Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[Leighton, Darrell Leonard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 10, 1971     p. 3

Rites Mon. For Darrell Leighton

Funeral services for Darrell Leonard Leighton, 42, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Gravity, were held June 7 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here conducted by Carl Cummings. Mr. Leighton died June 4, 1971 in Springfield. The Gravity American Legion held military rites at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

[Park, John]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     January 30, 1941     p. 8

John Park, 78, Dies In N. Dakota

John Park, a brother of Thomas Park of Bedford, died at the home of a daughter in Carrington, N. Dak., Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 1941 at the age of 78 years, 7 months and 26 days.

The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Walker & Shum Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. Douglass Steffenson. Burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

John Park was born April 30, 1862. He was married to Elizabeth Finley on Jan. 24, 1888 at Curtis, Ill. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church the same year. They farmed at Petersburg and Greenview, Ill., moving to Iowa in 1907 and to Mohall, No. Dak., for Mrs. Park’s health, in 1915. His wife died April 13, 1916. Since then he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Leonard Wells.

Ten children were born to them. His wife and five children preceded him in death. Survivors are one son, Irving Park of Littlefork, Minn.; Mrs. Frank (Ethel) Croy of Diagonal, Iowa; Mrs. Ole (Panzie) Hagman of Argusville, No. Dak.; Mrs. Leonard (Ruth) Wells and Miss Pearl Park of Carrington, No. Dak.

Also by one brother and three sisters: Mrs. Barbara McNabb of Petersburg, Ill., Mrs. Margaret Childers of Petersburg, Ill.; Mrs. W. [illiam] P. Montgomery [Catherine] of Greenview, Ill.; and Thomas Park of Bedford. One brother, Hugh Park died several years ago.

John Park was known to his friends as “Grandad.” He was always an active worker and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

[Park, Theophilus West]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 23, 1911     p. 5

Death Of Infant

Theophilus West, youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. John Park [Elizabeth Finley], residing on the Crum farm, died Wednesday morning of last week, from catarrhal pneumonia. The little fellow was born July 19, 1907. The funeral services were held from the home March 16, conducted by Rev. Fred N. Willis, and the little form was laid to rest in Lexington cemetery.

Close now his beautiful eyes

With gentle fingers;

See what a happy smile

On his lip lingers.

Over his little breast,

Pulseless forever,

Fold close his little hands

Tightly together.

See how he sweetly sleeps,

Life's fever over,

Never shall pain again

Trouble or move him.

All the long dreary night

Moaning and tossing;

How was his spirit grieved?

Death's river crossing.

Like a long fettered bird

With its bonds riven,

So did an angel band,

Bear him to heaven.

Close now the coffin lid;

In the grave place him.

No more we'll see his face,

No more embrace him.

Yield we our idol up

To the grave's portal.

We in our love forgot

That he was mortal.

For we a precious gem

Ransomed have given,

To shine in love's diadem,

Brightly in heaven.         C

[Park, Theophilus West]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      March 23, 1911     p. 8

Theophilus [West] Park died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Park, six miles east of Bedford Wednesday morning. The funeral services were held at the home last Thursday conducted by Rev. Fred N. Willis of the Methodist church of Bedford. Interment was at the Lexington cemetery.

[Pointer, Jessie May Edmundson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 11, 1947     [p. 1]

Former Resident Dies In Wyoming

Mrs. Jessie Pointer, eldest daughter of the late Mrs. Alice Edmundson, passed away at the Sheridan, Wyo., Hospital, Thursday, November 27.

Mrs. Pointer had been in poor health for sometime and suffered a stroke on Sunday preceding her death.

Jessie May Edmundson was born near Bedford, Iowa, Oct. 2, 1877, and was married to Oley H. Pointer at Bedford, March 8, 1890. The couple moved to Sheridan, Wyo., in April 1903.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Mary Plieminger of Bloomfield, Nebr., Mrs. Clarence D. Jones and Edna Edmundson of Bedford.

The three sisters attended her funeral, which was held Monday, Dec. 2, at the Reed Mortuary in Sheridan, with Naomi Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in charge. Burial was in the Masonic Plot of the Sheridan, Wyo., cemetery.

[Price, Lela Edith Humphrey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 15, 1984    p. 9

Lela Price, 96, Last Rites Were Held March 8

Funeral services for Mrs. William H. (Lela Edith) Price, 96, of Bedford, were held March 8 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. Price died March 6, 1984 in Mt. Ayr Health Care Center, Mt. Ayr, Iowa. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery, rural Taylor County, Iowa.

Lela Edith Humphrey Price, daughter of William H. [enry] Humphrey and Jane [Ann] Cooper Humphrey, was born in Adams County Iowa November 3, 1887. She grew to maturity in the Conway community where she attended the public school.

On October 22, 1913 she was united in marriage to William H. [arrison] Price at Plattsburg, Missouri and they lived in Gravity, Iowa where he was employed by the railroad. Later his employment took them to Centerville, Kansas and then to Payola, Kansas where they lived until retirement and they moved to Bedford in 1960. Failing health caused her to enter the Mt. Ayr Health Care Center in October 1975.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband who died June 4, 1971; one brother Harley Humphrey and three sisters, Lula Kernen, Grace Astner and Mary Nelson.

Left to cherish her memory are two brothers: Orville Humphrey of Bedford, Iowa and Kenneth Humphrey of Billings, Montana; other relatives and friends.

Her family and friends will remember her as a kind and considerate person and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Price, William Harrison]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 10, 1971

William Price Rites June 8

Funeral services, for William Harrison Price, 83, of Gravity, were held Tues., June 8 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford conducted by Rev. Ollie Odle. Mr. Price died at Pearl Terrace Manor here June 4, 1971. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery, Bedford.

[Price, William Harrison]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 17, 1971      p. 3

William Price Rites Held Here

Funeral services for William Harrison Price, 83, formerly of Gravity and Bedford, were held June 8 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Ollie Odle officiating. Mr. Price died at Pearl Terrace Manor here June 4, 1971. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery.

William Harrison Price, son of John and Hattie Reeves Price, was born March 17, 1888 at Smithville, Missouri.

He attended school in Smithville, Missouri and moved to Taylor County in 1911. When he was 25 years of age he became a member of the Christian Church in Gravity, Iowa.

On October 22, 1913 he was united in marriage to Lela [Edith] Humphrey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Bill and his wife made their home in Gravity until moving to Kansas in 1937. He was employed by the Katy railroad until his retirement in 1960 at which time they moved to Bedford and made their home with Lula Kernen.

Bill is survived by his wife, Lela; one brother, Sib, of Wisconsin; and one sister Beulah Strange of Smithville, Mo.

Bill was a devoted husband, a kind neighbor, and a wonderful friend of many. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

[Redman, Ethel Howe Wentworth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 13, 1979     p. 4

Ethel W. Redman Last Rites Held Here December 6

Graveside services for Mrs. George W. (Ethel) Redman, 89 of Maywood, Illinois, were held at Lexington Cemetery December 6 conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings. Services were held in Maywood, Illinois, December 4 with Dr. Paul Rollet officiating. Mrs. Redman died November 30, 1979 in the Baptist Retirement Home in Maywood, Illinois.

Mrs. Redman was a sister of Mrs. John (Iva) Tracy and had spent considerable time in Bedford with them. She had been in a rest home for several years prior to her death.

Ethel Howe Wentworth was born near Conway, Iowa November 11, 1890.

On December 19, 1917 she was united in marriage to George W. [illiam] Redman who preceded her in death in 1950.

Left to cherish her memory are a niece Mrs. Paul Wolverton and her husband; a great niece, Mrs. Henry Baker and family; a foster daughter, Mrs. William Ikerd and husband of Alexandria, Va., other relatives and friends.

She was a faithful member of the Baptist Church in Maywood, Illinois.

She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends.

[Reed, Cecil Paul]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     May 8, 1991     p. 6

Cecil Paul Reed, son of Charles A. Reed and Flora Ouderkirk, was born at Clearfield, Iowa on January 28, 1912 and departed this life April 27, 1991 at Lenox, Iowa at the age of 79 years, two months, twenty-nine days.

He lived and grew to maturity in Taylor County where he attended the public school and the Presbyterian Church.

On March 20, 1935 he was united in marriage to Gladys Kernen at Bedford, Iowa and they lived in Taylor County. To this union two children were born: Judith Marlene and Barbara Ruth. Cecil was engaged in farming and employed by Taylor County ASCS Office.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Gladys of their home in Bedford; daughter Judith and her husband Bernard E. Brown of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter Barbara and her husband Bruce E. Sleep of Aurora, Colo.; one sister, Ruth Reeder of Pomeroy, Iowa; grandchildren Joni and her husband Jeffrey Britain of Plano, Texas; Greg Sleep and wife Claudia of Denver, Colo.; Julie Brown of Houston, Texas; Randy Sleep of Aurora, Colo.; and Jeffrey Brown of the U.S. Marine Corps stationed out of Hawaii; great grandson, Joshua Britain of Plano, Texas; brother-in-law, Glenn Kernen and his wife, Doris; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was a past Master of the Taylor Lodge #164 A.F. and A.M., having joined it January 16, 1947.

He was a kind and considerate husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and a friend to all, who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Burial was in Lexington Cemetery.

[Robey, Clark Willis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 19, 1978     p. 9

Clark Robey Services Held October 14

Funeral services for Clark Willis Robey, 86, of Bedford, were held October 14 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford conducted by Rev. Dwayne Madsen. Mr. Robey died October 11, 1978 in Clarinda Municipal Hospital. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery, Taylor County, Ia.

Clark Willis Robey, son of William Anderson and Netta Biggs Robey, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, December 7, 1891.

He grew to maturity in Taylor County where he attended the public schools and East Mission Church.

On August 2, 1916 he was united in marriage to Mabel Cavner near Conway, Iowa. They lived three years in North Dakota and then returned to Taylor County to live on the farm until May 1977. He engaged in farming until his retirement.

To this union one daughter was born.

He was a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and one half-brother.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mabel; daughter Wilma and husband, Gerald Valentine; brothers: James R. Robey, Minot, North Dakota and Dewey Robey, Mohall, North Dakota; sister: Mrs. Pearl Garrett, Lenox, Iowa; half-sisters, Mrs.. Wayne (Estelle) Newbury, Hopkins, Missouri and Marjorie Robey, Bedford, Iowa; grandchildren, Ronald Valentine and his wife, Jeanne and Donna Valentine; and great granddaughter, Kristen Valentine.

He was a kind and considerate husband and father, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Robey, Clyde “Bud”]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     July 12, 2000     p. 5

CLYDE "BUD" ROBEY

Funeral services for Clyde "Bud" Robey, age 83, of Gravity, who died Wednesday, July 5, 2000 in Council Bluffs, were held Sunday, July 9, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Pastor Ruth Melick officiating. Internment with military rites accorded by the Moore Rutledge American Legion Post #578 were held in the Lexington Cemetery in Bedford. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Clyde "Bud" Robey was born August 18, 1916 on the family farm in Gravity, Iowa, and the son of Frank [Wilson] Robey and Mary [May] Kernen Robey. Bud grew up in the Gravity area graduating from the Gravity High School in 1934. He answered the call to serve his country during World War II on October 29, 1942, serving in England, France, Germany, and Belgium. He was honorably discharged in January 3, 1946. He served 38 months and 5 days. He returned to the Gravity area on April 1, 1946, where he was united in marriage to Helen Steadman at Hiawatha, Kansas.

Bud and Helen lived and farmed in the Taylor County area all of their lives. Bud was a hard workingman known to "whistle while he worked". He enjoyed tinkering and welding around the farm while he worked on his machinery. Bud raised cattle and was very conservation minded, "a mile of tile", that was his motto. He was very gracious to all he met and loved his family dearly. He enjoyed boxer dogs, was a fifty year member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Gravity and a lifetime member of the Moore Rutledge American Legion Post No. 578 in Gravity.

Bud is survived by his loving wife, Helen, of Gravity; a son, Phil Robey and wife, Adriana, of Gravity; granddaughter, Angie Robey Stream and husband, Aric, and great-grandchild, Palen Stream, all of Lenox; a grandson, Larry Robey, of Cedar Rapids; and a sister, Jesse Radokacovich and husband, George, of Winterset, Iowa.

Preceding Bud in death were his parents, Frank and Mary; two brothers, Jake and Louis; and two sisters, Edna Luther and Jennie Uphouse.

[Robey, Helen Valentine Steadman]

Clearfield Chronicle

Wednesday      October 13, 2004       p. 6

Helen Robey

Funeral services for Helen Robey, age 82 of Gravity, who died Wednesday, October 6, 2004 were held Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Reverend William Ballard officiating. Interment was held in the Lexington Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Taylor County Public Health or to Hospice of Central Iowa. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Helen Valentine Robey was born May 12, 1922, in Corning, Iowa the daughter of Ralph Steadman and Jennie O’Riley Steadman.

Helen grew up in Nodaway and went to school through the tenth grade. She met Clyde "Bud" Robey before he was called to duty in October of 1942 for World War II. Helen waited 'impatiently' the 38 months and 5 days Bud served in the war! They were united in marriage on April 1, 1946, in Hiawatha, Kansas soon after his discharge.

Helen and Bud lived and farmed in Taylor County all of their lives. Helen will always be remembered by family and friends as an incredible cook. Her mashed potatoes and gravy, fried chicken and homemade rolls will be missed! Helen also loved the outdoors. She was an avid gardener and loved her flowers. Fishing and taking long walks with her grandchildren were some of her favorite activities. Helen was a gracious hostess to all visitors and loved her family dearly, including her boxer dogs.

Those left to cherish Helen's memory are her son Phil Robey of Gravity; granddaughter Angie Robey-Stream and husband Aric and great grandchildren, Palen Dawn and Dawson Robey, all of Gravity; a grandson, Larry Robey of Cedar Rapids; and two sisters, Lorraine Foutch of Shenandoah; and Jean Hankins of Red Oak.

Preceding Helen in death are her husband Bud in July of 2000; her parents Ralph and Jennie; a stepmother Maggie; a sister, Mia; and a brother Bill.

[Robey, Mabel Cavner]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      April 4, 1990      p. 5

MABLE ROBEY

Services for Mable Cavner Robey, 95, Bedford, were held March 30 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Shultz officiating. Burial was at Lexington Cemetery, rural Bedford. Mrs. Robey died March 28, 1990 at Bedford Manor.

Mable Cavner Robey, daughter of William [Henry] and Bertha [Jane] Hurst Cavner was born in Page County, Iowa on February 25, 1895.

She lived in both Page and Taylor Counties, attending public school in Taylor County and the Gilead Methodist Church as a girl.

On August 2, 1916, Mable married Clark [Willis] Robey at Bedford, Iowa and they lived for a while in North Dakota before settling back in Taylor County. To this union one daughter was born, Kathryn Wilma Robey Valentine.

Mable was an excellent cook, dressmaker, homemaker, and gardener. She enjoyed crafts, especially crocheting. Whenever she sat down, most usually it was with something to make in her hands.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Effie Barker, Pearl Hughes, Leona Cavner, Mary Jeffers and Florence Cavner; and by her brothers Roy, Cyle, Earl, Alonzo and John.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Gerry Valentine; her grandson, Ronald Valentine and granddaughter Donna Valentine Scheele; her great grandchildren, Kristen Valentine Brewer, Jennifer Scheele and Joshua Scheele; and one great great granddaughter, Taylor Nicole Brewer.

Mable was a 50-year member of the Bedford United Methodist Church. She was a kind and considerate wife, mother and grandmother, and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Robey, Mary May Kernen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 30, 1966     p. 7

mary may robey Rites Tuesday

Funeral services for Mary May Robey, 89, of Bedford were held June 21 at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home on State Street. Mrs. Robey died June 17 at Pearl Terrace Manor here. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery, Bedford.

Mary May Kernen, daughter of Fred and Rosena [Wolfe] Kernen was born near Bern, Switzerland Sept. 6, 1876. She came to America with her parents when she was six years old; they first lived in Adams County. In 1892 they moved to Taylor County, northwest of Lexington where she was living when she was married, in 1901 to Frank [Wilson] Robey.

She and her husband moved to a farm east of Gravity. She lived all her married life on the same farm and kept the home with her oldest son, Louis, after her husband’s death in 1940.

In 1963 her eyesight failed and she went to make her home with her daughter, Edna, and son-in-law south of Bedford. There she made new friends and neighbors and loved them all.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one son who died in infancy; her parents, five brothers, Fred, Levi, Jake, Carl and one brother who died in infancy; and one sister, Mrs. Rosa Mitchell.

She is survived by her brother, John Kernen of Bedford; three sisters-in-law, Eula Kernen, Lula Kernen and Stella Kernen: six children: Mrs. Harold (Jessie) Sawhill, Winterset, Ia., Mrs. A. M. (Jennie) Uphouse, Denver, Colo.; Jake Robey, Lawrence, Ind.; Clyde and Louis Robey of Conway; and Mrs. Marion (Edna) Luther of Bedford; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a number of friends who will miss her.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Switzerland, but she attended other churches in the community in which she lived.

[Robey, Sarah Albreta Biggs]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      August 25, 1904     [p. 1]

A Correction

Last weed's Free Press contained an obituary notice, sent in by a friend, on the death of Mrs. Sarah A. [lbreta] Robey, stating that Mrs. Robey was born in Taylor County.

Later we received a letter from a niece of Mrs. Robey, stating that deceased was born in Perry county, Ohio, and came with her parents to Taylor county when a child. The balance of the report is substantially correct.

Robey, Sarah Albreta Biggs]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    August 4, 1904    [p. 1]

Death of Mrs. Robey.

Saturday Mrs. W. [illiam] A. [nderson] Robey [Sarah Albreta Biggs] died at her home northeast of Bedford. She had been sick for sometime, ever since giving birth to twins, one of which preceded the mother to the better land. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Barackman. Interment in Lexington.

[ROBEY, SARAH ALBRETA BIGGS]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 4, 1904
Laid to Rest
The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Albreta Robey was held at her late home seven miles northeast of the city yesterday at 2:30 p. m., conducted by Re. Barackman. Interment at Lexington cemetery.
Mrs. Robey died Saturday, July 30th. She was the wife of William Robey and leaves, besides her husband, several children to mourn her loss.
The funeral was largely attended and flowers in profusion testified to the love of her many friend and the heartfelt sympathy of her neighbors.

[ROBEY, SARAH ALBRETA BIGGS]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 4, 1904
Death of Mrs. Robey
Last Saturday Mrs. W. [illiam] A. Robey died at her home northeast of Bedford. She had been sick for some time, ever since giving birth to twins, one of which preceded the mother to the better land. The funral services were conducted by Rev. Barackman. Interment in Lexington.

[Tracy, Lela Catherine Kristina Kaisand Rutledge]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      March 24, 1993      p. 6

LELA TRACY

Funeral services for Lela Rutledge Tracy were held Monday, March 22, 1993 at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Marcia Smith Wood officiating. Burial was at Lexington Cemetery, rural Taylor County, Iowa.

Lela Catherine Kristina Kaisand, daughter of Konrad and Matilda Fenzlein Kaisand was born at Grinnell, Iowa November 24, 1902 and departed this life March l9, 1993 at Grinnell, Iowa at the age of 90 years, three months, and 25 days.

She lived in Grinnell, graduating from Grinnell College and attended the Congregational Church.

On June 3, 1929 she was united in marriage to Ralph A. Rutledge at Centerville, Iowa and they lived in Sharpsburg.

To this union was born Jeanette (Mrs. Leonard) Hoskins of York, Neb. Ralph Rutledge died in 1973 and she married Glenn Tracy in 1979.

She was engaged in teaching mathematics, German and Latin at Sharpsburg, Conway, and Bedford.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen in 1992, her parents, and all her five brothers and sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law; grandchildren Jodene (Hoskins) and Andrew Larkin, Benedict, Neb.; Randall and Velvet Hoskins, Loveland, Colo.; Susan Hoskins, Atlanta, Ga.; Debra (Hoskins) and Greg Stuchlik; great grandchildren: Joshua and Sarah Larkin, Lexington, Ky.; and Piper Hoskins.

She was a member of the Christian church, Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Delta Kappa Gamma (teacher’s honorary society), and the PEO sisterhood.

She was kind and considerate and will be missed by those who knew and loved her.