Obituaries : Barbara Joann Lovell

Joann Lovell

VINTON – Barbara Joann Lovell, 80, of Vinton, died Friday, January 28, 2011, at her home at Windsor Manor.

Memorial services have been rescheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Vinton Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Ron Sumption officiating.  Inurnment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, at a later date.

Joann was born April 5, 1930, in Conrad, Iowa, the daughter of Ward and Orpha E. Harrah Dobson. She was raised in Grundy Center and graduated from Grundy Center High School.

She was united in marriage with Richard Eugene Midthun in 1947. He preceded her in death on December 17, 1965. She married Lloyd Wesley Lovell in 1968 in Vinton. He preceded her in death in 1983.

Joann worked as a homemaker and delivered newspapers. She was a member of Vinton Presbyterian Church and was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

Joann is survived by five sons: Roger (Linda) Midthun of Anamosa; Jim (Becky) Midthun of Vinton; Dale Midthun of Des Moines; Gary (Judy) Midthun of Vinton; and Troy (Jill) Lovell of Cedar Falls; three daughters: Mary (Franz) Silberger of Muscatine; Jane (Brian) Bratten of Garrison; and Marcia (Marv) Lerch of Vinton; 25 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim Dobson of Arizona; and one sister, Phyllis Kerr of Marshalltown.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; two brothers: Marshall Ward Dobson and Lyle Eldon "Bud" Dobson; and two sisters: Doris Kerr and Erma A. Crawford.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Joann and her family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.