Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com

[Orville Perry Ford]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 4, 1971    p. 3

Orville Ford, 72, Rites Oct. 28

Funeral services for Orville Ford, 72, of Bedford, were held October 28 at the Blockton Methodist church with Rev. William Fry and Carl H. Cummings officiating. Mr. Ford died October 24, 1971, at Clarinda Municipal Hospital, following a brief illness.  Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

Orville Perry Ford, son of Milton Ernest and Clara Gartside Ford, was born near Blockton, in Taylor County, Iowa, on January 10, 1899.

He lived on the home farm until retiring in 1966 when he moved to Bedford.

He is survived by his sisters, Gladys Ford of the home, and Georgia Fluke; niece, Naomi Johnson of Brayton, Iowa; nephews, Francis Fordyce of Oelwein, Iowa, Eldon Fordyce of Aurelia, Iowa, Glen Fluke of Bedford; 12 grand nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Orville loved his family and friends and he was especially fond of little children.  He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Mary Montgomery Park]

Times-Republican

Thursday    October 26, 1922    [p. 8]

Obituary of Mrs. Thos. Park

Mary Montgomery was born at Scotland, March 2, 1865, and came to this country when 16 years of age.  She died at her home southwest of Bedford, Oct. 20, 1922, at the age of 57 years, 7 months and 18 days.

She was united in marriage to Mr. Thomas [Downing] Park at Petersburg, Ill., Dec. 29, 1891.  To this union were born five children: Mrs. Anna Perkins, William M. [cKinley], Finis D. [owning], Arthur M., and Thomas H. [arold], Jr.

Besides her husband and children she is survived by three sisters and one brother, Mrs. Chas. Goebel [Anna] of Bedford, Mrs. Wm. Smart [Janet] of Greenview, Ill., Mrs. John Patterson of Chicago, Ill., and Mr. A. P. Montgomery of Salina, Kans.; also three grandchildren, Hal, Chalon and Mary Eleanor Perkins.

When a young woman she joined the Presbyterian church in Scotland and later at Bedford, Ia., remaining a faithful member until her death.

She was a wonderful wife and mother and was held in the highest esteem by all those who knew her.

For the past year she has been a sufferer of Bright's disease and she had patiently accepted her lot of suffering, remaining bright and cheerful during her long confinement in bed.

The funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2:00 o'clock p. m., Rev. Lumbar officiating.

She was temporarily buried in Fairview cemetery until the completion of the new Mausoleum where she will be laid in her vault.


[Harry Edward Leighton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 27, 1961    [p. 1]

M S Harry Leighton Drowns In Spain

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Leighton [Floris Campbell] of south of Clarinda, formerly of Bedford, received word Saturday of the death of their oldest son, M/S Harry Edward Leighton, 41, Zaragoza, Spain.  M/S Leighton drowned July 22 in a fishing accident on Lake Alcaniz in Spain.

The Leighton family had been living in Spain a year in June and Mr. Leighton would have completed 21 years in the Air Force in August.

Born in Taylor County, he was graduated from Bedford High School.  He married Helen Tucker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Tucker [Agnes Box] of Bedford.

Surviving are his wife, four children, the parents and three brothers, Robert of Vancouver, Wash., Richard of Bedford, Donovan of Guide Rock, Nebr.  A sister, Kathryn Eileen [Elaine], preceded him in death.

The body is being sent by air to Dover, Delaware, and from there to Bedford, where funeral services are pending.  Mrs. Leighton and family are also being flown to the States.

[Harry Edward Leighton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 3, 1961    p. 5

Obituary - Harry Edward Leighton

Master Sergeant Harry Edward Leighton, son of Glenn and Floris [Campbell] Leighton, was born July 17, 1920, at Bedford, Iowa, and departed this life on July 22, 1961, at Alcaniz (Alcaneath), Spain.

He was graduated from Bedford High School in 1939, and enlisted in the Air Force on August 20, 1940.

On May 5, 1946, he was united in marriage to Helen M. Tucker.  He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Mrs. Helen Leighton, and four children:  Mrs. Julia Wellman of Michigan, James M. of Bergstrom Air Force Base in Texas, Jack D. and Jean of the home; one granddaughter, Shanna Wellman; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Leighton of Shambaugh; three brothers, Robert of Vancouver, Wash., Richard of Bedford, Donovan of Guide Rock, Nebr.; several nieces and nephews.  One sister, Kathryn Elaine, preceded him in death.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Osage City, Kansas, and of the Masonic lodge in Reardan, Washington.

Funeral services were held at the Bedford Methodist Church Monday afternoon, July 31.  Rev. Anthony Blankers, pastor of the church, officiated.  The Masonic burial service was given at the grave and also military honors.  Burial in Fairview cemetery.

The body was accompanied from Dover, Md. [Delaware], to Bedford by M/Sgt. Balmer E. Findgar, representing the United States.  The color guard, bugler and firing squad taking part in the last rites were from Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha.