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

[Keith, James Reece]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 5, 2000    p. 5

James R. Keith

James [Reece] Keith, 81, of Clarinda, Iowa, died Sunday, December 26, 1999, at Clarinda Regional Health Center.  James was born near Blockton, Iowa, February 10, 1918 to Glade and Gail Reece Keith.  At a young age, his family moved to a farm south of Bedford where he attended Ross #1 School and graduated from Bedford High School in 1935.

James demonstrated a talent in art at a very young age and in his teenage years produced a weekly cartoon strip for the Kansas City Journal-Post Illustrated News.  After graduation he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to further pursue his artistic ambitions.

His real fulfillment was found upon his return to Iowa where he was united in marriage to Dorothy Thompson on April 20, 1940 and embarked upon his farming career.  They settled in the Bedford area, moving to Clarinda, Iowa, in March 1968 where he expanded his farming interests and achieved awards for high corn production within the state.  Their marriage was blessed by one son and two daughters.

His survivors include his wife, Dorothy of the home, son Kenneth L. Keith and wife Judy of Sioux City, Iowa, daughter, Joyce Gietl and husband Jerry of Englewood, Colorado, four grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren, sister, Marjorie Ginn of Lenox, Iowa, nieces and nephews.  Preceding him in death were his parents, daughter Jana Lynn, sister, Lois Rush and daughter-in-law Caye Keith.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 1999, at the First Christian Church, Clarinda, Iowa, with Rev. John Clark officiating.  Visitation was 7-8 [p.m. Monday, December 27, 1999, at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home.  Burial was to be in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.  Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, the First Christian Church or to the Nodaway Valley Museum.  Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

[Weir, Samuel Albert]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 19, 1959    p. 5

Relatives Here For Weir Funeral

Among those from out of town here for the funeral services on Saturday for Sam Weir, included the following: Mr. and Mrs. John Colyn [Alice Weir] and family, McPherson, Kansas, Clarence Weir, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Runft [Georgia Stewart], Cedar Falls; Miss Peggy Henry, Greeley, Colo.; Ernest Martin, Winterset; Rev. Charles Colyn, Lenox; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Tjossem [Mary Lou Smalley], Des Moines; Mrs. Maude  [Weir] Dorr, Mrs. Leona [Weir] Smalley, Gravity; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Whitney [Ruth Smalley], Shenandoah; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Smalley, Jr. [Myrtle Alexander], Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bailie [Lenore Dunbar] New Market.


[Wisdom, Paul Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 19, 1959    p. 5

Paul Wisdom Died in Los Angeles

Paul [Wesley] Wisdom, 75, a resident of Bedford many years ago and a son of the late Atty. and Mrs. Frank [Minor] Wisdom [Mary Eldora King], died in Los Angeles, Calif., Sunday, November 15.  Last rites and burial were there.

He is survived by his wife [Evelyn Wicklin], two married daughters and several grandchildren.  Also by three sisters, Mrs. Floy Maxwell of Bedford, Mrs. Pearl Price of Barnard, Mo., Mrs. Della Clark of Sherman Oaks, California.

[Ridnour, Ella Zan King]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 19, 1959    p. 5

Mrs. Ella Ridnour Died At Villisca

Mrs. Ella [Zan King] Ridnour, a lifetime resident of Taylor County, died at a Villisca nursing home Wednesday, Nov. 11.  Her home was near New Market.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Guss Methodist church.  Burial [was] in the Guss cemetery.

Mrs. Ridnour is survived by three children, Mrs. Mildred Stalcup of Thayer, Leland Ridnour of New Market, Mrs. Guy [Opal] McFarland of Clarinda; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Her husband, James, preceded her in death, Dec. 15, 1947.

[Johnson, Arnold]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 19, 1959    p. 5

Arnold Johnson Died At New Market

Arnold Johnson, 73, of New Market, died at his home Monday night following a heart attack.  He was the last of the Johnson family to be taken.

Funeral services are being held at the Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda Thursday afternoon with Rev. Clarence Potter of the New Market church officiating.  Burial in Old Memory Cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was a retired farmer and he and his wife operated a café in New Market for several years.  Two daughters and five grandchildren survive.

[Johnson, Arnold]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 26, 1959     p. 6

Arnold Johnson Burial At New Market Thursday

Arnold Johnson, a life-long resident of the New Market community, died Monday, November 16 and although he had been in failing health, his death came as a shock to his family and friends.

The funeral services were hold at the Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda, Thursday, November 19, with burial in Old Memory cemetery at New Market.

Arnold Johnson, son of Eli and [Agnes] Catherine [Carmichael] Johnson, was born May 8, 1886 near New Market, Iowa, and died at the age of 73 years, six months, eight days.

On September 28, 1910, he was united in marriage to Ollie Clayton. To this union, five children were born, three died in infancy. Mr. Johnson spent many years farming. After the family moved to town, they spent 15 years operating a cafe.

The Johnson home is known for its hospitality. Not only did they rear their own daughters, Doloras [Maxine]  and Glola [Bertha], but they provided a home for their granddaughter Kathleen, and great grandson, Bobby.

The past few years have been spent more leisurely. Fishing was the hobby that he enjoyed most. He loved home and took pride in the beauty of their flowers.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his beloved wife, Ollie; two daughters Doloras Anderson of New Market, Glola Ingels of Woodward, Iowa; three granddaughters; two great grandsons.

[Logan, Margaret Emma Elliott]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 19 1959    p. 5

Funeral Services For Mrs. L. S. Logan

Funeral services were held at the Jones Funeral Home at Washington, Iowa, Sunday for Mrs. Lem S. Logan, 88, mother of Supt. L. A. Logan, of Shenandoah.  She died Thursday night at the Adams Nursing Home in Washington.

Margaret Emma Elliott was born Oct. 31, 1871, in Swanwick, Ill., a daughter of Alexander N. and Isabelle Jane McNulty.  She was married August 21, 1895, to Lemuel S. [amson] Logan who died Oct. 5, 1946.

She was a member of the Baptist Church.

Survivors include four children:  Lawrence of Shenandoah, Robert and Mrs. Jane Bakehouse of Owatonna, Minn., and Mrs. Harriett Farrell of East St. Louis, Ill.; and a nephew, John Logan, of Washington.

Supt. and Mrs. Logan were called to Washington by the illness and death of his mother.      ---Shenandoah Sentinel

[Matheny, Albert Lewis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 19, 1959    p. 5

A. L. Matheny Rites At Platteville

A. L. Matheny, a long-time resident of the Platteville community, died Friday, November 13.  Funeral services were held at his own home Sunday afternoon, November 15, Rev. I. G. Wilkins of Blockton officiating.  Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.

Albert Lewis Matheny, son of John Collins and Mary Jane Matheny, was born January 19, 1872, at Mineral Springs, Adams County, Ohio, and died at the age of 87 years, nine months, 26 days.

He moved with his parents to Creston, Iowa when just a small boy.  When 14 years of age he and his family moved to Platteville, Taylor County, Iowa, where he resided until his death.

He was one of 14 children, 12 of whom preceded him in death.  He leaves two sisters, Mrs. Mary Jane Ewart, Platteville, Mrs. Anna Letitia Templeton, Creston; also Mrs. Mary Blanche Round and Arthur G. Matheny, whom he loved and raised as his own.

Albert, who was affectionately known as "Agg" was admired and dearly loved by his friends.

[Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 23, 1964    p. 6

H. Longfellow Rites Held April 15

Funeral services for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, life long Taylor County resident, held April 15 at Varner Funeral Home in Clearfield, were conducted by Rev. Herbert Phillips.  Mr. Longfellow died April 13, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston where he had been a patient for ten weeks.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Included in the services was the following obituary:

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, fourth of seven children of Joseph Purcell and Mary Elder Longfellow, was born Dec. 4, 1884, on a farm seven miles east of Bedford, Ia.  He has lived his entire life in Taylor County.

As a young boy he united with the Methodist Church at Platteville, Ia.

On Oct. 26, 1910, he was united in marriage to Alta Nash at her parents' home in Platteville, Ia.  They started housekeeping on a farm south of Clearfield.  Four years later, they moved to their home place northeast of Bedford.

To this union four children were born:  three sons, Carl and Wilson, of Lenox, Ivan of Clearfield, and one daughter, Mary Hunter, of Bedford.

His entire life was spent farming and boring wells.  He was well known over this entire area by his water witching and well boring.

In 1939 he semi-retired and moved to Bedford, where they resided until last April 10, when they moved to Clearfield.

He is survived by his wife, Alta, his four children, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, fifteen grandchildren: Duane Hunter of Omaha, Nebr.; John Hunter of Ames; Jerry Longfellow of Bedford; Paul Longfellow of Lenox; Mrs. Linda Grindstaff of Downey, Calif.; Julia and Alice Longfellow of Lenox; Mrs. Sharon Howes of Red Oak; Kenneth Longfellow of Conway; Jack and Mary Jo Longfellow of Lenox; Richard and Dixie Longfellow of Clearfield; Mrs. Diana Pantry of Clearfield; Mrs. Patricia Kemery of Blockton; five brothers:  Frank, Charlie and Lemuel of Bedford; Tom of Newburg, Oregon; and Joe of Perry; one granddaughter is Connie Dee Longfellow, Clearfield; nine great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Lucy, who died at the age of eight, one daughter-in-law, Ruth Snyder Longfellow, in 1954.

[Longfellow, Alta Nash]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 31, 1974    p. 11

Last Rites Held October 23 For Alta Longfellow

Funeral services for Mrs. Henry W. (Alta) Longfellow, 84, of Clearfield, long time Bedford resident, held October 23 at Varner Funeral Home in Clearfield, were officiated by Carl Cummings.  Mrs. Longfellow died at Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield October 20, 1974.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Alta Nash, daughter of Samuel [Joseph] and [Charlotte] Lottie Luellen Nash, was born December 16, 1889, in Taylor County, Iowa.  When she was a year old, her family went to Colorado by covered wagon, and took up a homestead claim near Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Here they lived in a sod house and experienced pioneer life.  They returned to Taylor County, Iowa when she was five years old and [she] grew to maturity being active in the community, school and church activities.

On October 26, 1910, she was united in marriage to Henry W. [adsworth] Longfellow at Platteville, Iowa, with Rev. George Purdey officiating.  Four children, three boys and one girl, were born to bless this home and to share their love.

They farmed all of their active years in Taylor County.  They lived in Bedford for a time, then moved to Clearfield in 1963, where she has continued to live.

Her husband passed away April 13, 1964.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Carl, who passed away February 23, 1972; one granddaughter, Connie Sue; a great-granddaughter, Pamela Kay; three brothers, Lonnie, Ralph and Willard.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Wilson L. Longfellow and his wife, Deloris of Clearfield, Iowa, and Ivan L. [ee] Longfellow and his wife, Marion, of Clearfield; and one daughter, Mary C. [harlotte] Hunter of Omaha, Nebr.; 15 grandchildren, Jerry Longfellow, Paul Longfellow, Linda Grindstaff, Julia Day and Alice Schiffer, Duane Hunter and John Hunter, Sharon Howes, Dr. Kenneth Longfellow, Dr. Jack Longfellow and Mary Jo Simms, Richard Longfellow, Dianna Pantry, Patricia Kemery and Dixie Longfellow, 26 great grandchildren; two brothers, John Nash of Murray, Iowa and Brooks Nash of Bedford; two sisters, Ethel Mason of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Cordia Marple of Berkeley, Calif.; other relatives and many friends.

She was a member of the Christian Church.  She was a kind, considerate, and loving wife, mother, sister and friend.  She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Longfellow, Ivan Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    January 28, 1998    p. 5

Ivan Lee Longfellow

Ivan Lee Longfellow was born August 2, 1920 in Taylor County, Iowa to Henry and Alta Nash Longfellow.  He completed grade school in the country and moved to Bedford so he could attend high school.   He graduated in 1937.   In 1939 Ivan married Thelma Joyce Polsley and moved to a farm six miles southwest of Clearfield.  To this union were born five children:  Richard, Diana, Patricia, Connie (deceased) and Dixie.  Ivan helped his father dig water wells from 1934-1941.  Ivan then purchased his own drilling rig and then went on to build a successful family corporation, where he spent the rest of his life involved in the family business.

Ivan was one of the founders and promoters of the Clearfield Lions Iowa State Fair Shuttle Bus Service developed in 1964.  Running the shuttle buses at the Iowa State Fair was one of his many joys.  While serving as president of the Clearfield Lions Club, Ivan promoted and participated in the construction of the Lions Club building.  Ivan had also been a partner in an Oliver Implement dealership.  He and Thelma built ClearfieldÕs first and only Laundromat.  Thelma passed away in 1968.

In 1969 Ivan married Marion Updike of Corning, Iowa.  They lived on the farm until 1974 and then moved into Clearfield.  They enjoyed wintering in Texas.  Marion died in 1993.

In 1995 Ivan became engaged to Arlene Hansell of Diagonal.  She became his constant companion.  They enjoyed the winters in Texas, and traveling together.  Ivan passed away January 15 after a fun filled day with Arlene and friends at their winter home in Alamo, Texas.

Ivan was a member of the Clearfield United Methodist Church, Clearfield Lions Club, Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors, Masonic Lodge No. 458, past President of the Iowa Water Well Association and member of the Clearfield City Council.

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alta Longfellow, brothers Carl and Wilson Longfellow; daughter Connie Longfellow; wife Thelma Longfellow; and his second wife Marion Updike Longfellow; granddaughters, Pamela Pantry and Monica Longfellow.

Left to cherish his memory are his fiancée Arlene Hansell and her family.  Ivan's son, Richard Longfellow and his wife Marlene of Clearfield; daughter Diana Pantry and her husband Bud of Lancaster, Missouri, daughter Pat Kemery and her husband Wayne of Blockton, Iowa, daughter Dixie Larsen and her husband Kenny of Clearfield, Iowa, stepdaughter, Sherry Rowbotham and husband Carroll of South Lake, Texas.  He is also survived by nine grandchildren and three step grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; a sister Mary Hunter of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Delores Longfellow of Creston, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.

Services were held January 19, 1998, at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Rev. Alan Rusk officiating.  Burial was in Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield.  Wilson-Watson & Armstrong was in charge of arrangements.

[Longfellow, Thelma Joyce Polsley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 9, 1968    p. 3

Thelma Longfellow Rites April 26

Funeral services for Mrs. Ivan (Thelma) Longfellow, 47, of Clearfield were held April 26 at the Clearfield Methodist Church.   Mrs. Longfellow died April 23 at the Creston Hospital.  Interment was at the Clearfield Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, a son Richard, three daughters, Mrs. Patricia Kemery of Blockton, Mrs. Diane Pantry of Clearfield and Dixie of the home, a sister, Mrs. Don (Janice) Snyder of Clearfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Donald.

[Nash, Samuel Joseph]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 21, 1934    [p. 1]

Samuel J. Nash Dies Unexpectedly

Samuel J. [oseph] Nash, 67, died unexpectedly in Bedford Monday, June 18.  The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home, Wednesday forenoon, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell.  Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.

He was born May 4, 1867, in Taylor County, Iowa, being the youngest of fifteen children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nash.  He was married to Charlotte Luellen Feb. 13, 1886.  To them were born nine children, one having died in infancy.  With the exception of a few years spent in the west, Taylor County had always been his home.  He united with the Baptist church when a young man.

Surviving relatives are the eight children, Lon Nash and John Nash of Hillsdale, Wyo., Mrs. Alta Longfellow and Brooks Nash of Bedford, Willard Nash of Indianola, Ralph Nash of Oskaloosa, Mrs. Ethel Mason of Cheyenne, Wyo., Mrs. Cordia Marples of Helena, Mont.; one brother, John Nash of Hillsdale, Wyo.; one sister, Mrs. Clarinda Hardy of New Market, and eighteen grandchildren.

[Longfellow, Joseph Purcell]

Bedford Times-Pres

Thursday    November 15, 1934    [p. 1]

Father of Longfellow Brothers Dies Wed.

Joseph T. [Purcell] Longfellow, 79, of Springfield, Mo., was found dead in his bed at the home of his son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. C. [harles] E. [lder] Longfellow [Mary Streebin], early Wednesday morning.  The funeral services were held at the home this afternoon conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell.  The body will be taken to Springfield Friday for burial.

He was the father of C. [harles] E. [lder] Longfellow, J. [oseph] F. [reeman] Longfellow, Frank Longfellow, Tom Longfellow, and Henry Longfellow, all residents of the county.

He was visiting relatives here at the time of his death.

[Crum, June Ellen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 15, 1934    [p. 1]

June Ellen Crum, 18, Dies In Illinois

June Ellen Crum, 18, died at the hospital in Champaign, Ill., shortly after noon Saturday after a week's illness with a ruptured appendix.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at Farmer City, Ill., conducted by Rev. M. R. Talley of Mount Ayr.  Burial was made in Illinois.

June Ellen was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Crum, former residents of Bedford.  She was a member of the senior class in high school this year.

Mrs. C. H. Templeton, Mrs. Pierson Morris, and Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Van Reenen left Saturday afternoon to attend the funeral services.

[Ulrich, John Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 9, 1946    [p. 1]

John H. Ulrich, 64, Dies In Des Moines

John H. Ulrich, a resident of Bedford for many years, died at the Broadlawns General Hospital, Des Moines, Thursday, May 2, following a long illness.

The funeral services were held in Des Moines Sunday afternoon, with burial in the cemetery at Corning.

John Henry Ulrich, oldest son of John and Irene Widner Ulrich, was born at Bedford, June 30, 1881, being aged 64 years, 10 months and 2 days at the time of his death.

In 1900 he was married at Grant City, Missouri to Miss Eva Ashmore of Bedford.  They were the parents of thirteen children, three having preceded their father in death.

He is survived by his wife, six daughters, Mrs. Hope Strange, Mrs. Ruby Andrews, Mrs. Betty Baker, Mrs. Agnes Knode, all of Des Moines; Mrs. Irene Clark and Mrs. Annabelle West, both of Los Angeles, Cal.; four sons, Harry and Henry Ulrich, both of Des Moines, Robert of Los Angeles; Paul, in the merchant marine aboard ship in the Pacific; two sisters, Mrs. Thos. Hosman of Bedford, Mrs. Fred Herbert of Hopkins; a brother, Elmer Ulrich of Dakota City, Iowa and 24 grandchildren.

Mr. Ulrich was a baker for many years and followed his profession until his health failed a few years ago.

[Lambley, Edna Myrtle Beal]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 30, 1986    p. 6

Edna Lambley Services Held Here

Services for Edna Lambley, 96, were held January 15 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, officiated by Rev. Martin Miller.  Interment was at Conway Cemetery.  Mrs. Lambley died January 12, 1986.

Edna Myrtle Beal Lambley, daughter of John and Emma Beal was born 3 ½ miles northwest of Bedford on October 12, 1889.  She lived in Taylor County all of her life and attended country schools.

On September 18, 1907 she was united in marriage to William Fern Lambley.  They lived their entire married life southeast of Conway on the home place.  They were the parents of two daughters and two sons, Lela Mae Lambley, Tekamah, Nebr., whose husband Justin died June 1, 1965, John James Lambley and wife Corda, Blockton, Elton Beal Lambley who was killed in France August 24, 1944 in World War II and Florence Marie Brown and husband Robert, Conway.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Fred Lambley and wife Lois, North Bend, Ne.; Joyce Johnson and husband Kenneth, College Springs, Ia.; Dale Lambley and wife Nellie, Paxico, Ks.; Robert E. Brown and wife Gretchen, Jackson Hole, Wy.; Karen Smith and husband David, Shawnee, Ks.; Bruce Brown and wife Karen, Creston; Jane Wright and husband Robert L. Wright, Des Moines; 18 great grandchildren: Sandy Johnson Pratt and husband Bruce; Ed Johnson and wife, Diane; Bryce, Kevin, Scott, Jason, Megan Lambley, Doug Smith and wife Janine, Laura Smith, Mona Brown Garrison and husband David, Mitch and Kelly Brown, Rebecca and Todd Brown, Jennifer and Matthew Wright, Angela and William Lambley, nine great great grandchildren:  Brad, Jeff, Jeremy and Brandon Pratt, Shana, Heather, and Keenan Johnson, Bryan Smith and Cole Garrison, and one sister, Carrie Taylor of Lewistown, Montana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and one son, Elton.

She was a member of the Conway Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was a kind and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her.