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

[Ailshie, Harry Elvin "Jack"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   November 10, 1966

Harry Ailshie, 68, Rites Nov. 2

Funeral services for Harry Elvin Ailshie, 68, of Clarinda, formerly of Taylor County, were held November 2 at Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda. Mr. Ailshie died October 31, 1966 at the Gillespie Nursing Home In Clarinda. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Mr. Ailshie was born near Athelstan [December 14, 1897]. On Jan 9, 1923 he was married to Miss Pearl Douglas of Bedford. They made their home in Taylor county until 1952 when they moved to, Clarinda.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl; a daughter, Mrs. Don (Evelyn) Maxwell of Clarinda; grandchildren Larry Maxwell of Des Moines and Linda Maxwell at home.

Mr. Ailshie had farmed most of his life, working as oil station man at Bedford and in Clarinda was city police and more recently employed at Mental Health Institute.

[Note:  Source of birth date: Social Security Death Index and World War I Draft Registration Card]

[Ailshie, James Frank]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    September 21, 1944    p. 8

Athelstan

A large crowd attended the funeral service here Sunday of [James] Frank Ailshie who passed away near Bedford. Burial was also at the Athelstan cemetery.

[Ailshie, John Morris]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     February 25, 1926    p. 6

Athelstan

Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Barber and Mrs. Alice Kinser of Topeka, Kansas, and Mrs. Susie Sickels of Athol, Kansas, who were called here by the death of their father, John [Morris] Ailshie, returned home Friday.

[Ailshie, Minnie Mae Meddles]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     July 3, 1947    [p. 1]

Mrs. Ailshie Dies After Heart AttaCK

Mrs. J. [ames] F. [rank] Ailshie [Minnie Mae Meddles] of southeast of Bedford, died unexpectedly following a heart attack at her home about 10:30 o'clock Saturday night, soon after she had returned from town with her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Harry ÒJack" Ailshie.

The funeral services were held at the Community Church in Athelstan Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. George W. Swan of the Bedford Christian Church. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Ailshie, Minnie Mae Meddles]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     July 3, 1947    p. 8

Obituary - Mrs. Minnie Ailshie

Minnie Mae Ailshie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Meddles [Missouri Jane McCormick], was born in Taylor County, near Athelstan, Iowa, October 26, 1877, being aged 69 years, 8 months and 2 days at the time of her death. She joined the Mt. Zion Baptist church at an early age.

She was married to [James] Frank Ailshie on November 27, 1895. To them two children were born, a daughter who died at birth and one son, Harry E. [lvin] Ailshie.

Mr. Ailshie died Sept. 15, 1944. Her father, mother and one sister preceded her in death.

Mrs. Ailshie is survived by her son, Harry E. [lvin] Ailshie and wife [Pearl Douglas]; one granddaughter, Mrs: Evelyn Maxwell and husband [Don] of Bedford; one sister, Mrs. Cora [Belle] Greer; and one brother Walter [Wallace] Meddles of St. Joseph, Missouri.

The funeral services were held at the Community Church in Athelstan, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. George W. Swan. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Barber, Margaret]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 13, 1974    p. 8

Margaret J. Barber Dies in Kansas City

Graveside services for Margaret J. Barber, 84, were held at Athelstan Cemetery June 9, conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell. Funeral services had been conducted at the C. H. Blackman and Sons Funeral Home in Kansas City June 8. Miss Barber died in a Kansas City hospital June 8, 1974.

Margaret J. Barber was born near Athelstan February 11, 1890. She had been employed in the Kansas City area for many years.

She is survived by one sister, Katharine Barber, who had been with her.

[Busby, Thomas Alderson]

Maryville Daily Forum

Friday    February 5, 1943    [p. 1]

Thomas Busby, Farm Hand, Is Killed When Hit by Falling Tree

Funeral services were held at 10 oÕclock this morning at the Swanson funeral home in Hopkins for Thomas A. [lderson] Busby, 72 years of age, a farm hand, who was killed about 4 oÕclock Wednesday afternoon by a falling tree while working in the timber.  Rev. Orlo Lincoln, pastor of the Christian church at Hopkins, officiated and burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

Death was accidentally caused by a falling tree which struck his head and chest, crushing his head, according to Dr. W. R. Jackson, coroner, who was called.  Mr. Busby, who was working in the timber with a neighbor, John Daugherty, at the time of the accident occurred, had resided in the Good Hope community, west of Hopkins, about three years.

He is survived by three sons, Harley and Harvey Busby, St. Joseph, and W. T. Busby, Cheyenne, Wyo.

[Busby, Thomas Alderson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 11, 1943    p. 2

HOPKINS

KILLED BY FALLING TREE

Thomas Busby Died Instantly At His Farm Home

Thomas [Alderson] Busby, 72, met a tragic death Wednesday afternoon when a tree he was felling in the timber fell on him crushing him to death instantly. John O'Dougherty, a neighbor, was working near him. Mr. Busby was employed by Tiner Miller, a farmer and stockman residing six miles west of Hopkins.

Services were held at the Swanson Funeral Home Friday morning, conducted by Rev. O. S. Lincoln. Burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

He is survived by three sons, Rev. Harley Busby, and Harvey Busby of St. Joseph, and W. T. Busby of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

[Busby, Thomas Alderson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 11, 1943    p. 2

HOPKINS

Rev. and Mrs. Harley Busby and little son, and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Busby of St. Joseph came to attend the funeral services for their father, Thomas [Alderson] Busby. They were over night guests Thursday of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Ulmer.

[Fine, Lela Edith Talkington Snyder]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 11, 1995    p. 8

LELA EDITH FINE

Lela Edith Fine, daughter of George Henry and Mary Celia Moran Talkington was born December 8, 1898 near Sheridan, Mo. and passed away Jan. 3, 1995 at Bedford Manor Nursing Home at the age of 96 years, and 25 days.

Lela joined the Methodist Church at an early age and served her Master faithfully for over 60 years until her health failed.

She was united in marriage to Leland Bryon Snyder on September 23, 1923 in the Bedford Methodist Church. Leland's death occurred in December of 1938.

On January 18, 1958 she was united in marriage to Clarence Warren Fine in the New Market Methodist Church and they resided on a farm south of Siam, Iowa until Clarence's death in 1961.

In March of 1961 Lela moved to Bedford where she made her home and worked in homes caring for the elderly and also at the Armstrong Nursing Home. She spent most of her life in Taylor County except for a number of years after her first husband's death when she worked in Cheyenne, Wyo. and Kansas City, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Leland Snyder, and her second husband, Clarence Fine, also seven brothers and one sister who died in infancy.

She is survived by her stepson, Richard Fine and wife, Barbara and their three children from Hightstown, N.J. and her sister, Minnie Richey and husband, Howard Richey from Sun City, Ariz, and four nieces and six nephews.

Funeral services were held at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 6 with Rev. Darrell Dennis of Chugwater, Wyo. presiding. Burial was in the Bedford Fairview Cemetery.

Lela was a kind, loving Christian woman who will be missed by her loved ones, neighbors and friends.

[Hunt, Elnora Margaret Richardson]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 11, 1995    p. 8

ELNORA MARGARET HUNT

Today we thank almighty God for the life and faithful witness of Elnora Margaret Hunt, "Grandma" to all of us who knew and loved her. "Grandma's" life journey of nearly 97 years began on April 13, 1898, when she was born, one of four children, to Winfield and Susan Irwin Richardson in Holt Township, Taylor County, Iowa. "Grandma" died on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 1995 at the Maple Crest Care Center where she had resided for nearly six years at the age of 96 years, eight months and 22 days.

After completing her schooling, Elnora worked for a few years in an office, and after her marriage, she helped operate a farm for many years. Later she also provided "in-home" care for an elderly friend.

Elnora married Walter Raymond Hunt in Corning, Iowa on December 23, 1920 and they became the parents of two children, Raymond and Mildred.

Elnora's parents, her siblings, Cora White, Katherine Roberts and James Richardson, her husband, Walter, as well as her children, Raymond and Mildred, all preceded her in death.

Surviving Elnora are her daughter-in-law, Donna Hunt of Omaha; grandsons, Ronald Kinsella of Yellville, Ark. and Donald Hunt of Lincoln, Neb.; granddaughters Christy Capellupo of Omaha, Neb.; Caren Leahy of Fremont, Neb.; and Cathy Hunt of Omaha; along with 11 great grandchildren.

We remember and love Elnora for her strong faith, her love of family and especially the younger children and grandchildren and her delightful sense of humor. She worked hard during her life and in her later years enjoyed sewing and reading, especially western novels.

"Thank You, God for Grandma Elnora." Today as we commend her to God's eternal care and peace, we also draw strength from what we remember and love about her, especially her faith in Jesus as her Lord. At last God has given her true and eternal peace.

[Kernen, Kenneth Raymond "Ray"]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

Ray Kernen

Funeral services for Ray Kernen, age 83, who died at the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center on Wednesday, November 11, 1998 were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 1998 at the United Methodist Church in Bedford with Pastor Ruth Melick officiating. Burial was held in the Lexington Cemetery. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Kenneth Raymond Kernen was born to Levi and Lula Humphrey Kernen on August 8, 1915 north of the Lake of Three Fires. He attended the Hess Country School (which is now located at the Taylor County Museum) and graduated from the Bedford Community High School in 1932. On October 9, 1936 he was united in marriage to Opal [May] Wintermute in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Ray and Opal made their home in Conway for several years where he owned and operated a hardware store. During this time he was also farming with his father in law on a farm located on the Lenox Road. In 1940 he and Opal moved to that farm and continued the farming operation until 1978 when they moved to Bedford. During this time Ray attended some classes on sewing machine repair. For many years Ray and Opal operated a sewing machine repair business from their home.

Ray loved his farming operation, working on the tractors, gardening and canning. Along with his sewing machine repair business, Ray kept himself quite busy, but never too busy for a good chat with his friends. Many a day you could find Ray sitting on the bench outside his home or walking his dog. Rarely alone, however, as Ray seemed capable of pulling people in off of the streets for a good conversation. Ray would always wave at you as you drove by, and tease you if you stopped to chat.

Ray provided the public address system for the Taylor County Fair for over thirty-seven years. He and Opal loved to square dance and did so for many years together. Once they moved to Bedford they would even have their friends over and square dance in their basement. Although Ray and Opal had no children of their own, he really loved them. He provided music and entertainment for the kids whenever he could.

Ray was a member of the Conway United Methodist Church and the Bedford United Methodist Church for over fifty years. He served on the Bedford City Council and was a very active member of the Taylor Masonic Lodge #156, A.F. & A.M. and the Order of the Eastern Star, Bedford Chapter #228.

Survivors include a brother, [Frederick] Dale Kernen and wife Beulah [May Matheny] of Conway; two nieces, Sandi Salen and husband Richard of Bedford; and Sonya Jones and husband Roger of Shenandoah; two nephews, Rick Kernen and wife Cathy of Auburn, Washington; and Randy Kernen and wife Robin of Conway; four great nephews and three great nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Lula and his wife Opal in 1995.

[Kernen, Opal May Wintermute]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 11, 1995    p. 8

OPAL KERNEN

Funeral services for Opal Kernen were held January 9, 1995 at the United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Evans officiating. Eastern Star services were conducted by Bedford Chapter #228, Order of Eastern Star. Burial was at Lexington Cemetery, rural Taylor County, Iowa.

Opal May Kernen, daughter of Harland G. [rant] and Lala Besco Wintermute, was born October 23, 1914 at Conway, Iowa and entered into eternal rest January 5,1995 in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 80 years, two months, 12 days.

Opal grew to maturity in Conway, where she attended school and was a member of the Methodist Church. Opal was united in marriage to Ray Kernen on October 8, 1936 in Shenandoah, Iowa and they made their home near Conway for many years. Ray and Opal operated a hardware store in Conway and later Opal proudly assumed the title "farm wife".

Upon retirement, the Kernens moved to Bedford, where Opal was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her loving husband, Ray, nieces and nephews, Sandi and Richard Salen, Rick and Cathy Kernen, Sonya and Roger Jones, and Randy and Robin Kernen. Also left to cherish her memory are her brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Beulah May Kernen; seven great nieces and nephews, cousins and numerous friends and neighbors. Opal was a loving and faithful mate to her husband Ray, a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews, and a kind and considerate friend to many. She will be greatly missed, and though we grieve, we also celebrate the life of Opal May Kernen, and the many blessings bestowed through her.

[Landon, James]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 17, 1935    [p. 1]

James Landon Succumbs

James Landon, a former resident of Siam, died at a hospital in Sheridan, Wyo., Jan. 9. He is survived by his wife, who was formerly the Miss Hattie Allen of Siam, two sons, William and Silas, and one daughter, Mrs. Pauline Meredith. He was a brother of Silas Landon of Bedford and a brother-in-law of Mrs. Arch Clayton of Siam.

[Leighton, Grace Evangeline Sherbeck]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 9, 1952    p. 4

Out-Of-Town Folks At Leighton Rites

Those attending the funeral services for Mrs. Roy Leighton [Grace Evangeline Sherbeck] from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Leighton and family, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Nicholson, Merion, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Leighton, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sahlie, Arcadia, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. C. [ecil] A. [madis] Douglass, Fort Morgan, Colo.; John Ridnour and Zona, Corning; Mr. and Mrs. Orval Ridnour, Nodaway; Mr. and Mrs. Don Leighton, West Liberty, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Wright, Keota, Iowa.

[Long, Minnie Mae Wirth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 30 1974    p. 7

Mrs. Lee Long Last Rites Held May 14

Funeral services for Mrs. Lee (Minnie [Mae]) Long, 72, of New Market were held May 14 at Walker Funeral Home with Pastor Loren Daly officiating. Mrs. Long died May 12, 1974 at the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda. Interment was at Memory Cemetery at New Market.

Mrs. Long was born August 15, 1901, in Taylor County, the daughter of John H. [enry] and Margaret Elzora Davison Wirth. On June 23, 1926, she was married to [Clarence] Lee Long at Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. Long have lived north of New Market and most of her life in Taylor County.

Mrs. Long is survived by her husband and four children: Herold [Allen] Long of Greeley, Colo., Donald Long of Nebraska City, Nebr., Mrs. Harold (Verla) Kirsch of Clarinda and Mrs. Jerry (Doris) Crowe of New Market. There are 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Three brothers are Ray Wirth of Corning, Floyd Wirth of Vancouver, Wash., and Paul Wirth of Bedford. Sisters are Mrs. Carrie [Alice] Brummett of New Market, Mrs. Harley (Grace) Diggs of Gravity, and Mrs. Roscoe (Leila) Schooling of Bedford. Mrs. Long was preceded in death by a brother, Charles, and one grandchild.

[Masters, Eula Minnie Gertrude Wintermute]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

Eula M. Masters

Eula Minnie Gertrude Masters was born March 5, 1903 at Conway, Iowa the daughter of Jesse and Bertha (Shapley) Wintermute. She grew up and was educated in Taylor County and graduated from Bedford High School with the class of 1921. She furthered her education by attending Cedar Falls Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate in 1925. She moved to Mapleton, Iowa for a teaching position where she then met Tom [Thomas] R. [onald] Masters. On June 22, 1929 Tom and Eula were united in marriage at Blockton, Iowa. The couple farmed in the Mapleton community where she also substituted teaching school. The couple retired in 1963 and moved into Mapleton. Tom died April 6, 1997.

Eula was a member of the Faith Bible Church in Mapleton as well as a former member of the Canasta Thursday Club. She developed a talent for arranging artificial flowers and did this for weddings, graduations and other special occasions.

Those survivors left to cherish her memory include one son and his wife, Dwight and Alice Masters of Mapleton, Iowa; one daughter and her husband, Kathryn and Raymond Haafke of Branson, Iowa; one daughter in law, Phyllis Masters of LeMars, Iowa; one brother, Hampton and his wife Agnes Wintermute of Maryville, Missouri; two sisters, Angelyn Vanderbur of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Gertrude Livingston of Fort Meyers, Florida; 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends.

Along with her husband, Eula was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Philip; an infant daughter, Elaine; a granddaughter, Judy Bramble; a great grandson, Christopher Bramble; and two brothers, Earl and Charles.

Services were held November 16, 1998 at Armstrong Chapel in Mapleton. Interment was at Center Cemetery in Castana, Iowa.

[Million, Barbara Ellen Padget]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 11, 1995    p. 8

BARBARA MILLION

Barbara Ellen (Padget) Million, daughter of Wilmer and Edith (Carruthers) Padget, was born in Davis County. She departed this life December 30 in Lenox, Iowa at the age of 83 years, eight months and 16 days.

Barbara grew to maturity in Davis County, where she attended country school and graduated from the eighth grade.

On August 15, 1928 Barbara was united in marriage to Clifford Allen Million at Troy, Iowa. They lived in Davis and Taylor Counties. To this union were born two children: Lillie Ellen and Lela Esther.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford, her parents Wilmer and Edith Padget; three brothers, Clell, Lale, and Paul; and one sister, Vetra Covert.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Lillie Blake and her husband Howard and Lela Kitterman and her husband John; two grandsons, Kenneth and Keith; one sister, Reva Wilkinson of Bloomfield; and two brothers Charles and Donald of Ottumwa, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was a member of the Sharpsburg United Methodist Church. She also attended the Sharpsburg Study Club and the United Methodist Ladies Aid. Barbara enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, and quilting, and her friends and family.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Arrangements were by Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home of Bedford.