JOSEPH E. LOYA

I pray often that my father, Joseph Eugene Loya, will hear now forever, from our Lord, the one message that while on earth, he had difficulty hearing in his heart; "Well done, good and faithful servant." An example of 'God's sense of humor': As many of the messages submitted here by others said, my father was a colorful, animated, expressive person. He would often ponder questions about our faith such as why people became saints (such as the styleites) who just sat on a pillar all day...

As I was reading the condolences, a memory bounced in my head about Joe, and still smile at the incident. I remember how funny, humerous, joking, While still in Portage, Joe and the girls climbed out of the car, and it was just beginning to shower large raindrops. Joe got out of the car and walked zigzagged. I asked what was he doing. He said "Well, I'm so skinny I can walk between the raindrops and not get wet." I had to laugh, and still have a smile on my face remembering him as a...

As with all first impressions, earliest memories register most lastingly. Cousin Joze struck young me as not only a life force in himself, but a processor of life for me and others. His method – which was also his revel - was story-telling about everyday occurences, passing events, common human foibles and especially happenstances that aggravate and exasperate. His “large” way of depicting the instances, complete with hand waving and sound effects (an animation so unlike the dynamic of...

May he rest in Eternal Memory!

Dear A Martha, Tom, Tim, Greg and Nick - Was so sorry to hear about U Joe passing. I know he was a great friend to my dad and we all held him in very high regard and will indeed remember you all in our prayers during this sad but very special time. Love, Tom (Frank's son)

Dear family and friends,

It has taken my whole lifetime to even start to grasp the depth of my dad's character. He is probably the longest-running character study I will ever make. I never tire at talking about all his complexities of character, because he had so much understanding about how so many things worked--on the physical, mental and spiritual level. He gave us enough good instruction, wisdom, and old stories to last through the rest of our lives. He knew and influenced...

Dear cousins, my thoughts and prayers are with you today, even though I was unable to be with you guys today. This is such a hard time to lose someone, it is only a special angel called home this time of year.
Kathy (boosie) Loya Bachtel

May the Almighty Creator of all place Joseph in a place where there is no more pain, sorrow or mourning, but life eternal full of love, peace, happiness and praises joining the Celestial Choir with the rest of the Loya voices. Eternal Memory.