LaVERN O. McMAINS

BLOOMFIELD.  LaVERN O. McMAINS, age 94 left this life and joined his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ in heaven, on August 21, 2006, after a brief illness.  LaVern was a lifelong member of the Mark Baptist Church and Davis County until 2003 when he and his wife, Helen, moved to Mason City, Iowa to be closer to their daughter.

LaVern was born on November 7, 1911 to Alva and Mertie McMains and was raised in the Mark, Iowa area.  He attended Bloomfield High School graduating in 1931.

LaVern accepted Christ at age 11 and continued serving Christ all his life, holding almost every position in the church.  He married Helen Kimball November 25, 1933 and to this union three children were born.  They farmed for 45 years in the Mark, Iowa area.  His life was centered on the church, family and hard work.

LaVern retired in 1978 and they moved to Bloomfield and lived there for 25 years before their move to Mason City, Iowa.  LaVern loved the outdoors and generously helped all the neighbors with their lawns while his health permitted.  In Mason City, they lived in a condo a block away from their daughter and her husband.  They joined the First Baptist church where their son-in-law is the pastor.

LaVern loved to read the Bible, attend church services, garden, visit and watch old Westerns.  He and Helen had been married 72 years 9 months.  Their children had hosted many celebrations honoring anniversaries and birthdays with family gathering from all over the United States to be with them.

Survivors include his wife Helen;  three children  Charles (Judy) of Mesa, Arizona,  Karen (Ron) of Mason City, Iowa and Phil of Bloomfield, Iowa;  9 grandchildren;  28 great grandchildren;  sister-in-law  Annabelle Kimball;  nieces;  nephews and many friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents;  sisters  Wilma Dixon, Leone Lyons, Maxine Allen and their spouses and one nephew  J.W. Dixon.