowa to William (Bill) and Debra (Debby) Conner of Lovilia, Iowa. On Sept. 23, 2006 she married Randy Williams. They were blessed with two children, son, Conner, and daughter, Emery.

Her family said Teresa always had a positive attitude and could light up a room and loved to kid them. She enjoyed crocheting and watching her son play football and her daughter dance. Her faith never wavered and she trusted God’s plan for her.

Teresa was preceded in death by her grandparents: Paul and Elizabeth Stewart, and Clyde and Margaret Conner. She is survived by: her husband, children, parents, siblings , and nieces and nephews. The siblings are Heidi (Lance) Bell, Luke (Magdalena) Conner, Caitlin (Joshua) DeMoss.

The family had a small family gathering on Dec.22, 2020. (No information on interment. )

Memorials may be given to help with medical expenses that incurred during her battle with cancer or to the Pink Tractor Foundation that she advocated for and was a recipient of.

May she rest in peace.

Teddy Lynn Hainline Obit

Teddy, age 70, of Lovilia died at Monroe Co. Hospital on Dec.19, 2020.

He was born to Clifford Paul and Dorothy Fern (Haley) Hainline on April 13, 1950 at Creston, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near VanWert and went to school in Weldon. Teddy was a truck driver all his working life.

July 23, 1977 he married Carolyn Joan Kendall and her four children became his. Later they had two sons, Jason and Justin. They moved to Lovilia nine years ago. Together they ran the restaurant on the south end of town they named, ” Its All Relative”, for the last 3 1/2 years. His interests were trucks, hunting, watching Nascar racing, and time with his grandchildren.

Local survivors are his wife, and sons Jason and Justin and their families of Lovilia.

Memorial services were held in Leon, Iowa and burial will be at a later date.

May he rest in peace.

Joyce Marie Claver Obit

Joyce, age 84, passed away January 6, 2021 at Monroe County Hospital in Albia, Iowa.

She was born on November 25, 1936 To William and Grace Moyle in Albia, Iowa. She went to school in Albia and graduated with the class of 1954. On March 18, 1955 Eugene (Gene) Claver and Joyce were married at the United Brethren in Albia. They shared 64 years together before he passed on Dec. 12, 2019. Three children blessed them: Dennis, Danny, and Carole.

Joyce worked for Farm bureau as a secretary until she became a full time homemaker and helped Gene with the farm work. Her interests included crocheting doilies, painting ceramics, gardening, canning her produce, cooking, and singing.

She is survived by her children and seven grandchildren and 20 great grand children.

Funeral services were Jan. 9, 2021 at the Tharp Funeral Home with Pastor Roger Henry officiating. Burial was at Oak View Cemetery in Albia.

A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer”s Association of America.

May she rest in peace.

John R. “Jack” McClure passed away on Christmas day 2020 at the age of 96. He was born on November 11, 1924 to James W. and Agnes Katherine Lee McClure in Marion County , Iowa. Jack went to school at Pleasant Grove Country School.

Later in life he married Wilma Bingham Cappellin and raised her daughter, Linda, as his own. Wilma died suddenly a short time after their marriage.

Jack raised cattle on his farm (ranch) near Lovilia and he enjoyed his horses and riding them. He loved the land and his animals.

Jack had a strong and deep faith and was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church at Lovilia until he moved to Chariton and he moved his membership to Sacred Heart there.

He moved to Homestead Assisted Living near the end of his life. He will be missed by Linda (John) Braida family, nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held on August 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville with Catholic burial Rites. Following the service, the family will receive friends and share stories at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton, Iowa.

Memorials for Jack may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chariton.

May he rest in peace.

New Year’s Eve

This will be the year of fewer parties and celebrations at entertainment venues due to covid 19. We hope and pray by this day next year that we all have had our vaccines and we are able to celebrate with family and friends. We will have something to truly celebrate then! Stay safe, distance, mask up, wash hands frequently and we will do it!!

“Roxane” Wuebker, age 64, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Mari Roxane was born on April 23, 1956 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Charles William “Bill” and Madonna (Newton) Richmond. She was in Lovilia elementary for a few years and then bused to Albia where she graduated with the class of 1974. She continued her education at Northeast Missouri State where she earned a Bachelor’ degree in Social work.

Her social work career began at Oakwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Albia and continued at West Ridge Specialty Care in Knoxville for over 20 years.

Kevin and Roxane were joined in marriage at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia on June 3, 1978.

Roxane enjoyed hosting family and friends. Her enjoyments were: Iowa State Cyclone sports, card games, shuffleboard, Lifetime and Hallmark TV. She was called the “Queen of Galena” because she and her Lovilia friend, Jolinda Wilson, took down the queen of Galena in shuffleboard. Her time spent with her three granddaughters were the most precious times.

She is survived by her husband and daughter, Alisha of Lovilia, and daughter, Shelby (Steven Mach) of Osseo, Wis. Also, her granddaughters: Graecie, Bailey, and Laken. Her brother, Michael (Debbie) Richmond of Ankeny, Iowa and her mother-in-law, Bonnie Wuebker of Emmetsburg, Iowa also survive her. Roxane often called her friends her “fake family” and they too will miss her: Nancy Kinsey, Pam Starcevic, Kelly and Ryder Hoffman of Lovilia.

Preceding her in death were: her parents; sons, Jared and Joshua; brother, Issac “Ike”; maternal grandparents, Issac and Edna Newton; paternal grandparents, William and Dorothy Richmond; nephew, Scott Richmond; niece, Michelle Richmond; and father-in-law, Robert “Bob” Wuebker.

Funeral services were Wed., Dec. 23, 2020 at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia with Father Bernie Weir officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia.

Memorials may be given to the autism Society of America or the National Kidney Foundation. May she rest in peace.

You Tube video of 1976 Lovilia Parade

Mark Hastings of Lovilia has transferred an old video of the Bicentennial of the United States 1976 parade to about a three minute YouTube video.

You might find yourself in it! I did. I am in a red pickup driven by the late Carl Visser and I was dressed as Betsy Ross sewing the first flag. And I was campaigning for the job of Monroe County supervisor. I did not win but received quite an education about politics and met lots of people going door to door that year.

The parade includes Shriners groups, kids on bikes, horses pulling wagons, antique cars, and a band. At recent festivals the Albia and Twin Cedars bands would not perform even though we asked nicely. Band instructors said the kids won’t show up to do it. That is a loss. We enjoyed them in parades so much.

You can see the video by going to facebook and typing in to search the following: you might be from the Lovilia area of you remember. when that appears just scroll down to the video photo and click on it. Enjoy. Or try going to YouTube .com and entering” Lovilia Iowa Parade 1976 Nikon Transfer.

Thanks again, Mark for preserving and sharing this little peek into our history.