Martin Cole, age 76, of Albia, died May 6, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
He was born April 16,1940 to James “Clarence” and Dorothy “Nora” Gladson Cole at their home in Lovilia. After attending Lovilia High School he joined the United States Army and served his country.
December 1981 Martin married Shirley Repp and they shared 31 years before she died in August 2013.
He worked at Maytag his entire working life until retirement. Martin was a member of the Albia American Legion post, the VFW, and the Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his two step children, Cyndi Price, and Mike Anderson and three step-grandchildren, Jenny, Jody, and Jesse.
He was proceeded in death by his wife, his parents, and brother, Norman, and a sister, Bonnie. Funeral services were May 13, 2016 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Burial will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia with military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Melrose, and Lovilia.
May 7 All City Wide Yard Sales
We had eight sales in town and shoppers from other communities. The rain held off until afternoon. People enjoyed browsing and we can hopefuly have another good day next year.
Monroe County, Iowa Community Foundation Grand Paves the Way for New Sidewalk
Excuse the play on words for paving and sidewalk but it semed fitting. Lovilia Community Betterment Committee decided this winter there was a need to replace the sidewalk in front of the building.
The sidewalk at the bulding after over 30 years of use has need of being replaced. Due to winter freezing and thawing there were cracks and heaved areas. It is necessary to replace it to provide safe entry to and from the building. It will also make snow removal easier with a smooth surface and prevent water pooling into ice that causes more sidewalk damage and unsafe walking on this ice. The Community Betterment committee voted unanimously for the project and the city government is supporting it with an in-kind contribution.
The city government agreed to donate the trucking to haul away the old concrete and the contractor stated this has an in-kind donation value of $200. Community Betterment invested $800 in the project. The committee requested a grant from the foundation of $1500 to complete the project and the committee received the approval for the grant April 8, 2016.
The goal is for the new sidewalk to provide another 30 years of a safe environment for the community.
The committee requested a project estimate from Romanco Concrete of Pleasantville, Iowa, The estimate included concrete, rebar, skid loader rental, concrete breaker rental, and concrete saw rental. Also labor for the removal of old concrete and for construction of the new sidewalk for 325 square feet of walkway. The committee unanimously voted to hire Romanco Concrete. Mike said he could complete the job in May.
Romanco moved in and completed the project over the two days of May 6th and 7th. All the flaws were corrected and the new walkway is excellent. Community Betterment board of directors and the committee wish to thank the construction company for their cooperation of project completion in a timely way, the city’s in-kind donation, and the foundation grant to make this improvement possible. This should serve the community for another 30 years.
Garage Fire
In May a fire broke out in the garage behind the Billy Chance house on south F Avenue. The garage was burned to the ground and there was some heat damage to the west side of the house. This is the home years ago that was the Stank and Katie Papich home.
Lovilia has Two T-Ball Teams
Lovilia has two teams called Ninjas and Lions. Their game schedule follows:
June 2 7pm at Albia. Lions vs. orange on F4 and Ninjas vs. Purple on F3
June 7 at Lovilia 6pm Ninjas vs. Yellow and 7pm Lions vs Red
June 9 at Albia 7pm Ninjas vs. red and Lions vs. Pink
June 14 at Lovilia at 6pm Lions vs. Navy and 7pm Ninjas vs. Green
June 16 at Blakesburg 6pm Lil Lions vs. Ninjas and 7pm Lil Giants vs. Lions
June 21 at Lovilia at 6pm Lions vs. Blue and 7pm Ninjas vs. Pink
June 23 at Albia 7pm gray vs. Ninjas F4
June 28 at Lovilia 6pm Lil Giants vs. Ninjas and 7pm Lil Lions vs. Lions
These are the beginner teams for boys and girls. Come on out to the ballpark and cheer them on!
John Wesley Major Dies
John, age 37, of Albia passed away on May 11, 2016 at his mother’s home in Russell, Iowa.
John was born on November 6, 1978 to Gary and Mary Ann Parker Major in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He started school in Lovilia grade school and completed it at Albia graduating with the class of 1997. He later attended IHCC for diesel mechanics and received his CDL
John was an over the road trucker and hauled coast to coast for eight years. His real passion was working on the family farm. He also helped with his grandparents business, H & R Repair.
He enjoyed the out of doors and riding his motorcycle.
John is survived by his mother Mary Ann (Don) Schramm; his father, Gary (Cathy) Major; three brothers: Harold (Amy) Major, Ed Major, ad David (Jessica) Major; his grandfather, Harold Parker; and two step brothers: Donald III and Derick Schramm. Also surviving are nephews, nieces, and friends.
Preceding him in death were Della Ruth Parker and Jim and Ellen Haines, grandparents.
A funeral service was held May 19, 2016 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Judy Simmons Dies
Judy was born on September 24, 1953 in Knoxville, Iowa to Pearl Simmons. Her full name is Judith Maxine Simmons. She received her education in Knoxville schools.
She lived most of her life in Lovilia. She raised three children there: Chris, Autumn and Fred. She worked many years at the Dairy Queen and at Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa. She retired early in 2000 due to her health.
Judy enjoyed games such as bingo and pitch and bowling. She also enjoyed traveling with friends.
When her health declined she lived with her daughter Autumn in Knoxville and finally at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center. Judy died May 20, 2016 at the age of 62.
She is survived by her daughter Autumn Derringer of Knoxville, Fred McCombs and his wife, Amanda, of Albia, Iowa and six grandchildren. Grandchildren are: Christopher and Saphyre McCombs, Ashlyn and Shalyn Derringer, AJ and Garrett McCombs and great-granddaughter, Cadence Derringer. Her mother, Pearl Minard of Knoxville, Iowa survives as well as sister, Sharon(Warner) Keegel of Columbia, Iowa, brother, Rick (Alicia) Minard of Harvey, Iowa and sister, Connie (Bob) Fayette of Hot Springs, South Dakota.
Preceding her in death was her son Chris E. McCombs; her son-in-law, Martin (Marty) Derringer; her sister, Karen Simmons; and a brother, Jack Minard. Also, her maternal grandparents, Worth and Gladys Simmons and a niece, Casey Reece.
Memorial services were held May 25, 2016 at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville, Iowa with inurnment at Breckenridge cemetery in Marion County, Iowa.
Beautify Lovilia Day
Lovilia Parks Committee wants to thank all who were able to help with the clean up day on Saturday, May 21st. Sadie Dykstra said, ” We had about 20 all together and we got a lot done! I’m so happy to see our town coming together making it a better place!” Volunteers were: Sadie Dykstra, Pat Dykstra, Carson Dykstra, Doran Haywood, Janis Aldridge, Katie Williams, Leonard Geery, Sara Wynn, Brian Brown, Rev. Ray Doser, Debbie Brown, Tarin Brown, Loita Williams, Garrett Dykstra, Bill Barnes, Connie Barnes and Don Shelford.
The Lovilia Methodist Church provided food for after the cleanup and some people donated money towards the food and snacks. Sadie says,” thanks again to everyone!”
Wedding Anniversary
Pat and Teresa Gilbert just celebrated their 28th Wedding Anniversary. Best Wishes!!
Mark your Calendar……
June 8, Wednesday, from 5-7pm will be a Super Duper Baked Potato Supper at the Lovilia Community building hosted by the Lovilia Community Betterment Committee. Proceeds will go to help pay the annual insurance on the building.
Adults meals are $5 and children 10 and under eat for $4 each.
Homemade dessert and beverages go with the potato you stuff yourself with all the trimmings from hamburger and sour cream to chili. Hope to see you there!
POP CAN DRIVE
Another can drive will be July 9th from 9am-noon. Save up your cans and donate. Funds will support our fall festival in September. Every nickel deposit helps. Thanks.