Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Kuhn, Charles Philip]

Lenox Time Table

Thursday      June 4, 1936     [p. 1]

SON OF COUNTY AUDITOR WAS KILLED BY TRuCK

Charles [Philip] Kuhn, 9, one of the twin sons of County Auditor and Mrs. Thomas Kuhn of Bedford, was killed Monday night when his coaster wagon was struck by a truck near the south edge of Bedford, on Highway 148.

The truck was driven by Harry Peterman of Gravity, who said he was unable to stop when the boy darted in front of his truck. Coroner Floyd Shum had not decided to hold an inquest and Peterman was not held.

[Kuhn, Charles Philip]

Blockton News

Thursday       June 4, 1936      [p. 1]

Bedford Accident

Bedford was the scene of another of those tragedies that are so common today. Monday evening, Charles [Philip] Kuhn, one of the nine-year-old twin sons of County Auditor and Mrs. Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn, was killed when a truck ran over him on Highway 148 at the south edge of Bedford. The lad was on a coaster wagon, it seems, and coasted out on the highway in the path of a truck, driven by a Gravity man, who was unable to stop in time to prevent the accident.

[Kuhn, Charles Philip]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 4, 1936      [p. 1]

Truck Kills Kuhn Twin Mon. Eve.

Charles Kuhn, 9, Fatally Injured

Charles [Philip] Kuhn, 9, twin son of County Auditor and Mrs: Thos. Kuhn of Bedford was instantly killed Monday evening about 7:30, on the highway No. 148, when he coasted beneath a loaded cattle truck near his home in south Bedford.

The truck belonging to Henry Petersen of Gravity was going south on the highway, loaded with cattle being delivered to the St. Joseph market. Petersen, his son Verne Petersen at the wheel and Bernard Baker were in the truck cab.

The little boy, coasting on the sidewalk that crosses the highway near the Mrs. Frank Crowe residence, suddenly appeared just ahead of the truck. Apparently the front and rear wheels of the heavily loaded vehicle rolled over him and the coaster wagon, killing him instantly.

The accident was unavoidable. The Petersens stopped as quickly as possible, placed the boy in a passenger car that came along, and rushed him to a doctor's office. A doctor could not be located at the time and the body was then taken to the Walker & Shum Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held at the Walker & Shum Funeral Home in Bedford Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Offices in the courthouse were closed during the services. Rev. Robert Boshen conducted the services and burial was in the Graceland cemetery.

The community was deeply shocked by this tragedy, and sincere sympathy is extended to the family.

____________________________

Charles Philip Kuhn, son of Thos. L. [avelle] and Clara D. Kuhn, was born April 16, 1927 at Bedford, Iowa. He was accidentally killed near his home on June 1, 1936 at the age of 9 years, 1 month and 16 days.

He leaves the following relatives: His mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. L.[avelle] Kuhn, a twin brother, James Andrew; two other brothers, Thomas L.[avelle] and Kenneth D.; two sisters, [Clara] Lavelle and [Ellen] Jane; a brother-in-law, Arthur King; a niece, Jeannette Elaine King; two grandfathers, James H. [annibal] Daugherty and E. [lmer] E. [llsworth] Kuhn; a grandmother, Una Daugherty; two aunts, Lena and Louise Daugherty; and three uncles, James L. Daugherty, Harold Kuhn, and Chas. R. Kuhn.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral services for Charles Kuhn Wednesday afternoon were the following: E. [lmer] E. [llsworth] Kuhn, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. R. Kuhn, Mr. and Mrs. Will Reed of Hepburn; Kathryn Kuhn of Omaha; Mrs. Will Orme, Delbert Orme, and Mrs. Roy Bramble of Clarinda; Mrs. Irwin Woods, Mrs. Neva Reynolds, and Mrs. Ingram of Villisca; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ballou and Mr. and Mrs. Loicen Boyd of Sheridan, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Earl King of Gravity; Mrs. Georgia King of Blockton; James Jewel of Milford, Iowa; James L. Daugherty of Des Moines; Henry Waters of Centerville, Iowa.

[Kuhn, Clara Daugherty]                                                [Kuhn, Kenneth D.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday        October 12, 1944       [p. 1]

Mrs. Thos. L. Kuhn Dies At Hospital

Mrs. Thos. L. [avelle] Kuhn [Clara Daugherty], 55, died at the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda Monday, October 9, following a long illness.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. G. L. Hufstader. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery.

Mrs. Kuhn is survived by her husband and four children: Mrs. Jane Olson and Thos. Kuhn. Jr., of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Lavelle King of Blockton and Jim Andy Kuhn of the home; also by her father and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. H.[amilton] Daugherty; two sisters and a brother, Miss Lena Daugherty of Kansas City, Mrs. Louise Jewell of Carroll, Iowa, and Cpl. James L. Daugherty, who is over seas in service. There are also several grandchildren.

[Kuhn, Clara Daugherty]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday        October 19, 1944       p. 5

MRS. THOS. L. KUHN

Clara Daugherty, daughter of James H. [annibal] Daugherty and Cyrena Annette Rockwell, was born June 20, 1889 at Bedford, Iowa.

Her entire life was spent in and near Taylor County until her death on October 9, 1944.

She was married to Thos. L. [avelle] Kuhn at Bedford, Iowa, on Sept. 15, 1911. To them were born three daughters and four sons: [Clara] Lavelle, Mrs. Arthur King of Blockton; [Ellen] Jane, Mrs. Kenneth Olson of Seattle, Wash.; Mary Alice, who died in infancy; Thos. L. [avelle] Jr., who is married and lives in Seattle. Wash.; Kenneth D. who died Sept. 9, 1943 while serving his country in the Aleutian Islands; twin sons, Charles Philip who died June 1, 1936, and James Andrew, of the home.

She is also survived by her father and his wife, two sisters, Lena G. [ertrude] Daugherty of St. Louis, Mo. and Louise Jewell of Carrol, Iowa, and a brother James L. Daugherty who is an assistant to the Chaplain on Saipan Island. Also five grandchildren, Jeanette Charles and Jerry King and Mary and Carrol Olson.

She took part in community affairs, including the Presbyterian Church, the Eastern Star Lodge, the Travel Club, and supervision of Graceland cemetery.

The most important interests in her life were in her home and her children, and she died feeling they were her richest contribution.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 11, conducted by Rev. G. L. Hufstader. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery.

Shared Rites With Son

In accordance with the wishes of Mrs. Kuhn the last rites were shared with her son, Kenneth, who died Sept. 9, 1943, at the age of 24 years, 4 months and 29 days after serving two years and two months with the armed forces in the Alaskan area.

[Kuhn, Elmer Elsworth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      March 30, 1939       [p. 1]

E. E. Kuhn, Former Resident, Dies

Elmer Elsworth Kuhn, former Bedford resident and father of Clerk of the Courts Thos. L. [avelle] Kuhn died at the home of his son, Charles R. [oss] Kuhn at Stanton, Iowa, Friday, March 24, 1939, following a long illness.

Funeral services were held in Stanton Sunday and burial was made in the cemetery at Villisca.

Mr. Kuhn was born Oct. 18, 1862 at Greencastle, Pa., coming to Iowa with his parents in 1869, settling first in Page county. He came to Taylor County in the early 1900's, serving as superintendent of schools at Lenox for five years. He came to Bedford about 28 years ago, to serve as county superintendent of schools. He was engaged in schoolwork for 45 years.

Surviving are three sons, Thos. L. [avelle] Kuhn of Bedford, Harold L. [ester] Kuhn of Valentine, Nebr., and Charles R. [oss] Kuhn of Stanton; one brother, two sisters, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mrs. Kuhn died March 6, 1935, and a daughter, Grace [Lucile], died a few years ago.

[Kuhn, Kenneth D.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       September 9, 1948     [p. 1]

Body Of Kenneth Kuhn Is Expected

The body of the late Pvt. Kenneth D. Kuhn, being returned from the Alaskan Zone aboard the US Army Transport Honda Knot, scheduled to reach San Francisco about September 3, wil1 be forwarded at a later date through the American Graves Registration Distribution Center in Kansas City, Missouri to Bedford, the final destination requested by his father, Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn of Bedford.

From the Distribution Center to the final destination, the remains are accompanied by individual escort. The Wetmore Funeral Home of Bedford will be in charge of the last rites.

[Kuhn, Kenneth D.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       October 7, 1948      [p. 1]

Graveside Service For Kenneth Kuhn

Graveside services for Kenneth D. Kuhn were held at the Graceland cemetery at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, October 5, conducted by the Bedford Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rev. Gordon F. MacLean officiated.

Kenneth D. Kuhn, son of Clara D. and Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn, was born at Bedford, Iowa, May 10, 1919. His early life was spent on a farm west of Bedford and in Bedford. After leaving school he spent several years in the west and enlisted and entered service at Ogden, Utah, July 1941.

He volunteered for Alaskan service and was in the Alaskan area at Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands for about 22 months in the Coast Artillery.

He lost his life in the service of his country September 9, 1943, at the age of 24 years, 4 months, 29 days.

Surviving are his father, Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn of Bedford; two sisters, Mrs. [Clara] Lavelle King of Blockton, and Mrs. Jane Olson of Seattle, Washington; two brothers, Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn of Seattle, Washington and James A.[ndrew] Kuhn of Grants Pass, Oregon. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Phil and an infant sister. His mother passed away in October 1944.

Due to the fact that memorial services were held for Kenneth at the time of his mother's funeral in 1944, only military graveside services were held at this time. The body arrived from Kansas City Monday evening under military escort.

[Kuhn, Mary Alice]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      July 14, 1921    [p. 1]

Obituary.

Mary Alice, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. L. [avelle] Kuhn [Clara Daugherty], was born Saturday, July 9th, 1921, and died the same day.

The little spirit, unspotted and unblemished was not permitted to long remain in this world, but returned to the God who gave it.

Interment was made in the Titus cemetery, Sunday, July 10th, 1921.

[Kuhn, Thomas Lavelle]

Lenox Time Table

Thursday       October 16, 1952       [p. 1]

County Official Dead

Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn, 60, assessor of Taylor County, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 15, at the St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, Mo.

Mr. Kuhn served in the Taylor County Courthouse as auditor four years, clerk of the court four years, Representative in the state legislature one term, and worked in the state auditor's office two years in the Homestead Extension department, and has been county assessor four years.

He leaves four children, Mrs. Arthur King [Clara Lavelle] of Blockton, Mrs. [Ellen Jane] Olson and two sons Jim Andy and Thomas L. [avelle], Jr., all of Seattle, Washington.

Funeral services will be held from the Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford at 2 p. m. Friday afternoon with burial in Graceland cemetery.

[Kuhn, Thomas Lavelle]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       October 16, 1952      [p. 1]

Thos. L. Kuhn Died October 15

Funeral services for Thos. L. [avelle] Kuhn, 60, will be held at the Wetmore funeral Home Friday afternoon at 2. p.m. and burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

Ill for many weeks, Mr. Kuhn died early Wednesday morning in St. Francis hospital, Maryville, where he was taken Tuesday.

Elected county auditor of Taylor County in 1934, Mr. Kuhn served in that capacity four years, and then was elected county clerk of Taylor County, serving for four years. Following that he served as state representative for one term, worked for the state auditor in the homestead department, and four years ago was named county assessor for Taylor County. His term in the assessor's office would have expired in April of 1953.

Surviving with the wife are four children: Mrs. Arthur King [Clara Lavelle], Blockton, Mrs. Kenneth Olson [Ellen Jane], Jim Andy Kuhn and Tom Kuhn, Jr., all of Seattle, Wash.

[Ross, Fleetea May Besser]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday      November 18, 1926      p. 6

Mrs. L. [emuel] P. [rice] Ross of Bedford, who however lived in Clearfield for a period a year or more ago, died in a hospital at St. Joseph on Sunday, Nov. 7th. She failed to come thru a serious operation. Her age was 58 years, and she leaves eight living children, also ten grandchildren.

[Ross, Fleetea May Besser]

Bedford Free Press

November 11, 1926     p. 8

Mrs. L. P. Ross Dead

Mrs. L. [emuel] P. [rice] Ross of southeast of Bedford was taken suddenly ill last week and brought to Bedford, in the Stithem ambulance, and then on the four o'clock train Saturday to a St. Joseph hospital. Her condition grew very serious and during the operation she passed away. The body was brought to the farm home Sunday afternoon. Funeral services were held Tuesday Nov. 2, at the M. E. church of Bedford and interment was given in the Graceland cemetery.

Fleetea May Besser, daughter of Elizabeth [Mary Keith] and William Besser, was born in Ohio, August 3, 1868.

Her father died when she was 3 years old and her mother when she was six, from which time she made her home with her half brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. George Keith, with whom she came to Iowa about 1880.

She was married to L. [emuel] P. [rice] Ross February 3, 1892, and lived on the Ross homestead until 1925. She was the mother of ten children, of whom four sons and four daughters are still living, two dying in infancy. The daughters are Bertha May Drennen of New Market; Anna Audra Johnston of Bedford; Lela Agnes Lindley of Sharpsburg; and Alice at home. The sons are Paul [Clifford], Walter [Arthur], Roy and Cecil [Harold]. All are at home except Paul who lives in Bedford. She also leaves ten grand children, and one sister, Mrs. J. [ohn] R. Cannon [Mary Isabel] of Ft. Dodge, Ia.

Mrs. Ross was a kind and loving wife and mother, not thinking of self, but doing all in her power for the good of her children, a good neighbor, always ready to lend a hand to those in trouble. She was a constant worker in the Methodist church at Gilead, for all the 33 years she lived in that neighborhood.

[Ross, Fleetea May Besser]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday       November 4, 1926     p. 7

Fleetea May Besser Ross

Fleetea May Besser, daughter of Elizabeth and William Besser, was born in [Licking Co.] Ohio, August 3, 1868, died Oct. 31, 1926, aged 58 years, 2 months and 16 days. Her father died when she was 3 years old and her mother passed away 3 years later, from which time she made her home with her half brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. George Keith, with whom she came to Iowa in about 1880. She was married to L. [emuel] P. [rice] Ross on Feb. 3, 1892, and lived on the Ross homestead until 1925. She was the mother of ten children, of whom 4 boys and 4 girls are still living, two dying in infancy. The daughters are, Bertha May Drennen of New Market, Ia., Anna Audra Johnston of Bedford, Lela Agnes Lindley of Sharpsburg, and Alice, at home. The sons are, Paul, Walter, Roy and Cecil, all at home except Paul who lives in Bedford. She also leaves 10 grandchildren and one sister Mrs. J. [ohn] R. Cannon of Fort Dodge, Ia. She had a twin sister who died when three months old, and also 2 brothers who preceded her in death some 30 years ago. Mrs. Ross was a kind and loving wife and mother, not thinking of self, but doing all in her power for the good of her children. A good neighbor, always ready to lend a hand to those in trouble. She was a constant worker in the Methodist church at Gilead for all the thirty-three years she lived in that neighborhood. There was no better wife, mother, neighbor or friend.

[Ross, Lemuel Price “Lem”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 31, 1944     [p. 1]

Lem R. Ross Dies At New Market

Lemuel Price Ross, son of Cassamarier [Cassamarie Blunt] and James [Price] Ross, was born July 15, 1862, and died August 24, 1944, at the age of 82 years, one month and eight days, at the home of his son Cecil Ross in New Market.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 10 a. m. at the Methodist Church in New Market, conducted by Rev. C. W. Proctor of Sharpsburg. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery near Bedford.

He was married to Fleetea M. [ay] Besser Feb. 4, 1892, who preceded him in death in 1926. Ten children were born to them, of whom four boys and four girls are still living. The sons are Paul, Walter, Roy and Cecil. The daughters are Bertha Drennen, Anna Johnston, Lela Lindley and Alice Glasgow.

He also leaves 19 grandchildren and five great grandchildren; also a sister, Cassie Amerine of Fresno, Calif. He has three grandsons in service, all overseas. They are Cpl. Vanzo Drennen, Jr., in France, Cpl. George C. Drennen in Italy and Pfc. Clifford N. Ross in France.

Mr. Ross spent most of his life on the Ross homestead near Bedford, but for the last few years had made his home in New Market, being loved and cared for by his granddaughter, Mrs. Noel Carpenter.

Mr. Ross always maintained a keen interest in people and current events and was active until the time of his illness. He loved to help others and was a good friend and neighbor to all.

[Travis, Bernice Maxine Fairbanks]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       July 20, 1967      [p. 1]

Final Rites Held For Mrs. Merle (Maxine) Travis

Funeral services for Mrs. Merle (Maxine) Travis, 56, well known community and church leader, were held July 18 at the Bedford Methodist Church with Rev. J. Milton Kinney officiating. Mrs. Travis died July 15, 1967 at the Methodist Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mo. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery, near Bedford.

Friends and relatives at the service, who filled the local church to capacity, heard the following obituary read for this enthusiastic town and country leader:

[Bernice] Maxine Fairbanks Travis was born April 3, 1911, at Bedford, Iowa, to Edna [Hortense] Wainwright Fairbanks and James M. Fairbanks who preceded her in death. She had lived her entire life near Bedford.

She was graduated from Bedford High School in 1929, after attending grade school at the Dunning School in Benton Township. At in early age she joined Gilead Church in the community, and at its closing transferred her membership to Bedford Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school classes for many years. At the time of her death she was a member of the Official Board of the Methodist Church. Throughout her life she was a tireless worker and leader in the church and community.

She was united in marriage with Merle Travis of the community on December 18, 1930, at Adel, Ia. To this union two children were born: Michael Fairbanks Travis on December 14, 1938, and James Norman Travis on October 24, 1944.

Her husband and children survive as well as a host of relatives and friends.

As an active leader in the community throughout the years, she was a county Farm Bureau chairman, president of the Auxiliary of Iowa Association of Conservation Districts, a member of the Order of Eastern Star, received a 10-year leadership award in the 4-H, was Taylor County Homemaker of the year, and belonged to various service and social clubs in the community.

Among her hobbles she loved to collect bells, to knit and to grow flowers.

[Travis, James Norman “Jim”]

Colorado Springs Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Saturday      July 3, 2010

James Norman Travis, youngest son of Merle Walter Travis and Maxine Fairbanks Travis, was born October 24, 1944 in Clarinda, Page County, Iowa. He died May 31, 2010 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, having succumbed to esophageal cancer. Jim began his education at the rural Timberlake School in Taylor County, Iowa, where he attended until the 8th grade. He went to Bedford High School, where he graduated with the class of 1963. He then enrolled at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, where he became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English followed by a Juris Doctorate Degree. Jim married Donna Lynn Fogle on November 29, 1968 in Washington D.C. and to this union was born a son, Justin Wainwright Travis. As a result of his love for the outdoors and the Rocky Mountains, he, his wife and his first son moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1971. Jim married Brenda Murphy on September 15, 1984 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and to this union was born a son, Hunter Murphy Travis. Jim practiced law in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from 1971 until shortly before he passed away. He was a member of the Iowa, Missouri and Colorado Bar and was a partner of the Law Firm of Gresham, Stifler and Travis in Colorado Springs. Upon the retirement of Gresham and Stifler, Jim became a sole practitioner until his death. He was an avid backpacker and fly-fisherman. He is survived by his two sons, Justin Wainwright Travis of Durango, Colorado, Hunter Murphy Travis of Colorado Springs, Colorado; a brother, Michael F. [airbanks] Travis of Bedford, Iowa; two nephews, Dr. Mitchell E. [lmore] F. [airbanks] Travis of Auburn, Indiana, Dr. Mark D. [ouglas] Travis of Paris Island, South Carolina; and a niece, Jacqueline M. [axine] Dessibourg of Chicago, Illinois. He was known for his kind heart, his quick wit and his ever present desire to help others. His passing will be mourned by his many friends and family.

[Travis, Merle Walter]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       July 28, 1999      p. 5

Merle Walter Travis

Merle Walter Travis, age 90 years, 1 month and 9 days was born on June 9, 1909 in Sidney, Fremont County Iowa to Gertrude Alice Novinger and Earl Custer Travis.

He attended rural school in the New Market, Iowa area and high school at New Market, Iowa near where his parents farmed.

On December 19, 1930 he was married at Adel, Iowa to Bernice Maxine Fairbanks who passed away on July 15, 1967. As a result of this marriage two children were born, Michael Fairbanks Travis, who lives and practices law in Bedford, Iowa and James Norman Travis, who lives and practices law in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On November 30, 1973 he was united in marriage to Margaret Nordland in Kimberling City, Missouri. Margaret passed away in 1986.

Merle was a farmer, real estate broker and farm manager. In 1940, the Taylor County Soil Conservation District was organized, the sixth one in Iowa, and Merle helped organize this conservation district. He was the longest serving Soil Conservation District Commissioner in the State of Iowa. He was president of the Iowa Association of Soil Conservation Districts in 1953 and has been president of the Taylor County Fair Board; the Southwest Iowa Fair Association; and Director of Region Eight Soil Conservation Commissioners. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Feeder Association; the State Experimental Farm located in Page County, Iowa; Bedford United Methodist Church; the War Mobilization Board; the School Board; the Citizens Board of the Mental Health Institute at Clarinda, Iowa; the Farm Bureau; the State Agriculture Advisory Board; and the GMA Farm Panel of America. In 1953 he was named one of the Iowa Master Farmers, one of the youngest men ever to receive that honor. He was Chairman of the State Plowing Contest in 1954; and was named an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska in 1954; he received the Omaha World Herald Merit Award in 1960; in 1968, he was named Outstanding Man of the Year and in 1974 he was named Iowa's Outstanding Soil Conservation Commissioner. He has served as 4-H leader; AAA township committeemen for the Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau township director and was a member of the Lions Club and the Bedford Development Club. He is also an Honorary Citizen of Boys Town. He was also invited on the first farmer exchange between the United States and Russia but declined to go, stating it was too far from home.

Merle is survived by his sons, Michael and wife Sarah; James and wife Brenda; and his grandchildren, Justin [Wainwright] Travis, Hunter [Murphy] Travis, Mitchell [Elmore Fairbanks] Travis and wife Valerie, Mark [Douglas] Travis and wife Brenda, and Jacqueline [Maxine] Travis; and his great grandchildren, Warren Travis, Clayton Travis, Elias Travis and Emma Travis.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Maxine Travis, Margaret Travis; his parents, Earl and Gertrude Travis; sister, Leta Mankle; and brothers Duane and Kenneth Travis.

Services were handled by Novinger Taylor Funeral Home of Bedford.