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

[Hazelton, Elizabeth I. ÒLizzieÓ]

Iowa South-West

Saturday    September 6, 1879    p. 3

Died---At her home three and one-half miles north of this city, Lizzie I. Hazleton [Hazelton], aged about 16 years, of consumption, Tuesday, September 2nd, 1879.

The funeral services were conducted from the residence of her father, J. [ohn] B. Hazleton [Hazelton], by Elder J. Atkinson.  The remains were consigned to the earth in the Bedford cemetery.

[Hazelton, John B.]

Times-Republican

Thursday    May 16, 1907

Long Life Ended

Died at his home in LaHarpe, Thursday morning at 1:25 oÕclock April 18, 1907, John B. Hazelton, aged 82 years, 9 months and 17 days.

Mr. Hazelton was born in Susquehanna County, Penn., July 1, 1824.  He came west, locating at Bedford, Iowa, in 1870.  He was married to Mary E. Hempstead, Sept. 16, 1849.  Thirteen children were born to this union, five of whom are living.  They are Mrs. Addie Coup, of Bedford, Iowa; Mrs. Mary L. Tupper, Washington state; Harry B. of Denver, Colo.; Willis O., of Mandan, N. D. and Charles, address not known.

His second marriage was to Mrs. Mary A. Kern, Jan.9, 1877.  One child was born of this union, Mrs. Gertrude A. Clover, of Muscatine, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Hazelton moved from Iowa to Mandan, North Dakota, in 1882 and came to LaHarpe in 1893, where they have since made their home.

Mr. Hazelton was a man of retiring nature, that would not give a wide acquaintance but those to know him intimately found in him a man of truth and right living, with kindness to all.  The family have the sympathy of friends in their loss.

The funeral services will be held at the Christian church Saturday at 1 oÕclock p. m., April 20, 1907, Eld. Huff officiating.  Burial in our city cemetery.----LaHarpe (N. D.) LaHarper

[Oxley, William Wharton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 5, 1964     p. 8

Wm. Oxley Rites Held In Camas, Wash.

Funeral services and burial for William Wharton Oxley of Camas, Wash., formerly of Siam, were held Nov. 1 at Camas.  Mr. Oxley died Oct. 29, 1964.

William Wharton Oxley, son of Erwin and Zarilda Smith Oxley, was born at Siam June 1, 1901.

He married Flossie Holmes of Siam.  They made their home near Siam for a several years and later moved to Camas, where he became a construction worker.

He is survived by his wife, one son, Billy, and several grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Victor Whaley, Council Bluffs, Mrs. Nora Williams, Maryville, Mrs. Adah Beck, Siam.

His parents, twin daughters and one son preceded him in death.

[Teeters, John]

Times-Republican

Thursday    December 14, 1911

John Teeters

John Teeters, who had been a resident of Bedford about two months, died at his home at 6:30 Saturday night, at the age of 65 years.  He was born in Page County, August 9, 1846.  Funeral services were held at New Market Wednesday and interment was at the same place.  The family came here from Parnell.

[Sickels, Grace Helen Fluke]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     September 25, 1958    [p. 1]

Mrs. J. E. Sickels Funeral Was Tuesday

Mrs. J. [ohn] E. [lmer] Sickels, a resident of Taylor County her entire life, died at St. Francis hospital, Maryville, Sunday, September 21, after a long illness.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Anthony Blankers of the Bedford Methodist Church officiating.  Burial in Athelstan cemetery.

Grace Helen Fluke, daughter of Mary Emily Brown Fluke and Jacob Franklin Fluke, was born March 8, 1888, near Platteville, Iowa, and died at the age of 70 years, six months, 13 days.

On February 17, 1909 she was married to John Elmer Sickels.  To this union were born six children:  Paul M. of Stockton, Calif.; Helen A. Miller of Cle Elum, Wash.; Lois L. Bauman of St. Joseph, Mo.; Gene E. Sickels of Bedford; Lyle W. Sickels of Blockton; Joe S. Sickels of Des Moines.

Surviving with the children are three daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild; four sisters, Ella and Etta Fluke and Minnie Smith of Bedford, Alice Midyett of Warsaw, Missouri, and one brother, John J. [esse] Fluke of Kansas City, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, January 19, 1955; also by three grandchildren, her parents, and two sisters.

She was a member of the Baptist church near her home.

[Park, Ruth Irene Hopson]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    January 12, 1994     p. 8

Ruth Park

Ruth Irene Hopson Park was born on May 19, 1904 near Bedford, Iowa, the daughter of John Wesley and Tessie Ann Hopson.  She and her four brothers and four sisters attended Frog Valley Country School.

Ruth graduated from Bedford High School in 1922 with a teaching certificate.  She drove her Model T to school nearly seven years teaching in Taylor County.

Ruth married Arthur Park February 16, 1929.  Arthur teased Ruth about wearing out her Model T so that after their marriage she had to finish out her school year driving his Model T.  The couple began their married life on a farm six miles southwest of Bedford where they lived and farmed for the next 40 years.  During that time they had a daughter, Marilyn Ann, and a son, Max Arthur.

Ruth had great interest in the activities of her children, serving many years as a 4-H leader, and was also active in neighborhood social groups and served on the local country school board.

She had a great love and appreciation of flowers and gardening and had a knack for making things grow.  She was also very creative.  Ruth enjoyed crocheting and arts and crafts and loved to teach her grandchildren how to make beautiful things from miscellaneous objects.  She was good natured and fun loving and enjoyed playing practical jokes.

Ruth kept a daily diary for many years.  The following verse was found in one of her diaries and is exemplary of her positive outlook on life.

ÒItÕs the little things we do and say that makes life worthwhile.

As we go our way, a friendly greeting and a cheery smile

Are what it takes to make life worthwhile.Ó

Ruth was baptized in and became a member of the Bedford Christian Church in 1927.

Ruth and Arthur Park would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on February 16, 1994.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of the home, Arthur Park, daughter Marilyn Longfellow and her daughter, Kay French and husband Jerry and their daughters, Amber and Amy; son Max Park and his wife Ardyth and their three children, Teresa Harold and husband Marvin, TeresaÕs son Johnny Molloy; Suzie Turner and husband, Mike, Jim Park and wife Debbie and their children, Tessa and Cole, along with brothers Humphrey and Frank Hopson, sisters, Flavia Davidson and Lucille Hopson and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Carl and Oliver Hopson and sisters Marjorie Hopson and Lydia Webb.

In her last months, Ruth got the most enjoyment from her visiting great grandchildren, who never failed to make her chuckle and smile.

Ruth died Tuesday evening, Jan. 4, 1994 at Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa.  Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 8, 1994 at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Lester Johnson officiating.  Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa.

Those who knew her will miss RuthÕs infectious and characteristic laughter.

[Schoenmann, John Lorenzo]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 22, 1976    p. 6

John L. Schoenmann Last Rites Held

Funeral services for John L. Schoenmann, 54, of Blockton, Taylor County assessor, held April 13 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. George W. Swan.  Mr. Schoenmann died in Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr April 10, 1976.  The Blockton American Legion Post No. 443 presented military honors at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

John Lorenzo Schoenmann, son of Lorenzo H. [erman] and Leona [Rose Jasmer] Schoenmann, was born January 15, 1922, at St. Joseph, Mo.

On February 17, 1944, he was united in marriage with Betty Ruth Kidney of Kansas City, Kansas.  They were blessed with a son, Lynn of Lenox, Iowa and a daughter, Jacqueline of Blockton.

John was graduated from Blockton Public School in 1939, then enlisted in the U. S. Navy in March of 1941 and served six years during World War II.  The last three years his tour of duty was aboard the destroyer the U. S. S. Putnam in the Pacific theatre.

He was associated with his father in the hardware business and later worked as an insurance agent in Blockton.  In September 1967, he assumed the duties of assistant county assessor to Mr. M. K. Sawyer.  On January 1, 1967 he was appointed Taylor County Assessor, a position he held at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Methodist Church in Blockton, the Iowa State Assessors Association, Taylor County SheriffÕs Posse, the V. F. W. Post in Bedford, the American Legion Post in Blockton and served a term as District Vice Commander of the American Legion.  His hobbies were varied as he had an avid interest in guns, radios, and motorcycling.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; son, Lynn, and his wife, Peggy of Lenox; daughter, Jacqueline, and her husband, Harold Dean Norris of Blockton; grandchildren, Kevin Dean and Karla Maurine Norris, Tammy K. and Lonnie Hale Schoenmann.  Being an only child, John was close to BettyÕs family, William Kidney, wife, Alma Lou and family of Tyler, Texas; Denton Kidney, wife, Dorothy, and family of Clarinda; Joe Kidney and wife, Marilyn and family of Clarinda.  Also surviving is an aunt, Mrs. Libby Gunn of Seattle, Wash.; three nieces; four nephews, other relatives and friends.

John will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

[Schoenmann, Dorothy Homes]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 5, 1970    p. 6

Final Rites Held February 27 For Mrs. Schoenmann

Funeral services for Mrs. George A. (Dorothy) Schoenmann, 88, of Charles City, Iowa, formerly of Blockton, were held February 27 in the Blockton United Methodist Church with Rev. Clarence Landis officiating.   Mrs. Schoenmann died in Charles City on February 24, 1970, after a lingering illness.  Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

Dorothy E. Homes, daughter of William Allen and Elizabeth Ogle Homes was born on November 14, 1881 in Warren County, Iowa.

She lived near Indianola, Iowa until she was 18, attended school in Des Moines, Iowa, worked as a secretary in Grinnell and was married in Denver, Colorado, October 20, 1907 to George A. [dolph] Schoenmann of Blockton, Iowa.

They were pioneers, living on a claim 20 miles east of Denver, Colorado, for two years, after which they spent two years in Blockton and two and a half years in Whittier and Los Angeles, California.  They returned to Blockton in 1913, built a home, and Mr. Schoenmann practiced law and became a partner with his father, Mr. F. [erdinand] Schoenmann, in the Schoenmann Lumber Yard.  Mr. and Mrs. Schoenmann spent the next 50 years working together in business and community life until his death on February 3, 1964.

Mrs. Schoenmann and her husband spent many years working together in their lumberyard business and were inseparable.  Her husband and her children were her life, but she was always ready to help others in any way she could.

They were the parents of four children: Gordon H. of Glendale, Calif.; Helen and Mora May, who died in infancy, and Lorene Smith of Charles City, Iowa.

Mrs. Schoenmann is survived by her son Gordon and wife, Florence, of Glendale, Calif.; Lorene and husband, Merrill G. Smith, Jr., of Charles City, Iowa; one granddaughter, Diane Erler and husband John of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; three grandsons, James M. Smith of Iowa City, Iowa; Donn Schoenmann and wife, Val, of Glendale, Calif.; Nicholas Schoenmann and wife, Susan, presently of Grenada, Spain; five great grandchildren, Valerie, Stuart, Celeste and Beth Schoenmann of Glendale, Calif.; Mark W. Erler of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; a half sister, Nellie Homes of Kansas City, Mo.; and a nephew, John L.[orenzo] Schoenmann and family of Blockton.

Dorothy was a church member from the age of 11 and lived a good Christian life.  She has been a member of the Blockton United Methodist Church for many years and enjoyed helping with the work of the church as much as possible.

She was a member of the Blockton Chapter of Eastern Star since 1921, and was active in all the offices.

She was a loving and cherished wife, mother and grandmother.  All who knew her knew what a fine mother she was.  She was known for her goodness, thoughtfulness and concern. She had such a wonderful zest for life up until the last.  She enjoyed each day as it came--with all of GodÕs creation, such as the sun, birds, people, going places, and doing things.  She had such a wonderful sense of humor and was a joy to be around.  She was so tired of being incapacitated and is now glad to be free and enjoying the fuller life for its completeness.  She made many friends here, she never complained and was happy to see others able to do things.

[Argetsinger, Maybelle Beery]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 5, 1970    p. 6

Attend Last Rites In Des Moines For Mrs. Argetsinger

Several relatives and friends from the Bedford area attended funeral services for Mrs. Maybelle Argetsinger in Des Moines February 21.  Mrs. Argetsinger was the daughter of Dan and Rachel Beery of the Gravity vicinity.

Among those attending were Mrs. Iva Hicks of Bedford, a sister; Mr. and Mrs. Homer Kimpton, Gravity; Mrs. E. L. Oxley and Mrs. Fred Blood, Sharpsburg; Mrs. C. L. Hendrickson, Lenox; Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Jetton, New Market.

[Rubart, William L.]

South West Democrat

Friday    August 24, 1888

Mr. William L. Rubart died Saturday night at 9 oÕclock, at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Minerva [Sewell] Rubart, near Ladoga.  His disease was consumption.  He was thirty-two years old and leaves a wife and one child, who resides in Omaha.  He has been at his auntÕs four weeks and was unable to leave his bed the last two weeks.

[Martin, Laura Belle]

South West Democrat

Friday    August 24, 1888

Died, Laura, daughter of Mary A. [nn Dunkin] and Henry T. [eel] Martin, August 17, 1888, aged 27 years and 6 months.  Miss Laura B. [elle] Martin was born in Putnam County, Indiana, February 17, 1861, and at the age of two years moved with her parents to Taylor County, Iowa, where she has since resided.  She united with the M. E. church July 10, 1888, at which time she was baptized by the Rev. C. W. Stewart, of Conway.  She bore her last illness with great patience, and with joy was able to sing the song of the redeemed.

For her there blooms a spring,

Where flowers deck perennial youth,

Where music is the song the angels sing;

And light, the smile of truth.

Nay, not dead.  The darksome tomb

Holds not the one you love.

Her spirit, freed from earthly gloom,

Now waits for thee above.

[Chamberlin, Isaac W.]

South West Democrat

Friday    August 24, 1888

Died, in Bedford, on the morning of the 20th inst., of paralysis, Mr. I. [saac] W. Chamberlin, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.

Mr. Chamberlin was born in Shemokin, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1820, and was married May 25, 1847, to Melissa Everet [Everett].  He has been a great sufferer for the last year or two, having received a stroke of paralysis about five years ago and has been an invalid ever since.  His wife, three sons and one daughter, Mrs. M.[artin] V. [an Buren] Gray [Mary Elizabeth], survive him.  He was a member of the M. E. church, and has lived the life of a constant Christian.

Funeral services were conducted from the residence, by Rev. McDade, on Tuesday and the remains were interred in the Bedford cemetery.

[Gray, Martin Van Buren]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    May 5, 1921  

Martin Van Buren Gray

Martin Van Buren Gray died at his home in Corning Wednesday morning of last week, aged 82 years, 7 months and 14 days.  The funeral services were held in the Federated church Friday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. C. Miles, and burial was made in Walnut Grove cemetery.

The deceased gentleman was born in Canton, Pa., September 12, 1838.  When he was seven years of age his parents came to Linn County, Iowa, where he grew to manhood.  November 5, 1865, he was united in marriage to Mary E. [lizabeth] Chamberlin, at Waterloo, Iowa.  To them were born three children, Charles W., Francis L., and Corie M., all of the Union Republican office in this city.  In 1874 the family moved to Bedford, where Mr. and Mrs. Gray resided until 1906, when they became citizens of Corning.   For the past two years, Mr. Gray was unable to leave his home on account of the infirmities of age.  Thursday of last week he suffered a stroke of paralysis, and the end came Wednesday last.  Beside the wife, children and grandchildren, he leaves no near relatives.  He was the youngest of 13 children in his fatherÕs family, all of whom have passed on.

[Miller, Mildred]

Times-Republican

Thursday    May 21, 1908     p. 5

Three children of Jake Miller near Blockton, were accidentally poisoned Monday.  One [Mildred] died before medical aid arrived but prompt measures save the lives of the other two.

[Miller, Mildred]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    May 21, 1908      p. 4

Children Poisoned

A sad case of poisoning was that of two little daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller, living in Jackson Township, that has resulted in the death of one and but slight hopes are entertained for the recovery of the other.

Sunday afternoon the first symptoms of poisoning were displayed.  Medical aid was summoned but in spite of all that could be done, Mildred died on Monday.  She was two years of age on the 21st of last December.  The little one was laid to rest Tuesday in the Platteville cemetery.

The other daughter, Maude, was fourteen months older than Mildred and at this writing lies in a critical condition.

While it is an accepted fact that some kind of poison is the cause of the sickness and death of these children, the kind has not been determined.  They both ate candy, bananas and hazel nuts Sunday but the parents are at a loss to account for the presence of any poison in them as there was none about the house.

They are highly esteemed by all who know them and in their sad hour of sorrow the sympathy of all is extended to them.

[Clark, Jesse Elmer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 28, 1954    p. 8

Obituary – Jesse Clark

Jesse Elmer Clark, son of William Wright and Melissa Frances Clark, was born at Conway, Iowa, Jan. 15, 1878, and died at his home in Gravity, Jan. 18, 1954, at the age of 76 years, three days.

When he was about four years of age, the family moved to the Gravity community, where he lived his entire life, working as a carpenter and contractor.

On March 29, 1908 he was married to Jessie Mae Thompson.  To them four children were born: Garnette, Alice, Frances and Byron.

In May 1928, Mrs. Clark preceded him in death.

On July 6, 1936 he was married to Mrs. Grace Dunn.

Mr. Clark had been in failing health for several years and for the past two years had been an invalid.  He was preceded in death by his father, mother, two brothers, Herbert and George.

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Grace; four children, Mrs. Garnette Lawson of Clarinda, Mrs. Alice Hadley and Mrs. Frances Welch of San Leandro, Calif., Byron Clark in [the] U. S. Navy, Mountain View, Calif.; one step-son, Darrell Dunn, Washington, D. C.; 11 grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Rosa Custer, Stockton, Calif.; one brother, Fred Clark, Altoona, Iowa.

His parents and the family united with the Methodist Congregation and were interested in all the church activities.

Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist church at Gravity by Rev. R. V. Felt.  Burial was in Gravity cemetery.

[Murphy, William Benjamin ÒBillÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 14, 1969    p. 6

Wm. B. Murphy, 85, Rites Tuesday

Funeral services for William B. [enjamin] Murphy, 85, of Hopkins, were held Tues., Aug. 12, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, conducted by Rev. Ivo. G. Randels.  Mr. Murphy died August 8 at Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr where he was a patient about five hours.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.  Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home in Hopkins.

Mr. Murphy is survived by his wife, Martha; one daughter, Mrs. Leon Lyons, Hopkins; one son, Flavel Murphy, Bedford; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Sylvia Lytte, Los Angeles, Mrs. Ada Goudie, Ashland, Ore., Mrs. Harla Norris, Elliott, Ia., and Mrs. Lavern Guthrie, Des Moines, Ia.

[Murphy, William Benjamin ÒBillÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 21, 1969    p. 8

Last Rites Held August 12 For William Murphy

Funeral services for William B. [enjamin] Murphy, 85, of Hopkins, were held August 12 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, conducted by Rev. Ivo G. Randels.  Mr. Murphy died August 8 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.  Arrangements were made by Swanson Funeral Home in Hopkins.

William B. [enjamin] Murphy, son of Frank [Benjamin Franklin] and Iva [Adell] Delbert [Deibert] Murphy, was born near Redding, Iowa, Dec. 5, 1883.

He was married to Martha E. [lzena] Moler January 25, 1908 at Redding, Ia.  To this union three children were born:  Verle William who died of wounds received in action during World War II, LaVeta Lyons, Hopkins, Mo. and Flavel Murphy, Bedford.

In addition to his wife and the above named children he is survived by four sisters, Ada Goudie, Ashland, Ore.; Harla [Charlotte] Norris, Elliott, Ia.; Sylvia Lytte, Santa Monica, Calif. and Opal Guthrie, Des Moines, Ia.; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.

His father, mother, son, Verle, sister, Della Bryan, brother, Osa, and one grandson, Bill Murphy, preceded him in death.

He was a retired farmer, living most of his life in Ringgold County, Ia.  He moved to Taylor County in 1933 and farmed until about 12 years ago, when he moved to Hopkins, Mo.

He was familiarly known as Bill to his friends.  He had a smile for everyone and was always kind and generous.  He always stood ready to help when friends and family needed help.  He was very fond of his daughter-in-law and his son-in-law.  He will be sorely missed.

[Murphy, Martha Elzena Moler]

Bedford Times-Pres

Thursday    February 12, 1970    p. 7

Martha Murphy Rites Held Here February 7

Funeral services for Mrs. William (Martha) Murphy, 82, of Hopkins, were held February 7 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, conducted Rev. Ollie Odle.  Mrs. Murphy died Febr. 4 at Ringgold County Hospital, Mt. Ayr, where she had been a patient a short time.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Martha Elzena Murphy was born April 17, 1887 near Irena in Worth County, Mo.  She was the daughter of Charley and Lucinda [Miller] Moler and was married to William B. [enjamin] Murphy January 25, 1908 at Redding, Iowa and to this union three children were born.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Leon Lyons [La Veta], Hopkins, Mo.; one son, Flavel Murphy, Bedford; three sisters, Mrs. Flossie Lamb, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Mrs. Deva Smith, Redding, Ia., and Mrs. Ross Thornton, St. Joseph, Mo.; one brother, Charles Moler, Lakeside, Calif.; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Murphy; one son, Verle William Murphy, who died of wounds received in action during World War II; two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Richardson; Mrs. Lilla Norris; two brothers, Elmer and Brice Moler and one grandson, Bill Murphy.

Mrs. Murphy and her husband were retired farmers, living most of their lives in Ringgold County, Iowa.  They moved to Taylor County in 1933 and farmed until about 12 years ago when they moved to Hopkins, Mo.

Early in life, Mrs. Murphy was baptized into the Methodist Church.  In 1955 she joined the American Legion Auxiliary and became a Gold Star Mother.  She had been a member of the Merry Ridge Social Club while health permitted.  Since moving to Hopkins her hobby was raising flowers and garden.

She was a kind and loving mother; she always had a smile for everyone and stood ready to help those in need.  She will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved her.