Loraine G Biava

Loraine Gladys (Lauber) Biava, a long-time resident of Westville, departed this life on October 28, 2011, and is now at peace with her Maker. She was born May 11, 1924 in Newport, Kentucky, the oldest child of Carl Emil Lauber and Theresa von Wietmarschen Lauber. A year later they moved to nearby Covington, where she was raised, along with a younger sister and brother. Although she grew up during the Depression, she told many happy stories about life in her large, German-American extended family in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. She attended Holy Cross grade and high school in Covington, graduating in 1942. She excelled in math and proudly claimed that all her classmates copied her trigonometry homework. Although she was offered a scholarship to a nearby college, her family needed her to work, so she ended her formal education then. In 1944, she met Louis Biava of Westville as he was being shipped to England during World War II. They corresponded during the war and married on his return in October 1947, after which they moved to his parents' farm outside Westville. Two years later they moved to a house in Westville where they raised 6 children and where she lived until she moved into Pleasant Meadows Christian Nursing Home in Chrisman a year ago. Louis preceded her in death in 1971 and she was also preceded in death by her son James in 2003. She leaves to mourn her passing her 5 surviving children: Janice Biava of Nelson, British Columbia, Canada; Mario (Linda) Biava of Westville; Christina Biava (John Appleton) of Springfield, MO; Toni Biava of Bloomington, IN; and Katherine (Mike) Mintun of Neoga, IL. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Paula Koenig of Bloomington, IN, by 9 grandchildren (Siloen Daley, Erin Daley, Byron Biava, Seth Biava, Grant Biava, Allegra Biava-Jaroski, Dominic Biava, Nicholas Wright, and Olivia Mintun), by 6 great-grandchildren, by her brother and sister (Louis Lauber and Helen Kemper) and their families, by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as by many friends in the Westville area. She will be remembered by everyone for her energetic spirit and generosity and for her sharp card-playing expertise. We will miss you, Mom! Loraine worked for 25 years at General Electric in Danville, retiring in 1986. She enjoyed her retirement tremendously, walking several times a week with her Westville walker buddies, volunteering at Provena Hospital, and going to rummage sales. Christmas was especially important to her and she hosted a family gathering at her home every year until she was 80. A faithful Catholic, she was a member of St Mary's Parish, Westville, since 1947. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St Mary's. A Celebration of Loraine's life will be held at 11:00am, Friday, November 4, 2011, at St. Mary's Church, 231 N State St, Westville, with Fr. Timothy Sauppe officiating. Visitation will be 4pm-7pm, Thursday, November 3, 2011, at Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel, 414 S State St, Westville, with a Rosary to be held at 3:30pm. She will be laid to rest in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery.