March 29, 2024

Loren E. Bayles

Loren E. Bayles, 83, of Newton died on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at Skiff Medical Center.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the funeral home. Memorials in Loren’s name may be left at the funeral home.

Loren, the son of Jessie James and Alice Elizabeth (Smool) Bayles, was born on Dec. 19, 1930, in Newton. He grew up and attended school in Grinnell before moving back to Newton in 1950. Upon returning to Newton he worked at the foundry and then for the gas company. Loren was united in marriage with Lois Stearns Berka in 1972 in Newton. Loren later worked at the Maytag Company for more than 20 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the UAW Local 997. He loved music and played the steel guitar in many bands. As recently as October, he was still jamming at the Moose Lodge.

Loren is survived by his children, Steve (Kelley) Bayles of Minnesota, Terry (Angelika) Bayles of Louisville, Ky., and Connie (Bill) Thompson of Newton; step-children, Donna Terrebrood of Newton, Keith Berka of Austin, Texas,  Frank (B.J.) Berka of Texas and Karen Berka of Branson, Mo.; his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and brothers, Ray Bayles of Newton, Glenn (Sandra) Bayles of Newton and Harvey (Bobbie) Bayles of Farmington, N.M.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois Bayles in 2003; two sisters, Bertha Chamra and Lila Bayles; and a special friend, Lila Steward.