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

[Beemer, Herman Judson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 10, 1966    p. 2

Herman Beemer Rites Feb. 8

Funeral services for Herman [Judson] Beemer, 72, of Lenox, were held February 8 at the Lenox Christian Church.  Mr. Beemer died at his home in Lenox February 5, 1966.  Masonic graveside service was held at the Lenox cemetery.

Included in the survivors are his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Mrs. Eleanor Carlson and Mrs. Genevieve Stogdill, both of Des Moines; a niece, Miss Sharon Cochran of Des Moines; brothers, Horace of Bedford and Homer and Hudson of Gravity; nephews Elvin Beemer of Bedford, Dick and Dean Beemer of Gravity.

[Beemer, Herman Judson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 17, 1966    p. 3

Herman Beemer Rites Held February 8

Memorial services for Herman Beemer, 72, long time resident of the Lenox community, were held at the Christian Church in Lenox February 8 with Rev. David A. Shaeffer officiating. Mr. Beemer died at his home in Lenox February 5, 1966.  He had been in ill health for some time. Interment was at Lenox Cemetery.

Herman [Judson] Beemer, son of George [Washington] and [Florence] Erdine [Johnston] Beemer, was born January 28, 1894 on a farm nine miles west of Lenox. He was united in marriage to Ruth Cochran at St. Joseph, Mo., on Dec. 24, 1917. To this union were born two daughters, Genevieve and Eleanor. Mr. Beemer's active life was spent farming and in farm related projects. He was local Pioneer Seed Corn representative; also served one time with the Production Credit Association; served several years on the Lenox School Board, and was in his sixth year as president of the Lenox Stock and Saddle Club.   He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and would have received his fiftieth year membership pin in April, and he was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He attended the Lenox Christian church regularly, having made the confession of faith in recent weeks.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Genevieve Stogdill and Eleanor Carlson, both of Des Moines, Iowa; two grandchildren; three brothers, Hudson [Dewey] and Homer [Johnston] of Gravity, Horace of Bedford; Sharon Cochran, a niece who has made her home with the Herman Beemer family since early childhood; and a countless number of friends over a wide area in southwest Iowa.

Mr. Beemer was preceded in death by his parents.

Herman Beemer was of a warm and kindly disposition, making true friends wherever he went.  His passing places a responsibility on others, that is, to pour into the stream of our communityÕs life those self-same principles which gave him the respect of one and all.

[Beemer, Herman Judson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 24, 1966    p. 8

attend services for HERMAN BEEMER

Relatives who attended services for Herman [Judson] Beemer in Lenox February 8 were: Mr. and Mrs. Horace Beemer, Janet and James, Judy Mathews, Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Beemer and Britt of Bedford; Jack Beemer, Macon, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Homer Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Harl Sturm, Mrs. Nellie Blair, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Beemer and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lock and Kenneth, all of Gravity.

[Beemer, Ruth Cochran]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 5, 1984    p. 8

Ruth Beemer Dies Friday, March 30

Ruth Beemer, the daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Mary Turner Cochran, was born in Taylor County, Iowa March 25, 1894. She died at the Lenox Care Center, Lenox, Iowa on Friday, March 30, 1984, five days after celebrating her ninetieth birthday with relatives and friends.

Ruth attended school in Taylor County and graduated from Keister's Ladies Tailoring College in Omaha, Nebraska in March 1914. She was united in marriage with Herman Judson Beemer December 24, 1917 at St. Joseph, Missouri. They made their home on a farm near Lenox until moving into town in 1951.

Mrs. Beemer was an active member of the First Christian Church in Lenox all of her adult life, and also was a member of the GV Club and the Order of the Eastern Star for many years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Herman in 1966; her parents; two sisters, Ida Bennett and Effie Black; three brothers, Frank, William, and Harry Cochran; and a great granddaughter, Melissa Busby.

Survivors include her two daughters, Eleanor Carlson and husband, Kenneth and Genevieve Stogdill and husband, Blaine, all of Des Moines; a niece, Sharon Cochran Klinzman, who made her home with Ruth at the age of five, and her husband, Lloyd: two grandchildren, James Allen Carlson and wife, Miriam and Janice Ann Busby and husband, Gary; three great grandchildren, John Carlson and Travis and Nicole Busby; a sister, Florence McKelvey of Monroe, Michigan; two brothers, John Cochran of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Glenn Cochran of Salem, Oregon; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Services were held Monday, April 2 at the First Christian Church in Lenox at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Jack Cutbirth officiated.

Music was by Mildred Walter, organist. Vocalists were Marilyn Beck and Diana Maharry. The selections were "Ivory Palaces" and "Precious Memories".

Casket bearers were Reldon Huntington, Richard Notz, Jim Rice, C.B. Adams, James Carlson and Gary Busby.

Interment was in the West Fairview Cemetery at Lenox.

[Beemer, Alice May Whitecotton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 16, 1959    p. 4

Mrs. Alice Beemer Died At Age of 90

Mrs. Alice [May Whitecotton] Beemer, 90 of Gravity died Monday, April 13 at Rosary hospital, Corning. Funeral services were held at the Gravity Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, with burial in the Gravity cemetery. Rev. Frank Greenwood officiated.

Mrs. Beemer is survived by seven daughters and two sons: Mrs. Walter [Edwin] Blair [Nellie] of Conway, Mrs. J. [ohn] C. [leve] Ross [Lottie] of Leon, Mrs. Ben Akers [Rella] of Sumner, Mo., Mrs. Harl Sturm [Ollie] and Mrs. Ivan Houchin [Grace] of Gravity, Mrs. E. [lisha] S. Foster [Sarah] of Sumner, Mo., Mrs. Frank Bean [Minnie] of Grants Pass, Oregon, Sim B. [ryan] Beemer of Conway, John [Howard] Beemer of Sumner, Mo.  Also by one sister, Mrs. Myrtle [Olive] Brazier of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

[Beemer, Beth Carolyn]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    April 9, 1936    p. 2

Beth Caroline Beemer, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sim Beemer of Conway, and a senior in the Conway high school, died at her home there Sunday night.

Infection, which followed a minor surgical operation, is given as the cause of her death.

[Beemer, Beth Carolyn]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 9, 1936     [p. 1]

Miss Beth Beemer, 18, Dies Near Conway

Miss Beth Beemer, 18, died at her home near Conway Sunday evening, April 5, following an illness of only a few hours. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Conway Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. A. Wall of Conway and Rev. A. S. Hutcheson of Sharpsburg. Burial was in the Conway cemetery.

Beth Carolyn Beemer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Simmie Beemer of Conway, was born at Conway, Nov. 20, 1917. She attended the Conway schools and was a member of this yearÕs graduating class of the Conway high school.

She is survived by four brothers, Virgil, Dean, Bryce and Dale; by four sisters, Betty, Joyce, Mary Lou, and Alice Ann; by her grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Beth was of a bright and sunny disposition and to know her was to love her. Despite failing health she was uncomplaining and ambitious, always striving to do her part. She will be greatly missed, not only in the home circle, but in the group of her young friends in the high school and in the community.

[Beemer, Beth Carolyn]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 9, 1936    p. 2

CONWAY

Beth Beemer Dies At Home Sunday

The Conway community was shocked and deeply saddened Monday morning when it was learned Beth [Carolyn] Beemer, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simmie Beemer, had passed away Sunday evening at their home south of Conway.

While Beth had been in poor health for some time, her condition was not considered serious until Sunday morning, when she was taken suddenly worse. All that her family, relatives, friends and physicians could do was of no avail, and her brave youthful spirit surrendered to death in a few hours.

Conway teachers and pupils are grief stricken at the loss, as Beth was a member of the senior class. She was an unusually bright and devoted student and a favorite with teachers, as well as pupils. The entire school, as well as the community, extends sincere sympathy to her parents, brothers and sisters.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Conway Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. S. Hutcheson of Sharpsburg, and assisted by Rev. J. A. Wall of Conway. Burial was in the Conway cemetery. The boys of the senior class acted as pallbearers and the senior class girls as flower girls.

[Beemer, Bryce O. ÒSpikeÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 4, 1980    p. 10

Services For Spike Beemer August 27

Bryce O. (Spike) Beemer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sim Beemer of Conway, died August 23 following a massive coronary suffered while camping in the mountains near his home in Cody, Wyoming. He was fifty-one years old.

He was born May 4,1929 near Conway where he spent his childhood days. He was united in marriage with Beverly Ruth Barnett in 1949 at the Conway Methodist Church.

Mr. Beemer was employed as a lineman by the Department of Energy. The family had resided in Wyoming for twenty-nine years. He was a past exalted ruler of the Cody Elks Lodge and a former district deputy grand exalted ruler. He was a member of Professional Ski Instructors, the Cody Volunteer Fire Department, and the Eagles Lodge.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly; his parents, one son, Jack and wife, Linn of Palmer, Alaska; two daughters, Janet Woodenlegs and Connie Cook and husband, Rich, all of Cody; three granddaughters, Jackie and Jona Woodenlegs and Kelly Beemer; two grandsons, Colton Beemer and Clinton Cook; five brothers, Virgil, Dale and Jerry, all of Conway, Dean of Cody and Tim of Blair, Nebraska; five sisters, Betty Boyer of Clearfield, Joyce Ridnour of Walnut, Lu Schofield of Lenox, Alice A. Miller of Grant City, Missouri, and Sally Hensley of Corning, many aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews.

Services were held Wednesday, August 27 at the Ballard Funeral Chapel in Cody with officers of the Cody Elks Lodge #1611 officiating. Cremation followed.

Attending the services were Mr. and Mrs. Sim Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Beemer, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Houchin, Tim Beemer, Sally Hensley, Joyce Ridnour, Lu Schofield, and Alice A. Miller.

[Beemer, Eula Ferne Hicks]

Gravity Independent

Thursday    July 6, 1939    [p. 1]

Mrs. Eula Beemer

Mrs. Eula [Ferne] Beemer, daughter of Seymour [Clayton] Hicks, with whom she made her home, was found dead in her bed Sunday about noon. She had been in poor health for some time but was better the last few days before her death, and came from the farm to Gravity Saturday with her son Harold.

As she was not in the habit of getting up for breakfast with the family during her illness, they thought nothing of her absence until about the dinner hour when Harold went to her room to call her.

He was unable to arouse her.  Dr. Reed was called at once and hurried to the farm home six miles northwest of Gravity, where he found her dead of apoplexy, and stated that she had been dead several hours, probably passing away instantly with the attack sometime during the night.

The body was taken to a funeral home at Bedford where it was prepared for burial and where it remained until Wednesday when it was brought to the Christian church here, where at two oÕclock in the afternoon the funeral was held.

The service was in charge of Rev. Eppard of Clarinda, a former pastor of the Christian church here, and burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

She leaves to mourn, her father, Seymour [Clayton] Hicks, one son Harold [Jay] Beemer and wife, one brother, Roy [Allen Elroy] Hicks and family, and many other relatives and friends.

[Beemer, Eula Ferne Hicks]

Gravity Independent

Thursday    July 6, 1939    [p. 1]

Eula Ferne Beemer

Eula Ferne Beemer, daughter of Seymour [Clayton] and Allie [Alma Russell] Hicks was born November 4, 1895 and departed from this life July 2, 1939 at her home in Dallas Township.

On October 8, 1913 she was, united in marriage to Jay E. [merson] Beemer. To this union one son, Harold [Jay] was born, who with her father and brother, all of Gravity, survive besides several nieces and nephews and her many friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Jessie [Lee], March 17th, 1930; and her mother Feb. 11th, 1931.

Always a loving and helpful mother and friend she will be greatly missed by her family as well as all who knew her.

"You're gone but we'll not

forget you;

And every day that goes by

We'll be thinking and loving

your memory,

Until the day we die."

[Beemer, Eula Ferne Hicks]

Gravity Independent

Thursday    July 6, 1939    p. 2

Mrs. Durward Lister and little son of Chariton came Friday evening for a visit at the home of her parents, Roy [Allen Elroy] Hicks and wife. Mr. Lister came Monday night. They returned home last evening after attending the funeral of Mrs. Lister's aunt, Mrs. Eula [Ferne] Beemer.

[Beemer, Eula Ferne Hicks]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 6, 1939    p. 7

GRAVITY

Mrs. Beemer Succumbs

Mrs. Eula [Ferne] Beemer, 45, died at her home northwest of Gravity Sunday morning. She had been in poor health for some time. Funeral services were held in the Christian church Wednesday afternoon.

She is survived by her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Beemer; her aged father, S. [eymour] C. [layton] Hicks; and a brother, Roy [Allen Elroy] Hicks, all of this community.

[Beemer, Eula Ferne Hicks]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    July 6, 1939    [p. 1]

Gravity Woman Dies Suddenly

Had Been Dead Twelve Hours When Found.

When she failed to answer the family's call for dinner Sunday noon, an investigation revealed the sudden death of Mrs. Eula [Ferne] Beemer, 46, at her home in Gravity.

Having been troubled with high blood pressure, her physician had recommended that her rest be undisturbed. It was not unusual for her to sleep late, members of the family said.

When her death became apparent, Dr. L. T. Reed, Gravity physician, was called who pronounced death had occurred about 12 hours prior to his arrival. Death was attributed to a bursted vein following a light stroke.

Surviving are a son, Harold [Jay]; her aged father, Seymour [Clayton] Hicks, and a brother, Roy [Allen Elroy] Hicks, all of Gravity.

Rites were held Wednesday afternoon from the Gravity Christian church.

[Beemer, Fern Nellie Coy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 28, 1983    p. 4

Services To Be April 28 For Fern Beemer

Services for Fern (Mrs. Judd) Beemer, Gravity, will be held Thursday, April 28 at 2 p.m. at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment will be in Washington Cemetery in Gravity.

Mrs. Beemer died April 25 at the Lenox Care Center in Lenox.

[Beemer, Fern Nellie Coy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 5, 1983    p. 8

Ferne Beemer, 84, Last Rites Were Held April 28

Funeral services for Mrs. Judson J. Beemer, 84, of Gravity, were held April 28 in

Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. Beemer died April 25, 1983 in Lenox Care Center. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Ferne Nellie Coy Beemer, daughter of Lewis A. [shford] Coy and Anna Belle Savage Coy, was born east of Gravity in Taylor County Iowa August 25, 1898. She grew to maturity in the Gravity community where she attended the rural and Gravity High School.

On February 20, 1919 she was united in marriage to Judson J. Beemer at the Methodist parsonage in Clarinda, Iowa. They were granted 64 years of married life together and lived on the farm north of Gravity in the Oak Hill area.

To this union, one son, Quentin, was born to bless this home and to share their love.

She was a member of the Methodist Church and the Order of Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Earl Coy, and a sister who died in infancy.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Judson J. Beemer; son, Quentin, and his wife, Lorene; three grandchildren: Gary Beemer and his wife Judy, Linda and her husband, John Von Heeder, Jerry Beemer and his wife, Lydia; 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Nolan Coy, and his wife, Cleo; sister-in-law Eva Coy; Ed Lock was taken into her home as a young boy and he shared the love of her parents and was raised as a brother; other relatives and friends.

Her family and many friends will remember her as a kind and considerate loved one and she will be sadly missed by all those who knew her.

[Beemer, Judson J.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 11, 1985    p. 4

Judson J. Beemer services held

Funeral services for Judson J. Beemer, 85, were held April 1 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was at Washington Cemetery in Gravity, Ia. Mr. Beemer died March 28, 1985 at Colonial Manor in Corning, Ia.

Judson J. Beemer, son of Sealy [Seely Judson] and Mary [Amanda Cram] Beemer was born in Taylor County October 18, 1899. On February 20, 1919 he was united in marriage to Ferne Coy, at Clarinda, Iowa and they lived their entire lives in Taylor County. To this union one son, Quentin, was born.

Judson was engaged in farming and auctioneering. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and two brothers (George and Frank). Left to cherish his memory are: son Quentin, and his wife Lorene, brother Jay of Sterling, Colorado, grandchildren, Gary and wife Judy and their children Adele, LaRon [Duane], and Monte of Memphis, Mo., Linda and husband John and their children Twila, Roy, Wes, and Lee; Jerry and his wife Lydia and their children Jolene, Karen, Duane, and Ronda, and many other relatives, neighbors and friends.

[Beemer, Florence Erdine Johnston]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 8, 1940    p. 7

GRAVITY

Mrs. Beemer Succumbs

Mrs. George Beemer, Sr., died at her home in north Gravity Sunday morning. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church.

[Beemer, Florence Erdine Johnston]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 15, 1940    p. 3

GRAVITY

Obituary – Mrs. Geo. Beemer

Florence Erdine Beemer, daughter of Hermanus and Martha [Cowman] Johnson [Johnston], was born in Taylor County July 19, 1873 and died Sunday, Feb. 4, aged 66 years, 6 months and 16 days. Her entire life was spent in Taylor County and in Holt Township, with the exception of the last seventeen years. On Feb. 8, 1923 she moved to her home in Gravity, where she lived until her death.

On March 30, 1893 she was married to George W. [ashington] Beemer and to this union four sons were born. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband; four sons, Herman [Judson] Beemer of Lenox, Homer [Johnston], Hudson [Dewey] and Horace Beemer of Gravity; eight grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Luna Morris of San Jose, Calif., and Mrs. Lottie McColm of Gravity; two brothers, Will Johnson [William Andrew Johnston] and Bud Johnson [Johnston] of Gravity.

In the year 1914 she joined the Oak Hill church and always followed a true Christian life. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother. During her illness she was always patient and cheerful. None ever entered her home without a warm welcome and none left without feeling the warmth of a genuine hospitality. With her passing goes out the life of a kind neighbor and a true Christian woman.

The funeral sermon was given by Rev. W. F. Biggerstaff, pastor of the Free Methodist church, Tuesday afternoon. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

[Beemer, Florence Erdine Johnston]

Gravity Independent

Thursday    February 8, 1940    [p. 1]

Many Attend Funeral Tuesday

The Methodist church was crowded to capacity Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, when friends and relatives gathered there to pay their last tribute of respect to a lifetime friend and neighbor, Mrs. George Beemer. After an illness of several months, during which time everything possible for human hands to do was done but to no avail, she passed peacefully into the Beyond Sunday morning at about 9:45.

The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. W. F. Biggerstaff, pastor of the Free Methodist church. The music was by a mixed quartet composed of George Roberts, Earl King, Mrs. Andy Nielsen and Mrs. Albert Levi, with Mrs. Crouse as accompanist, and the songs were selected by the deceased, being the same that were used at the funeral service of her sister, Miss Minnie Johnston. The pallbearers were G E. Smith, Albert Levi, Supt. Hefley, Ed Lock, Glen Lock and Kenneth Meyers. The floral tributes were extensive and beautiful. The body was laid to rest in the local cemetery.

The following obituary was read at the service:

Florence Erdine Beemer, daughter of Hermanus and Martha [Cowman] Johnston, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, July 19, 1873, and departed from this life, Feb. 4, 1940, age 66 years, 6 months and 16 days.

Her entire life was spent in Taylor County, in Holt Township, with the exception of the last 17 years. On February 8, 1923, she moved to her home in Gravity where she lived until her death.

On March 30, 1893, she was united in marriage to George W. [ashington] Beemer and to this union four sons were born, all of whom survive her.

She leaves to mourn her loss her husband; four sons; Herman [Judson], of Lenox, Homer [Johnston], Hudson [Dewey] and Horace, of Gravity; eight grandchildren; two sisters; Mrs. Luna Morris of San Jose, California, and Mrs. Lottie McColm of Gravity; two brothers: Will [William Andrew] and Bud also of Gravity.

In the year 1914 she joined with the Oak Hill church and always followed a true Christian life.

She has always been a loving wife and a devoted mother. During her illness she was always patient and cheerful. When the inevitable declared its rights, she met it willingly, telling her loved ones, "Not to grieve for I will be much better off." Her faith will be her reward and our satisfaction.

None ever entered her home without a warm welcome and none left without feeling the warmth of a genuine hospitality. With her passing goes out the life of a kind neighbor and a true Christian woman.

Gone is the face we loved so

dear,

Silent the voice we loved to

hear.

Too far away for sight or

speech,

But not too far for thought

to reach.

Sweet to remember her who

once was here,

And though silent is just as

dear.

[Beemer, Florence Erdine Johnston]

Gravity Independent

Thursday    February 8, 1940    [p. 1]

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Norris, Sr., and Mrs. Elmoria Sumner and son, all of Oregon, Missouri, attended the funeral of Mrs. [George Washington] Beemer [Florence Erdine Johnston], cousins of deceased.