Dennis Leroy Spears, age 75, died August 11, 2019.
Dennis was the son of Daniel and Frances (Tisue) Spears and was born Jan.14,1944. He attended school in Lovilia, worked on his father’s farm, and later at Ragtime Industries. There he assembled mousetraps for Kness Mfg. He enjoyed: football games, watching parades, TV westerns, and pro wrestling on TV, and visiting with friends and coworkers.
He is survived by his brother, Benny (Annette) Spears of Newton and his sister, Connie (Mike) Haluska of Decorah.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Kenneth Spears.
His funeral was Aug. 14 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Burial was in Union Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial is established to Mon. Co. Professional Management Day Hab. May he rest in peace.
Accidental Death in Lovilia
August 12, 2019 John VanWardhuizen was attempting to mow his lawn at his Lovilia home. Due to an accident with the mower, he died. He was 57 years old and a newer resident. He had purchased the home formerly owned by Ted and Colleen Visser. May he rest in peace.
Bob Thomas died August 31, 2019
Robert “Bob” Joseph Thomas, age 73, died under hospice care at his home on Aug. 31, 2019.
He was born to Joseph and Geneva (Bates) Thomas in Albia on July 24, 1946. He grew up in the Hiteman area and attended school in Albia where he graduated with the class of 1964. Bob later enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967 ad served his country during the Vietnam War.
When he returned home he worked for Maytag and then John Deere. After that he joined work and travel to Hawaii, Australia, Florida and then Honduras. In these travels he worked on shrimp boats, oil ships, Danish Freighters, and lastly a lobster boat. While in Honduras he met and married Romanita Rosales on April 30, 1986. After a while they decided to come to Monroe County, Iowa.
He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting mushrooms, and was an accomplished woodworker.
Bob is survived by his wife, Romanita and a brother, Howard (Lois) Thomas, sister, Mimi Tharp, and sister, Karen “Kitty” (Buddy)Stafford, and a brother-in-law, Matt Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and three sisters: Gladyth VanDolah,Jeanne Frye, and Donna Watson.
Memorial services were Sept.3, 2019 at Tharp funeral Home in Albia and burial with Military rites followed services at the Hiteman Cemetery. An open memorial has been established. May he rest in peace.
Joe Kurimski Honored at Lake Miami
A park bench and a plaque is placed there to honor the 18 years that Joe was the Lake Miami Park Ranger. During that time he created wildlife enclosure that held some elk, and he developed the park’s cabin system among many other projects. Kurimski enjoyed wildlife and wanted to conserve it. He died December 2018.
Lindsey Chance New Mother
Lindsey recently gave birth to a baby girl who she named, Kirsten Maxine. More details to follow.
Lovilia Fall Festival
Rain hampered the activities this year on Saturday, Sept.21. There was food served at the Community Building and the Coal Mule band entertained the guests with music in spite of the wet evening. There is always next year and hopes for a sunny day.
Sept. 29th is the Annual St. Peter’s Picnic
Mass is at the church in Lovilia at 10:30 a.m. with Father Mark Yates.
After mass there will be golf carts at the church to bring guests from there to the Lovilia Community building for the dinner and give them a ride back later to their parked cars. You can park up town but may have to walk a ways to the building.
There will be a Country Market with garden produce, baked goods, etc for purchase. Raffle prizes of cash are winnable if you buy a $2 ticket per chance. Tickets can be purchased in advance from a church member or at the door that day. You need not be present to win.
Menu: roast beef or ham, mashed potatoes, homemade egg noodles, green beans, cole slaw, dinner roll, choice of desserts, and a beverage (water, ice tea, lemonade, or coffee). Meal tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 4-12 years of age, and free for 3 years of age and younger.
Dinner is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Carry outs are available for you to pick up at the building: please call on Saturday to order so we can have it ready for you to pick up on Sunday. Call Saturday between 9 am and 9 pm to 641-946-7952 (David and Susan Beary’s) leave a message with your name and phone number if no one answers and we will return your call.
Live Auction begins at 1pm and will include interesting and unique items. So grab a bid card and join the bidders.
Raffle drawing and winners will be announced at the end of the auction.
Everyone is welcome to join in for the meal and auction. This is the once a year fundraiser for St. Peter’s. All the guests are appreciated.