Wayne Lovan
Wayne Lovan
Funeral services for Wayne Leon Lovan, 84, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Lovan passed away at 4:00 a.m., Friday January 1, 2021 at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born November 27, 1936, at Roosevelt, Missouri, to Oscar Ray Lovan and Vivian Isabel Mitts Lovan. On July 11, 1959, he was married at Miami, Oklahoma, to Barbara Endicott. Mr. Lovan was an educator for forty years. He began his career as a Math Teacher at Kingsville, Missouri for three years and then started his tenure at West Plains R-7 School District, where he had been a Junior High Counselor, Assistant Principal, Principal and retiring as Superintendent of Education. Mr. Lovan had been inducted into the Missouri Educators Hall of Fame. He enjoyed playing baseball, hunting and fishing. Mr. Lovan was a member of Curry Street Church of Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Lovan, of the family home; two children, Susan Wells and husband, Ronnie, West Plains and Tracy Townsend and husband, Bill, Nixa, Missouri; five grandchildren, Ashley Cotter and husband Greg, Gretchen Noon and husband, Jeff, Caleb Wells and wife, Meghan, Erin Moody and husband Grant and Paige Townsend; six great-grandchildren, Eli and Eden Cotter, Libby, Avery and Haley Noon and Jay Wells; two brothers, Dallas Lovan and wife, Janet and Rickey Lovan and wife, Reda, all of Pottersville, Missouri; one sister, Wilma Puckett, Pottersville, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents and one infant daughter, Diana Lovan, preceded him in death.
Visitation services will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Monday at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Gospel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Hill Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main Street, West Plains, MO 65775.
Bob and Cindy Kirkland
January 1, 2021 @ 7:22 pm
Ronnie, Susan, and families. We are so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Love and prayers to you all.
Melonie Bunn
January 2, 2021 @ 2:02 pm
Mr. Lovan will be remembered as one of the best superintendents to have ever blessed our community with his talent! He knew everyone and everything about his district! Mr. Lovan was respected throughout the State of Missouri in the world of school administration! He was a humble man with a great sense of humor. He will be missed! God bless his family during this time.
Ron & Linda Hayes
January 2, 2021 @ 6:33 pm
We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Lovan. We both worked for him at West Plains R-VII School District for many years. He was always fair and always greeted everyone with a big smile and handshake. And he showed his appreciation to all employees for our hard work and devotion. He will be missed. Prayers to the family for comfort and peace.
Ron & Linda Hayes
Mike and Diana Pace
January 3, 2021 @ 11:16 am
Our deepest sympathy. We are keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob Arnold
January 4, 2021 @ 8:36 am
Mrs. Lovan, my heart goes out to you and your family. He set a good example for all of us to emulate.
Renee Stephens
January 4, 2021 @ 2:17 pm
My deepest sympathy to all of Mr. Lovan’s family. He was always kind and had a smile during my high school days.
Renee Stephens
Bill and Beverly Linson
January 4, 2021 @ 3:45 pm
Prayers for your family!!!
Amber Redburn
January 4, 2021 @ 6:11 pm
The Lovan Families,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you on Wayne’s passing. During this difficult time our prayers/thoughts are with all of you. May God give each of you peace, comfort, encouragement, and strength as well. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
Frances Pitts
January 4, 2021 @ 9:07 pm
Expressing my sympathy to the family of Mr. Wayne Lovan. He was a gentle soul and mentor for many in the West Plains R-12 school system.
Cindy Murray
January 5, 2021 @ 7:03 am
I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. Wayne was a fine man and an outstanding educator. I’m forever grateful for his faith in me as an educator and for his encouragement when I was hired to teach in West Plains. He made a difference in my life and in the lives of so many others. I’m thankful for the blessings of his friendship and leadership. God Bless you all.
David and Joyce Christopher
January 5, 2021 @ 10:51 am
Mr. Lovan will be missed. Prayers for the family.
Craig and Sherri Cromer
January 5, 2021 @ 7:19 pm
Lovan Family so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man. Cherish your memories.
Kathy Beaty
January 6, 2021 @ 9:39 am
To the family & friends.
I remember him from WPHS.
He was always a nice and kind man.
May he rest in peace.
Kathy (Bray) Beaty
Karen Gott
January 7, 2021 @ 8:31 am
Barbara and family, my deepest sympathy. Wayne was a good man and he will be missed.
Sue Gott
Helen Baird
January 7, 2021 @ 4:24 pm
Lovan Family,
I know these are such hard times, but having such wonderful memories always makes it somewhat easier. Wayne was loved and respected by so many in our community and he will be greatly missed.
God’s Blessings,
Casus and Helen Baird
Amber Redburn
January 7, 2021 @ 8:45 pm
Barbara Lovan and Families,
Bonnie James wanted me to extend her deepest sympathy to all of you on Wayne’s passing. She will have all of you in her daily prayers. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Amber Redburn
Benny Nale
January 9, 2021 @ 2:02 pm
To Barbara, Susan, and Tracy. . .We are so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. May God’s peace and healing be with you all. I will never forget Wayne’s kindness. He loved helping others, and he always went out of his way to help me. I’m reminded of a time back in 1976 when I couldn’t get my old green, ’69 Chevelle Malibu started. I was always having troubles with the choke on that car. Well, Wayne showed up in a jiffy to help. We got a small gas can with just a bit of gasoline in it and poured a few drops in the choke or something similar, as I recall. Well, when I tried to start that car, we heard a “whoosh” and a pop. That little metal gas can had expanded out like a balloon. We were both very fortunate! Our families go back a long, long way, and I’m proud to count you as friends. Wayne will be sorely missed, but he lives on in all our good memories of him. You are all in our prayers.