Connie was born to Wayne and Virginia (Ammons) Allen on Sept. 26, 1945. Connie was the oldest and had a sister, Karen and two brothers, Gary and Terry. The family shared hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and time with horses. Connie’s personal talent was music. Because she was always singing as a child she was nicknamed “Cricket” by many. She even tried singing at the dinner table but her father said, ” Only fools and gypsies sing at the dinner table” which stopped her performance. Her vocal talents did earn her a 1 in the state vocal contest in high school. Connie graduated from Albia Community High School with the class of 1963. She also attended Centerville Community College.
Connie married Daniel Creagan and they had a daughter, Julie Lynn. The couple later divorced.
She married William “Bill” Barnes 111 on September 13, 1969. Bill brought to the family a daughter, Melissa, from a previous marriage. Bill and Connie added three daughters to the family: Dana, Amy and Ginny.
Connie had a working experience that was varied from: Mick’s Drive In, Dick’s Drive In, Dept. of Human Services (social worker and case manager), Contel and GTE phone companies (secretary), and lastly as secretary with Monroe Co. Secondary Roads Dept.
Connie and Bill raised their family and made their home in Lovilia, Iowa for 47 years. She played piano for church (almost 40 years) and bible school and was a youth group leader for some years. Some of her favorite activities were: crafting, sewing, knitting, flower gardening and bowling.
Surviving are her husband, and daughters: Julie Spears, Melissa Lenger (Kyle VanZante), Dana Lennie, Amy (Jason) Simmons, and Ginny Halling (Jeff Beath). Also she has sixteen grandchildren and her sister, Karen Pottorff. She also leaves her mother-in-law, Norma Barnes and Bill’s sisters: Christy, Pamela, and Loita.
Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, father-in-law (William Barnes Jr.), sister-in-law (Judy Geno), and brother-in-laws (Jerry Geno and Pete Pottorff).
Visitation will be at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia on Friday July 7, 2017 from 1-8 p.m. Family will be present from 6-8 p.m.
Services will be held Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church with Rev. Marvin Lindley and Rev. Raymond Doser officiating. Her body will be cremated following services per her wishes. A luncheon will be served at the Lovilia Community Building after services.
Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimers Association, Lovilia United Methodist Church, or Pella Comfort House.
May she rest in peace.
New Property Owner in Lovilia
Martin McMillen has purchased the former Tony Loncarich residence in the north end of town.