Roy O. Loney

Services for Roy O. Loney 101, will be Friday, September 5th , 2025, at the
Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville, Iowa. Family will receive friends at 10am
prior to the service at 11am. Burial with Military Honors at the Gosport Cemetery will
immediately follow the service.
Roy Olin Loney was born to Everett and Maude (Lykins) Loney on June 8, 1924. He
graduated from Chariton High School in 1942 and proudly served in the United States
Army during WWII from1944-1947. After the service he returned to Knoxville and
married LaVeda Shives on November 27th , 1947. To this union, 3 children were born:
Michael, Gregory, and Michelle.
He worked hard all his life to provide for his family, first driving a coal truck from
Knoxville to Des Moines electrical plant. After hours and on weekends, he serviced,
repaired, and cleaned the trucks to earn additional wages. In the early 1950s Roy,
LaVeda, and the two boys moved to Chino, California where he worked on a cattle
ranch for a year. They then moved to Los Angeles, settling in Torrance where Michelle
was born. He began working for Douglas Aircraft and a Tool & Die Company. His
creative mind, talents, and ideas provided him with many opportunities. When not
working he enjoyed his family life attending the kids’ activities and playing cards with
friends. After retiring Roy and LaVeda moved to Sun City, Arizona to be nearer to their
daughter and her family. His work ethic continued in Sun City where he continued to use
his knowledge and talents fixing and repairing whatever needed fixed in their retirement
community.
Roy and LaVeda returned to Knoxville in March 1990. Sadly, LaVeda passed away in
June 1990.
On March 4th , 1996, Roy married Ruth (Schrader) Shives in Columbia, Iowa making
their home in Knoxville. Again, Roy wasn’t idol, he enjoyed driving cars for DeVore
dealership. Roy and Ruth enjoyed camping annually at the Iowa State Fair, dancing,
eating out, Sunday dinners and playing cards with family. They were “snowbirds” and
wintered in Texas and traveled to many states visiting family. Traveling to and from
Texas they always went into Louisiana to see family and collect bags full of beads from
the Mardi Gras parades.
When Roy was no longer able to travel, he really enjoyed old time country music and
listened to “Willies Roadhouse” tapping his fingers and singing along. He often
remembered which songs he danced to. He loved watching sports, especially baseball,
and with his excellent memory, he knew who, where, and what team they played.
Roy was a member of Za-Ga-Zig Shriners, Attica Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern
Star, and was a lifetime member of VFW and American Legion. He was extremely proud
to have served his country.
His memory was excellent, and he enjoyed sharing many wonderful stories with his
family.
He will be deeply missed by his daughter Michelle (Marc) Wambolt; daughter-in- law
Cindy (Tony) Abbott; stepchildren: Barbara Walker, Betty Clark, and Bryan Shives;
brother-in-law Virgil Schrader; 16 Grandchildren; 24 Great Grandchildren; several great-
great grandchildren and many extended family and friends.
Preceding him in death were his wives, LaVeda and Ruth; his sons Michael and
Gregory; his stepdaughter Bonnie Kaster and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Columbia Fire and Rescue.