08/12/2020
Lonnie, the son of Lonnie O. and Rosalie (Jures) Davies, Sr., was born May 23, 1946, in Knoxville, Iowa. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1964. During high school, Lonnie worked at Hy-Vee, where his fondness of goofing off with his friends led to him getting fired (a story which his children wish he never told the grandkids.) He then worked briefly for a local heating and air-conditioning company.
He began his almost 40-year career at The Maytag Company working in the warehouse and later transferred to Methods Engineering. During this time, he held part-time jobs at Stockton’s SuperValu and Hesse’s clothing store.
After Maytag closed, Lonnie attended DMACC to get his degree. He briefly worked at EFCO before joining Fisher Controls as a mechanical and CAD drafter, where he worked until his retirement. He was an accomplished drafter who had his name on 2 patents at Maytag and 8 at Fisher.
Lonnie was united in marriage with Judy Kinart on April 5, 1967, in Newton. To that union were born two daughters, Wendy and Sarah. Although they later divorced, they continued to remain friends. While taking dance lessons at the Ike’s on a whim, Lonnie met Linda (Scarbrough) Machin. The two were wed on February 2, 2002, in Newton.
Lonnie was a longtime member of the Izaak Walton League, where he served as President for several years. He was also a member of the Spirited Spokes Motorcycle Club and had even designed their t-shirts. He was a great artist and woodworker, enjoyed doing any work with his hands (especially fixing cars), hunting, fishing, trap-shooting, playing practical jokes, and was a WWII history buff. His most important hobby was attending his grandchildren’s activities, no matter what or where they were. His co-workers, family, and even his grandkids’ friends could always depend on him if they needed a piece of candy-especially a Tootsie Pop (the chocolate his favorite.) His grand pets also knew he was the one to come to for a treat, or several.
Lonnie is survived by his wife, Linda of Newton; his children, Wendy (Brian) Popelka of Eldridge and Sarah (Donovan) Madole of Ankeny, Rhondi Machin of Newton, Chad (Tammy) Machin of Kellogg and Robin (Rich) Sly of Newton; his grandchildren: Owen and Sophie Popelka, Ryan and Aidan Madole, Michael (Heidi) Machin, Kaitie Nida, Kenna Machin, Nik Ball, Dayne (Becca) Sly, Devin Sly, Keely (Alec) Dankel, and Kinzi Sly; his great-grandchildren: Addie, Myla, and Ellie Nida, Charles and Raegan Machin, Kolynn Sly, and 2 more on the way; his sister, Marie Dixon of Mesa, AZ, the mother of his daughters, Judy Lukenbill of Ankeny; and his beloved dog, Dixie.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bloyce Davies; and his dog, Samantha.
The family will greet friends from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Due to COVID-19 limitations, a private memorial service will be held.
The service will be streamed on the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory Facebook page at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Children’s Cancer Connection, or Paws-N-Claws Iowa can be left at the funeral home.