Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

George Primitivo Martinez of rural Lovilia died May 8, 2019 at Monroe County Hospital in Albia, Iowa.

George was born May 18, 1948 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Flavio and Josie Martinez.  He had a brother Gilbert and a sister, Phyllis Padilla.

He married Josie Epperson and they have four children:  Angela, Gabriel, Tammy and Matthew.

George was a man who loved his Savior Jesus and was a compassionate man.  Some of this greatest joy was traveling to spend time with family and gardening especially flowers.

He is survived by his wife and four children: Angela (Keith) Artis of Woodbridge, VA; Gabriel Martinez of Albuquerque, NM; Tammy Gomez of Tuczon, Arizona; and Matthew (Erica) Martinez of Lovilia.  Also there are 8 grandchildren, one great grandchild and his sister Phyllis.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, Gilbert.

A memorial service was held Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia.  A private family burial will be held at a later date.  An open memorial to the family has been established.

May he rest in peace.

Philip R. Lundstrom Has Died

Philip, age 83, died May 9,2019 at Monroe County Hospital under hospice care.

Philip Raymond was born November 10, 1935 to Oscar and Goldie (Bacon) Lundstrom in Hiteman, Iowa.  He graduated from the Albia High School with the class of 1953.

In 1954 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for twenty years and then retired.  Philip served in the Korean Conflict and later in Thailand during the Vietnam War.  He was assigned to the following Air Force bases:  Lincoln, Nebraska;Laon, France; Vandenberg and Norton in California; and finally Langley, Virginia. At Langley he was superintendent of the precision photography equipment systems maintenance section at Tactical Air Command Headquarters.  He retired as a SMSgt.  He then worked at 3M  company in Knoxville, Iowa as a warehouse supervisor and retired in 1993.

Philip and Sheila Barnes were married August 18, 1955 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church in Lovilia, Iowa.  They were blessed with three children:  Gail Marie, Gary Raymond, and James Philip.  He was a member of the Lovilia United Methodist Church and an avid golfer.  He made four hole in ones in his career and liked being in tournaments with friends.

Surviving are his wife; daughter, Gail M. Lundstrom of Iowa City; Gary R. Lundstrom of Sedalia; and James P. Lundstrom of Wright City, Missouri and three grandchildren, James, Alicia, and Lexi of Solon, Iowa.

Preceding him were his parents, brother Vernon, brother Merle, and sister Lois Jamieson.

Funeral services are Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia, Iowa.  Rev. Raymond Doser  will officiate.  Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia with military rites by Albia, Lovilia, and Melrose American Legion.

Memorials are directed to Lovilia United Methodist Church, Welcome Home Soldier, or Edmundson Golf Course.

May he rest in peace.

Supper from 5pm-7pm will be served Thursday at the Lovilia Community Building by the United Methodist Church of Lovilia.

Menu includes: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cole slaw, rolls, and pie. Adult meals are $10. Children 4- 9 yrs are $5. Children 3 and under eat free.  Carry outs are $10 per meal.

Come out and enjoy fellowship and a good meal.

FFA Scores a First Place

Albia Comm. H.S. FFA  Chapter won a first place for a Chapter Display. They competed against 126 others so this speaks well of their efforts. Lovilian Jer McAninch was a member of the design team. Congrats!

Stalzer Wins Trip to Drake Relays

Logan Stalzer won a trip to the relays with the Albia High School 4 x100 meter relay team.  They ran their heat but did not qualify for the finals.  However, they put in their best time of the season.  Congrats!

St. Peters Recognition Breakfast is May 5th

Those honored for confirmation this year are Kade Dunkin and Nathanial Wynn.

High school graduation honorees are Daniel Beary and Jer McAninch.

The parish will celebrate with them after mass with breakfast pizza and cake. We wish you young men all the best in your future endeavors.

Jeremy Michael Craycraft died Saturday, March 9, 2019 in Ottumwa.

He was born July 17, 1985 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Robert Lynnwood and Maggie Lee Craycraft. His schooling was in Albia, Knoxville,and Oskaloosa.  Jeremy was married to Tangi Marie Caudill on Aug. 24, 2013 in Albia, Iowa.  Edwin and Clara Caudill, children of Tangi, were family too.  Jeremy and Tangi had five children:  Ollie, Ivan, Victor, Harvey, and Archie Craycraft.

Jeremy was a welder and fabricator for Caudill Portable Welding shop and later Relco both of Albia.  He enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities.  He liked spending time with his children and his uncle Mike.

He is survived by his wife, his children, his mother, his brother, Justin (Misty) Craycraft; a half-brother, Cody (Sierra) Craycraft; a half-sister, Kayla Craycraft; grandparents, Carolyn (Kenny ) Hill; four uncles:  Michael (Christine) Craycraft, Harold (Brandi) Manser, Jeff Manser, and Jim (Bev) Manser.  Also, he leaves a special cousin, Justin (Jessica) Manser.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ollie; his father; a brother, Chad Lee; his grandmother, Betty Manser; and his grandfather, Franklin Craycraft.

Services were March 16,2019 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Pastor Jeremy Skinner officiating. Burial  followed services in Oak View Cemetery in Albia.

An open memorial has been established to Jeremy’s children.  May he rest in peace.

Randalls have New Baby

Former Lovilia residents, Zach and Tiffany (Stansberry) Randall are pleased to welcome a baby boy to their family.  He has been named, Jack Michael Eugene Randall.  He has three big sisters to welcome him home. Best wishes to you.

Judy McMillen Died

Judy died March 24, 2019. We have no other details.  She was the mother of Lovilia resident, Pam Chamberlain.

Edwin (Short) Weldon Died

Edwin Eugene Weldon, age 78, of Lovilia died March 27, 2019 at the Comfort House in Pella, Iowa.

He was born March 20, 1941 in Albia, Iowa to William Edgar and Beulah Pearl (Martin) Weldon. His schooling was in Lovilia and he graduated with the class of 1959.  After graduation he entered the United States Army and served in Germany from 1959-1962.

He married Linda Frazier at the Methodist church in Albia, Iowa in 1964. They were blessed with one daughter, Lin Ann and a son, Bradley Allan.

Ed worked at John Deere in Ottumwa for 31 years until his retirement in 1994. His work was welding and later maintenance electrician.  He held memberships at the Lovilia United Methodist church, Lovilia Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion Howard Cessna Post #136 of Albia.

His hobby interest was cars including street rods, 1934 Chevy, and a Nova.  Ed and Linda attended car shows and won many awards there.  He enjoyed visiting over coffee with friends, attending his grandchildren’s activities, and spending time at his cabin in the woods.

Ed is survived by his wife, daughter, and three grandchildren:  Emily, Jessica, and Daniel (Sydney) Flahive. He also leaves two brothers and a sister:  Bill (Betty ) Weldon of Lovilia, Greg Weldon of Knoxville, and Judy (Ronnie) Conner of Lovilia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, and an infant brother, Jerry.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 1, 2019 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church in Lovilia with Pastor Raymond Doser officiating. Burial with military rites provided by the American Legion of Albia, Melrose, and Lovilia followed at the Weldon Cemetery in rural Mahaska County.

Memorials have been established to the food pantry at the Helping Hands in Albia or the Comfort House in Pella.  May he rest in peace.

Youth Ag Action

Stephanie Beary, daughter of Pat and A.J. Beary, of rural Lovilia has won gold awards at sub-district FFA contests and progressed to the district contests. She earned a gold in creed speaking and a gold on the Greenhand Quiz team with three other team members. Congrats to you, Stephanie!

Martin “Marty” Beary, son of Gene and Shelley Beary, of rural Lovilia participated in ag contests at the Iowa Professional Agricultural Student Conference. He was a member of the beef team that received second place which entitled them to go to the national convention to compete in Loveland, Colorado. Congrats to you, Marty!  He is a student at Iowa State University with a major in ag studies.

Talented Lovilia Youth Perform in High School Swing Show and Art Show

The annual performances were April 5th and 6th at the Albia High School.

Lovilia youth in show choir are:  Nika Spaur (senior), Logan Spaur (sophomore), Savannah Stalzer (junior) and Logan Stalzer (freshman).  Nika had some solo and duet parts including a special duet with her brother, Logan.  Savannah Stalzer had solo and duet parts too.  They participated in all the dance and show choir songs also.

Logan Spaur also had an entry displayed in the art show.

Jazz band performed lots of toetapping music and Alyssa Burk, freshman, played her tenor saxophone with the group.

These are talented young men and women and a joy to watch and listen to. Be sure to catch their shows next year, you won’t be disappointed.  Nika is graduating in May and we wish her a bright future.

Little Free Library Update

The little free library, located at 1201 E Avenue South, in David and Susan Beary’s yard ,will have a change soon.  Please stop by now and borrow a book and if you like it, feel free to keep it.

Then May 1st Susan will place a new set of books in the library and a collection of book marks for readers to use.  Happy Reading!

Two new babies arrived to Lovilia families Mar5 and Mar 6.

March 5th Natalie Fae Lang arrived to Justin and Sarah Lang. Lovilia grandparents are David and Linda Kraber and great- grandmother, Marilyn Kraber.  Everyone is doing fine. Congrats!

March 6th Maggie Loita joined the William and Sadie Dykstra family.  Local grandparents are Bob and Loita Williams and great-grandmother, Norma Barnes.  Mom and Baby are doing well. Congrats!

Thanks for raising our census numbers for Lovilia for the 2020 census.

Update on Juana “Jane” Plum

She has left the hospital and is in rehab at a facility in Oskaloosa.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Town Annexes land

City council voted to annex land on the southend of Lovilia.  New business venture may be placed there. I will keep you posted on the progress of that.

Ray, husband of Margaret Crumley died Feb. 6, 2019.  The funeral was Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa, Iowa.  Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lovilia.

Margaret is the daughter of the late, Don and Geraldine Crumley of Lovilia.

Ray and Margaret met at school studying to be x-ray technicians  and soon married in 1960 in Lovilia.  They were blessed with five sons:  John, Michael, Joseph, David, and Stephen.  Ray and Margaret shared 59 years of marriage before he passed away.

May he rest in peace.

Louis Robert Flattery Died

Louis, age 88, of Knoxville, Iowa died Feb. 8th at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown.

Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 at At. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Knoxville with family present from 4-7 p.m. Rosary will be at 7 pm.

The funeral mass will be held on Wed., February 13th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Father Kevin Anstey officiating.  Burial services with military honors will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

Surviving are his wife, Martha Crall Flattery, and sons:  Mike, Pat, Jerry, John ,Paul, and Russell and their families.  Also they have one daughter, Marilyn (Doug) Spaur.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son David and four brothers:  Vince, Edward, Gene, and James.

Son, Mike, is married to the former Lovilian, Donna Jean Major.  Son, Paul and family live just west of Lovilia.

May he rest in peace.

Lovilia Students Win Highest Awards at Speech State Contest

Nika Spaur and Valerie Beary got a top rating with their performance in a Ensemble Acting group.  Nika Spaur and friend also rated at the top for a Musical Theatre performance.  Congratulations for the reward for your work and talents.

Albia Community High School Show Choir Wins Top Ratings

The show choir won top scores from all the judges. Choir members from Lovilia are:  Savannah Stalzer, Logan Stalzer, Logan Spaur and Nika Spaur.  Congratulations to you for your efforts and talents.

New Store To Be Built in Lovilia

Bonnie Louise Gordon died Saturday, February 2,2019, at West Ridge Specialty Care in Knoxville.  She was 91 years of age.

Bonnie was born on May 1, 1927 to Clarence and Jennie (Nedderman) Potts.  On Jan. 16, 1949 she was joined in marriage to Darwin “Peanuts” Gordon in Albia, Iowa.  He died in Sept.of 2016.  They were blessed with four children:  Dianne, Rick, Pam, and Ardie.

She was a beautician and sold cosmetics.  Bonnie belonged to the Community Baptist Church in Bussey and the the Eastern Star Lodge.  Some of her joys were:  traveling camping, crafting, baking, apple cider making, making noodles, and playing music on the organ and piano. She also was a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness.  Most important to her was her faith and family.

She is survived by her children:  Dianne Cardenzana of Olathe,Kansas; Rick Gordon of Knoxville;Pam (Mark)Kurimski of Lovilia; and Ardie (Lynn) Gordon of Waterloo.  Surviving too are 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and brothers Alvin and Richard Potts.

Visitation will be Tuesday , Feb. 5th, at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia opening at 1 p.m. and with the family present from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 6th, at 11:00 a.m. at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia with Chaplain Don Efinger officiating. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home. Then the burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia will conclude the services.

Memorials may be made to the Lovilia Community Betterment.  May she rest in peace.

Bonnie Gordon died Saturday, Feb.2, 2019 in a care center in Knoxville, Iowa. She was 90 years old.  Arrangements are pending at Sinnott’s Funeral Home.  Our thoughts and prayers to the family.

High School News for Lovilia Students

Albia Group speech team Lovilia participants got one ratings at the district contest and  proceeded to the state contest. Best wishes and congratulations.

This includes the Musical Theater group which included Nika Spaur.  The Ensemble Action team included Nika Spaur and Valerie Beary. Also, the Group Mime   set which included Valerie Beary received a one rating.  The state contest was Feb.2 nd in Cedar Rapids.  Will try to post the results in the next blog entry.

In sports:  Jer McAninch wrestles at 195 pounds and Nat Wynn plays on the basketball team at Albia High.  Daniel Beary played basketball at Twin Cedars until a bout of mono stopped his senior year efforts.

Performing in a dance team contest in Florida this week are two Lovilia young women, Sydney Groenendyk and Savannah Stalzer. Good luck girls.

Jane “Juana” Plum Hospitalized

Jane recently suffered a brain bleed and was life flighted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.  Surgery was performed that day and she is now in recovery at Mercy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Juana and the family.

Janis Elaine Summers, age 82, died Dec. 25, 2018 at Comfort House in Pella.

She was born to Fred and Phyllis (Morris) Kirkpatrick at their home at Milo on Jan.7, 1936. As she grew up she attended several schools including Bussey and Lovilia.

June 17, 1951 she married Irven Summers in Lovilia.  They had three children:  Phyllis, William and Julie.  Janis and Irven shared 52 years of marriage before he died in 2004.

The couple had a dairy farm she helped with as well as raising Toy Fox Terrier dogs, and worked at Chamberlains mfg. in Albia, Iowa.  Janis was a member of the Dallas Christian Church and in later years a member of Bussey Baptist Church in Bussey.  Janis had belonged to the Lads and Lassies square dancing group and she enjoyed gardening, canning, collecting dolls, and sewing especially quilts and dolls.  She was from a musical family and enjoyed playing piano with them when they got together.

She is survived by her children: Phyllis and William, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.  Also surviving are three brothers:  William, James and George Kirkpatrick.  She also leaves a son-in-law, Doug Doud.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and daughter, Julie Doud.

Visitation was at Tharp’s Funeral home and services were at Dallas Christian Church in Dallas.  Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia.

An open memorial has been established for the family.  May she rest in peace.

Joseph John Kurimski died December 28, 2018 at a facility in Newton, Iowa.

Joe was born August 15, 1935 at home west of Lovilia to Michael and Nellie(Gergely) Kurimski. He attended school in Lovilia and graduated with the high school class of 1955.

Joe and Patricia Ann Wilson were married on June 13, 1959.  They were blessed with three children:  Chris, Joseph, and Michele.

After a divorce, he married Mary, then Carol, and  Joyce, 1995.

His work was first construction, then coal mining west of Lovilia, and then from 1985 until retirement in 2002 as Lake Miami Park Manager east of Lovilia.

He was into outdoor hobbies:  hunting, fishing, gardening, and mushroom hunting.   He also liked to make sauerkraut and horseradish.

Surviving him are his children:  Chris Rebarcak of Ankeny, Joseph (Cheryl) Kurimski of Van Meter, and Michele (Phil) Major of Albia.  He also leaves 15 grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren. He leaves three sisters-in-law:  Catherine Kurimski of Albia, Margaret Kurimski of Albia, and Myrtle Kurimski of Altoona, Iowa.  One sister, Nellie Croci of Cedar Falls, survives also.  He loved visiting friends especially Larry and Wilma Pinegar of Bussey.

Preceding him in death were: his parents; wife, Joyce; brothers: Tommy, John, Mike, George, and Paul; sisters: Ann Vanni, and Helen Little; one great grandson, Garret Shaffer; and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Kurimski.

Visitation will be Wednesday,January 2, 2019 beginning at 1pm and with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Lake Miami Conservation Board.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 3, 2019 officiated by Father Mike Volkmer C.P.P.S.  at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia, Iowa.  Joe will be cremated following the services.

A funeral luncheon will be held after services at the American Legion in Albia.

May he rest in peace.

Joseph William Welsh, called Joe by friends and family, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018.  He was at Monroe County Hospital under hospice care.

Joe was born on September 19, 1948 to Edward and Wilfreda (Durbala) Welsh in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  He grew up on the family farm near Lovilia and he graduated from the Albia High School with the class of 1966.

On April 6, 1968 he was married to Beatrice Kathleen “Kathy: Bregar at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, Iowa.  They were blessed with three children;  Michelle, Mindy, and Mark.  Joe and Kathy shared 50 years of marriage.

He served his country in the United States Army with the 1st Calvary in Vietnam.

He obtained an associate degree from DMACC in Des Moines and later attended computer programming classes and graduated at the top of his class.  He worked for many companies doing IT work.  His last employer before retirement was IDEX of Chicago.  There Joe was director of IT and worked on implementing computer systems all over the United States and overseas.

Joe was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Lovilia where he served on parish council and the finance committee.  In the community he served on the board of Helping Hands in Albia , Citizens Advisory Board of the Albia Comm.Schools, and he was a past Grand Knight of the the Knights of Columbus.

The Welsh family was of Irish heritage and Joe was proud of that and visited Ireland where he found the farm the family originated from and brought some of his Irish family to visit in Iowa.

Joe loved to travel with his wife and they spent 8 winters in South Texas and Arizona.  Special time for Joe was teaching his grandchildren gardening, gun safety, how to drive ATVs, and attending their events.

He is survived by his wife and his children:  Michelle (Kelly) Kuhlmann, Mindy (Brad) Stalzer, and Mark Welsh.  Also, there are five grandchildren:  Hannah Kuhlmann, Kyle Kuhlmann, Savannah Stalzer, Logan Stalzer, and Ethan Stalzer.  He also leaves one brother, Richard Welsh, and one sister, Mary (Denny) Dunker.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and a infant brother, Anthony.

Services were Nov. 28, 2018 at St. Peter’s Catholic church, Lovilia, Iowa. Officiating were Father Mark Yates C.P.P.S and Father Michael Volkmer C.P.P.S.  Burial was at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials may be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Welcome Home Soldier Memorial.

May he rest in peace.

Weller Glass

Weller Glass by Denise has a facebook page.  Go visit it and find the stained glass art pieces being created by Denise Crall of Lovilia.  Her shop is next to her home on 3rd Street.  Her home is the former Louise Golec home.  She will make custom pieces with the color of glass that the customer chooses.  Go to her facebook page and enjoy the beauty and order something to enjoy.

Santa to Visit Lovilia Christmas Eve at 6 p.m.

News reached us Santa will visit the Lovilia Community Building Christmas Eve at 6 p.m.  All children are invited to visit with him there. Merry Christmas!!!