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

[Thompson, Benjamin Franklin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     August 1, 1901     [p. 1]

An Old Settler Passes Away

Died, at his home in Conway, p. m., Sunday, July 28, B. [enjamin Franklin] Thompson, at the age of about [?] years. He was for a long time a merchant at Conway, but retired from business some time ago. He had been sick for several weeks prior to his death.

The funeral exercises were conducted by Elder Wm. Cobb of Bedford, Tuesday morning. Interment in Conway cemetery. The following Bedford friends of Mr. Thompson attended the funeral: W. D. Blakemore, S. F. Bowen, F. C. Crosson, M. A. Sawyer, H. Douglass, E. R. Fowler, J. W. [?], W. P. Peterman, J. A. Carr and wife and Mrs. Coppel.

[Thompson, Irena Pearl]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      June 16, 1904     p. 5

Conway Girl Burned to Death

Yesterday morning at about 9:30 Miss [Irena] Pearl Thompson, daughter of a widow of Conway, was burned so badly that she died at 2 p. m. The girl was at home alone, and it is supposed her dress caught fire from the flames in the stove. She was horribly burned, her body being literally cooked.

[THOMPSON, IRENA PEARL, 1875 - 1904]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, June 16, 1904
Burned to Death
Miss Pearl Thompson of Conway Fatally Injured Cause of the Accident a Mystery—Was Alone at the Time—After Hours of Awful Suffering, Death Came to Her Relief at 2 o'clock
Conway, June 15. – A most horrible accident occurred here this morning about 9:30 o'clock, whereby Miss Pearl Thompson, a young lady and an only daughter of a widowed mother, was fatally burned.
Just how the accident occurred will never be known for while the victim recovered consciousness for a short time, she was not able to talk as her tongue was burned nearly off. Her mother, Mrs. B. [enjamin] F. [ranklin] Thompson, had started to town. About ten minutes later, Mrs. Fuller, a neighbor, noticed smoke pouring out of the door, and went over. Going into the house, she saw Pearl in the dining room, her clothes on fire and her entire body enveloped in sheets of flame. By the time Mrs. Fuller and other neighbors reached her, the victim had run into the kitchen where the fire was finally put out but not until it had burned off all her clothes, except the wrist bands of her dress.
Medical aid was at once summoned but nothing could be done except to partially allay the awful pain. Not only was the whole outside of her body literally cooked, but she had inhaled the flames and was burned inwardly, her tongue being burned off.
For four hours she lingered in awful pain and until 2 p. m. when death came and relieved her from suffering.
It is supposed that she was emptying some fuel out of her apron into the stove when her clothes caught fire and in place of trying to smother the flame she started to run into the other room, her rapid movements serving to fan the flames but just how it occurred will never be known.
The funeral services will be conducted by Elder Wm. Cobb at the Christian church tomorrow at 10 a. m.

[Thompson, Sarah Elizabeth Smith]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday      April 7, 1932    [p. 1]

Pioneer Dies at Conway

Mrs. Sarah E. [lizabeth Smith] Thompson died at Conway on last Friday, aged nearly ninety-one years. The funeral was on Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Thompson's husband was a soldier in the Civil War and died while on duty. She had two children, one of whom survives, being Conway’s lumber dealer at present. Mrs. Thompson brought up her family, but never married again. Counting from 1865, she was a war widow for 67 years, rather remarkable. There are left children and great grandchildren.

[THOMPSON, SARAH ELIZABETH SMITH]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, April 7, 1932

Mrs. S. E. Thompson Dies at Conway

Services Are Held Sunday---Was Grandmother of Mrs. Alma Chilcote

Mrs. S. [arah] E. [lizabeth] Thompson died at the home of her son, J. [ohn] W.[illiam] Thompson, in Conway, Friday morning. The funeral services were held at the Conway church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Leslie Cobb of Bedford and assisted by Rev. C. L. Thomas of Conway. Burial was made in the Conway cemetery. The grandsons and great grandsons acted as pallbearers.

Mrs. Thompson was born in Uniontown, Pa., April 16, 1841. In the fall of 1853 she moved with her parents Highland County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood.

She was married to David Thompson July 31, 1856. To them were born three children, John William Thompson with whom she had made her home since 1880, Lincoln H. Thompson and Elmer E. Thompson, who died in infancy. Mr. Thompson died in service during the Civil War and was buried in Little Rock, Ark.

Mrs. Thompson is survived by her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Thompson of Conway; two grandchildren, Floyd B. Thompson and Mrs. Alma Chilcote of Bedford; five great grandchildren, J. Merrill Chilcote and Charles Kenneth Chilcote of St. Joseph; Maurice W. Chilcote, Ervin and J. Robert Thompson of Bedford; two great great grandchildren, Carol Marian Chilcote and Roger Allen Chilcote of St. Joseph. The entire family were present for the funeral.

Mrs. Thompson made all of her own funeral arrangements, choosing her pallbearers, the minister, and dictating her obituary.

 

[Thornton, Cecil Miles]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 23, 1950      p. 6

CONWAY

Cecil Thornton Dies

Cecil Thornton, 47, died at his home in Conway Saturday night, February 18 following a heart attack.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Conway Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. D. C. Callison. Burial was in the Conway cemetery, with the American Legion in charge.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

[Thornton, Cecil Miles]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 23, 1950      p. 5

Obituary - Cecil Thornton

Cecil [Miles] Thornton, son of John and Laura Ann [Woodside] Thornton, was born on a farm near Benton, Iowa, April 14, 1902, and died at his farm home near Conway, Iowa, February 18, 1950 at the age of 47 years, 10 months and 4 days.

His early life was spent near Benton, Iowa. He went to college at Columbia, Missouri, where he majored in Agriculture.

He united with the Methodist Church at Benton when he was a young man,

Cecil was a veteran of World War I, where he served in the Navy as a First Class Fireman. While serving in the armed forces he was stricken with rheumatic and was in a veterans hospital in California for thirteen months.

He was married to Elsie M. [arie] Huss of Bedford on May 6, 1933. To them were born two children, Manford and Irene. They lived in Bedford two years and moved to a farm near Conway 15 years ago.

Cecil had been a patient in the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines many times during the last few years and his health had been exceptionally poor the past two years. He passed away very suddenly while visiting in his home with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Allie and one brother, Herschel.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife and two children; three brothers, Andrew Thornton of Anamosa, Alonzo Thornton of Bedford, and George Thornton of California; three sisters, Mrs. Viola Clark of Clarinda, Mrs. Lizzie Bailey and Mrs. Ellen Salen, both of Bedford.

He will be remembered by his family as a home man and a lover of children. It has been said that he has taught at least forty young people how to swim. He was a professional hunter and trapper, was honest and dependable, and was always ready to help a friend in need regardless of the situation.

[Underwood, Bessie Verlee Sweigard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 6, 1975      p. 10

Bessie Underwood Last Rites Held February 3

Funeral services for Mrs. Clifford (Bessie) Underwood, 81, of Sharpsburg, were held February 3 at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg with Rev. Wallace Nelson officiating. Mrs. Underwood died January 31 at Lenox Care Center, Lenox. Interment was at the Conway Cemetery, Conway, Iowa.

[Underwood, Bessie Verlee Sweigard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 13, 1975    p. 8

Bessie Underwood, 81, Last Rites Held February 3

Funeral services for Mrs. Clifford F. (Bessie) Underwood, 81, of Sharpsburg, Ia., were held February 3 at the United Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg with Rev. Wallace Nelson in charge. Mrs. Underwood died at the Lenox Care Center, Lenox, Iowa, January 31, 1975. Interment was at Conway Cemetery, Conway.

Bessie Verlee Underwood, oldest daughter of Walter [Albia] and Amanda [Jane] Nation Sweigard was born in Sharpsburg, Iowa October 13, 1893.

She lived all her life in the Sharpsburg area. She was educated in the Sharpsburg and Bedford schools. Later she taught in the rural schools near Sharpsburg.

Bessie was baptized in the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church on January 20, 1895 and remained a member all her life. At the age of 18 she began playing the piano for Church services and continued in this capacity for over fifty years.

On June 14, 1916 she was united in marriage to Clifford F. [rancis] Underwood. To this union were born two children, Helen [Catherine] and Richard.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, two brothers, her husband, her son and daughter.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Theoma; grandchildren, Mary and Denis Gibbs, of Omaha, Patricia and David Miller of Sharpsburg; two great grandchildren, Jill and Susan Miller; a number of nieces, nephews and many friends.

Bessie's greatest joy was watching the musical and spiritual growth of young people in her community.

She taught many children to play piano and devoted many years to teaching in the Presbyterian Sunday School.

[Underwood, Clifford Francis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 12, 1963      [p. 1]

CLIFFORD UNDERWOOD RITES WEDNESDAY

Funeral services for Clifford F. Underwood were held yesterday (Dec. 11) at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg with Rev. James E. Eddy officiating. Mr. Underwood died Monday at his home north of Sharpsburg. Interment was at Conway Cemetery, Conway, Iowa.

[Underwood, Clifford Francis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 19, 1963      p. 7

C. F. Underwood Rites Dec. 11

Funeral services for Clifford F. Underwood, held Dec. 11 at Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church, were conducted by Rev. James E. Eddy. Mr. Underwood died Dec. 9 at his home north of Sharpsburg. Interment was at Conway cemetery, Conway, Ia.

The following obituary was included in the services:

Clifford Francis Underwood, son of Charles [Lee] and Mary [Elizabeth Filbert] Underwood, was born at Conway, Ia., on April 22, 1895, and died on Dec. 9, 1963, after a long illness. He lived near Sharpsburg all of his life. On June 14, 1916 he was married to Bessie Verlee Sweigard.

To this union there were born two children: Helen Catherine who died in infancy and Richard James.

He served his community and church faithfully. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg and served as an Elder.

He is survived by his wife, his mother (90 years old), son, Richard, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren Mary Faye and Patricia Ann.

 

[Valleran, Eugene]

Bedford Times-Republican

Tuesday     January 30, 1906      p. 2

Death Had Marked Him For Its Own

Eugene Valleran, who during all his life up to a year ago has been a resident of Taylor County, died at Lyons, Colorado, on Friday, January 26th, of consumption, age 28 years, 3 months and 13 days. The body was brought to his old home in Conway, arriving there yesterday morning. The funeral services were held on the same day at 2 p. m., at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Coe, assisted by Rev. Hughes. Interment was made at Conway cemetery.

Eugene Valleran was born in Taylor county October 13, 1877 and has always been his home. When he was but a child his father who was a section foreman was killed by the cars. This accident occurred at Conway twenty-four years ago the 9th of next month. His father being a railroad man, nothing could be more natural than that Eugene should adopt the same avocation. This he did, and was a faithful employee until his health failed. In recognition of his services, the company sent him to Colorado, hoping the climate would prove beneficial. But the hope was vain, the dread “white plague" had marked him for it own, and human efforts availed nothing. His decline was gradual but no less sure, and for many weeks it has been known that the end was near. The deceased was unmarried but leaves to mourn him, his aged mother, and one sister, Mrs. Josie Litteer, both of Conway. Another sister Mrs. M. H. Simmons died several months ago.

[Valleran, Eugene]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      February 1, 1906     p. 3

CONWAY ITEMS

Eugene Valleran died at Lyons, Colorado, last Friday, of consumption. He went to Colorado some time ago hoping a change of climate would prove beneficial to his health. He was a son of Mrs. Valleran, who resides on Greely Street and a brother of Mrs. Jack Litteer, who are left to mourn their loss. The remains arrived m Conway Monday morning and the funeral was held at the M. E. church at 2 o'clock p. m. conducted by the pastor. Interment in the Conway cemetery.

[Valleran, Rose Marie Jacquot Bonatell]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday       February 19, 1920      p. 8

Conway Local News

The funeral services of Mrs. Valleran were held Sunday afternoon and interment in Conway cemetery. Obituary will be found elsewhere in the Times-Republican.

[Valleran, Rose Marie Jacquot Bonatell]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 19, 1920     p. 6

Her Suffering Is Over.

Died at the home of her daughter near Conway on Feb. I3th, 1920, Mrs. Rose [Marie Jacquot Bonatell] Valleran, aged 87 years, 4 months and 24 days. She was born near Alsace Lorraine France, on Sept. 20, 1832. She is the last of a family of nine children. She came to America when she was 12 years of age. On the 17th of April 1849 she married Mr. Jack Bonatell in Boston, Mass. To this union three children were born, of whom, one daughter, still lives, Mrs. Jane Moat, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was left a widow in 1858. On the 7th of July 1864, she was married to Mr. Amos Valleran at La Crosse, Wis. To this union four children were born, of whom but one daughter is still living, Mrs. Josephine Litteer of Conway, Iowa, at whose home she passed away. On the 17th day of January, 1881, her husband met a tragic death near Conway, being employed as section foreman for the C. B. & Q. R. R., and on one cold night while on duty was struck by the passenger train and instantly killed. She has since made her home in Conway. She became a member of the Catholic Church in France when but seven years of age. She leaves to mourn her departure from this earth, two daughters, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was laid away beside her husband in the Conway cemetery to await the Judgement day when all shall be called to their reward in the mansion in the skies, where there will be nor sorrow or pain.

[Warren, Lydia Ellen Akes]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     February 6, 1930    p. 4

Mrs. George Warren

Mrs. George Warren passed away at her home in south Bedford last evening at 9:30 o’clock. The funeral services will be held at the home in south Bedford at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. Burial will be made in Fairview cemetery.

[Warren, Lydia Ellen Akes]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     February 20, 1930     p. 8

Mrs. George Warren

Lydia [Ellen] Akes Warren, daughter of Rev. Stephen Akes, was born on a farm in Henry County, Ia., on June 22, 1846, and departed this life from her home in Bedford, Iowa, on Feb. 5, 1930, at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 13 days. Mrs. Warren grew to womanhood in the State of Iowa, where she has spent her entire life with the exception of five years, which were spent in the state of Kansas. Mrs. Warren has lived in the city of Bedford for nearly half a century. On October 1, 1865, she was united in marriage to Mr. George B. Warren and to this union four children were born as follows: Clara Buckmaster, Maude, William and Claude. All have preceded her in death. Mable Warren Buckmaster, the only grandchild, passed away on August 12, 1918. She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, G. B. Warren; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Bain of Wayland, Iowa, and Susie Brown of Decatur City; two brothers, William Akes of Decatur City and Ben Akes of Los Angeles, California. She also leaves two great grandchildren, John and Ruth Chudley of this city, who have made their home with their grandmother for 11 years. Mrs. Warren was a member of the Methodist church at the time of her death, having united with the church when 12 years of age. Mrs. Caroline Hewitt, formerly of Creston, Iowa, was closely associated with Mrs. Warren during her missionary endeavors. For about fifteen years Mrs. Warren has been engaged in the home missionary work, getting food and clothing for the less fortunate, and ministering unto the needy. She also conducted several special meetings where a great many people were converted.

Funeral services were held at the late home Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8, conducted by the Rev. John Arnold, pastor of the Grace Methodist church in Glenwood, Iowa. Three beautiful solos were sung by Mrs. Harry Macon.
[Note: Iowa Marriages, 1809-1934 gives the marriage date as October 1, 1863 in Henry County, Iowa.]

[Warren, Maud]

Iowa South – West

Saturday     June 7, 1879    p. 2

DIED. —April 16, 1879, in Conway, Maud, infant daughter of Geo. B. and Lydia G. Warren, aged 6 mo. and 21 days.

Our home is sad and desolate
Since Maud was laid to rest,
Though our cup is full of grief,
We know that she is blest.

We miss the little one
To sit in her rocking-chair;
We miss the burning hands to touch,
And the little tongue to talk.

No more to hear the rattle
Of Maud’s little plays---
Our home is now so lonely,
It saddens every heart.

Could we but hear her little tongue
So sweetly sing the heavenly song;
Could we but see her smiling face,
Delighted with the happy place.

How can I live without her,
My only hope and joy?
‘Tis true our life is grief and woe,
Without our little girl.

It was the voice of Jesus,
Saying, “Come unto me and rest,
And be a shining angel
In heaven among the blest.”

May we live so as to meet her,
On that blissful radiant shore;
Oh, what a glorious greeting
To meet to part no more.

Far from the world of sin,
She now enjoys a heavenly life;
Joins to praise and sing,
And make sweet music for our heavenly king.

We could not wish her back again.
But say, “dear child, with God re-
main;
We’ll try to gain that peaceful shore,
Where those who meet will part no
More.         Mama

[Wasson, Edith Marie Spargur]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      February 18, 1998     p. 5

Edith Marie Wasson

Edith Marie Spargur Wasson was born June 12, 1908 in Hepburn, Iowa. She is the daughter of Charles [Eugene] and Rachel [Almira] Overman Spargur. Edith was the ninth child out of eleven children born to Charles and Rachel. When Edith was only one year of age the family moved to Shenandoah where she grew up and attended the Shenandoah Community School through the eighth grade. She worked for the Hotel Victoria and the Mount Arbor Nursery prior to her marriage. Edith was united in marriage to Henry Wasson on February 15, 1930 in Clarinda. To this loving union seven children were born Robert, Kenneth, Phyllis, Delbert, James, Kathy and Shirley.

Edith and Henry lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, Red Oak, Clarinda, Blanchard and Coin prior to making their home in Conway on March 1, 1945. The couple farmed and Edith was known as a true “homemaker". Tending to the needs of her seven children kept her at home most of the time, which is where she preferred to be. She raised a large garden where her children remember her spending long hours toiling in the soil to produce large quantities of vegetables. It seemed as if her garden and canning made their home life self-sufficient. They never ran out of good food to eat and with her ability to "sew something from nothing but a picture" their food and clothes were homemade with their mother's loving hands. It seems they each might have "froze to death" if it were not for those great flannel pajamas she would make them each year. To be honest, no one has had a decent pair since she quit sewing! As each grandchild was born, they would receive a special hat and vest lovingly crocheted and embroidered by Edith.

She was also an avid button collector. She collected thousands of buttons and would sew them into patterns on a variety of materials. The kids also remember the "family lamp" which Edith decorated the shade with various pins and earrings. Edith had a wild pet squirrel named "Penny Penny". Often she would make walnut cookies and the squirrel would scratch on the window and she would give him two or three cookies and see him off until the next day! Edith was an extremely creative woman; she loved to decorate for baby or wedding showers. Word would get out of an upcoming baby shower in Conway and Edith would set to the task of making all the decorations from scratch.

She was a member of the Shenandoah Methodist Church and Ladies Auxiliary of Conway. In her later years Edith worked at the Midway Cafe south of Shenandoah for her childhood friend, Wilma Reed. Upon Henry's death Edith moved to Lenox where she made her home at the Sunset Apartments until 1993 when she moved to Taylor Ridge Estates where she resided until her death.

Edith is survived by four sons, Robert and wife JoAnn Wasson of Panora; Kenneth Lee and wife Jeanne Wasson of Kalama, Washington; Delbert Eugene and wife Pat Wasson of Kelso, Washington; and James D. and wife Alice Wasson of Lenox; three daughters, Phyllis J. and husband Bud Jamison of Omaha, Nebraska; Kathy Supinger and special friend Larry Garner of Bedford; and Shirley M. and Robert Spencer of Stanton; two sisters in law, Ione Spargur of Shenandoah and Alma Spargur of Falls City, Nebraska; thirty grandchildren; and sixty great grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Rachel Spargur; her husband Henry in April of 1988; six brothers, Clarence, Clyde, Raymond, Harry, Harold and Robert; and four sisters, Mattie, Grace, Edna and Ruby; four grandchildren, Bonnie, Doug, Debbie and Jeff; and two sons in law, Marvin McMillin and Jim Supinger.

Funeral services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford, Wednesday, February 11, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. Burial was in the Conway Cemetery.

[Wasson, Henry William]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     May 4, 1988      p. 6

HENRY WASSON

Services for Henry [William] Wasson, 80, were held April 27, 1988 at Shum-Novinger funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Burial was at Conway Cemetery, Conway, Ia. Mr. Wasson died April 25, 1988 at Municipal Hospital, Clarinda, Ia.

Henry Wasson, son of William H. [erman] Wasson and Elva [Ora] Burgess Wasson was born in Decatur County, Iowa August 13, 1907. He grew to maturity in Decatur County, Iowa where he attended the public school.

On February 15, 1930 he was united in marriage to Edith M. [arie] Spargur at Clarinda, Ia. and they resided in Lincoln, Ne.; Shenandoah, Ia. and on farms in Page County, Ia. moving to a farm in Taylor County, Iowa near Conway, where they lived until 1986 when they moved to Bedford where they have since resided.

Seven children were born to bless their home and to share their love: Robert, Kenneth, Delbert, James, Phyllis, Kathryn and Shirley.

He was employed as a farmer, a carpenter, a painter and he drove a school bus for the Conway School and later for the Bedford Community School for 21 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; four sisters and three grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Edith of the home; four sons, Robert E. Wasson and his wife JoAnn of Panora, Ia.; Kenneth L. Wasson and his wife Jean of Kalama, Wa.; Delbert E. Wasson and his wife Pat of Kelso, Wa.; James D. Wasson and his wife Alice Ann of Lenox; Phyllis and her husband Bud Jamison of Omaha, Ne.; Kathryn and her husband Jim Supinger of Conway; Shirley and her husband Robert Spencer of Farragut, Ia.; 30 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

His family and many friends will remember him as a kind and considerate loved one and friend.