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!