Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

David “Dave” Dean Stewart, age 63, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022 while wintering in Mission, Texas.

He was born November 17, 1958 to Paul and Elizabeth (Ewers) Stewart in the Oskaloosa Hospital. He was educated in Albia Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1977. On December 3, 1977 he married Kim Conner at the Lovilia, Iowa Methodist church. Dave and Kim shared 44 years of marriage before he passed. To this union three sons were born: Jeff, Travis, and Nick.

Dave’s work life included: cattle farming, construction work with Ben Pettyjohn, work with stained glass windows, owned/operated Lovilia Stop and Shop and finally, hauled local farmers grain.

His interests included: fishing, mechanic work, lawn care, and playing pool. He and Kim enjoyed traveling to Oklahoma and wintered in Texas for 15 years. Dave enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

Dave is survived by his wife, three sons, 12 grandchildren, and his siblings: Karen ,Margaret, Stephen, Claudia, Debby, and Bess Powers. Also 2 sister-in-laws: Dotty Stewart and Cindy (Tom) Welsh; and brother-in-law, Danny Conner.

Preceding him in death were: his parents; brother, Charlie; in-laws, Don and Phyllis Conner; and brothers-in-law, Don Casper, Dale VanLangen, and Dick Powers.

At his request, his body has been cremated and a Celebration Of Life service will be at a later date.

Cards may be sent to the family at 6233 132nd St., Lovilia, Iowa 50150.

May he rest in peace.

Lovilia Bank Has Been Sold

The bank is a branch of the State Bank of Bussey. Both have been sold to Palm Grove Bancorp. At the closing of the sale, the bank will be renamed Twin Cedars Bank.

Rudy Fors, Chairman and CEO of Palm Grove Bancorp, Inc., said in a released statement that they are happy to buy the bank and welcome the customers, employees, and the communities they serve.They even plan to offer more products to their new customers.

Sate Bank of Bussey has been locally owned by the Hansen family since 1961 and it has been in operation since 1931. State bank of Bussey currently has $50mm in total assets and $45mm in deposits in their three branches: Bussey, Lovilia, and Oskaloosa.

Palm Grove Bancorp,Inc. is owned by a group of Iowa based investors, Rudy Fors is one of the founders and is the current chairman, President, and CEO.

If you have questions call: Rudy Fors 515-344-2000 or Kim Hansen 641-944-5314

Mr. Fors and his family live in Ankeny, Iowa. He has a bachelors degree from St. Louis Univ., graduate school of banking, Univ.of Wis. and MBA in Finance at Colorado State Univ., plus other education.

We are happy the bank will remain open in Lovilia and hope the new bank will continue to serve us well.

Changes in Residence

We hear that Greg and Sara Wynn and family have purchased a rural home and will be moving from main street. We wish you well but will miss you.

Crystal Gladys Stansberry, age 70, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022 at her home.

She was born April 4, 1951 in Chariton, Iowa to Edwin Francis and Hazel(Lamb) Wade. Crystal went to school in Albia and graduated with the class of 1969. She continued her education at Indian Hills Community College in the Machine Technology program.

Crystal and John Stansberry Sr. were married in 1981 in Ottumwa, Iowa. Her work career was with Chamberlains in Albia, Clow Valve Co. in Oskaloosa and then 23 years with Vermeer at Pella, Iowa. Her last work was with Mon. Co. Professional Management in Albia. She enjoyed reading, thrift shops, casinos, and family time.

Crystal is survived by 3 children: John (Karyn) Stansberry Jr. of Gillette, WY; Tiffany (Zach) Randall of Newton, IA; and Waylon (Nikki) Hutt of Lovilia, IA; and 11 grandchildren. She leaves three siblings: Sandra Wade of Lovilia, Jim Wade, and Tamie(Cameron) Watson. Also, she leaves good friends Rhonda Bonnett, and Phyllis Whicker .

Preceding her in death were her parents and two siblings: Jack Wade and Arlene Riessen.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Tharp Funeral Home from 9-11am and services will be at 11 am. Her family will be present to greet family and friends at the visitation.

Per Crystal’s wishes, her body will be cremated following services and private graveside services will be at Shaul cemetery in Ottumwa, Iowa at a later date. There is an open memorial to the family.

May she rest in peace.

Linda Kraber Obit

Linda Ann Kraber, age 68, of Lovilia, Iowa passed away at her home on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 under the care of EveryStep Hospice.

She was born on December 17, 1953 in Albia, Iowa to John and Jennie (Post) Landsperger. Her education was in Albia and she graduated with the class of 1972. During high school she worked at Albia Newspaper and Trophy Glove.

July 16, 1977 she married David Kraber and they were blessed with two children: Matthew and Sarah.

Then she spent the rest of her life as a homemaker. Her joys were planting flowers, decorating her yard, reading, making homemade noodles, having family dinners, and especially time with her grandchildren.

Linda will be missed by her husband; son, Matthew (Holly) Kraber;, daughter, Sarah (Justin) Lang; three grandchildren: Karson Kraber, Ava Lang, and Natalie Lang; mother-in-law, Marilyn Kraber; aunt, Janice Slay of Albia; uncle, Pete (Shirley) Post of Cedar Rapids, and uncle, Tim (Jodi) Post of Albia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law, Charles Kraber.

Per Linda’s wishes, her body has been cremated and a private family burial will be held at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa.

Cards of condolences/memorials can be mailed to Linda’s family at 202 West 5th street, Lovilia, Iowa 50150.

May she rest in peace.

Free Movie Canceled due to Weather

Last Saturday’s free movie at the community building was canceled because everyone in Lovilia was in their basements. Why you say? A tornado touched down in Winterset, Iowa and was approaching Lovilia at movie time so with the tornado warning in effect Lovilians had descended to the basements. I am unaware of any Lovilia damage.

Let’s hope the April movie can be shown without any hitches!! But it is March in Iowa so it is par for the course. Buckle your seat belts and hang on!

Gerald, age 88, passed away at his home in Albia on Feb. 28, 2022. Before moving to Albia his family lived many years in Lovilia.

His birth was Nov.14, 1933 in Chariton, Iowa to Earl and Jennie(Hunt) Conner. His education was received in Chariton. Then he served his country in the US Air Force from 1953-1957 as an air craft mechanic with time in Korea, Alaska, and Texas. After his service he returned to Iowa and on Oct. 25, 1958 , Gerald married Janet Waters at the Methodist Church in Knoxville, Iowa. They were blessed with two daughters, Shelly and Sandra.

He worked in construction and for Franzen Trucking before going into business for himself. Gerald owned and operated first the APCO station and then the Sinclair station. His final work before retirement was in the service department at Duea Motor Co. in Albia, iowa.

His interests included fishing, camping, Nascar racing, and traveling with Janet. He was a talented mechanic who especially liked working on cars.

Surviving are his wife; daughter,Shelly (Tom) Shultz; daughter, Sandra (Roger) Reed; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Ronald (Judy) Conner; in-laws, Lewis Darrah ,Ray Mosbarger and Larry (Armadine) Schmitt.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother,Clyde (Margaret) Conner; brother, Cecil (Viola) Conner; brother, Donald (Phyllis) Conner; brother, Elmer (Beverly) Conner; and sister, Connie Darrah, his wife’s parents, Pat and Iva Waters; and his wife’s brother and wife, Marvin (Haydee) Waters.

Visitation will be from 2-7pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Gerald’s family will be there to greet family and friends from 4-7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Tharp’s with Pastor Richard Grimes officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa.

An open memorial has been established to the family.

May he rest in peace.

Lovilia Houses Sold

The Charlie and Patty DeGross home has been purchased by Louise Burn who will be moving here from out of state. Her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, live across the street from the former Stank and Katie Papich house.

The former Harold and Ardyth Showers house has been remodeled and sold to Dennis and Mary Pettyjohn. Pettyjohn’s had recently lost their home in a fire.

We hope everyone will enjoy their new homes.

Free Movie March 5, Saturday

Be at the Lovilia Community Building for the start of the film at 7p.m. The movie is “Lars and the Real Girls”. PG The story is about a young man who is wrapped up in his own world. He does not relate well to his family or others. Can he change? Can he relate to a girl? Come see and bring your own snacks. This is not a movie for children to like or understand. Made for teens and adults to enjoy. See you there or be square! ( that saying dates me, haha)