Ivan Lee Lowe, Long time resident of Spencer, WV, lost his fight against shingles the age of 92 on Tuesday March 4th 2025.
Many know him as a son (to Scott and Linda Lowe), a brother (to those who have gone to be with the Lord, Iva, Margarett, Ethel, Edna, Luther , Lovell, Chuck, Waitman, Shirley, and still surviving Wilbert Lowe 94 of Belpre, OH). He was a loving husband (to Betty Lou Helton Lowe who passed in 2022), the father (of Ronald Lee Lowe who passed in 2019 and survived by his daughter Debrah Ann Jackson of Lexington, KY), and the neice he raised as his own (Sindy Simpkins), a grandfather (to Christopher Lowe and Katherine Lowe (Dylan Yavorsky) of Akron, OH), and even a great grandfather of 8 (Kayleigh, Drake, Kerri, Elena, Spencer, Forrest, Gretchen, and his latest namesake Ivy).
Some have saluted him as a Veteran (in the Air Force), many knew him as their union leader and foreman (in the Ohio Carpenters Union), but to so many he was known by the name Uncle Ivan. Uncle Ivan's was a magical place where family and friends could gather to make lasting memories of swimming, fishing, hunting, farming, riding four wheelers and hiking throughout his beautiful farm in the remote hills of WV just a mile from the small home place where he was raised with his brothers and sisters. Most everyone who came to his holler felt loved and everyone who left, took with them a cherished memory unlike any other. Whether or not it was a near death experience, a time of learning and understanding or an adventure, everyone left with something special. He taught everyone the ways of living off the grid and it wasn't always free of danger or fear.
Ivan lived a very unique and unusual lifestyle in contrast to today's society which meant he had to be capable of everything... and he was. He was an extraordinary man who came from nothing. I could tell you how poor they grew up in the hills during the great depression but it wouldn't provide the true essence of who he actually was. Ivan never complained or had a bad day. Every moment of daylight for this self made homesteader was an opportunity to work even harder than the last. Ivan will be missed by all of his friends and neighbors but one in particular whom was cut from the same cloth (Richard Taylor), will miss farming along side Ivan and seeing him start his tractor when he saw Richie riding his.
Over the past 34 years they have done unimaginable and meaningful work together and have become like family to one another. The countryside won't be the same without him. Ivan loved people. He would do anything in his power to help anyone around him and always had the best of intentions. In his last years, Ivan donated and worked closely with neighbors and friends (Rhonda Schrock and Will Duskey) in charge of restoring Cedar Grove Church. One of his life wishes was to see the new red roof put on the church so he could see it in all its restored glory from his livingroom window.
His loved ones really got to know his nurses and caregivers by name and personality just by the loving way he would talk about them over the phone every single day. Ivan was able to pass away painlessly at home in the very place his wife took her last breaths while listening to his favorite Alan Jackson Gospel albums (' i want to stroll over heaven with you ' he dedicated this song to his beautiful wife and his longing to be with her), and surrounded by loved ones (nephew, Steve Lowe, son to his brother Shirley), telling stories of long ago. His passing was nothing shy of a beautiful ending to a beautiful and meaningful life.
" He was a hard working man with impenetrable values and his main passion in life was being a good person." - great grandson, Drake Lowe -
A celebration of Ivans life will be held at a later date at Cedar Grove Baptist Church located on Richardsonville Rd in Creston, WV. This will be followed by a dinner. Please bring a dish and give Ivan one last reunion at the church he loved so much. Hope to see you there.