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

[Baker, Eldon Floyd]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      March 19, 1997     p. 5

Eldon F. Baker

Eldon F. [loyd] Baker, 81 of rural Bedford, IA died Saturday night March 15th at Clarinda Regional Health Center.

He was born July 5,1915 near Siam, IA the son of Charles and Alice Huntsman Baker. He married Vera Mae Todd on Dec. 3, 1934 at Hopkins, MO. They lived in the same area near Siam all their lives. Mr. Baker was a farmer and stockman raising Registered shorthorn cattle. He was a member of the Hopkins Christian Church for 62 years where he had delivered the message several times. He was a member of Plumb Lodge 285 AF & AM, Highland Chapter Eastern Star, Royal Arch, Clarinda. He had served as Grand Chaplain in Royal Arch.

He is survived by his wife Vera Mae of the home, brother Vernon Baker, Clarinda, IA and sister Mary Alice Killiam of New Market, IA.

Funeral services were Tuesday at Walker Merrick Funeral Home Clarinda, IA with Rev. Royce Bounds officiating. Masonic services were Monday evening following visitation at the funeral home. Burial was in Siam cemetery.

[Baker, Vera Mae Todd]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      September 16, 1998      p. 5

Vera Mae Baker

Vera Mae Baker of Bedford, Iowa, 80, died Tuesday, September 1, 1998 at Bedford Manor where she had been a resident. She was born February 5,1918 the daughter of Stella Todd. She was married to Eldon Baker.

She was preceded in death by her mother and husband. Vera is survived by several cousins.

She was very active in the Highland Chapter of Eastern Star holding various state offices.

Funeral services were Friday, September 4, 1998 at Walker Merrick Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m., Clarinda, Iowa. Burial in the Siam Cemetery, Siam, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to Highland Chapter of Eastern Star or the Christian Church of Hopkins. Arrangements by Walker Merrick Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

[Beal, Ruth Marie Kent]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 26, 1981     p. 4

Marie Beal, 75, Last Rites Were Held November 9

Funeral services for Mrs. Arlie (Marie) Beal, 75, of the Siam community, were held November 9 in the Siam Christian Church with Loren Daly officiating. Mrs. Beal died in her home near Siam November 6, 1981. Interment was in the Siam Cemetery.

Ruth Marie Kent, eldest daughter of Hattie Pearl Chenoweth and Rutherford Benjamin Kent, was born July 1, 1906 near Pickering, Mo. Marie gave her soul to her God and was baptized in the Christian Church baptistery, Benton, Iowa, at the age of 12 and since then she served her God each day as she thought she should.

Marie was graduated from Bedford High School in 1925 and attended BHS the following year as a postgraduate student. The fall of 1927 she entered State Teachers College, Maryville, Mo. From 1927-1934 she worked in the educational field, either attending State Teachers or teaching in the rural schools in Nodaway County, Mo.

On June 23, 1934 she was married Arlie B. [urdette] Beal in the Christian Church parsonage, Maryville, Mo. They have always lived in Taylor County, Iowa. In 1942 they moved east of Siam one Monday and the following Sunday began attending the Siam Christian church. In 1945 the family moved three and one-half miles northwest of Siam where she lived as long as her health permitted.

Mrs. Beal was a former member of Just-A-Mere Club (1942-45), the Siam Willing Workers club (1942-1970) and of the North Star Circle Club since 1945, holding offices in each club. She loved to crochet, read and to embroider; she loved flowers and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, Beaune, infant granddaughter, Wanda Kay Larabee, 1960, son-in-law, Kenneth Dale Larabee, 1966; sister-in-law, Hazel Kent, 1978, brother Doyle Kent in 1979, her husband, Arlie, February 21, 1975.

Surviving to cherish her memory are: her three daughters: Mrs. Edward (Agnes) Hemenway, New Berlin, Wisc.; Mrs. Arleata Umphenour, Beatrice, Nebr. and Mrs. Dick (Beverly) Thomas, Clarinda; 12 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brother Dean Benjamin Kent of Lyndon, Kans.; sister-in-law Mrs. Doyle (Ola) Kent, Vallejo, Calif.; her lifetime friend Mrs. Rebecca Olsen, Overland Park, Kans.; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her life philosophy was: “I shall not pass through this way but once.  Any good that I can do or any kindness I can share to any fellow creature let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect anyone for I shall not pass this way again.”

[Bell, David James “Buss”]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday      October 14, 1991

Dave (Buss) Bell

Dave (Buss) Bell [David James], 84 of rural Bedford died Thursday afternoon, October 10, 1991 at his home south of Siam.

He was born August 30, 1907 at Flat River, MO the son of Robert [Denton] and [Mary] Ella Chamberlin Bell. On March 20, 1939 he was married to Hazel Deckert who survives.

Mr. Bell was employed at Omaha Box Company for 25 years before his retirement in 1970.    

Survivors include his wife Hazel of the home and four children: Mrs. Chuck (Bonnie) Clampitt, Ukiah, CA; Mrs. Earl (Lucille) Kearns, Belleview, MO; Mrs. J.C. (Genevive) Arnold, Dexter, MO; and Mrs. Richard (Melva) Bix, New Market. There are 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents, three brothers and six sisters.

Funeral services were held Monday, October 14, at the Walker-Merrick Funeral Home with Loren Daly officiating. Burial was in the Siam cemetery.

[Bell, Hazel E. Deckert]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday     October 28, 1991

Hazel E. Bell

Mrs. Hazel E. Bell, 83 of the Siam area died Friday morning, October 25 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital where she had been a patient for the past 6 days.

She was born March 11, 1908, at Doniphan, NE the daughter of Charles [Edward] and Ada Smith Deckert. She was married to Dave J. (Buss) Bell who preceded her in death October 10, 1991.

She is survived by four children, Mrs. Chuck (Bonnie) Clampitt, Ukiah, CA; Mrs. Earl (Lucille) Kearns, Belleview, MO; Mrs. J. C. (Genevive) Arnold, Dexter, MO; and Mrs. Richard (Melva) Bix, New Market, IA. There are 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, October 28 at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home with Loren Daly officiating. Burial was in Siam Cemetery.

[Claybaker, Darlene Rose Sleep Neville]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      January 29, 1997     p. 5

Darlene Claybaker

Darlene Claybaker, 69, of Clarinda died early Wednesday morning at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha after being admitted Tuesday afternoon.

Darlene  [Rose] was born April 29, 1927 near Bedford, Iowa to Dale [Henry] and Vera [Blanche] Murry  [Murray] Sleep. She attended country school near Bedford. She had worked all her life in occupations which were people oriented. Her career involved many activities including being a cook, business owner, home care provider, and direct sales of Sasco products.

She is survived by her eight children: Howard Neville and his wife Joan of Sterling, CO; Raymond Neville and his wife Debbie of Sterling, CO; Connie Smith and her husband Delbert of Clarinda; Bonnie Lydick, Clarinda; Harold Neville and his wife Margaret of Clarinda; Henry Neville and his wife Michelle of Ogden, UT; Becky Wright and her husband John of Ogden, UT; and Keith Claybaker of Ogden, UT; mother Vera Sleep of Bedford; brothers and sisters Eldon Sleep and his wife Barb of Bedford; Wilbur Sleep and his wife Joyce of Bedford; Bob Sleep and his wife Mary Jo of Bedford; Marvin Sleep and his wife Dorothy of Bedford; Betty Miller and her husband John of New Market, IA; John Sleep and his wife Sandra of Gravity, IA; Ronnie Sleep of Lenox, IA; and Karen Drake of Lenox, IA.

She was preceded in death by her father, brother Gerald and sister Marvis Ballard.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 25, 1997 at the Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel with burial at the Siam Cemetery, Siam, Iowa. Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Clarinda Herald Journal, January 29, 1997.]

 [Clayton, Grover Archie]

 Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 15, 1962      p. 4

GROVER CLAYTON RITES HELD TODAY

Services for Grover Arch Clayton, 78, will be held today (Thurs.) at 2:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church with Carl Cummings in charge. Mr. Clayton died at his home in New Market Tuesday morning.

Burial will be in the Siam cemetery.

[Clayton, Grover Archie]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 22, 1962     p. 8

G. A. Clayton Final Rites Held In Siam

Grover Archie Clayton, son of Charles A. and Elizabeth Clayton, was born at Siam November 15, 1884 and departed this life, at his home in New Market on November 13,1962 at the age of 77 years, 11 months and 28 days.

He grew to manhood in the Siam, community where he attended school, helping with the various farm activities where he enjoyed good work well done, sharing the responsibilities of the community in which he lived and of the home.

He was united in marriage to Mattie I. [ona] Allen on September 26, 1908 at Bedford. To them were born three children: Ellis V. Clayton of Clarinda, Eldon Clayton of Council Bluffs and Naomi now Mrs. Orville Gant.

His survivors include his wife, Mattie, Ellis and his wife, Eldon and his wife, and Naomi and her husband, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was the surviving member of his own family as his brother Roy Clayton and sister, Mrs. Del Miller preceded him in death.

Immediately following his marriage, he and his wife moved to Lenox where with Ira Weingarth he operated, a restaurant for two years. The family then moved to a farm near Lenox and from there to farms near Avoca and Carson, Iowa, returning to the old home place near Siam for a few years and for 20 years just prior to his retirement he owned and operated a farm near Conway, then moving to New Market where he since resided.

When a young man he joined the   Siam Methodist Church.

He was a good husband and father, friend and neighbor and he will be greatly missed by his many friends.

[Clayton, Mattie Iona Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 28, 1968     p. 2

Final Rites Held Tuesday For Mattie Clayton

Funeral services for Mrs. Arch (Mattie) Clayton, 82, of Siam were held Tuesday at the Siam Church of Christ. Rev. Lavern Kinzel and Preacher Glen Mitchell officiated. Mrs. Clayton died November 23, 1968 at West Heights Manor in Clarinda. Interment was in the Siam Cemetery.

[Clayton, Mattie Iona Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 5, 1968     p. 2

Final Rites Held November 26 For Mattie Clayton

Funeral services for Mrs. Arch (Mattie) Clayton, 82, of New Market were held November 26 at the Siam Church of Christ with Rev. Lavern Kinzel and Preacher glen Mitchell officiating. Mrs. Clayton [Mattie Iona Allen] died November 23, 1968 at West Heights Manor in Clarinda where she had been a patient for a little over a week. Interment was at the Siam Cemetery.

She was born in Osborne County, Kans., on Oct. 10, 1886, to William T. [homas] and Hannah [Elizabeth Nelson] Allen, the last of several children in her family.

The parents moved to Siam when she was eight years old, and she lived in that area until her marriage in 1908 to Arch Clayton. The couple lived in Siam a short time. They moved several times, living at Lenox, Carson, Avoca, and 30 years at Conway before moving to New Market more than five years ago. Mr. Clayton died in New Market.

Mrs. Clayton was a member of the Siam Christian Church and had been an active member of the Old Silver chapter of Eastern Star and joined the Highland chapter when it was organized.

Two children survive, Ellis of Clarinda and Mrs. Naomi Gant near Siam. She has eight grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren. Another son, Eldon, died two years ago.

[Dale, Franklin Ernest]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 30, 1960     p. 4

Ernest Dale Buried At Siam Monday P.M.

Ernest Dale, a former resident of the Siam community, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joe Smith in Omaha, Saturday, June 25.

Funeral services were held at the Church of Christ in Siam, Monday afternoon, June 27, conducted by Rev. Clarence Potter. Burial in Siam cemetery.

Franklin Ernest Dale, son of William and Alvira Ann Dale, was born at old Loraine in Harrison County, Mo., Sept. 7, 1899 [1889], and died at the age of 70 years, nine months, 18 days. He received his elementary education in the schools at Ridgeway. Mo.

On Sept. 17, 1912 he was married to Lenora Maude Smith of Dawson, Mo., at Burlington Junction, Mo. They made their home near Burlington Junction until they moved to a home east of Siam about 1919, and to Sutherland, Nebr., in 1928. They moved to Florida in 1952 where they had since made their home. Mrs. Dale passed away Feb. 8, 1960, and he remained in Florida until six weeks ago, when he went to the home of his daughter.

He leaves to mourn his passing his daughter, Maxine Smith; a son-in-law, Joe Smith of Omaha; a brother, Herbert Dale of St. Petersburg, Florida; several nieces and nephews, Mrs. Gene Laudel of Eureka; Calif., made her home with the Dales four years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, father, mother, four brothers and four sisters.
[Note: His gravestone and World War I Draft Registration Card give his birth date as 1889.]

[Daniels, Geraldine Waunita Smith]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    August 25, 1927    [p. 1]

Geraldine Smith Daniels

Geraldine Waunita Smith, was born June 29, 1907, near Clearmont, Mo., and passed to the Great Beyond on Sunday, August 14, 1927, aged 20 years, 1 month and 15 days. On August 7, 1926 she was united in marriage to Francis Daniels of Hopkins, Mo who survives her. Other relatives are her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Riley Smith; two sisters, Mrs. Grove Manley and Mrs. Ernest Dale, all of Siam; one brother, Byron Smith, of Lenox, Ia., and many other relatives and friends who are deeply grieved by her untimely death. In early life she united with the Methodist church in Siam, where she was an active member of the church and Sunday school. Geraldine moved to Siam with her family when only a small child and here she has spent the most of her school days, and grew to young womanhood, and by her kind cheerful disposition and bright sunny smile she won friends everywhere. She was never too tired or too busy to go more than half way to extend a cheery friendly greeting to any acquaintance, and by so doing has endeared herself to both the young and old. And it is God's way, His Will Be Done, and we can believe that Geraldine has only gone on over the river to await the coming of those she loved.

[Delaney, James Dewey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 9, 1966     p. 8

James Delaney Rites May 28

Funeral services for James D. [ewey] Delaney, 69, of Conway, were held May 28 at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home on State Street, conducted by Carl Cummings. Mr. Delaney was found dead at his home in Conway, May 25. Interment was at the cemetery in Siam.

Survivors include a son, Clark [Leland], of Indianapolis, Ind. and a daughter, Mrs. Oreson [Doris Marie] of Houston, Texas.

[Fine, Clarence Warren]

Bedford Times-Press

January 19, 1961    p. 9

Clarence Fine Of Siam Dies Jan. 4

Funeral services for Clarence Fine of Siam were held at the Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda, Wednesday afternoon, January 4 conducted by Rev. Lacy Thompson, pastor of the Siam Methodist church, assisted by Rev. Clarence Potter, pastor of the Siam Church of Christ. Interment was in the Siam cemetery.

Clarence Warren Fine, son of Perry and Rachel Fine, was born near Siam, Iowa, Sept. 12, 1899 and departed this life Jan. 1, 1961 at Clarinda Municipal hospital, at the age of 61 years, three months, 20 days.

On May 18, 1933, he was married to Bertha Miller. To this union, one son, Richard Ray, was born.

His wife Bertha passed away in April of 1948. His mother and father also preceded him in death.

On Jan. 18, 1958 he was married to Mrs. Lela Snyder, who   survives with his son, Richard.  There are also three brothers, Ray of New Market, Lynn of Sheridan Mo., Elza of Bedford; six sisters, Mrs. Chloe Beck and Mrs. Lydia Wynn of Barstow, Calif.; Mrs. Bula [Beulah] Pace and Mrs. Blanche Jobe of Cheyenne, Wyo., Mrs. Ruby Renfro of New Market, Mrs. Inez Horner of Creston.

Early in life, Clarence united with the Siam Methodist church and was a devoted member.

His entire life was spent in Taylor County and he was engaged in farming throughout the years.

Clarence had been in ill health for many years and suffered a fatal stroke Saturday, December 24, 1960.