By the time of George W. Lovell's death in 1951 all of the lots in the original Salem Cemetery plat had been sold so a decision was made by the Salem Community Church trestees to begin selling burial plots in the churchyard. George was the first to be buried here, and other burials followed.
With Salem Church closed and ownership of the churchyard passed to the Benton Township trustees, the churchyard formally became an extension of the cemetery. To date 14 people have been buried here, most recently Jessica Luedke Deemer.
Johnny and Ora Gartin took over the farm just northwest of Salem that had been owned an operated by her father, George W. Lovell, after his death during 1951. It remained their home for more than 40 years. The Gartins are buried immediately south of the Lovells in the Salem churchyard. John Laurel Gartin, son of John W. and Paripa Lynch Gartin, was born March 9, 1907, in the Freedom neighborhood, Lucas County, Iowa, the seventh of nine children, and he passed away at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton on June 4, 1994, following a stroke on May 26, 1994. Ora Luverna Gartin was born Dec. 19, 1912, the daughter of George Wesley Lovell and Faye Chandler Lovell, on her parents' farm near the town of Lacona. Ora graduated from the Lacona High School in 1932 and maintained a close friendship with her class members for well over 60 years. On Feb. 14, 1934, Ora married John Laurel Gartin at the parsonage of First Baptist Church in Chariton. They celebrated the 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 14, 1994.
On Feb. 14, 1934, at the First Baptist Church parsonage in Chariton, John married Ora Luverna Lovell, who survives. They are the parents of Beverly Elaine Keener, of Centerville; Donald Eugene Gartin, of Mt. Pleasant; George Randall Gartin, San Diego, Calif.; and Carol Ann Taylor, Davenport. There are eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
John is survived by two sisters, Kathryn Campbell of Des Moines and Lillian Remster of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and one brother, Archie Gartin, of Bakersfield, Calif. John was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Peco Morrett; and by four brothers, Charles, Rex, Dewey and Harley. He is also survived by a large number of nieces and nephews.
John and Ora were residents of Lucas County for their entire married life and moved to the Salem community in Benton Township in 1938, where they were tenant farmers until 1948, when they moved to the Miller farm. In 1952 they moved to the Lovell farm where they have since maintained their permanent residence. John and Ora have been members of the Lucas County Farm Bureau for 49 years, were active members of the Salem Community Church until its closing, attended First Baptist Church in Russell and the Chariton Bible Church. They were active in the Lucas County Historical Society to which they donated some of their farm equipment. They were also active in 4-H affairs for a number of years.
John retired from active farming because of his heart condition for which he was required to wear a pacemaker. John also suffered from lung cancer and Parkinson's Disease.
John was well-known throughout the county as a good farm, neighbor, citizen and friend. He enjoyed the respect and affection of all who know him. His thoughtfulness, kindness to others, his sense of humor, honesty and fairness were understood and appreciated by all who knew him. The resolute and courageous manner in which he faced the difficulties and trials of life, including his final struggle, will be remembered by all who were close to him.
For the past year, John and Ora have resided at Northridge where they appreciated the kind and friendly association with other residents and the staff. They deeply appreciated and enjoyed the visits which they have received from their longtime friends, neighbors and relatives. John became a Christian in 1945 and will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 8, 10:30 a.m. at the Fielding Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul J. Olson conducting the service, assisted by the Rev. Lesley Nickell. Interment was in the Salem Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society and to the Northridge Living Center in memory of John L. Gartin. (The Chariton Leader, 14 June 1994)
In 1938, John and Ora moved to the Salem Community in Benton Township, Lucas County, and there they maintained their family home. They were actively involved in their farm work and in the community. Ora became a Christian at the Salem Community Church where she was active in teaching Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.
Ora was active in many organizations including the Lucas County Farm Bureau, 4-H activities at the local club and county levels, the Lucas County Republican Party, and the American Cancer Society. John and Ora were charter members of the Lucas County Historical Society to which they contributed a number of items of historical interest. For many years, Ora wrote the Salem news column for the local paper.
In 1993, John and Ora had moved to the Northridge Living Center, then located in Lucas County Health Center, in Chariton where Ora continued to live for a number of years following John's death on June 4, 1994. Ora was a devoted wife and mother, a homemaker and active with the farm operations.
Ora died Nov. 6, 2006, at the age of 93, at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant, survived by her children, Beverly Elaine Keener, Centerville, Donald Eugene Gartin (Connie), Mt. Pleasant, George Randall Gartin, San Diego, Calif., and Carol Ann Taylor, Davenport.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. The Pastor Paul Olson officiated. Burial was in Salem Cemetery. Pallbearers for Ora were Kevin Briggs, Dennis Briggs, Jay Chandler, David Rosa, Timothy Lee Gartin and Marcus Laurel Gartin. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Chariton. Fielding Funeral Home handled the arrangements. (The Chariton Leader, 14 November 2006).
George W. Lovell was the first person to be buried in the Salem churchyard following his accidental death during 1951. He was pulling a combine behind a tractor down the hill on the New York Road just north of the Chariton River bottom when he lost control and the tractor and combine rolled into a roadside ditch. The Lovells had moved to the old Milburn Hobson farm just northwest of Salem in 1940. Following George's death, his daughter and son-in-law, Ora and Johnny Gartin, took over the Lovell farm and made it their home until the late 1980s.
George Wesley Lovell, eldest son of William A. (Mack) and Clara V. Lovell, was born near Lacona in Warren county, Iowa, January 17, 1891. He passed quietly away at the Yocum hospital (in Chariton) following a tractor mishap near his farm southeast of Chariton Monday, July 30, 1951, at the age of 60 years, six months and 13 days.
He was united in marriage to Faye Chandler on March 7, 1912. To this union one daughter, Ora Luverna, was born. He is survived by the sorrowing wife, the daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Gartin, and four grandchildren, Beverly Elaine, Donald Eugene, George Randall and Carol Ann.
In addition two brothers and four sisters survive. They are Mrs. Elsie M. Clark, Dennie H. Lovell, Mrs. Gladys Goering and Mrs. Louie B. Williams, all of Lacona; Roy D. Lovell, of Des Moines and Mrs. Edna L. Brower of Chariton. Also several nieces and nephews, one aunt and three uncles, Mrs. Mary Lane, Elmer Lovell, Jasper Vickroy, all of Des Moines, and John Vickroy of Lacona. Also many other relatives and friends.
George was preceded in death by his father and mother and four sisters and two brothers.
His entire life was spent near his birthplace until 14 years ago when he moved southwest of Chariton. In 1940 they moved to their present home in the Salem neighborhood.
His request to be spared a lingering illness was granted in that he never regained consciousness after the accident. He entered the hospital about 4:30 p.m. Medical skill was of no avail and at 5:40 p.m. he passed away. His friendly handclasp and willingness to help in all times of need will be long remembered by his many friends.
Services were held at the Beardsley funeral home Thursday, August 2, at 2 p.m. Rev. A.E. Beals of Russell conducted the services and burial was made in the Salem cemetery.
Pallbearers were Arthur Anderson, George Jones, Guy Rasmus, Ivan Anderson, Lloyd May and Glenn Johnston. Music was furnished by Mrs. Ralph Werts and Mrs. Quincy Robb with Wanda Frye at the piano. (The Chariton Herald Patriot, 9 August 1951)
1984-2008
The Des Moines Register, Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Jessica Dawn Luedtke Deemer of Waukee, Iowa, formerly of Chariton, Iowa, died Friday, October 17, 2008, near Marshalltown, Iowa, at the age of 24.
Jessica was born in Iowa City, Iowa on July 17, 1984, to Kevin and Lori (Greubel) Luedtke. She was raised on a farm near Chariton along with Jason, her brother, and Jamie, her sister.
Jessica attended school at Russell Community School until her sophomore year and transferred to Chariton High School. She was a dedicated student and loved to learn. Jessica graduated salutatorian from Chariton High School in 2002. She had completed enough college courses and entered into Indian Hills Community College as a sophomore. In 2003, Jessica earned her associate degree and went on to further her education at Simpson College in Indianola. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing in 2005.
Many memories were made during Jessica’s high school years as she worked her first job in the pumpkin fields with her family. She also worked at Double Dip for Annie and Becca where Jessica was a very dedicated and loved employee. At the time of her death Jessica was employed at Principal Financial in Des Moines as a compliance associate.
Jessica had one son, Ty Deemer, age 6. Above all, her greatest joy was being Ty’s mom. She had a big heart and would sacrifice all for those she loved. Jessica was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.
Jessica was a genuine friend to all. She was a natural when it came to decorating. Whether it was a friend’s wedding cake or painting Ty’s room, her creativity was endless. She has always loved to exercise and recently began biking and running. This past year Jessica participated in RAGBRAI, the Dam to Dam Run, and Living History Farms Race. She enjoyed the challenge and was always the one encouraging her friends along the way.
Jessica is survived by her son, Ty, her parents, Kevin and Lori Luedtke, brother Jason Luedtke, sister Jamie Luedtke, all of Chariton, Iowa; grandparents: Bob and Colene Greubel, Lacona, Iowa, Orville and Joy Luedtke, Des Moines, Iowa, Joan and Bill Elliott, Indianola, Iowa; great grandparents: Paul and Veda Miller, Lacona, Iowa; mother-in-law, Brenda Rumley, Chariton, Iowa; sister-in-law, Ashley Rumley, Ottumwa, Iowa; grandmother Wilma Deemer, Lucas, Iowa; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Services will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton, Iowa, with Pastor Eric Hann and Pastor Paul Olson officiating. Burial in Salem Cemetery in Lucas County, Iowa.
The family asks that memorials be made to Ty Deemer Trust Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com.
Jessica and a friend, Bryce Mercer, also 24, a native of Gladbrook, were gunned down alongside Highway 14 near Marshalltown late Friday afternoon, 17 October, by Jessica's estranged husband, Kyle Deemer, also a Lucas County native, who apparently had pursued them from Des Moines, then forced them off the road. He is in custody and awaiting trial.
Jessica grew up on a farm two miles across the fields east of Salem. Her mother, Lori, a letter carrier, often delivers the mail in my neighborhood in Chariton. Her great-grandfather, Paul Miller, 95, is the oldest living member of my late mother's extended family. I last saw him three years ago at my father's funeral here at Salem.
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