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

[David Bailey           John H. B. Widner]

Times-Republican

Thursday    July 19, 1928    [p. 1]

Bedford Loses Two Pioneer Citizens During Week

John H. B. Widner Answers Death Call Last Friday

_________________________________________

 War Veteran Dies

 David Bailey, 91 years Old Civil War Vet, Passed Away Saturday Night

Bedford lost two of her old respected citizens the latter part of last week, John H. B. Widner and David Bailey.  Our citizens will mourn the loss of these two venerable gentlemen from our very midst.

John H. B. Widner, 73 years of age, pioneer resident of Bedford, passed away at his home on north State Street last Friday morning after a prolonged illness of several months.  "Uncle Johnny," as he was familiarly known in Bedford, will be missed by many in the city who knew him best.

The local Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America had charge of the burial services for Neighbor Widner last Sunday afternoon.

David Bailey, one of the oldest residents of Bedford, passed away Saturday evening about 8:40 o'clock at the home of his son, I. J. Bailey on West Jackson street, after an illness which had lasted about six weeks.  Mr. Bailey celebrated his 91st birthday on the 27 of last November, and on that day could handle a saw and buck as well as some of our younger generation.

The Firing Squad from the Bedford Post of the American Legion fired a salute at the grave of Comrade Bailey during the burial services Tuesday afternoon.

The obituaries will be found in another part the issue.

[John H. B. Widner]

Times-Republican

Thursday    July 19, 1928    [p. 9]

John H. B. Widner

John H. B. Widner, son of Henry and Mary Litteer Widner, was born in Prince William County, Va., April 24, 1855.  In 1877 he came with his father's family to Iowa, locating at Bedford.  February 5th, 1882 he was united in marriage to Sarah Howard of Bedford.  To this union was born one daughter.  In 1884 the wife and child both passed away.  December 29th, 1888, he was united in marriage to Mattie Morris of Hastings, Nebraska.  To this union were born two daughters, both passing away while yet young.  Mr. Widner went to Nebraska in 1887 where he resided for six years, returning to Bedford in 1894, in which vicinity he has spent the remainder of his days.  He was a farmer by occupation.  When a young man he united with the Methodist church.  He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, having belonged to this organization for 31 years.  He is survived by his wife and three sisters:  Mrs. Jennie Daugherty of Bedford, Mrs. Lula Griffith of Conway, Mrs. Ruth Frantz of St. Joseph, Mo., 3 brothers, L. [ytle] C. Widner of Bedford, R. [osenbery] B. Widner of Sutherland, Nebraska, and R. [andolph] H. Widner of Kansas City, Kansas.  Mr. Widner was a good husband and neighbor as well as a citizen.  He had been failing in his health for the past two years and had been confined to his bed for the past five months.  He was a patient sufferer and passed to his reward Friday at 9:20 o'clock.  The funeral services were held at the home at 2:30 p.m.  Sunday, conducted by Rev. J. A. Currier of Tarkio, Mo.  Interment was made in Fairview cemetery.  The Woodmen conducted the services at the grave.

[Lemintise Buysear Palmer]

Times-Republican

Thursday    July 19, 1928

Mrs. Frank Palmer

Mrs. Frank Palmer passed away at her home in west Bedford last Tuesday evening July 3, 1928.  The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 10:00 o'clock Friday morning, July 6th, conducted by Rev. G. T. Roberts.  Interment was made at Forest Grove.  Lemintise Buysear, daughter of Joel and Sarah Buysear, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, March 23, 1858.  She was united in marriage to Frank H. Palmer, May 1, 1882, at Bedford.  To this union was born one child, Lottie Palmer, who later became Mrs. Chas. Tracy, and who with her son Edward Tracy, preceded her mother in death.  She is survived by her husband and two grandchildren, Rose Tracy Rhoads and Ward Tracy Shaw.  Mrs. Palmer had been a patient sufferer for years.

[Amanda Jane Miller Lambley]

Times-Republican

Thursday    July 19, 1928

Amanda Jane Miller

Amanda Jane Miller Lambley was born June 20, 1839, in Hoosier County, Indiana, and died at her home in Conway, Ia., July 8, 1928, at the age of 89 years and 18 days.  Her father and mother died while she was but a small girl and after their death she made her home with Mrs. Mary Bremer, an older sister.  They removed to Illinois while she was still quite young and it was here she grew to young womanhood.  She was united in marriage to Thomas Lambley, Sept. 20, 1860.  To them were born four children:  Dr. G. W. Lambley, of Ainsworth, Nebr.; J. A. and T. E. Lambley of Conway, Ia., and Mrs. Fannie Double of Bedford, Ia., all of whom survive her and were present with her husband when she passed away.  The family came to Iowa in the spring of 1874, settling in Jasper County where they lived for a year and then coming to Taylor County, where they have since lived.  She has lived in Conway for 30 years.  She united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1889, remaining a loyal and faithful member for almost 40 years.  She is survived by her husband and all of her children, nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, together with many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Conway, Tuesday, July 10, at 2:00 p.m., and her body was laid to rest in the Conway cemetery.


[Guy D. Stonebraker]

Times-Republican

Thursday    July 19, 1928    [p. 9]

Guy D. Stonebraker

Guy D. Stonebraker, son of Samuel and Ida Stonebraker, was born September 20, 1881, and very suddenly departed this life while at his work July 10, 1928, at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon at the age of 47 years, 9 months, and 20 days.  He had been in poor health for several years.  He was united in marriage to Ethel Park April 28, 1907.  To them was born one child, Kenneth.  In the year 1914 he united with the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon near Grant City, Mo.  He joined the U. S. Navy in 1902 and while in this service he became an expert first class fireman, graduating from the course.  He was honorably discharged at the end of four years service.  In later years he fired on the Great Western railroad.  He is survived by his wife, his son, his mother, Mrs. Ida Gray, and three sisters, Mrs. Dane Elam of College Spring, Ia., Mrs. T. G. Melvin of Bedford, Iowa, and Mrs. Grover Young of New Market, Iowa, and many other relatives and friends.  Funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. T. Roberts at the home on last Thursday afternoon, July 12, at 2:00 p.m. and the body was taken to Conway, Iowa, for burial.

[William C. "Bill" Keith]

Times-Republican

Thursday    December 2, 1926    [p. 1]

Will Keith Dies Suddenly While Attend'g Court

Heart Attack Claimed As Cause For His Fall Down Stairs.

Was 70 Years Old

Landing At Foot of Spiral Stairs In Clerk's Office, About 5 P. M. Wed. Evening.

One of the most surprising and peculiar instances of death occurring in this community was the passing of Will Keith, prominent and well known man all over Taylor County, a brother of the recently elected member of the board of supervisors, Joe Keith.

William Keith, 70 years old, a former deputy sheriff of Taylor County, was stricken with apoplexy as he was descending the winding steps leading from the courtroom to the clerk's office.  Mr. Keith fell to the bottom and rolled onto the floor of the office.  He was dead when picked up.

"Bill" Keith, as he is well known, was attending the trial now going on at the courthouse.  Court had adjourned; the lawyers had finished drawing the jury and it was then about 5 o'clock.

Mr. Keith went out to the spiral stairway leading down to the Clerk's office.  Next was the noise of something falling.  He was picked up at the bottom of the stairs.  His heart had been bad for some time, and the fatal time came just as he was starting down stairs.  Different ones saw him fall.  He only breathed shortly after being picked up.

The courtroom full of people was shocked upon being advised of the occurrence.  Everyone in the entire building heard the noise.  Some thought it a cabinet or something of similar size had fell over down in the Clerk's office.

Mr. Keith, a retired resident of Bedford, is survived by his wife and many relatives and friends.

The funeral services will be held at the Christian church in Bedford at 2:00 p.m. next Sunday.  Interment will be at Hopkins, Mo.  Rev. Leslie Cobb of Ross Township will officiate, assisted by Rev. Coley.

[Thomas Elmer Cobb]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 4, 1947    p. 7

Obituary - Thomas E. Cobb

Thomas Elmer Cobb, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cobb [Malinda Agler] was born November 9, 1869, in Taylor county, Iowa, and died at his home south of Bedford, August 19, at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 10 days.

He was married to Edna A. Perkins November 27, 1894, and to them were born two children, Francis E. Cobb and Mrs. Irene Leonard.  She preceded him in death June 4, 1915.  Later, he married Nellie M. Henderson, April 18, 1916.  Those who survive are his wife, two children, a brother and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Ralph Yadon, August 21, at the Shum Funeral Home.

Burial was in the Bedford cemetery.

[Josephine Chase Weatherly]  

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 1, 1949    [p. 1]

Mrs. Weatherly Buried Wednesday

Mrs. Josephine Weatherly of Bedford died Monday, August 29, after a long illness.  The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon conducted by Rev. Russell G. Nye.  The body was placed in the mausoleum in the Fairview cemetery.

Josephine Chase, daughter of Daniel and Lenna Chase, was born near Tipton [Cedar County], Iowa, June 11, 1862, being aged 87 years, 2 months and 19 days at the time of her death.

She grew to womanhood near Tipton, Iowa, later moving to Carroll, Iowa, where she was married to J. [ohn] N. Weatherly on October 16, 1882.  To them were born four children, Ernest Weatherly of Mountain Grove, Mo.; Alta, Mrs. Arthur Thompson, and Roy Weatherly, who preceded his mother in death on July 4, 1948.

Mrs. Weatherly spent a part of her married life near Manning, Iowa, then moved to a farm near Bedford and later into town.  After the death of her husband in 1925, she continued to reside in Bedford until six years ago, when her health failed and she went to make her home with her daughter.

Mrs. Weatherly was a member of the Bedford Methodist Church.  She was a kind mother and grandmother, a good neighbor and a friend to all.

She is survived by the three children, 12 grandchildren, [and] 13 great grandchildren.  Also by one brother, Ray Sherman, of Bentonville, Arkansas; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Cora Sherman of Des Moines.

[William Bruce Jared]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    September 24, 1925    [p. 3]

William Bruce Jared

William Bruce Jared was born April 12, 1879, at Bedford, Iowa, and departed this life on September 11, 1925, at South Hutchinson, Kansas, at the age of 46 years and 5 months.

He was the son of John and Harriet [Morrison] Jared, and made his home with his parents on a farm near Bedford until 1898, when he enlisted in the regular army of the United States, in which he served for three years, during the Spanish-American War in the Philippines and in the states, having been discharged in 1901.

For six years he was employed in Oklahoma City, Okla., as a chicken picker for the Swift Packing Co.

Six years ago he came to South Hutchinson.  During his residence there he had been employed with the Swift Co., Aaron Produce Co., and the Morton Salt Co.

On November 18, 1914, he was married to Dona Bonham, and she and their two children, Betty Jean, age 2, and Louis, age 8, survive him, as well as a step-daughter, Delphia, age 14.

Besides these he is survived by an aged father and mother at Bedford, Iowa, two brothers, J. E. Jared of Los Angeles, Calif. and Glen Jared of Bedford, Iowa, two sisters, Mrs. Amy Townsend of Bedford, Iowa, and Mrs. Maude Van Camp of Los Angeles, California.

As a young man he united with the Christian church, later placing his membership with the South Hutchinson Christian church.  Because of his active interest in civic affairs, he was appointed as a Councilman of South Hutchinson to fill an unexpired term, then he was elected for a term of two years.  He was exceedingly industrious, and a man of frugal habits.  He was a lover of his home and family and had a host of friends in South Hutchinson who deeply regret his sudden and untimely departure.

The funeral services were conducted at the home in South Hutchinson, Sunday afternoon, September 13, 1925, at 3 o'clock, by Hugh C. Gresham, minister of the South Hutchinson Christian church.  Those who assisted in music were: A. H. Montford, Robt. Grace, C. C. Ledbetter, Misses Grace Bessler and Idell Ledbetter.  The burial was in Fairlawn cemetery, Hutchinson.

Those who attended the funeral from out of town were: Mrs. Florence Cockreham and daughter, Henrietta, of Salina, Kansas; J. M. Cockreham of Salina, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Majorkurith of Salina, Kansas; Mrs. Frank Cale and daughter, Lida Mac, of Enid, Okla.; Mrs. B. A. Tibbitts, Miss Gussie Means of Newton, Kansas; Glen Jared of Bedford, Iowa.


[Grace Aiton Clayton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 14, 1949    p. 4

Obituary - Mrs. Grace Clayton

Grace D. Aiton, daughter of William and Catherine [Hook] Aiton, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, Oct. 24, 1874, and died in Omaha, Nebr., on April 6, 1949.

From early childhood she had been a member of the Presbyterian Church, faithful in attendance and support.

She was married in 1894 to George E. Clayton, who was in the mercantile business in New Market and Clarinda for many years.  Mr. Clayton preceded her in death in 1934.  Since that time she had made her home with her daughter in Omaha.

Mrs. Clayton is survived by one daughter, Mrs. O. G. [len] Miller [Marian] of Omaha; three sisters, Mrs. Emily Mason of Miami, Florida; Mrs. Jennie Dresher and Mrs. H. [enry] Kirk Hall [Mary Alice] of Bedford; two brothers, Arch [ibald] Aiton of Shenandoah and J. [ames] W. Aiton of Bedford; and by two grandchildren, William Clayton Miller and Marilyn Miller of Omaha.

During Mrs. Clayton's severe illness she was never known to complain but always had a pleasant smile and a cheery word for all.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gordon F. MacLean.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

[Ella Mae Houk Barngrover]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 3, 1949    p. 9

Obituary - Ella Mae Barngrover

Ella Mae Houk, daughter of Obediah and Ann [Fenno] Houk, was born July 12, 1878, near Bedford, Iowa and died Dec. 30, 1948, at Beaver City, Nebr., being at the time of her death, 70 years, 5 months and 13 days of age.

On September 2, 1896, she was married to Robert Wesley Barngrover.  To them two daughters were born, Ruby Rea, who passed away in 1932, and Ella Maier of Beaver City, Nebr.

In September 1897, they moved to Fillmore County, Nebr.  Later, in 1906, the family moved to Harlan County and resided in or near Huntley until Sept. 1940, when they moved to Alma.  Two years later Mrs. Barngrover entered the Taft Nursing Home, where she has been a resident for the past six years.

Mrs. Barngrover was baptized and received into the Baptist Church at Bedford, Iowa, in 1892.

Her husband preceded her in death in May 1939, as did also the older stepson in January 1945.  She leaves to mourn her passing a daughter, Ella Maier of Beaver City; one stepson, Gay of Alma; nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren; one brother, Harry Houk of Harrisonville, Missouri.


[Elmer Dutton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   February 24, 1949    [p. 1]

Elmer Dutton Dies At Gravity

Elmer Dutton, 69, died at his home at Gravity, Saturday morning.  The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Gravity Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gordon F. MacLean.  Burial was in the Gravity cemetery, with military rites.  Mr. Dutton was a veteran of the Spanish-American War.

[Elmer Dutton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 3, 1949    p. 9

Obituary - Elmer Dutton

Elmer Dutton, son of George Henry and Mary Jane [Cole] Dutton, was born September 1, 1879, in Taylor county, Iowa, and died at his home February 19, at the age of 69 years, 9 months and 18 days.  Mr. Dutton spent his entire life, with the exception of four years, in Taylor County.

At the age of 18 he enlisted in the United States Army and served 18 months during the Spanish-American War.

On November 27, 1902, he was married to Cora Hamblin, who passed away in February 1920.  To them were born three children: Mrs. Forrest Posten [Letha] of Gravity, Mrs. Lowell Leighton of Cook, Washington, and Merle, who passed away at the age of 23 in January 1922.

On September 7, 1925, he was married to Mrs. Maud Brand of St. Paul, Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and the three stepchildren.  The [step] daughters are Mrs. George Wyant of Cook, Washington, Mrs. John Houston of Hopkins, and Carl Brand of Gravity; a granddaughter, Elmyrna McCoun, who has made her home with him; 18 other grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Frank Marsh [Zula] of Bedford, and Mrs. Hettie Henry of Hastings, Iowa; one brother, Verte Dutton of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

He was a member of the Camp Miller Post of the Spanish-American War Veterans and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He was associated with the Maintenance Commission for many years.

[Homer Lee Hicks]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 24, 1949   [p. 1]

Siam Resident Dies At Clarinda

Homer [Lee] Hicks, 51, a resident of the Siam community, died at the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda Monday, after an illness of several months.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda, with the Masonic Lodge in charge.  Burial was in the Clarinda cemetery.