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

[Farrell, Mahala Jane Lomax Deweese]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      August 7, 1902     p. 8

Mrs. T. T. Farrell Passes Away

Died, at her home in Jackson Township, at 9 o’clock a. m., August 2, 1902. The funeral services were conducted on Sunday afternoon at the home by Elder Keenan, assisted by Elders Cobb and Ferguson. The remains were interred in Fairview cemetery. The funeral procession was one of the largest that has been seen here for a long time, an indication of the love and esteem in which deceased was held.

Mahala I. [Jane] Lomax was born near Monmouth, Ill., May 13, 1842, united with the church when 16 years old, was married to C. [arlin] D. [ouglas] Deweese on November 18, 1868 [1860], to which union was born four children. Her husband died in 1867. At that time she was residing in California. After her husband’s death she returned to her former home in Illinois. November 6, 1872, she married T. [homas] T. [erry] Farrell. To this union was born three children. All of the children and her husband are left to mourn the loss of a loving mother and a devoted and faithful wife.

[Farrell, Mahala Jane Lomax Deweese]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      August 14, 1902     p. 4

Obituary

Mahala I. [Jane] Lomax was born near Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, May 13, 1842. She was converted and united with the Christian Church when about sixteen years old at Abingdon, Illinois.

She was married to C. [arlin] D. [ouglas] Deweese November 18, 1860. To this union were born four children. She emigrated with her husband to California, crossing the plains in a wagon, in 1864. In March 1867, she buried her husband and in October of the same year sailed from San Francisco to New York, and then to her former home at Abingdon, Illinois.

On the 6th of November 1872, she was married to T. [homas] T. [erry] Farrell. To this union three children were born, who had been separated for twenty years until the sad news of mother’s sickness brought them all together once more. They all stood in the sick room with father and received a parting blessing from a faithful wife and a loving mother. She realized that the hour had come and said she knew all that loving hearts and tender hands could do had been done and now she was ready to go; that death had no terrors, the way was clear, and on the 2d of August at 9 o’clock a. m. she passed away. Her friends and neighbors can tell of her Christian virtues.

Funeral services were held at the residence August 3, conducted by Rev. Kennan, of Hopkins, assisted by Elders Wm. Cobb and Lee Furgeson. Interment in Fairview cemetery.         C.
[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Times-Republican, August 14, 1902, page 6.]

[FARRELL, MAHALA JANE LOMAX DEWEESE]

Bedford Times-Republican, Thursday, August 14, 1902, p. 6

Obituary

A loving Wife, Fond Mother And a Good Christian Influence Gone to a Reward—A Sad Reunion Before Her Departure

Mahala I. [Jane] Lomax was born near Monmouth, Warren County, Ill., May 13, 1842, was converted and united with the Christian church when about 16 years at Abingdon, Ill. She was married to C. D. Deweese Nov. 18, 1860, to this union four children were born. She emigrated with her husband to California crossing the plains in a wagon in 1864. In March 1867 she buried her husband and in Oct. of the same year she sailed from San Francisco to New York and then to her former home at Abingdon, Ill.

On Nov. 6, 1872, she was married to T. [erry] T. [homas] Farrell, to this union three children were born, and being separated had not all been at home at once for twenty years till the sad news of mother’s sickness brought them all together once more, they all stood in the sick room at once together with father and received a parting blessing from a faithful wife and a loving mother. She realized that the hour had come and said she knew all that loving hearts and tender hands could do had been done and now she was ready to go, that death had no terror, the way was clear and on the 2d of August at 9 o’clock a. m., she passed away.

Her friends and neighbors can tell of her Christian virtue. Funeral services were held at the residence Aug. 3, conducted by Rev. Keenan, of Hopkins, assisted by Elders Wm. Cobb and Lee Ferguson. Interment in Fairview cemetery.    C.

 

[Foreman, Hilda Hortense]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      November 12, 1997

Hilda Hortense Foreman

Hilda Hortense Foreman, daughter of Lloyd and Josie (Stewart) Foreman, was born in Taylor County, Iowa near Bedford September 2, 1908. She moved with her parents to Hopkins, Missouri where she attended the Hopkins School and the Methodist Church later moving to Maryville, Missouri. In her later years Hilda was a resident of the Nodaway Nursing Home where she is remembered as a very patient person. Hilda was preceded in death by both her parents as well as many other relatives.

The Rev. Paul Evans officiated the service for Hilda at the Novinger Taylor Funeral Home on Saturday, November 8 with interment at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa.

[Fox, Densmore Columbus]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 6, 1984

Obituary

Denzmore C. Fox

On August 21, 1897, Denzmore [Densmore] C. [olumbus] Fox, known to some as D. C. Fox, was born to Rebecca Jane Woodward Fox and George Washington Fox in Snowball, Ark. He was one of seven brothers and sisters.

Raised in Oklahoma, he moved to Missouri and bought a 120-acre farm in Sheridan. Before moving to his own farm, he lived with the Brown family. But his work ethics and helping nature wouldn't allow a free ride. He bought groceries, and even a washing machine, to help out.

Denzmore [Densmore] served in WW I and was called again to serve in WW 2. After the war, on Nov. 23, 1951, he married Josie Stuart [Stewart] Foreman in Maryville. They retired from the farm around 1963 - to Bedford, Iowa. Josie passed away in December 1966.

Denzmore [Densmore] remarried in January 1970 to Gretchen [Velva Lilley] Cordell and they began to take care of others who were no longer able to care for themselves.

On May 23, 1983, Gretchen passed away. Denzmore [Densmore] Cox [Fox] passed away on Nov. 21, 1984, at the age of 87.

[Fox, Josephine Helen “Josie’ Stewart Foreman]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 15, 1966     p. 5

Josie H. Fox Rites Dec. 14

Funeral services for Mrs. D. [ensmore] C. (Josie H.) Fox of Bedford were held at the State Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home December 14 conducted by Rev. J. Milton Kinney. Mrs. Fox died December 11 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

[Fox, Josephine Helen “Josie” Stewart Foreman]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 22, 1966      p. 4

Josie H. Fox Rites Dec. 14

Funeral services for Mrs. Densmore (Josie) Fox of Bedford, formerly of Sheridan, Mo., were held at the State Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home Dec. 14 with Rev. J. Milton Kinney officiating. Mrs. Fox died Dec. 11 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Josie Helen Stewart, daughter of David McCune and Katherine Elizabeth Bashore Stewart, was born Aug. 16, 1887 at Siam, Iowa. When a young child she moved with her parents to a farm southwest of Bedford, Iowa. Here she grew to adulthood. She received her education in the Patch school.

On January 15, 1907 she was united in marriage to Loyd Foreman of Bedford. To this union one daughter, Hilda Hortence [Hortense], was born. Mr. Foreman passed away on April 22, 1950 at Maryville, Mo.

On November 23, 1951 she was married to Densmore C. [olumbus] Fox of Sheridan, Mo. They resided on a farm west of Sheridan until 1965. That year they moved to their present home in Bedford.

Mrs. Fox spent most of her life on farms in Taylor County, Iowa, and Nodaway County, Missouri. She worked hard, but always found time to grow flowers and to help people. She seldom saw a stranger.

She joined the Methodist Church of Hopkins, Mo., in 1914, and remained active in church work until her health failed. She has suffered with heart trouble for twelve years, and most of this time she has had to remain away from crowds.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Jacob, Franklin and William Stewart, and two sisters, Mrs. Fred Manley, and Dessie May Stewart.

Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Densmore, Bedford; her daughter, Hilda, St. Joseph, Mo.; two sisters, Mrs. Claude Melvin, Salem, Ore., and Mrs. Frank Perkins, Hopkins, Mo.; three brothers, Delton and Lee Stewart, Bedford, and Bert Stewart, Siam, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Her friends were numbered by all who knew her, and she will be missed by all her family and friends.

[Gordon, Caleb]

Blockton News

Thursday     March 20, 1941     [p. 1]

Obituary

Caleb Gordon, son of William and Mary Gordon, was born April 18, 1850, in Indiana and died at Bedford March 15, 1941, at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 28 days.

When 2 ½ years of age the family moved to Mercer County, Ill., where he grew to manhood. On June 1, 1876, he was united in marriage to Mary Collins. To this union 5 children were born. The wife and three children, Maude, Harry and William, preceded him in death. He is survived by two sons, Roy Gordon of Blockton and Earl Gordon of Bedford, and five grandchildren, Neil Gordon of Blockton, Winifred Gordon of El Paso, Texas; William Gordon, Jr., and Eugene Gordon of Riverside, California, and Floyd Gordon of Kansas City, Mo.

In 1894 the family moved to a farm 8 miles east of Bedford where he resided until 1909 when he moved to Bedford where he resided until his death.

He was a member of the Masonic order for a number of years. He was a kind father and a good neighbor, and leaves a host of friends.

Funeral services were held in Bedford Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Masons participating in the funeral rites. Burial was made in Fairview cemetery, Bedford.

[Gordon, Mary Collins]

Blockton News

Thursday     September 6, 1928     [p. 1]

Mrs. Caleb Gordon Dead

Mrs. Caleb Gordon, mother of our townsman, S. R. Gordon, died at her home in Bedford Sunday afternoon. The funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Gordon and family and M. B. O’Neil attended the funeral.

[Gordon, Mary Collins]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      September 6, 1928     p. 4

Mary Collins Gordon

Mary Collins Gordon was born in Mercer County, Ill., Dec. 13th, 1855, and died at her home in Bedford, Iowa, at the age of 73 years, 8 months and 19 days. She grew to womanhood in her native state and was united in marriage June 1, 1873 [1876] to Caleb Gordon at Muscatine, Iowa. Together they came to Iowa [in] 1894 and settled on a farm in Taylor County 8 miles east of Bedford in February 1909. To them were born five children, four boys: Earl of Bedford, Ia.; Roy of Blockton, Ia.; Will, who died Nov. 23, 1923; Harry, who died in June, 1908; and one daughter, Maude, who died in infancy. Her only remaining sister, Sadie Reterford, died a few days ago at Aledo, Ill. Her husband and the two above named sons survive her and mourn because of her going.

Funeral services were conducted from the home by Rev. G. T. Roberts, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and her body was laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.
[Note: Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934, gives the marriage date as June 1, 1876 in Muscatine, Muscatine County, Iowa.]

[Hopson, Lawrence Vern]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      February 23, 1899     [p. 1]

“Of Such Is the Kingdom”

Monday morning the immortal spirit of the infant daughter [son] of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hopson, in Jackson township, winged its rapid flight to the land of endless joy, glory and song, where parting and weeping and sickness are not known, neither is any death there. The babe was aged five months and eleven days. The funeral exercises were held by Elder Walters in the Christian church Tuesday, after which the tenement of clay was laid to rest in the Fairview cemetery. The parents have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement, but they can rest assured of possessing a jewel over there.

[Rankin, Blanche Marie Cummings]

Funeral services for Blanche C. Rankin, age 96, of Omaha, Nebraska, who died Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at Montclaire Nursing Home in Omaha, were held Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment were held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in Blanche's name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Blanche C. Rankin was born July 27, 1915, in Sheridan, Missouri. She was one of two children born to Clyde Elijah Cummings and Florence Ella (Herbert) Cummings. She grew up attending country school in Taylor County and graduated from Bedford High School in 1933.

On March 22, 1936 Blanche was united in marriage to Dale Rankin. To this blessed union two children, Ben and William, were born. Blanche worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company until her retirement in 1973. Blanche was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She always put others needs before her own and always had her family's best interest in mind. Blanche enjoyed playing music on her piano and watching her family grow through the years.

Left to cherish Blanche's memory are her son, Dr. William C. Rankin of Winterpark, Florida; daughter-in-law, Beverly Rankin of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren; James Rankin of Geneva, Florida, David Rankin of Maitland, Florida, Katherine Halstead of Hayesville, North Carolina, J Rankin of Omaha, Nebraska, Lee Rankin of Omaha, Nebraska; and many great grandchildren.

Preceding Blanche in death were her parents Clyde and Florence Cummings; husband, Dale Rankin; son, Ben Rankin; and brother, Carl Cummings.

Although Blanche will be greatly missed, her love and inspiration will live on through her family.
[Online obituary available from Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, http://www.efc.cc/_main/obituaries.asp]

[Russell, Almina “Minnie” Ackerman]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 5, 1931      p. 5

Minnie Ackerman Russell

[Almina] Minnie Ackerman was born on May 25, 1861 at Kirkwood, Ill., and passed away Jan. 25, 1931, at San Diego, Calif., aged 69 years and 8 months. Minnie Ackerman and James S. [Alexander] Russell were united in marriage at Villisca, Iowa, Dec. 23, 1885, and they started their married life on a farm north of Gravity. To this union were born seven children, six of whom are now living, one son, Charlie, having passed away at the age of four years. Denied the advantages of an education herself, she induced her husband to leave the farm, and move to Bedford so that her children might have a better chance in life than she had. Dec. 21, 1902, her husband passed away, leaving her with six children to look after, the oldest, Robert, being only 15 years of age. She carried on alone and saw all her children have the chance of an education. After the children grew up and married, she made her home with them and other relatives. She left Gravity, Iowa, Dec. 17, of last year, to make her home with her eldest son, Robert, of Ramona, Calif. She leaves to mourn her death, four sons, Robert A. [ckerman] of Ramona, Calif., Elmo J. [ohn] of Waverly, Kans., Howard E. [mery] of Kansas City, Mo., Ray [mond] L.[eslie] of Boone, Ia.; two daughters, Mrs. Eva [Grace] Lindsey of Amarillo, Texas, and Mrs. Dorothy [Helen] Bisenius of Mt. Angel, Oregon; two brothers, Howard Ackerman of Bedford, and Arthur Ackerman of Ord, Nebr.; two sisters, Mrs. Belle Lampher of Monmouth, Ill., and Mrs. Frances Jackson of Bedford, besides many other relatives and a host of friends. She joined the Methodist church when the family moved to Bedford, and was always affiliated with and took an active part in some church wherever she lived.

A service was held at San Diego, Calif., Thursday and the remains were brought to Bedford Sunday night and taken to the Stithem Funeral Parlors. Funeral services were conducted at Bedford, Monday, Feb. 2, 1931 at 2:00 p. m., conducted by Rev. M. R. Talley and interment was given in Fairview cemetery.

[Russell, Charles Wesley]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      May 8, 1902      p. 4

THE FUNERAL

An Innocent Soul Escapes the Troubles and Trials of This Life

From Wednesday’s Daily

Yesterday afternoon occurred the funeral of little Charles, the five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Russell, of this city. The services were held at the house and consisted of singing and prayer and a very short talk by Rev. T. J. Ream who explained the necessity for as little excitement as possible owing to the serious illness of other members of the household.

The school children brought beautiful flowers in great profusion with which to deck the little coffin. The little form was laid to rest in the Fairview cemetery with many sincere regrets of playmates and with bitter sorrow of the fond parents whose home circle is thus broken and which will always seem incomplete. It should be some consolation, however, to think that He who said, “Suffer little children to come unto me,” has received the little one spotless and pure, unscarred by contact with sin and sorrow and happy in the new life.

We are glad to be able to state that the remaining sick children are better at this writing and that all indications favorable.

[Russell, Charles Wesley]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      May 8, 1902      p. 7

MORTUARY

From Monday’s Daily

Died this morning at about 1:30 o’clock, the little 5-year-old son [Charles] of Mr. and Mrs. James Russell, living in the southeast part of this city. The cause of death was measles and pneumonia, which resulted from it.

Interment will take place tomorrow at 2 o’clock p. m. at Fairview cemetery. No funeral services will be held on account of illness in the family, four more being ill and one very seriously so.

[Russell, Charles Wesley]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     May 8, 1902      [p. 1]

Death From Measles

Monday morning at 1:30 o’clock occurred the death of the little five-year-old son  [Charles Wesley] of Mr. and Mrs. James Russell, the result of measles and pneumonia. Short funeral exercises were held at the home conducted by Rev. Ream, and the little body was laid to rest in Fairview cemetery. Two other children of the Russells are also sick with measles.

 

[Salter, Gertrude Denton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 17, 1949    [p. 1]

Mrs. Gertrude Salter Succumbed Saturday

Mrs. Gertrude Salter, a resident of Bedford for many years, died unexpectedly at her home Saturday afternoon, March 12.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gordon F. MacLean. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Gertrude Denton, daughter of W. [ayne] O. [lford] and Mary [Lucinda Crane] Denton, was born in Shenandoah, Iowa, December 22, 1887.

On January 21, 1911 she was married to James Salter, who passed away on October 23, 1941. Her brother, Clarence Denton, also passed away before her, on June 24, 1947.

Mrs. Salter’s community interests were shown by her membership and interest in various groups and organization. Her membership in the Presbyterian Church was marked with sincere interest, and health permitting, attendance upon its worship services and the Sunday school. At the time of her passing she was Superintendent of the Cradle Roll Department, where her intense concern and pleasure in the little ones found its highest satisfaction. Her devotion to the order of Eastern Star was exemplified in her faithful performance of the duties of secretary for seven years. She was also a member of Golden Rule Rebekah Lodge of Bedford. Her keen business ability was evident in the successful operation of the Iowa-Missouri Granite Works following her husband’s passing.

With her death at the age of 61 years, Mrs. Salter leaves her daughter, Mary Jean Salter; her sister, Miss Vesta Denton of Bedford; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Clarence Denton and two daughters, La Donna Sue Denton and Mrs. Clyde Deere, all of Independence, Kansas.

[Salter, James]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday      October 23, 1941     [p. 1]

James Salter, 65, Dies at Oakdale

James Salter, a well-known farmer and businessman, died suddenly this morning at 6:45 in the state sanitarium at Oakdale, Ia. where he had been a patient. Death followed a severe hemorrhage.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland on September 3, 1876, Salter later served an apprenticeship with Pearson & sons, London, England’s largest contractors and later served as a company drainage engineer in the swamps of Zululand, Orange Free State, in South Africa.

At the outbreak of the Boer War, he joined the Scotch Gordon Highlanders and was discharged a sergeant at its close. He came to New York in 1901.

Immediately upon arrival in America, Mr. Salter took up the trade of stone mason, serving in that capacity in Toronto, Shenandoah, Red Oak and later managing and purchasing the Iowa-Missouri Granite works in Bedford which he was operating at the time of his death.

During the infancy of the AAA, Mr. Salter had charge of the first corn loans, acting as supervisor from 1932 to 1937. He was a past president of the Taylor County Farm Bureau, a Mason and a member of Za-Ga-Zig Shrine.

Surviving are his widow; a daughter Mary; one sister, Margaret, of Aberdeen, Scotland; five brothers, George of Bedford, John, who resides in Vermont, Robert and William, residents of Aberdeen, and Alec, who lives in New Zealand.

The body was to be returned to Bedford this evening. Funeral services will be from the home although the date has not been definitely fixed.

[Salter, James]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 23, 1941     [p. 1]

James Salter Dies At Oakdale

Born In Scotland; Resided Here 30 Years

James Salter, about 65 years of age, died at Oakdale Sanitarium near Iowa City early this morning after having been a patient there the past four months.

Mr. Salter had been a resident of Bedford for about 30 years, coming here from Red Oak to work at the stonecutter’s trade for Mr. Van Nostrand and later buying the business.

He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, coming to Canada about 40 years ago. After high school he took up quarry work near his home where he learned the trade. After coming to Canada as a young man about 25 years of age, Mr. Salter soon moved to Ohio, and later to Iowa.

Surviving are his daughter, Miss Mary Jean Salter of the home here, his wife, Mrs. Salter; his brothers, George Salter of this county and Jack Salter of Barry, Vermont; Robert Salter and Will Salter of Aberdeen, Scotland, and Alex Salter of New Zealand; and a sister, Margaret of Aberdeen. His parents and a sister and a brother preceded him in death.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

[Salter, James]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 30, 1941     p. 5

James Salter

Funeral services for James Salter, who died at the sanitarium in Oakdale, Iowa, Thursday, October 23, were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick and by Rev. John A. Currie of Tarkio, Missouri. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery, where the Masonic burial service was given at the grave.

James Salter was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, September 3, 1876 being a son of James and Susan Trail Salter. As a young man he was apprenticed to Pearson & Sons of London, England, the largest building contractors in the world. In 1894-1898 he was in charge of various building projects in Northern Ireland. In 1898 he had charge of the draining of swamps in Zulu Land, South Africa, for the same firm. In 1899 he was a member of the English Army, serving with the Royal Highlanders in the Boer War, being discharged as a sergeant at the close.

He came to America in 1901, worked in a stone-cutting factory in New York City, after which time he moved to Toronto, Canada, where he labored as a stone-cutter for four years. He then moved to Akron, Ohio, where he was a partner in a stone-cutting factory for several years. He then moved to Chicago, where he was employed as production manager for Blake & Sons. In 1909 he came to Iowa to serve as manager of the Iowa-Missouri Granite Works, later becoming owner and operator, extending his plant to Red Oak and Shenandoah, where he carried on in a large way for a number of years.

Being a specialist in his occupation, he was aggressive and enterprising, having erected fifteen soldiers’ monuments in the State of Iowa, in addition to hundreds placed in cemeteries in this section of the state.

He displayed an active interest in all community affairs, working for good roads, serving as an officer for some years in the Taylor County Fair Association, was a member of the local Community Club, of the Bedford Country Club, the Order of Eastern Star, A. F. & A. M. R. A. F., Ga Zig Shrine and other societies. For a time he had charge of the corn loans in Taylor County, was a member and worker of the Taylor County Farm Bureau, and owned a farm himself.

Early in life he united with the Presbyterian Church, continuing to serve it throughout his life in official capacities and as a Sunday school teacher.

In June 1904 he was married at Toronto, Canada, to Miss Mary Jean [Jane] Battisby of Dumfries, Scotland. To them were born two daughters, Mary, who died at the age of two years, and Mary Jean, who survives her father. Mrs. Salter died in May, 1907.

On January 21, 1911 he was married to Miss Gertrude Denton of Bedford, who has been his faithful companion since.

Surviving with his wife and daughter are five brothers, George Salter of Bedford, John Salter of Barre, Vermont, Will Salter and Robert Salter of Aberdeen, Scotland, and Alex Salter of New Zealand; one sister, Mrs. Margaret Patterson of Aberdeen, Scotland. Also the Denton family, Mrs. W. O. Denton and daughter Vesta of Bedford, and son, Clarence Denton of Thayer, Kansas.
[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Taylor County Herald, October 30, 1941, page 4.]

[Salter, Mary Jean]

Graveside funeral services for Mary Jean Salter, age 97 of Bedford, IA who died Monday, July 26, 2004 at the Golden Rod Nursing Home in Clarinda, IA were held Monday, August 2, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie [Funeral Home] of Bedford, IA with Pastor Randy Allman officiating. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, IA. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie [Funeral Home] of Bedford, IA.

Mary Jean Salter was born April 8, 1907, in Akron, Ohio the daughter of James Salter and Mary Battisby Salter. When Mary was just two years old her mother passed away and she went to live with her grandmother in Scotland for many years. When her father remarried, she returned alone on a boat, to their home in Red Oak, IA. In 1915, the family moved to Bedford where she attended the Bedford Public School, graduating with the Class of 1929.

Mary was employed by the Iowa Power & Light Company of Clarinda, IA until her retirement in 1972, when she returned to Bedford. She was a very independent and organized woman. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed doing needlework and traveling. She was blessed to have many friends in both Clarinda and Bedford. Mary was a member of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Bedford.

Left to cherish Mary’s memory are several cousins, Mrs. William Salter of Omaha, NE; Mrs. Troy (Daisy) John of Needham, WI; Mrs. Wendell (Susan) Palmer of Council Bluffs, IA; Mrs. Frank (Phyllis) Oxley of Bedford, IA; along with their extended families and several family members who live in Scotland.

Preceding Mary in death are her parents and a sister at infancy.
[Note: Online obituary available from Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, http://www.efc.cc/_main/obituaries.asp]

[Stephens, Orville Vennie]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      December 24, 1986     p. 10

Orville Stephens

Funeral services for Orville Stephens, 66, Bedford, were held Sunday, Dec. 21, 2 p. m. at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery.

Orville Vennie Stephens, son of Vennie G. Stephens and Pearl [Rose] Patch Stephens, was born in Clayton Township, Taylor County, Iowa, February 1, 1920, and departed this life December 19, 1986, at the age of 66 years, ten months. He lived in Taylor County all of his life and attended the public schools and Bedford High School.

On May 24, 1941 he was united in marriage to [Neva] Verneil Besco at Maryville, Mo. They lived with Orville’s parents for the first several years of their marriage, and then purchased the farm home north of Bedford that he remodeled in 1961 and where he was lovingly cared for until his death.

To this union two daughters were born, June Ellen and Judith Ann.

Orville was a farmer all his life, but in the 1970’s he fulfilled a lifelong dream and became a registered piano technician and member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Pianos became a very important part of his life, and an active vocation rather than a hobby.

He was a member of the Christian Church in Bedford and later an elder in the United Christian-Presbyterian Church. He became a member of Taylor Lodge 156 AF and AM of Bedford in 1954 and his Masonic relationship was very important to him. He served as Worshipful Master at the time of their centennial in 1960. He also was a member of the Order of Eastern Star of Bedford and served as Worthy Patron for a number of years.

In recent years Orville will be remembered in many communities for his participation in parades and celebrations with his Model T Ford and player piano music.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Verneil, two daughters June Park and her husband Harold, Judy Bentley and her husband Terry; grandsons Craig Lock and wife Lori, Jerry Lock and his wife Kim, and Steve Bentley; and great grandsons Colby and Christopher Lock; sisters Letha Schurr, Elva Akers and Doris Coon and her husband Howard.

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