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

[Pitman, Alexander]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 4, 1937    p. 5

OBITUARY

Alexander Pitman, second son of George and Elizabeth [Jane Osborn] Pitman was born at Keithburg, Mercer County, Ill., Nov. 13, 1850 and passed way at the home of his daughter near Conway, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1937, aged 86 years, 3 months and 11 days. He was of a family of eight children, two girls and six boys, all of whom have preceded him in death except Mrs. Susie Redd, of Richmond, Mo.

He was married to Sophia Curry, Nov. 19, 1872, who passed away November 20, 1918. To them were born ten children, five dying in infancy and Mrs. Eva Gordon on Sept. 14, 1911. Surviving are: Mrs. B. [erton] E. [arl] Powell and William T. [homas] Pitman, Conway; Elda Jay Pitman of Tacoma, Wash.; Raymond C. [urry] Pitman of Villisca. Also five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

He spent his early life in Illinois on a farm, moving to Conway in March 1876, later moving to a farm east of Conway, which he improved. Later the family moved to Conway, where he resided until he answered the final summons.

He became a member of the Conway Masonic Lodge while a young man and was awarded a life membership in 1933, having been a Mason for fifty years.

His last active work was buying     stock.    He    kept     up     a home in Conway until age made that impractical.    The last few months of his life he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. B. [erton] E. [arl] Powell [Lillie].

Funeral services were held at the Conway Methodist Church, Friday, Feb. 26, at 2 o'clock with the pastor Rev. J. A Wall in charge. The Conway Masonic lodge conducted the interment services at the grave.

Interment was made in    the Conway cemetery.

[Pitman, Alexander]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 4, 1937    p. 5

Attend Funeral Service

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Powell and family of Corning, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Pitman of Villisca, Betty and Billy Pitman of Creston, and P. A. Blake of Bedford, were among those attending the Pitman funeral services Friday.

[Pitman, Myrtle Frances Raynor]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 29, 1955    [p. 1]                         

Mrs. R. C. Pitman Died At Villisca

Funeral services for Mrs. R. [aymond] C. [urry] Pitman, 70, were held Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Pitman Funeral Home in Villisca. Services were conducted by Rev. Paul C. Ellis. Mrs. Pitman died Friday, Dec. 16, at her home in Villisca.

Myrtle Frances Raynor, eldest child of Harve [y] W. and Cora A. [Smith] Raynor, was born in Rooks County, near Stockton, Kans., Nov. 23, 1885.

She lived in Kansas but a short time and came from there to New Market, where she made her home on a farm south of town.   She attended the rural school near her home, and    New Market    High school. Later, she attended Shenandoah Normal College as a music student, following which she gave music lessons in and around New Market.

She was married to Raymond C. [urry] Pitman on August 26, 1908. In  1936, Lois Joyce Bundy, a daughter of her only sister, joined the Pitman family.

While a young girl, Mrs.   Pitman joined the Baptist church in New Market and at the time of her death was a member of the Villisca Methodist church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mrs. Flossie [Helen] Bundy; and one brother, Frank Raynor.            

She is survived by her husband; one brother, Lloyd Raynor of Clarinda; her niece, Mrs. Lois Huber; two nephews, John and Jimmy Raynor.

[Raynor, Harvey A. Winn]

Times-Republican

Tuesday     August 7, 1923    p. 3

Harve Raynor Dead

Harve [y] [A.] [Winn] Raynor, an   old    resident of the vicinity of New Market, died   very suddenly of apoplexy at his home on last Thursday evening.  He was aged     61 years.    He had been in his usual health and had been at work and came to the house for a rest, seated himself in a chair in the yard and passed away in a few minutes.    Mr. Raynor    was    a    well known and influential [citizen?] and    had many    warm     personal     friends. The Times-Republican was    promised an obituary but it did not arrive in time for this issue.

[Raynor, Harvey A. Winn]

Times-Republican

Thursday    August 9, 1923    p. 5

Obituary

Harvey [A.] W. [inn] Raynor was born 3 miles south of New Market, Ia., November 12, 1862, and died     at his home in New Market, Iowa, Thursday evening, August    2nd, 1923, about 6: 15 o'clock, aged 61 years, 8 months and 20 days.

His entire life has been spent in New Market and vicinity with the exception    of 2 years, which were spent in Rooks County, Kan.

He was    united    in    marriage with Cora A. [nn] Smith on December 25, 1883.    To this   union   were born two sons and two daughters, all of whom survive.

The deceased leaves to mourn his demise, his wife Cora A. [nn] Raynor; two sons, Lloyd S.[mith] Raynor of Clarinda, Ia., and Frank H. [arvey] Raynor of Shenandoah, Iowa; two daughters, Mrs. R. [aymond] C.[urry] Pitman [Myrtle Frances] of Dexter, Iowa, and Mrs. LeRoy Bundy [Flossie Helen] of New Market, Ia.; one grandson, Harvey Herman Raynor of Shenandoah, and two step-grandsons, Dale and Ralph Barrow of Clarinda, Ia; also three brothers, [David] Lewis Raynor of Binghamton, N, Y., Lafe [Marquis DeLafayette] Raynor of New Market and Austin [Wesley] Raynor of Clarinda, Ia.; all of whom were present at the funeral excepting Lewis of New York.

He was converted and united with the Baptist church of New Market when about 30 years of age, during the pastorate of Rev. Orr Campbell. He has been an enthusiastic and ardent supporter of the Masonic lodge, having been raised to the degree of a Master Mason in Covenant Lodge No. 453 A. F. and A. M.

He was prominent in public welfare and participated in political affairs all of his life. He has served as central committeeman of the Republican Party several times and at the time of his death he was serving as trustee of Dallas Township and City Marshall of New Market.

He was a kind and loving father, a faithful husband, always having a jovial remark for those whom he met in the walks of life.  His life was exemplified by Sam. Walter Foss, "Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man."

[Raynor, David Lewis]

New Market Herald

Thursday    July 17, 1930    [p. 1]

Obituary—David Lewis Raynor

 David Lewis Raynor, son of Henry [William] and Miriam [Westenhofer] Raynor, was born in Ohio, July 25, 1849. He died July 5, 1930, aged 80 years, 11 months and 10 days.

He came to Iowa with his parents in early childhood where they settled near New Market. He grew to manhood in this vicinity. In the later years of the civil war he was aroused by the patriotic call. Answering this call he joined the Union forces Co. B, 48 Ohio Volunteer Infantry, where he served until the close of the war. After his discharge from the army he settled on a claim in Kansas where he lived several years. Following this he traveled for a number of years finally settling in New York state where he was married to Miss Mary L. Colwell, February 1,1894, where he spent the remainder of his life.

He was a member of the Mason Lodge of New Market, Iowa and always kept his membership in this lodge.

He leaves to mourn his death, his wife of Binghamton, N. Y., two brothers, Lafe [Marquis DeLafayette] of New Market, and Austin of Clarinda, also a large number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Osborne.

[Raynor, David Lewis]

Times-Republican

Thursday    July 10, 1930    p. 2

Lewis Raynor

[David] Lewis Raynor, an old time resident of the vicinity of New Market, passed away in New York and his body was brought to New Market for interment. The funeral services were held there Wednesday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. A. [lonzo] L. Weingarth [Ida Weingarth] and daughter, Miss Hazel attended the funeral. Mr. Raynor was an uncle of Mrs. Weingarth.

[Banks, Katie Cook]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 10, 1966    p. 4

Mrs. Banks, 82 Rites Feb. 12

Funeral services for Mrs. Katie Banks, 82, of Conway, were held February 12 at Boggess Funeral Home in Eagleville, Mo. Mrs. Banks died February 10 at Armstrong Nursing Home in Bedford. Interment was at Hobbs Cemetery, Eagleville.

She was united in marriage to Amas Cook, who passed away in 1933. To this union was born one son, Orville.

She was    united in marriage to    Mathew Banks, who passed away in 1954. To this union were born three daughters, Mildred, Audrey and Vada.  She is survived by her four children, Orville Cook, Clarinda, Mildred Brazzle, Martinsville, Mo., Audrey Smith, Perry and Vada Whipple of Conway.

[Godfrey, Glenna "Glenn" Journey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 10, 1966    p. 4

ATTEND SERVICES FOR MRS. GLEN GODFREY FEBRUARY 27

Relatives attending the funeral of Mrs. Glen [Journey] Godfrey at the New Market United Missionary Church Feb. 27 were: Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Gray and family of Marion; Mrs. Ora Gard, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lena of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Reed of Denver, Colo.; Mrs. Nellie Slaight, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Slaight of Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Neil Journey of St. Joseph, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Harve Ramsey of Clarinda.

Also were Mr. and Mrs. Lavern Miller and family and Douglas Griffith of Braddyville; Mr. and Mrs. Prank Ferguson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Lundquist and family and Mrs. Minnie Journey of Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bayless of Coin; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bayless Jr. of Maryville.

[Simpson, Grace Kuhn]

Times-Republican

Thursday    October 6, 1927

Mrs. Roscoe Simpson

Mrs. Roscoe Simpson died at her home at Nodaway on September 23rd. She will be remembered by many Bedford people as Miss Grace Kuhn, being the daughter of a former Taylor county superintendent, E. E. Kuhn. The family later resided at Lenox, where he was principal of the schools at that place.

[Maxwell, Samuel David]

Times-Republican

Thursday    October 6, 1927

Samuel David Maxwell

Samuel     David   Maxwell was   born in    Buchanan County, Missouri, Nov. 24, 1840, died in Bedford, Ia., Sept. 27, 1927.    Mr. Maxwell lived in St. Joseph    and was educated there.   At   the   age of 26 years he moved to Taylor county, Iowa, and   has lived     in and near Bedford since the year 1875.    On March 6th, 1879, S. [amuel] D. [avid] Maxwell and Mary J. [ane] Dowlin were united in marriage. To this union, two children   were   born, a     son Ernest who died in infancy, and a daughter Mrs. Ethel Stalford, who died in Spokane, Washington, Nov. 3, 1911. Besides his wife he leaves to mourn his demise, three brothers and three sisters, H. C. Maxwell, Wesley Maxwell, L. B. Maxwell, Mrs. Allen Smith, Mrs. Jennie McCoun all of St. Joseph, Mo.; and Mrs. Ada McCoun of Los Angeles, Calif. For thirty-six years Mr. Maxwell was a groceryman in the city of Bedford. He has also been a member of the local Baptist church for over 40 years and a member of the local Modern Woodmen of America lodge No. 1273.

Funeral services were held last Thursday afternoon in the local Baptist church, conducted by Rev. Fred Coley, minister of the local Church of Christ. Interment was made in the Titus Cemetery.

[Maxwell, Mary Jane Dowlin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 19, 1934    [p. 1]

Mrs. S. D. Maxwell Dies Here Saturday

Mrs. S. [amuel] D. [avid] Maxwell, 77, a resident of Bedford for sixty-five years, died at her home near the Baptist church Saturday, April 14. The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery.

Mrs. Maxwell, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Dowlin, was born Aug. 3, 1856 near Jefferson, Green county, Penn. She was one of a family of six children and with her family came to Bedford in November 1863.

March 6, 1879 she was married to S. [amuel] D. [avid] Maxwell. To them were born two children, a son [Ernest] who died in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. Ethel Stalford, who died at her home in Spokane, Wash., Nov. 3, 1911.  Mr. Maxwell died Sept. 27, 1927.

She was a faithful member of the First Baptist church in Bedford for many years. Surviving relatives are two brothers, E. [llis] C. [layton] Dowlin of Bedford and Will Dowlin of Corvallis, Oregon, one nephew and seven nieces.

[Alexander, Catherine Wenzell]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 19, 1934    [p. 1]

Wife of Farmer Kills Self Friday

Mrs. Malvern Alexander [Catherine Wenzell], 24, living northwest of Gravity five miles, killed herself Friday morning by shooting herself over the right ear with a .22-long Smith & Wesson revolver.

Surviving are the husband and their two small children, one four months old and the other two years old. The woman committed the act in the presence of her husband and the children, following what is reported to have been a quarrel over punishing one of the children.

Deputy Sheriff Ivan Wells, accompanied by acting county coroner M. A. Sawyer, were at the farm home soon after the shooting, the latter reporting the woman came to her death at her own hand. Sheriff T. V. Lacy and County Attorney Roger Warin also investigated the case.

Funeral   services   were    held Monday afternoon at the Methodist church in Gravity, conducted by Rev. R. V. Felt.

[Thompson, Ray]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 19, 1934    [p. 1]

Ray Thompson Killed

Ray Thompson, 37, former resident of the New Market community, was killed the first of the week in a truck accident near Yorktown.   

[Grimm, Mable Claire Clark]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    May 14, 1986    p. 5

Last rites held for Mabel Grimm

Funeral services were held May 10 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home for Mable Claire Clark Grimm. Burial was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa. Rev. Carl Cummings officiated.

Mabel Grimm was the daughter of Charles Clark and Lillie D. Stevens Clark [and] was born at Blanchard, Iowa, January 10, 1902 and departed this life May 7, 1986 at the Lenox Nursing Home at the age of 84 years 3 months and 27 days.

She lived in and around Clarinda, Gravity and Sharpsburg and grew to maturity in Sharpsburg where she attended the public school and the Methodist Church.

On June 15, 1921 she was united in marriage to Leonard Grimm at the Methodist Parsonage in Chariton, Iowa. They lived on a farm two miles west of Sharpsburg until 1934; the family moved to Osceola, Missouri until 1941. Then they moved to Kansas City, Missouri until 1948 when they returned to Sharpsburg to again make their home.

To this union three children were born: a son, Charles Leland and daughters Helen Jeanne and June.

In Mabel's earlier years she worked at Hurd's General Store; served as Postmistress and helped with the newspaper the "North Taylor Review" in Sharpsburg, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Leonard who died in 1979.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Charles Leland and his wife Bettye and three granddaughters: Kathy, Denise and Mellisa of Phoenix, Arizona.

Her daughter, Helen Jeane and husband Frank Tillman of Sharpsburg and three grandchildren: James of Pinole, California; Veronica of Rodeo, California and April Mains of Sharpsburg, Iowa; daughter June and her husband Andy Anderson of Sharpsburg, Iowa and granddaughter Linda Larkin of Fredonia, Kansas and eight great grandchildren.

Mabel has five sisters: Pearl Pfander of Creston, Iowa; Eva Marsh of Iola, Kansas; Bessie Pennebaker of Lenox, Iowa; Allene Hoker of Chicago, Illinois; and Lily Belle Philpott of Council Bluffs, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Evert Pennebaker of Lenox, Iowa; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was an active member of the Methodist Ladies Aid for many years. She loved to cook, crochet and work in the garden. We will miss her good sense of humor and her great smile. She was a kind and considerate loving mother and friend, and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Marley, Robert Cleveland]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 21, 1963     [p. 1]

ROBT. MARLEY RITES

Funeral   services for Robert   Cleveland   Marley, held Monday    at    the     Madison Street    Shum-Novinger Funeral   Home, were conducted by V.  N. Gilbert   Interment was in    Fairview cemetery, Bedford

[Crow, Clarence Elmer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 13, 1964    p. 5

Clarence E. Crow Rites Aug. 11

Funeral services for Clarence E. [lmer] Crow, 78, of Gravity were held Tuesday (Aug 11) at the State Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev Clarence Moore of Clarinda officiating. Mr. Crow died Aug. 8 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital where he had been a patient for two weeks.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery. Gravity.

Clarence Crow is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Earl Brassfield of Oklahoma City, Okla.

[CROW, CLARENCE ELMER]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, August 27, 1964, p. 8

Final Rites Here For Clarence Crow

Funeral services for Clarence E. Crow, 78, of Gravity, held August 11 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Clarence Moore of Clarinda. Mr. Crow died at Clarinda Municipal Hospital on August 8, 1964. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

The following obituary was included in the services.

Clarence Elmer Crow, son of Daniel C. and Josephine Luticia Crow, was born on a farm near Prescott, Adams Co., Iowa, March 26, 1886.

He received his education in the rural schools of Adams County where he grew to manhood and lived the greater part of his life. He and his brother, Pearl, were partners on the farm for a number of years.

On January 8, 1928, he was united in marriage to Emma Heatherington at Shannon City, Ia. To them was born one daughter, Shirley, now Mrs. Earl Brassfield of Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mr. and Mrs. Crow moved to a farm near Gravity in 1938; later they moved to town and were in charge of the local telephone office for several years.

Mr. Crow united with the Methodist church in early life and was faithful in Christian service.

Besides his wife and daughter, he is survived by his son-in-law, Earl Brassfield; three grandchildren, John Wayne, Marla Kay and Karen Lynn; one brother, Pearl of Des Moines, and many other relatives and friends.

[England, Larry Dean, Twin Infants of]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 28, 1963    p. 4

THE LARRY ENGLANDSŐ TWIN SONS DIE

Funeral services were held at Varner-Crew Funeral Home in Clearfield Feb. 21 for twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Larry [Dean] England [Karen Sue Matheny] of Clearfield. The babies died shortly after birth February 20. Interment was in the Clearfield cemetery.

[McCormick, Alma May Orton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 2, 1972    p. 4

HERE TO ATTEND RITES OCT. 22 FOR ALMA MCCORMICK

Those who attended Alma [May Orton] McCormick funeral services October 22 from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Christensen, Rita and Susan, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stithem, Mrs. Rita Stithem, Roger and Billie Minnick, Mr. and Mrs. Cary Cozad, Robert Gustin, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Christensen.

Mrs. Marie Christensen, Eugene Christensen, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Coffman, Mr. and Mrs. Don Parks, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Campbell, all from Council Bluffs, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Beryl Montgomery and Mrs. Bob Coleman, Hopkins, Mo.

[Pratt, Crystal Werts]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 7, 1972     p. 4

Crystal Pratt, 58 Rites December 1 In New Market

Funeral services for Mrs. Kenneth (Crystal L.) Pratt, 58, of New Market were held December 1 at the New Market school auditorium with Rev. Lester Greenwood of Clarinda officiating. Mrs. Pratt died November 28, 1972, at University Hospital in Omaha. Interment was at Memory Cemetery, New Market.

Mrs. Pratt was the daughter of the late Worthy and Nettie McAlpin Werts, born June 10, 1914 at the farm home where she and Mr. Pratt have lived northwest of New Market.

Her life-time teaching was started in the Timberlake School in Taylor County, east of New Market. She was at a school north of Gravity for a year before she went to Hawleyville school. She was a teacher there for more than a dozen years, and went to New Market where she has been in charge of the sixth grade. She was especially active, too, with the Y-Teens.

She was married to Kenneth Pratt on May 6, 1939, at New Market. Her husband and a niece, Donna Jones, are survivors.

She was [a] member of Eastern Star and the United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be given to the   American Cancer Society.

[Douglas, Lena May Stewart]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 7, 1972 p. 4

Last Rites Held In Bedford for Mrs. Don Douglas

Funeral services for Mrs. Don (Lena) Douglas, 64, long time Taylor County resident, were held November 27 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Carl Cummings and Rev. Ray McCain officiating. Mrs. Douglas died November 24 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Mo. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Lena May Stewart, daughter of William and Leta Melvin Stewart was born in Taylor County Iowa, April 6, 1908. She attended the public schools and took an active part in the various community activities during her youth and grew to adulthood in this community. On March 15, 1928, she was united in marriage to Don Douglas and they had made Bedford their home and, with exception of a few years lived in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, she had lived her entire life time in Taylor County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Nellie Stewart

Left to cherish memories are her husband, Don Douglas; a sister, Virgie Chesney and a brother, Marion Stewart; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

She was a member of the Bedford Christian Church.

Lena will long be remembered by her family and friends as a kind and considerate loved one, friend and neighbor, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Hatfield, Alan Rex]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 7, 1944    [p. 1]

Hatfield Infant Dies

Alan Rex Hatfield, infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Hatfield of Bedford, died at birth Sunday, September 3. Funeral services were held at Wetmore's Funeral Home Tuesday forenoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

[Walter, Eva Pratt Williams]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 7, 1944    [p. 1]

Mrs. Chas. Walter Dies

Mrs. Charles Walter, a former resident of Bedford, died at her home in Springfield, Missouri, Monday forenoon, following a heart attack. The funeral services were held in Springfield Wednesday. Mrs. Walter is the former Eva Pratt Williams, and was a sister-in-law of Mrs. E. T. Brice.  She is survived by her husband; one son, Donald Williams and his wife, and their two children.