Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

Four graduated from Albia Community High School.  They are Valerie Beary, Jer McAninch, Payton Nichols, and Nika Spaur.

Valerie is the daughter of AJ and Pat Beary and she plans to go to school at the Univ. of Northern Iowa and major in elementary education.

Jer McAninch is the son of Kirk and Susan McAninch and he plans to enter Iowa State University and major in ag systems technology.

Nika Spaur is the daughter of Tiffinie and Matt Spaur and she plans to go to Des Moines Area Community College and major in fitness and sports education.

Payton Steven Nichols is the son of Justin and Samantha Nichols. He has been working full time at Hy-Vee Warehouse and will continue to do so.

Three graduated from Twin Cedars High School. Daniel Beary, Amber McCombs and Gracie McCombs.

Daniel is  the son of Gene and Shelly Beary and he plans to study ag business at Centerville Comm. College and then transfer to Iowa State University.

Amber is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris McCombs of Lovilia. (this writer does not know Amber’s plans)

Gracie McCombs is the daughter of Justin McCombs and Trisha McCombs of Lovilia and she works currently at Homestead in Knoxville and plans to attend college.

Best wishes to all seven with their future education and careers.

Marvin Joe Barnes Has Died

Marvin Joe Barnes, age 58, died at his residence in Ottumwa, Iowa on May 21,2019.

He was born June 2, 1960 to Phillip and Ada Mae (Davis) Barnes. Marvin graduated from Albia High School with the class of 1978.

He liked attending sprint car races, casinos, and mushroom hunting.  He also enjoyed accompanying his brother Roland and Roland’s wife, Jessie, on trips to Las Vegas and to the Philippines.

Surviving him are his brother Roland (Jessie) Barnes of Ottumwa, Iowa and his sister, Karen (Jerry) Knapp of Lovilia, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a nephew, JJ Knapp.

Visitation and funeral services were May 24, 2019 at Sinnott Funeral Home, Gilbert Chapel in Lovilia with Pastor Merle Pope officiating.  Memorials may be directed in memory of Marvin to assist with funeral expenses.

May he rest in peace.

Accident Sends Boy to Iowa City by Helicopter

Friday afternoon , May 24th, a young boy in a motorized wheelchair entered a Lovilia street and was struck by an oncoming car. The chair turned over on its side and the boy fell out of the chair. An ambulance was called right away. Onlookers protected him until the ambulance arrived.  A life flight helicopter was called in and it landed in Lovilia to which the boy was transferred and taken directly to University of Iowa Hospitals. Testing showed no brain injury but both arms and both legs are broken.  Further testing is being done to check for other possible injury.  He is the grandson of Jerry and Karen Knapp of Lovilia.  Please keep him your thoughts and prayers for a full recovery.

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.