Phyllis died Aug.17, 2021 at age 85 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the daughter of Marvin Franzen and Dorothy Chamberlain of Lovilia. Phyllis was senior class President and graduated with the class of 1954 from Lovilia High School.
Her career at Maytag at Newton, Iowa lasted 34 years until she retired in 1989.
She enjoyed football and basketball, especially Cyclones of Ames. She was a founder of Jasper County Genealogical Society and had records of her own family dating back to the 1600’s in Scotland.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and sister Patricia Jean Davis. Surviving her are her son, Michael James Guffey of Melcher and an aunt,Donna Winburn. Also her siblings: Larry Franzen, Judy McGinn, Charles Barton, Rick Barton, Terry Franzen (of Lovilia), and brother-in-law, Tom Davis.
A graveside service will be held at a later date for family and friends with interment at Waveland Cemetery in Prairie City, Iowa.
May she rest in peace.
U.S. Census for 2020 shows that Lovilia lost 66 persons from the population leaving us with a total of 472 residents.
Monroe County Fair
Abby Findley won some top awards in beef: 4th place overall champion market beef, champion bucket +1, and junior beef showman, and other beef awards. She also won Grand Champion Market Lamb, Champion County Born Market Lamb. Abby also did a share the fun about John Wayne. Congrats Abby!
Stephanie Beary also received awards in beef class 2 market steer-purple, blue for ultrasound quality market beef, and purple in rate of gain. Congrats Steph!
Noah Findley had multiple ribbons in the poultry show. Congrats, Noah!
Noah Findley and Kylie Manser were intermediate exhibitors an Stephanie Beary was a senior exhibitor in the horse show. They won multiple ribbons each. Congrats to you all!
Alexis Rominger, reserve champion cat and Dog Obedience: Beginners Novice A Reserve champion and Jillian Rominger ,Champion cat. Congrats girls !
Brayden Manser Showmanship Junior Reserve Champion dog. Congrats, Brayden!
Great job Lovilia 4-H YOUTH. I know I may have missed some ribbons or youth. Contact me and I will add them. Thanks.
Sharon O’Donnell Obit
Former rural Lovilia resident, died September 11, 2021 at age 75 at Corydon, Iowa. She had suffered several years with the health complications of vasculitis.
Sharon Laurene Penner was born July 28, 1946 to Isaac and Elsie (Wolford) Penner in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. She graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1964.
January 9, 1987 she was married to Robert Francis O’Donnell in Butterfield, Minnesota. Together they shared six children: Shelly, Lori, Nicole, Katherine, Charles and Bridget.
Her interests included spending time in nature, bird watching, horses, playing rummy or cribbage, and music ,especially the Beatles,
Sharon was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Corydon and a member of P.E.O.
She is survived by her husband, six children, and nine grandchildren
The funeral was at St. Francis Church in Corydon and interment was at St. James Cemetery in Colo, Iowa. Memorials are directed to the Vasculitis Foundation: www.vasculitisfoundation.org
May she rest in peace.
Lovilian Added This Year to Albia Community High School Wall of Fame
Lester Stevens was the only member of the Lovilia High School track team in 1950 to 1952. On his own he won some state titles in track. He also graduated valedictorian of his senior class.
He went on to be a star on the Hawkeyes track team at the University of Iowa.
There he earned his degree in teaching/coaching and his career included: Phoenix Junior College, Santa Barbara City College, University of Iowa, and Central Missouri State. Colleagues at one time chose him coach of the year. His widow, Katherine, accepted the honor of wall of fame inductee for him. We are proud of this alumni of Lovilia School.
Pettyjohn Home Destroyed by Fire
The Dennis and Mary Pettyjohn home west of Lovilia burned to the ground in the early hours of Sunday, Sept.26th. The garage was a total loss also. The good news is that Dennis, Mary, and their family dog escaped unharmed.
If more information about their situation comes to me, I will blog it here.