Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

Gerald, age 91, passed away today, March 30,2023 at VA Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

He was born on January 10, 1932 at his parent’s home near Attica. HIs father was Glenn Ellis Ross and his mother was Anna Pauline (Jones) Ross. HIs education was all in the Lovilia schools and he graduated with the class of 1950.

On April 24, 1954 he and Eleanor “Claudine” Gullion were joined in marriage at Knoxville, Iowa and the spent 63 years together until she passed in 2021. They were blessed with five children: Patti, Deb, Greg, Kenny, and Brian.

Gerald and his father worked together in a sawmill until Gerald went into the Army and was stationed in Korea. After serving his country, he returned home and worked: 21 years at John Morrell’s in Ottumwa; drove truck for Ted Visser and for Leach Trucking Co.; and then worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Corps of Engineers.

In his youth he pitched in a fast pitch softball league. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as: hunting, fishing, vegetable gardening, mowing and manicuring his lawn; and fixing most anything. Gerald had his pilot’s license and flew his own planes. He loved the Lovilia community and would help with projects like construction, cement work, plumbing, and grave digging.

The family went on trips with him to Canada, Mt. Rushmore, Florida and Lake Red Rock camping.

Friends and family often called him the nicknames: Charger, Gunner, or Sarge. He shared his great sense of humor with them all.

Gerald is survived by four children: Deb, Greg, Kenny, and Brian; 9 grandchildren, eleven great-grand children and one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter-Patti, twin sisters- Wilma and Wilda, and a brother-Robert.

Visitation will be 12:30pm-1 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Tharp Funeral Home Albia, Iowa with his family present to greet family and friends.

Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Tharp’s. Pastor Richard Grimes officiating and military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia, and Melrose. Burial will follow services at Gullion Cemetery in Attica, Iowa

Memorials have been established to the American Legion in Albia and the Welcome Home Soldier monument in Albia.

May he rest in peace.

Mary “Theresa”, age 86, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Monroe Care Center in Albia, Iowa under the care of Every Step Hospice.

She was born on July 13, 1936 at the family farm home east of Hamilton, Iowa to Albert and Kathryn (Flahive) Lenger. Her education began at Hamilton and finished with graduation from Lovilia High School.

Theresa’s career was with the VA and began in Knoxville and then in Iowa City until her retirement.

She was an active member of the Catholic Church. First in Lovilia at St. Peter’s where she taught catechism classes. Then in St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville, Iowa. Theresa was asked to be Godmother and confirmation sponsor for many of her nieces and nephews. She even took one university student nephew to church herself to “make sure he got there”.

She was an avid bowler and was in league teams and won many trophies at tournaments. She was a fan of Hawkeye football and basketball and hosting for guests who came to see the games. Three best friends: Shirley Holtz, Janet Barry, and Margaret Brogla, were regular dinner and travel companions. She cherished her family most of all.

Theresa is survived by one sister, Marge Comer of Norwalk; a sister-in-law, Nancy Lenger; a brother-in-law, Joe Conway; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; six brothers: Richard, Ed, Daniel, Joseph, Jim, and David; and a sister, Pauline.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at St. Peter’s Catholic church in Lovilia with her family present to greet family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., following visitation at St. Peter’s with Father Mark Yates, C.P.P.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lovilia.

Memorials may be sent to Every Step Hospice.

May she rest in peace.

Visitation will be Friday, March 24, 2023 beginning at 2pm and then Brownie’s family will be present to visit with guests from 5-7pm. at Sinnott Funeral Home & Crematory in Albia, Iowa.

The Celebration of Life Service will begin at 7pm after visitation at the funeral home. David Willardson will officiate. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Brian Eric O’Donovan Bown passed away March 19,2023 at home in Lovilia, Iowa at age 58.

He was born on March 18, 1965 to Charles Larry and Mary Rose (Dethrow) Brown. He graduated from Knoxville High School with the class of 1984. Then he graduated from Marshalltown Community College and was on the Dean’s List.

Brownie married Debbie Lahart on August 7, 2004 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Georgetown, Iowa. He and Debbie were blessed with two children: Taryn and Brian.

He had many interests including: working on cars, fishing, wood working, and lawn mowing. He was serving his community as a member of the Lovilia City Council. Brownie loved helping others, telling stories, and making people laugh.

Survivors include: his wife; children: Danise “Nieser” (Trey) Hyatt of Knoxville, Ia.; Brianne (Lucas) Teeter of Albia; Taryn and Brian Brown of Lovilia; and six grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings: Kelly (Daniel) Binns, Kirk Brown, Jodi (David) Willardson, all of Knoxville, Iowa and Ronnie (Kristy) Brown of Lovilia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Brown.

May he rest in peace.

Joe, age 65, of Lovilia, Iowa passed away February 20, 2023. He was born in Albia, Iowa to Robert James and Margaret Mae (Wilcoxson) Nupp on April 20, 1957. His career was with kaiser Brothers (now Martin Marietta) running equipment and loading rock into trucks for 37 years until he retired in 2017 due to his health.

His interests included: fishing, mushroom hunting, shooting guns, baking, John Wayne collection, hot wheels collection, car shows, Reba McEntire, and Minesota Vikings. He really like his ’66 Mustang. Joe was a generous man and enjoyed visiting with friends and family.

He is survived by his special companion, Dorothy Wagner and her daughter, Steph Kingery. Surviving too are his children: Ashley (Jeff) Runnells, Kaylia (Marc) Etcher, and Sierra Spaur; 11 grandchildren; one great grandbaby; siblings: Debra Nelson and Kenneth Nupp. He leaves his long-time friends, Jimmy Anderson and Donny Ward.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a grandbaby, Ethan; six siblings: Perry, Donald, Norman,Ethel, Dorothy, and Betty; a sister-in-law Mary and a niece, Barb.

The funeral was at Tharps, Albia and burial at Hiteman Cemetery in Hiteman, Iowa. Open memorial to the family.

May he rest in peace.

Dennis Scott Keeton Obit

Dennis, age 69, of Greensboro, North Carolina, died February 26, 2023.

Denny was born August 17, 1953 to Edith Elnora Scott and Elmer Joseph (Shag) Keeton. He graduated from Albia Community High School with the class of 1971. Denny graduated from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in 1975 and was a licensed RN. Then graduating from the Minneapolis VA School of Nurse Anesthesia he was licensed as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 1980. He later earned a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration and a Master’s degree in Nursing, as well as graduating from the US Army Command and General Staff College.

Dennis proudly served his country for over 27 years, retiring in 2000 from active service with the rank of Major as an Army Nurse Corp officer. He moved to Greensboro and worked as anesthetist and a staff member for over 20 years. He loved nursing, advocating for his patients, and training new clinicians.

His interests included: making award winning wine, beer, etc.; scuba diving, camping, cooking, reading, bowling, and cross-country skiing.

On May 2, 1981 he was married to Beth Ann Rasmussen in Wayzata, Minnesota. They were blessed with two daughters, Bridget and Kathryn. The family moved with the Army including to Germany and Russia.

As a dad he helped with softball, soccer, Girl Scouts, golf, and running.

Joe volunteered with Red Cross, hospital chaplain, and many ways in his church, Saint Pius X Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, one granddaughter, two step-grandsons,

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Donna Keeton, in-laws Raymond and Marian Rasmussen and his brother Joe died March 7, 2023.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023 at Saint Pius X Catholic Chruch. Interment with military honors will be Friday May 12, 2023 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Memorials are for Disabled American Veterans online at dav.org/ways to give or via check to DAV, POBox 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or give to a charity of your choice in his name.

May he rest in peace.

Joe Keeton Obit

Elmer Joseph Keeton, Jr. of Newton Iowa passed away on March 7,2023 at the hospital in Destin, Florida.

He was born on February 28, 1947 in Oskaloosa to Edith (Scott) and Elmer Joseph Keeton, Sr. Joe graduated from Albia High School with the class of 1965. In his youth he worked at his dad’s gas station.

In 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and after basic training he returned home to marry Donna Phipps on July 24, 1966. They shared 45 years together and raised three sons: Mark, Brian, and David.

Joe served in the Army from 1966-1969 and his training in communications based in Korea prepared him for 40 years in Database Management. He retired from Iowa Telecom in 2010.

He belonged to the American Legion and the Independent Bible Church of Bussey, Iowa. His hobbies included woodworking and playing cards.

Joe is survived by his three sons, 8 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, daughter-Kelly Jo, a still born son, brother-Dennis, and his in-laws-Hilbert and Joy Phipps.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22,2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Church in Newton, Iowa. The service will be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page. The family will greet friends after the service with a luncheon at the church.

Memorials may be left at the church or the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

May he rest in peace.

Junior Goematt, husband of Verona Goematt, of Lovilia has also passed away. According to his wishes there will be no services and a private family burial at a later time. May he rest in peace.

March19,2023 Brian “Brownie” Brown passed away. We have no information about services at this time. May he rest in peace and we offer prayers for his family.

Tractor Fire

This weekend Pat Beary was moving hay on his tractor to feed his horses when he smelled something hot. He pulled off the road and hopped down only to see his tractor burst into flames. We are thankful he escaped safely.

Lenten & Easter Services at St. Peter’s

Daily Mass at 9am on Tuesdays.

Stations of the Cross on Tuesdays at 6pm

Reconciliation on Tuesday March 28 from 5:30-6pm.

Good Friday April 7 mass at 3pm

Easter Sunday April 9 mass at 7am.

Easter Blessings to All!