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

 [Klepinger, Glea Elizabeth Bennett]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    February 4, 1998    p. 5

Glea Elizabeth Klepinger

Funeral services for Glea Klepinger, age 73, who died in Omaha, on Tuesday, January 27, 1998 were held at the Ritchie Funeral Home, Friday, January 30, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Nancy Ross officiating. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Glea Elizabeth Klepinger was born January 25, 1925, in Traer, Iowa. She lived in an orphanage until the age of seven when she was adopted by Lulah Grace Bennett, who was a Missionary for the Methodist Church. She attended the Chariton Community School graduating in 1943. She was united in marriage to Adrian Klepinger on August 6, 1954, in Chariton, Iowa. They have two sons, Steve and Ray.

Glea grew up in Chariton and was very close to her adopted mother. She always felt she had been "rescued" by her, and this had made her life whole. The boys have fond memories of their "Nana" while growing up and the love they all shared as a family. Coming home from school was always a treat, as Glea would have fresh baked cookies waiting for them. It can be said she spent her entire life devoted to the love and care of her family. Always putting others need before hers. Being sure Adrian got away to do some fishing, while she tended the bait Shop, Glea will be remembered as a vibrant person, always full of life and possessing a positive attitude even towards the end. She battled cancer for almost a year, always staying in good humor and chiding those around her, ever watchful that their needs were met before hers. She had a vibrant and joyful laugh which seemed to put everyone at ease. You always knew where you stood with Glea, she never "put on" that she was anything but a loving wife, mother and good friend. Family and friends were always allowed to be themselves and to have their own opinions, even if they differed from hers. Steve will remember her as the "anchor" of their family, always giving freely of herself, loving those around her and making sure they felt loved. Glea was a member of the Christian Presbyterian Church of Bedford.

Glea is survived by her loving husband, Adrian; two sons, Steve and wife Dale and their son Bryce of Houston, Texas and Ray and wife Linda and their children, Brandon, Brenton and Bridgette of Omaha, Nebraska; Adrian's parents, J.W. and Dorothy Klepinger of Newton; two brothers in law, Nick and wife Linda Klepinger of Monroe, and Dave, of Newton; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Lulah Grace Bennett.

[Bower, Guy Irving]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 13, 1970    p. 2

Guy I. Bower Rites In Osceola Burial Here

Funeral services for Guy I. [rving] Bower, 75, of Osceola, a native of Bedford, were held July 19 at Murray Church of Christ.  Mr. Bower died July 16, 1970 at Veterans Hospital in Des Moines, Ia.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.

Guy I. [rving] Bower was born October 29, 1894 in Taylor County, Iowa.

He attended school and grew to manhood in Taylor County.  He was drafted into service in World War I in August 1918 and served in Germany several months.

After returning from service he lived with his parents and helped care for his invalid father.

He was united in marriage to Ethel E. Patch on February 22, 1922.

To this union was born one daughter, Martha Louise.

He farmed in Taylor County until 1952 when he moved to a farm north of Murray in Clarke County.  He lived there until he was forced to retire and move to Osceola in 1969.

He was a member of the Christian Church all of his adult life.  He belonged to American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He also took an active part in different farm organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Nettie Bower, three brothers, Claude, Roy and Harold, two sisters, Eythel Helm and Hazel Horning.

Guy is survived by his wife, Ethel; daughter, Martha Louise and husband, Donald (Mick) Routh; two grandsons, Sgt. Donald L. Routh, Jr.  of Fort Bliss, Texas and Robert L. at home in Cresco, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Ruby Johnson of Clayton, Calif., and a host of relatives and friends.

[BOWER, GUY IRVING]
Clearfield Chronicle (Clearfield, Iowa), Thursday, July 23, 1970
Guy I. Bowers Rites at Murray
Guy I. [rving] Bowers, 75, a retired farmer, passed away at the Veterans hospital in Des Moines, Thursday, July 16th.
He was a native of Taylor County, having moved to Murray Community in 1952, where he lived until his retirement in 1960, moving to Osceola, Iowa.
He was born October 29, 1894, the son of Lewis and Minnie Saxton Bowers. He grew to manhood in Taylor County. He was united in marriage at Bedford, Feb. 22, 1922, to Ethel Patch and to this union was born one daughter, Mrs. Mick (Martha L.) Routh of Cresco, Iowa.
He is survived by his widow, Ethel, daughter, Martha; two grandsons, Bob and Don Routh; a sister, Mrs. Ruby Johnson of Clayton, Calif.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Final rites were conducted Sunday at 2:00 P. M. at the Murray Church of Christ with burial in the Fairview cemetery at Bedford, Iowa.
[Note: The last name is spelled Bower on his headstone.]

 [Sharp, Mary Snyder]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    December 14, 1988    p. 6

MARY SNYDER SHARP

Services for Mary W. Snyder Sharp, 99, were held December 6 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Marcia Smith Wood officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Sharp died December 2, 1988 at Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Mary W. Snyder Sharp, daughter of John H. and Jennie [Barner] Snyder was born at Taylor County, Iowa May 25, 1899 [1889]. She lived in and grew to maturity in Taylor County, Iowa where she attended the public school and First Christian Church.

On October 14, 1914 she was united in marriage to Ray M. Sharp at Bedford, Iowa and they lived in Des Moines and Bedford, Iowa.

To this union five children were born: Harold R., Carter Lake, Iowa; Glen L., Waterloo, Iowa; Pauline Stevens, Kaw City, Okla.; Jay T., Palos Verde, Calif.; and Helen Louise Hegwood, Omaha, Neb.

She was employed as a country schoolteacher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, five brothers and her husband, one great grandson, and one great great granddaughter.

Left to cherish her memory are her five children; 14 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and 19 great great grandchildren.

She was a member of First Christian Church, which later became the United Christian-Presbyterian Church, and Rebekah Lodge, Bedford, Iowa.

She was a kind and considerate mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Note:   Her gravestone gives her birth date as May 25, 1889 which is also the date given in the 1900 federal census.]

[Sharp, George Marion]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 23, 1934    p. 2

GRAVITY

MARION SHARP DIES

Was Father of Ray Sharp, Formerly of Bedford

[George] Marion Sharp, who had been in ill health for several months, died Thursday at his home in north Gravity. The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Christian church. Rev. E. J. Greene, former pastor, conducted the services. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

[Sharp, George Marion]

Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa)

Thursday    August 16, 1934    p. 12

OBITUARY

[George] Marion Sharp, the son of Ira and Daisy Sharp, was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 2, 1859, and passed from this earth at his home in Gravity, Iowa, August 16, 1934, at the age of 75 years and 14 days.

On May 18, 1889, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Effie May Morgan, from near Gravity.  To this union two children were born, Ray and Leo.  About three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sharp moved to Corning, where they lived until moving to Gravity in the spring of 1913 [?].  For years Mr. Sharp was employed at the Downing Market and while here made many friends in his business and social relationships.

After his death the body was brought to the Hilliard Funeral Home, and lay in state there until Saturday morning, when it was taken to Gravity.  He was converted soon after moving to Corning and transferred his membership to the Gravity Christian church shortly after moving there.  He soon became one of the most active members of the church and remained so until his health forced him to retire from active participation.  He was a deacon for a good many years and helped organized the Brotherhood Class, which built up a very active membership.  He is survived by his wife, Effie, and two children, Ray, who lives in Omaha, and [Ira] Leo, who lives in Des Moines.  He also leaves one sister, Mrs. C. O. Bristow, of Los Angeles, Calif.  MarionÕs unfailing good nature and friendly smile will be greatly missed by a host of friends in both Corning and Gravity.

The funeral service was held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 oÕclock in the Gravity Christian church, conducted by Rev. Joe Greene of Diagonal, a former pastor here, and also a close friend of the deceased.  Interment was in the Gravity cemetery.

[Barnes, Vernon O.]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    December 14, 1988    p. 6

VERNON O. BARNES

Vernon O. Barnes, 77, of Essex died Tuesday evening, Nov. 22, 1988 at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born July 18, 1911 in Atchison County, Mo., south of Hamburg, the son of Bird B. and Elva (Smith) Barnes. He grew up in the Hamburg area and received his education in the Hamburg schools

Vernon was married to Merna Smalley on June 3, 1931 at Riverton, Ia. and following their marriage they made their home in Hamburg for several years. Later they moved to a farm in Fremont Township north of Essex, Iowa where he farmed for 24 years before moving into Essex in 1979. He also had been in the trucking business and the past several years after his retirement from farming he was employed as night watchman at Earl May Seed and Nursery Co.

Funeral services were held November 28 at the First Christian Church in Shenandoah. The Rev. Laverne E. Leigh officiated and interment was at the Essex Cemetery. A memorial to the Christian Church is being established.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister Marie Driskell, and a brother Bert Barnes.

He is survived by his wife Merna of Essex; two sons David Barnes of Red Oak, Iowa; Dale Barnes of Clarinda, Iowa; one grandson Patrick Barnes and wife Carol of Rock Island, Ill.; one granddaughter Pamela Barnes of Red Oak, Iowa; and one great granddaughter Jessica Barnes. Also surviving are one sister Gertrude Bridges of Sebastopol, Calif.; one nephew Don Bridges and wife of Sacramento, Calif.; and a number of other relatives.

 [Hartley, John Milton]

Blockton News

Thursday    March 14, 1918    p. 5

Obituary

John Milton Hartley, son of Josephus and Sarah [Minor] Hartley, was born at Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1840.

He enlisted in the Union army in 1862 and served in the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry until the close of the war.

On October 17, 1869, he was united in marriage with Hannah Jane Keenan. There were born into this home nine children: Mrs. Omar [Stanton] Franklin [Sarah Isabel], Fort Morgan, Colorado; Mrs. J. [osiah] G. [wynne] Dowlin [Jessie], Blockton; Mrs. I. [saac] T. Skinner [Ora], deceased since January 9, 1916; Mrs. H. [arry] E. [rnest] Worthington [Virginia], Maloy; Mrs: R. D. Nelson [Eliza Iola], Denton, Texas; Hugh [Josephus] Hartley, Blockton; [John] Leslie Hartley, Mingo; Bernice and Georgia Hartley, Maloy.

Mr. Hartley with his family came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1874, where he resided on a farm until he moved to Maloy in 1892 and where for a number of years he has been engaged in business.

He united with the Christian church at Maloy in 1901, and served as elder in the church for a number of years. He was also one of the chief promoters in building the church at Maloy.

His death occurred March 3, 1918, at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 5 days.

He leaves not only the members of his immediate family, all of whom were present, but also a community of friends to mourn his loss.

The funeral services were held from the home Wednesday morning at 10:30, conducted by Rev. Stringfellow of Des Moines, pastor of the Maloy Christian church, and interment was made in the Platte River cemetery.

[Skinner, Ora Hartley]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    January 27, 1916   p. 5

CLEARFIELD

Mrs. Dan Ryan [Majenty May Skinner] returned home Friday from Fort Morgan, where she attended the funeral of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Isaac Skinner [Ora Hartley].

[Skinner, Ora Hartley]

Blockton News

Thursday    January 13, 1916    p. 4

Word was received here the first of the week that Mrs. Isaac Skinner, formerly Miss Ora Hartley of Maloy, died at her home near Fort Morgan, Colorado, Sunday. The cause of her death was pneumonia. Four children—a boy and three girls—are left motherless by her death. Mrs. J. [osiah] G. [wynne] Dowlin [Jessie Hartley] and Hugh [Josephus] Hartley, of this vicinity, and the Misses Georgia and Bernice Hartley, of Maloy, went to Fort Morgan last week on receipt of word that their sister was seriously ill.

 [Franklin, Sarah Isabel Hartley]

Greeley Daily Tribune (Greeley, Colorado)

Tuesday    April 9, 1957

MOTHER OF GREELEYITES DIES IN FORT MORGAN

Mrs. Sarah Isabelle [Isabel Hartley] Franklin, 86, mother of Mrs. Lester Arbuthnot [Mary Jane] and Dr. H. [ugh] L. [eslie] Franklin of Greeley, died Saturday morning in the Community hospital of Fort Morgan.

Born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Franklin was a resident of Fort Morgan for 39 years and of Cedaredge, Colo., for 11 years.  She had lived in Fort Morgan since 1929.  Her husband, Omar S. [tanton] Franklin, farmer, died in 1928.

Other survivors are: two sons, [Orra] Fay Franklin of Canon City and John [William] Franklin of Fort Morgan; a daughter, Audrey Franklin of Fort Morgan, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren; four sisters and one brother, all living in the East.  Another son, Otho [Wayne] Franklin, employee of the Greeley Tribune for 35 years, died Nov. 1, 1956.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock at Joliff-Cutler mortuary in Fort Morgan.  Burial followed there at Riverside cemetery.

[Hartley, Hugh Josephus]

Blockton News

Thursday    July 13, 1939    [p. 1]

Hugh Hartley Dead

Hugh [Josephus] Hartley became seriously ill on Friday and was taken to a St. Joseph hospital where he underwent a surgical operation that evening.  He is reported in a critical condition.

Later:  Death came to Mr. Hartley at the hospital about 6 oÕclock Tuesday evening.

Funeral services will be held this (Thursday) afternoon, at 4 oÕclock at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. [ohn] O. [rlan] Steen [Georgia], north of town, and burial in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Hartley, Hugh Josephus]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 13, 1939    p. 8

BLOCKTON

Hugh Hartley Dies

Hugh [Josephus] Hartley was taken seriously ill Thursday evening and taken to a St. Joseph hospital Friday afternoon, where he was operated on soon after his arrival there for perforated ulcers.  He passed away about four oÕclock Tuesday afternoon, July 11.

The funeral services were held this afternoon at 4 oÕclock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. [ohn] O. [rlan] Steen [Georgia Hartley] just north of Blockton.

[Hartley, Hugh Josephus]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    July 27, 1939     [p. 1]

Rites Thursday For H. J. Hartley

Funeral services were held Thursday from the J. [ohn] O. [rlan] Steen home near Blockton for Hugh [Josephus] Hartley, 55, who died July 11 at a St. Joseph hospital.

Surviving are his widow; two sons, John D. [ay] of Murdo, S. D., and Hugh K.[eenan] of Blockton; two grandchildren, Barbara Jo and Robert Doyle Hartley; five sisters, Mrs. Sarah [Isabel] Franklin, Fort Morgan, Colo., Mrs. H.[arry] E. [rnest] Worthington [Virginia] of Des Moines, Mrs. [Eliza] Iola Nelson, Hastings, N. Y., Mrs. Bernice Bailey, Mt. Vernon, N. Y., and Mrs. Steen [Georgia] of Blockton; and by a brother, J. [ohn] L. [eslie] Hartley of Mingo, Ia.

The rites were conducted by C. E. Stringfellow of Des Moines.  Burial was in the Blockton cemetery.

[Hartley, Hugh Josephus]

Blockton News

Thursday    July 20, 1939    p. 5

Obituary

Hugh Josephus Hartley was born near Blockton April 15,1884, and died in a St. Joseph, Mo., hospital July 11, 1939.

He was married to [Nina] Fern Carter Dec. 5, 1908. To this union were born John Day of Murdo, S. D.; Hugh Keenan of Blockton; Barbara Virginia who died Feb. 1928. Two grandchildren, Barbara Jo and Robert Doyle, also survive him.

Besides the immediate family he leaves five sisters and one brother—Mrs. Sarah [Isabel] Franklin, Ft. Morgan, Colo.; Mrs. H. [arry] E. [rnest] Worthington, [Virginia] Des Moines; Mrs. [Eliza] Iola Nelson, Hastings, N.Y.; J. [ohn] L.[eslie] Hartley, Mingo; Mrs. Bernice Bailey, Mt. Vernon, New York; Mrs. J. [ohn] O.[rlan] Steen [Georgia], Blockton.

He grew up in the Blockton community and spent all his life there except the last three years, which were spent at Gainesville, Mo.

He was a member of the Christian church at Maloy.

He possessed those qualities of character which drew to him a host of loyal friends. He was a neighbor that was loved and trusted by all who knew him, never failing to give of his time to help those who needed help. He especially loved little children, and both young and old were made happier by his kind and gentle nature. He was a man who lived life with faith and marked courage and who accepted it with the same strength and fortitude that characterized his whole life.

Funeral services were held at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. [ohn] O. [rlan] Steen, near Blockton, Thursday evening at 4 o'clock, conducted by C. E. Stringfellow of Des Moines. Burial in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Hartley, Hugh Josephus]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 27, 1939     p. 3

Obituary

H. J. Hartley

Hugh Josephus Hartley was born April 15, 1884 near Blockton, Iowa, and died July 11, 1939 in St. JosephÕs hospital, St. Joseph, Missouri.

He was married to [Nina] Fern Carter Dec. 5, 1908 by whom he is survived.

To this union two sons were born, John Day Hartley of Murdo, S. Dak., and Hugh Keenan Hartley of Blockton.  Barbara Virginia Hartley preceded him in death Feb. 19, 1928.  Two grandchildren, Barbara Jo and Robert Doyle Hartley also survive him.

Besides the immediate family, he leaves five sisters and one brother: Mrs. Sarah [Isabel] Franklin of Fort Morgan, Colo.; Mrs. H. [arry] E. [rnest] Worthington [Virginia] of Des Moines; Mrs. [Eliza] Iola Nelson of Hastings, N. Y.; J. [ohn] L.[eslie] Hartley of Mingo, Iowa; Mrs. Bernice H. Bailey of Mt. Vernon, New York; Mrs. J. [ohn] O. [rlan] Steen [Georgia] of Blockton.

He grew up in the Blockton community and spent all his life there except the last three years, which were spent in Gainesville, Missouri.

He was a member of the Christian church of Maloy.

He possessed those qualities of character which drew to him a host of loyal friends.  He was a neighbor that was loved and trusted by all, never failing to give all of his time to help those who needed him.

The funeral services were held at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. [ohn] O. [rlan] Steen near Blockton on Thursday, July 13, 1939, at 4:00 p. m. conducted by C. E. Stringfellow of Des Moines.  Burial was in the Blockton cemetery.

[Hartley, Barbara Virginia]

Blockton News

Thursday    February 23, 1928    [p. 1]

Barbara Virginia Hartley, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh  [Josephus] Hartley, [Nina Fern Carter] was born August 23, 1927, and died Sunday, February 19, 1928, aged 5 months and 26 days.

While never very strong her death was a severe shock to the parents.  While this little soul returns to God who gave it, unscathed and unspotted by its short conflict in this sinful world, it leaves behind without detracting from its own brightness, a path of light that will ever serve as a guide to those with whom it came in touch.

Besides the parents she leaves two brothers, John Day and [Hugh] Keenan, and other relatives to mourn her untimely death.

The bereaved family have the sympathy of all in this sad hour of their bereavement.

Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. Max Buck, and the little one was laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Mattes, Adolph Clifford]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    December 14, 1988    p. 6

ADOLPH CLIFFORD MATTES

Services for Adolph Mattes, 76, Bedford, were held December 8 at United Methodist Church in Bedford with Rev. Paul Shultz officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa. Mr. Mattes died December 5, 1988 at the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, Iowa.

Adolph Clifford Mattes, son of Louie Mattes and Mary Spiegel was born at Hamburg, Iowa April 16, 1912. He lived in Fremont County between Hamburg and Sidney and grew to maturity in that area where he attended the public school and the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

On June 30, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mary Louise Trivelpiece at Hamburg, Iowa, and they lived briefly in Fremont County, then 12 years in Adams County and 28 years in Taylor County. To this union three children were born: Karen, Debbie and Stanley.

He was engaged in farming for 52 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ralph, Paul and Albert.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Mary; son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Joan Mattes; daughter, Karen Mattes; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Norman Houchin, and their children Jamie, Jodie and Frankie; his sisters, Marie Richards, Leta McCall and Sophia Driever; and his brothers, Ernest Nook and George Mattes.

He was a member of the Bedford United Methodist Church; the Farm Bureau of Taylor County; the U.S. Army during World War II as an amphibious engineer; and the Taylor County Extension Council.

He was a kind and considerate husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.