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

[DeVault, Carl]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 3, 1963      p. 10

Final Rites for Carl DeVault

Funeral services for Carl DeVault, life time resident of Blockton, were held at the First Christian church, Blockton, Ia., on Thursday, Sept. 26, 1963 at 2:00 p. m., conducted by Rev. James Ferris with burial in the Rose Hill cemetery at Blockton.

The following obituary was included in the service.

Carl DeVault, son of John R. [ansom] and Louisa Severns DeVault, was born near Blockton, Ia., March 21, 1886 and departed this life Sept. 23, 1963 at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, where he had been a patient for two weeks.

He was married to Eldora Schradter Feb. 28, 1906 at Grant City, Mo. To this union were born two daughters, Mrs. Opal Rupp of Clarinda, Ia., and Mrs. Iola Reed of Bedford.

He spent almost his entire life farming near Blockton with the exception of three years spent north of Grant City, Mo., and one year at Olpe, Kansas.

He spent the last twenty years in in Blockton keeping busy as a carpenter and painter. He loved to be busy and was happiest when helping those who needed help.

He became a member of the Christian church of Blockton during revival meetings conducted by Rev. Van Horn.

He leaves to mourn: his wife Eldora; two daughters and their husbands; five grandchildren, Mrs. Agatha Reed of Conway, Ia., Billy Carl Reed of Kansas City, Ron Reed of Omaha, Nebr., Wayland and Wesley Rupp of Clarinda; one great grandson, Mark Norton; one sister, Anna (Mrs. Charlie Showalter) of Des Moines, Ia.; two nephews, two nieces, other relatives and a host of friends.

Among the relatives attending the service were: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Norton, Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. Ron Reed, Omaha; Bill Reed and fiancée, Miss Sandy Kingsley, Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Rupp, Wayland and Wesley, Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Showalter, Des Moines.

[DeVault, Eldora Schradter]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 10, 1984

Last Rites Held May 1 for Eldora DeVault, 97

Graveside services for Mrs. Carl (Eldora) DeVault, 97, formerly of Blockton, were held May 1 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa with Rey. Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. DeVault died April 28, 1984 in Bethesda Care Center, Clarinda, Iowa.

Eldora Schradter DeVault, daughter of Rodolph and Mary Ridge Schradter, was born September 5, 1886 in Ringgold County Iowa near Blockton.

Her mother died April 30, 1888 and Eldora was taken to the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fleming Ridge when she was 17 months old and she remained with them until her grandfather's death in 1900. She lived with her grandmother in Blockton until 1906 when she was united in marriage to Carl DeVault on February 28, 1906 in Grant City, Missouri. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1956. Carl died in 1963.

Two daughters survive: Opal Rupp of New Market, Iowa and Iola Reed of Bedford, Iowa; a son-in-law Delbert Rupp; five grandchildren; Agatha North of Bedford, Iowa, Billy C. [arl] Reed of Kansas City, Missouri, Ron Reed of Brookings, South Dakota, Wesley Rupp of Clarinda, Iowa, Wayland Rupp of Bedford, Iowa; nine great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

Mrs. DeVault joined the Christian Church under the ministry of Rev. H. E. Van Horn who was the first minister in the new church at Blockton from 1898-1902. She was a faithful member in attendance until her health failed.

In 1970 she moved into Opal's home at New Market, Iowa and lived with her until 1976. She then moved to the Bethesda Care Center where she continued to reside.

Besides the daughters and their families, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends will remember her as a kind and loving mother.

[Fugle, Mason Tylor Stroburg]

Funeral services for Mason Fugle, 27, Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of Clarinda and Maryville, who died Thursday, May 31, 2007 , in Overland Park, Kansas were held Saturday, June 9, 2007, at 10:330 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation were Friday from 3 to 8 with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8. Burial were held in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton. Memorials can be given in Mason’s name. Memories can be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Mason Tylor Fugle Stroburg, only son and middle child of Peggy Stroburg and Randy Fugle was born in Clarinda on November 21, 1979.

He lived in many places as he was growing up including Clovis, New Mexico where he started elementary school. He also lived in Lubbock, Texas and Clarinda. He graduated from high school in Maryville, MO. He moved to Overland Park, Kansas a few years ago when Emily came here to live from her childhood home of California. Mason was most recently attending and working at DeVry University.

Mason met Emily Bailey through a mutual friend in September 2001. They maintained a long distance relationship until they moved to Overland Park, Kansas in January 2005. They had discussed marriage and Mason was intending to formally propose when he graduated from DeVry. They had two children, Buster and Jinx, dachshunds which Mason took great pride in training.

Mason always had a very curious mind. He was interested in the way things worked. Even at a young age he would take all kinds of things apart just to see how they worked. He didn’t seem to care whether it was broken or not, he wanted to fix it. This curiosity turned into a great passion for research and learning as he became a man. He was an excellent student making the Dean’s List every term at DeVry.

Mason enjoyed computers. Anything he could do with a computer became a hobby; research, surfing the web, emailing, building and so on. He shared a love of music with most members of his family and all of his friends. He recently became a very talented photographer. He and his sister Jessika often discussed the many new found functions of their cameras. Mason took some beautiful pictures of his grandparents’ farm of which he was very proud. Mason enjoyed spending time with his niece and nephews. He and Joshua shared an obsession with video and computer games. Mason and Grandpa Eldon shared many discussions about the various things they researched. They always had to know what made things tick and enjoyed sharing that information with each other. As a small boy he developed a love for soccer, which he had recently rediscovered. He had joined a soccer team with his friends from school. Mason was very close with his sisters and his Mom. He often discussed his Christian beliefs with them. He frequently asked his mom questions and engaged in many discussions as his faith grew.

Mason committed his life to Jesus shortly after high school. He and Emily attended First Family Church with his sister, Crystal. He joined Christ in heaven on May 31st, 2007 at the age of 27.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving girlfriend Emily Bailey of Irvine, Calif.; his mother Peggy Stroburg of Kansas City, MO; his father Randy Fugle of Independence, MO; sisters Jessika “Jaeka” Sump of Clarinda (husband David), Crystal Fugle of Kansas City, MO, and Stacy Solem of Brooklyn (husband Travis); niece and nephews Joshua Sickels, Adrianna Sickels and Kylor Sump of Clarinda; grandparents Eldon and Mary Stroburg of Blockton; Thaine and Eleanor Cabbage of Clarinda; Jack Fugle of Stewart and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
[Online obituary courtesy of Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, Iowa.]

[Lundy, Jesse Azariah]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      December 31, 1997

Jesse A. Lundy

Jesse A. [zariah] Lundy, 82, of Tucson, Arizona   joined    his    Heavenly Father on December 24, 1997.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 55 years, Edna; daughter, Jane Brett; son in law Arthur; two grandsons, Joshua and Jesse, all of Tucson; brother, Loren of Mission, Kansas; and nieces and nephews.

Jesse was born on a farm in Worth County, Missouri on October 25, 1915 and grew up in Savannah, Missouri where he had many fond childhood memories. Jesse and Edna [Pauline Ridge] were married on August 22, 1942 in Riverside, California with over 55 wonderful years together.

During the Depression, Jesse labored in the CCC. Later he served overseas in England in the Eighth Air Corp during WWII.

He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University and received his master's degree from Iowa State University. "Mr. Lundy" was a high school librarian in TUSD for many years. One of his cherished accomplishments was establishing the library at Sahauro High School from which he retired in 1979.

Jesse was a long-standing member of Broadway Christian Church in Tucson in which he served as Board Chairman and Elder.

Jesse was truly kind, affectionate, and honest throughout his lifetime. He held the highest principles for himself and yet was very forgiving of others. He was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed...until we meet again. We, his loved ones, feel in our hearts as Jesse himself so poetically wrote at his own father's passing that "Death that stills the voice and removes the touch of the hand can never sever the invisible bond of love, for it abideth forever - - an  attribute to God."

Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 1997 at East Lawn Palms Mortuary Chapel in Tucson, Arizona.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 1997 at the Prugh Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Paul Smith officiated. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa.

[Meers, Clarence Anderson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       April 26, 1984

Graveside Services In Blockton For Clarence Meers, 80

Graveside services for Clarence Anderson Meers, 80, of Coffeyville, Kans. were held April 19 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa following April 17 services in Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville. Mr. Meers died April 15, 1984 in Coffeyville Memorial Hospital.

Clarence Anderson Meers was born April 17, 1903 in Gleanings, Kentucky to Elias and Roxie (Stillwell) Meers. He began his education in Kentucky before moving to Bloomington, Illinois as a boy with his parents where he finished school. He then farmed with his father and in the mid 1930's he married Josephine [Marie] Rizza.

The couple made their home in Zion, Ill. Mr. Meers was employed by the Johnson Outboard Motor Company for over 27 years as a machinists supervisor retiring in the mid 1960's. Mr. Meers served in the United States Army during WW II. His wife Josephine died in 1972.

On June 20, 1973 he married Gladys [Irene] Warner Swigart at Bedford, Iowa. Following their marriage the couple traveled, living in Rogers, Arkansas four years, then going to Coffeyville in 1981.

He attended the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville and was a member of the Gurnee American Legion Post #771, Gurnee, Ill.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys of the home; two sons: Gary Vaughn Swigart, Rt. 4, Coffeyville and Keith Eugene Swigart, Rt. 4, Coffeyville; two daughters: Bonnie June Glover, 412 W. New, Coffeyville, and Marilyn Sue Jackson, Mt. Ayr, Iowa; one brother, Jesse Meers, Gibson City, Ill.; two sisters: Marie Kiper, Normal, Ill.; and Evelyn Smith, Richmond, Va.; 16 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren.

[Meers, Gladys Irene Warner Swigart]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      May 12, 1999    p. 5

Gladys Irene Meers

Gladys Irene Warner Swigart Meers was born June 14, 1914 to Lewis A. [lford] Warner and Susie Gray Warner. She departed this life on May 1, 1999 at the Health Care Center in Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Most of her education was obtained in Iowa and Missouri schools.

On November 29, 1930 Gladys was united in marriage to [William] Cecil Swigart of Lamoni. To this union four children were born: Bonnie June Glover of Coffeyville, Kansas; Gary Vaughn Swigart of Afton, Oklahoma; Keith Eugene Swigart of Seligman, Missouri; and Marilyn Sue Jackson of Mount Ayr, Iowa. Cecil preceded her in death in 1972.

In June 1973 Gladys married Clarence [Anderson] Meers. He preceded her in death in 1984.

Gladys gave her heart to the Lord many many years and loved and served him all her life. While living in Kansas she conducted a Bible Study for elderly friends.

Gladys loved people and had a host of friends. She loved nature and was always surrounded by beautiful flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and by four brothers, two half brothers and a half sister.

Left to mourn her passing are her four children: Bonnie June and husband, Fred, Gary Vaughn and wife Mary Jane, Keith Eugene and wife Betty and Marilyn and husband, Eldon. Also 17 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; four sisters, Vella Wolverton of Hopkins, Missouri, Pearl and Warner Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, Dovie Mattson of Phoenix, Arizona and Charlotte and Mort Bowman of Phoenix, Arizona and two sisters in law, Anna Warner and Helen Warner of Omaha, Nebraska.

Gladys’s family was her most precious earthly possession. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 5, 1999 at 2:00 at Wilson Watson and Armstrong Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Hawkins officiating. Burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton. Wilson Watson and Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

[Pettis, Alphonso Percival]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 27, 1962      p. 5

A. Pettis, 77, Dies Here

Alphonso [Percival] Pettis, 77, former Bedford and Grant City resident, died Sept. 19 at the Court Street Nursing Home in Bedford. He had recently returned from a two months visit with his son, Floyd, in Florida. Services and burial were in Grant City.

Besides his son he is survived by a sister in Mt. Ayr.
[Note: He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa not in Grant City as stated in the obituary.]

[Ridge, Lloyd West]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday       December 18, 1996     p. 5

Lloyd W. Ridge

Lloyd West Ridge was born June 23, 1909 to Fred Sidney and Lucretia West Ridge on the family farm in Worth County, Missouri. Twin sisters Edna and Elta were born to the family eleven years later; Elta only survived four days.

Lloyd spent all but 16 months of his life on the Ridge family farm.

Pleasant Valley Country School was where Lloyd received the majority of his formal education; he also attended high school in Blockton, Iowa. Although the son of two school teachers, Lloyd and the rest of the boys in the neighborhood decided it was more worth their while to farm than to sit at school.

He always knew he wanted to be a farmer; he loved the land where he was born. One of his goals in life was to improve the land and leave it better than he found it. He achieved his goal and took great pride in his Centennial farm.

At a young age he was baptized at the Christian church in Blockton. He transferred his membership to the Isadora Church of Christ and served as an Elder and Sunday school teacher for many years.

God was the head of the home Lloyd and Ola Mabel Saville established with their marriage on October 14, 1931. For 65 years they shared their lives. From the days of the chugging up the hill in his Whippet automobile to date Ola, to watching a man walk on the moon, they shared it all. Their home was blest with the birth of their two sons, Lloyd Cecil in 1933 and James Edward in 1940.

The boys farmed with their father producing livestock and grain until Lloyd W.’s health began to fail and he and Ola retired from farming and moved to Blockton in 1990.

Woodworking was a hobby Lloyd enjoyed, clocks, cradles, shelves, music boxes, and toys he made for his family are all treasured heirlooms. He also loved reading, the Bible, history books, and magazines. Grandpa always had his own corner shelf, which was filled, with his reading material.

Genealogy was another one of Lloyd’s interests. He and his sister Edna spent many hours tracing their family roots. God, family and the land were Lloyd’s life. We were blessed to have him for 87 years and will miss his love, strength and guidance.

Lloyd passed away at the Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield, Iowa on December 10, 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lucretia, infant sister, Elta and great grandson, Lucas [James] Ridge.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Ola of the home, son, Lloyd Cecil and daughter in law, Alice Ridge, Grant City; son, Jim and daughter in law, Joyce Ridge of Grant City; grandson Roger and his wife Lisa, and great grandsons, Caleb and Taylor Ridge of St. Joseph; granddaughter Becky and husband, Jim, great grandson, Jacob and great granddaughter Sarah Carlson, King City; granddaughter, Rhonda Ridge, Cincinnati, Ohio; grandson Rick and his wife Jackie, and great grandsons, Colt and Logan Ridge, Grant City; granddaughter Raelene and her husband Steve Zollman, Independence; sister Edna and Jesse Lundy, Tucson, AZ; niece Jane Brett and family also of Tucson; sister in laws, Vera Buss and husband Lyle, Jesse Trullinger, Lena Saville, Melba Saville, Ruth Saville; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held on December 12, 1996 at 11:00 a. m. at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Charles Bottiger and Scott Marcum officiated. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton, Iowa.

[Ridge, Lucas James]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      December 11, 1991     p. 10

BLOCKTON

The community was shocked and saddened by the death of little Lucas James Ridge. His mother found him dead in his crib early Tuesday morning.

[Ridge, Lucas James]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      December 18, 1991

Relatives from a distance called here by the death of Lucas [James] Ridge were his aunts, Rhonda and Raelene Ridge of Columbia, Mo.; Roger Ridge and family of St. Joseph; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Carlson and family of Amity, Mo.  Rhonda lives in Cincinnati.

[Ridge, Ola Mabel Saville]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      September 20, 2000

OLA RIDGE

Funeral services for Ola Ridge, 87, Blockton, IA were held Monday, September 18, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Rev. Scott Marcum officiated. Interment was at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa.  

Ola Mabel Saville daughter, sister, wife mother, grandmother, great grandmother and so much more was born October 11, 1912 on a farm near Redding, Iowa. She was the seventh of eight children born to John Silas and Car-rie Oliver Saville. She passed away on September 16, 2000 at the Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield, Iowa.

Soon after graduation form Redding High School she married her high school sweetheart, Lloyd West Ridge on October 14,1931. Ola's childhood dream of being married in a "big church" was realized when they were married at the Methodist Church in Shenandoah, Iowa by her minister, brother, Cecil Saville. Ola and Lloyd began their married life and fulfilled Lloyd's childhood dream of operating his own farm. The two started out on the Missouri-Iowa line, in an area she referred to as "Happy Comers". Later they moved to what is known as the Ridge Farm where they spent the majority of their 65-year marriage. In their later years on the farm their great grandchildren enjoyed morning rides to check on the cattle. Everyone enjoyed looking over Ola's meticulous farm market records that she faithfully logged everyday at the noon market report. In 1990 they retired and moved to Blockton, Iowa, their two boys proudly continued the family farming tradition.

On August 21,1933, their eldest son Lloyd Cecil was born. On October 20,1940, their second son James Edward completed the family.

Ola was a member of the Isadora Church of Christ; there she served as an Elder s wife and Sunday school teacher, teaching the primary class for many years. There she was able to teach each one of her grandchildren. She enjoyed providing the church with flowers from her garden for services. Church, home, and family were the cornerstones of Ola's life. Ola served many wonderful meals to family, preachers, hired hands and friends. One particular example of the bounty of Ola's table was after a fine noon meal she realized she had forgotten to put the meat on the table. With all the food she had prepared no one had missed the main dish. Ola loved to quilt and embroider. She made quilts for each of her grandchildren, and gave gifts of pillowcases and dishtowels, which were decorated with her needlework. Gardening was one of Ola's greatest pleasures. She loved to preserve the fruits of her labor for her family to enjoy.

One of her favorite hobbies was her membership in the Blockton Garden Club. She was instrumental in the installation of the Blockton Garden Club Welcomes you sign at the southeast edge of Blockton. Over the years, Ola also served as 4-H leader in the Westfork Boosters Club. She was a member of the Sunny Corner Club and Blockton Domino Club. She also enjoyed attending the Blockton Christian Women's Fellowship meetings.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd W. [est], parents, John and Carrie Saville, brothers, Wilbur, Emerson, Cecil, Howard, and Kermit; sister, Jessie Trullinger and great grandson Lucas [James] Ridge. Left to cherish her memory are son, Lloyd Cecil and wife Alice Ridge, Grant City, son James and wife Joyce, Grant City. Grandson Roger and wife Lisa and great grandsons, Caleb and Taylor Ridge, St. Joseph, MO; Granddaughter, Becky and husband, Jim, great grandson Jacob and great granddaughter Sarah Carlson, King City, MO; Granddaughter Rhonda and husband Jim, great granddaughter, Jocelyn, step great grandsons John, Jeff, and James and step great granddaughter Lindsay Burton, Clarksville, Ohio; Grandson Rick and wife Jackie and great grandson Colt and Logan Ridge, Grant City; Granddaughter Raelene and husband Steve and great grandson Reese Zollman, Independence, Mo; Sister Vera Buss and husband Lyle, Red Oak, IA; sister-in-law Lena Saville, Growie, IA; sister-in-law Edna Lundy, Tucson, AZ; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She will be sadly missed by all her loved ones and friends.

[Ridge, Ola Mabel Saville]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     September 27, 2000

BLOCKTON

The community was saddened by the death of a long time member of the community. Ola Ridge had a massive stroke and lay in an unconscious state for some time. The family has the sympathy of the community for her death and the trauma they went through while she lingered. Ola was well known all throughout Worth, Taylor, Nodaway and Ringgold Counties. She joined the Isadora Church of Christ, where she was an active member as long as she lived. Ola loved flowers and always was surrounded by them. She was a charter member of the Blockton Garden Club. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Roberts, Venice Edward]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      February 9, 2000

VENICE EDWARD ROBERTS

Venice   Edward   Roberts, 70, of Blockton, Iowa died February 5, 2000 at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Venice was born June 2, 1929 to Vernett Earl and Opal Mae (Cassatt) Roberts in Troy, Iowa. On December 15, 1982, he married Doris Gayle Steinman at Blockton, Iowa.

He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, and after discharge, worked in construction. He farmed for 32 years southeast of Blockton. After retiring he worked for Crestland Co-op until 1998. He was a member of the Blockton Christian Church, a 47-year member of the Masonic Lodge, current member of the Bedford Lodge #156. He was also a 25-year member of the American Legion Post #9443.

Venice was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: infant Vain Roberts, George Roberts and Rex Roberts; infant grandson, Brian Coulson.

Survivors include his wife, Doris of the home; three daughters, Terry Langford and husband Todd of Tucson, Ariz., Lynn Roberts of Smithville, Mo., Malinda Nelson of Quitman, Mo.; four sons, Greg Roberts and wife Kelly of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Chris Risser and wife Sandy of Bedford, Iowa, Gayland Risser and wife Debbie of Bedford, Iowa, Mike Risser and wife Teresa of Bedford; four granddaughters, Meghan, Heather, Lindsay and Raelynne; five grandsons: Cody, Bradley, Cory, Shane and Jeffrey; two brothers, Arlo Roberts and wife Florence of Troy, Iowa, Jack Roberts and wife Virginia of Charleston, S. C; a sister, Karen Miller and husband Jerry of Pulaski, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, and loyal friend. The loss of his love and sense of humor has left an empty space in the hearts that only time will heal.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000 at 2:00 p. m. at the Blockton Christian Church in Blockton, Iowa. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa.

[Rupp, Opal Norene DeVault Dawson]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     April 26, 1989

OPAL RUPP

Funeral services for Mrs. Opal N. [orene] Rupp, 81, of New Market were held Friday at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home with Rev. David Renfro officiating.

Mrs. Rupp died April 19 at Shields Rest Home where she had been since last November.

She was born Dec. 1, 1907 at Grant City, Mo., the daughter of Carl and Eldora Schradter DeVault. In 1932 she was married to Roy [Edwin] Dawson, who died in 1943. In 1946 she was married to Delbert Rupp, who preceded her in death in 1985.

Mrs. Rupp is survived by two sons, Wayland Wesley Rupp, Bedford, and Wesley Warren Rupp, Clarinda. There are three grandchildren. Iola Reed of Bedford is a sister.

She was preceded in death by parents and husbands.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Blockton Cemetery.
[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Clarinda Herald Journal, April 20, 1989.]

[Smith, John William]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 27, 1951     p. 7

J. W. Smith Dies

John William Smith, 83, died Sunday at the home of his son Sam Smith. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Tent Chapel, conducted by Rev. Ralph Yadon. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

He is survived by one son, Samuel Smith; two daughters, Mrs. B. [arton] A.[lvin] Florea and Mrs. Frank Fink.

[Smith, Lloyd Harold]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     January 25, 1979

Lloyd Smith, 52, Final Rites Were Held In Blockton

Funeral services for Lloyd Harold Smith, 52, of Blockton, were held January 17 in the Blockton Christian Church, Blockton, Iowa with Pastor Glen Mitchell officiating. Mr., Smith died January 13, 1979 in Mount Ayr, Ia. Blockton Legion Post 443 conducted Military Honors at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

Lloyd Harold Smith, the son of Ralph Raymond and Millie B. Smith, was born at Blockton, Iowa March 24, 1926.

He lived in Blockton all his life except for his military service during World War II in the Pacific Theater. As in other projects of Lloyd's life he served his country honorably and well. Lloyd attended Blockton Public Schools. He was a 33-year member of Blockton American Legion Post No. 443.

On April 4, 1957, Lloyd was united in marriage to Helen Virginia Eller at Warsaw, Mo. and they lived in Blockton all their married life.

Two children blessed their house, Melody Ann and Danny lames.

Lloyd was employed by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, He became the beloved section foreman and was respected by those   with   whom he worked.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Cecil Raymond.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Helen; daughter, Melody Haidsiak of Bedford, Danny of the home; daughters Vickie Means of Carrizozo, New Mexico and Patricia Wallis of Haggerman, New Mexico; sons-in-law Buster Haidsiak, Kenneth Means, and Fred Wallis; seven grandchildren; Mark, Kendra, and Trina Wallis, Gary, Patrick, and Dusty Means, and LeAnna Haidsiak; two brothers and their wives, Leonard and Sonnie Smith of Blockton and Ivan and Josie of Tucson, Arizona; a sister-in-law Leona Smith of Council Bluffs.

[Smith, Olive Jane Cole]

Blockton News

Thursday      December 18, 1941     [p. 1]

Olive J. Smith

Olive J. [ane] Cole, daughter of Sampson and Nancy Kling Cole, was born October 13, 1870, near Barnard, Nodaway County, Mo., and departed this life December 13, 1941, at her home in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa, being at the time of her death 71 years and 2 months of age.

She was married to John William Smith at Barnard, Mo., October 9, 1889. To this union four children were born: Birdie, who died in infancy; Samuel J. and Nancy Marie, now Mrs. B. [arton] A. [lvin] Florea, of Blockton, and Ida Mabel of Perry, this state.

Immediate surviving relatives are the husband, three children, eight grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. S. H. Turner, of Lewisville, Arkansas, who has helped care for her the last five months, and one brother, George W. Cole, of Salina, Kansas, who was privileged to be at her bedside when the summons came.

She obeyed the gospel fifty years ago and has since been a faithful member of Church of Christ.

She was one who enjoyed living and to whom life meant Love, Loyalty, and Service.

Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Brother W. E. Ballenger of Kansas City. Burial was made in Rose Hill cemetery, Blockton.

[SMITH, OLIVE JANE COLE]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, December 18, 1941
Olive J. Smith – Olive J. [ane] Cole, daughter of Sampson and Nancy Kling Cole, was born October 13, 1870, near Barnard, Nodaway county, Mo. and departed this life December 13, 1941, at her home in Blockton, Taylor county, Iowa, being at the time of her death 71 years and 2 months of age.
She was married to John William Smith at Barnard, Mo., October 9, 1889. To this union four children were born: Birdie, who died in infancy; Samuel J. [esse] and Nancy Marie, now Mrs. B. [arton] A. [llen] Florea of Blockton and Ida Mabel of Perry, this state.
Immediate surviving relatives are the husband, three children, eight grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. S. H. Turner, of Lewisville, Arkansas, who has helped care for her the last five months and one brother, George W. Cole, of Salina, Kansas, who was privileged to be at her bedside when the summons came.
She obeyed the gospel fifty years ago and has since been a faithful member of Church of Christ.
She was one who enjoyed living and to whom life meant Love, Loyalty and Service.
Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Brother W. E. Ballenger of Kansas City. Burial was made in Rose Hill cemetery, Blockton.

[SMITH, OLIVE JANE COLE]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, December 18, 1941
The Misses Maxine Smith of Lamoille and Gayle Smith of Carbondale and Paul Smith of Maryville were here Monday to attend the funeral of their grandmother, Mrs. J. W. Smith. . . .
Miss Mabel Smith, who teaches in the Perry schools and who has been home for several weeks assisting in caring for her mother, Mrs. J. W. Smith, during her fatal illness, will return to her school work at Perry after the holidays. . . .
George Cole, of Salina, Kansas, came Friday night, called here by the fatal illness of his sister, Mrs. J. W. Smith.

[Swigart, William Cecil]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       October 26, 1972     p. 10

Cecil Swigart Last Rites Held October 24

Funeral services for William Cecil Swigart, 70, of Blockton, were held Tues., Oct. 24 at the Bedford Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Ray Tackett and Rev. G. W. Swan. Mr. Swigart died October 21, 1972 at Ringgold County Hospital in Mt. Ayr. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

William Cecil Swigart, son of Isaac and Kathryn [Banks] Swigart was born near Eagleville, Missouri, June 23, 1902.

He attended school and spent most of his childhood in Missouri.

On November 29, 1930 Mr. Swigart was united in marriage to Gladys Irene Warner and to this union four children were born.

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

Cecil is survived by his wife, Gladys, of the home; four children, Bonnie Glover and her husband, Fred, of Bedford; Gary and his wife, Carol, of Coffeyville, Kansas; Keith and his wife, Betty, of Rogers, Ark.; and Marilyn Jackson and her husband, Eldon, of Blockton; four sisters, Mary Pool, Doris Nelson, Nina Todd of Des Moines, Ia.; and Faye Fitzgerald of Harrington, Kans.; five brothers, John, of Rogers, Ark.; Ivan, of Allerton, Ia.; Everett, of Lewisburg, Kansas; Harry, of Kent, Wash. and Carl of Payette, Idaho; 12 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.

Cecil was a kind and loving husband and he was loved by all who knew him. He will be remembered by his honest integrity and his devotion to God. He was patient and uncomplaining during his long illness.

Cecil accepted the Lord as his personal Savior in 1957 and was baptized into the First Baptist church in Bedford. He was true to his faith and loved the Lord deeply. Cecil will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.