Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 
 

Barnes, Kermit -

Kermit Barnes, 35, of Braddyville, Iowa, formerly of the Kent area, passed away Thursday, May 16, 1974 at his home after a lengthy illness. Mr. Barnes had farmed near Kent about ten years ago and was employed at the Lisle Corporation in Clarinda at the time he became ill.

Survivors are his wife, Arlene Nook Barnes, his children, Tammy, Michael and Andrea, his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Barnes, six half brothers, Virgil Dukes; Russell Dukes, Drexel Dukes, Ray Dukes, Martin Barnes and Randy Barnes, one half-sister, Mrs. Don Starlin and one step-sister Sandra. Kermit was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Dukes Barnes and a sister, Aneita (Barnes) Ambrose.

Services were held Saturday, May l8, 1974 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Clarinda with arrangements in charge of Walker Funeral Home. Burial was in the Clarinda cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 23, 1974

 

Barr, Russell -

Russell Barr, 72, of Kansas City, died July 18, 1974 at Olathe Hospital.  He was born in Adams County, Iowa, January 23, 1902, only son of Robert G. and Ida Bowman Barr.

In 1909 they moved to Lenox, Iowa, where Russell graduated from Lenox high school in 1920. Then Russell went to Des Moines where he graduated in Pharmacy from Des Moines University. He worked in Des Moines for several years and for the Katz Drug Stores in Kansas City many years.  He was presented with a plaque by Gov. Robert Ray, having served as a pharmacist for over 50 years.

He was married to Mildred Carey on June 23, 1928. She passed away July 4, 1971.

Survivors are this son, Robert Barr III and his wife Margie, daughter Gretchen and her husband, John Myers, grandchildren Donna, Robert IV, Patrick Barr and Joni Myers. Also a sister Ruth Mohler of Bedford, Iowa, and brother-in-law, Bryan D. Mohler.

Services were held July 22nd, 1974 at McGilley Chapel in Kansas City, Mo. with burial at Resurrection North near Kansas City, Missouri.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 25, 1974

 

Beadel, Tessa -

Mrs. Tessa Beadel, a former Lenox resident, passed away Monday afternoon in Carthage, Illinois.

The family will be at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home Thursday night,

Graveside services will be at 10:30 Friday morning at Fairview cemetery, Lenox.

She was an aunt of Reldon Beadel.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 11, 1974

 

Bridgeman, Lee F -

Lee F. Bridgeman of rural Lenox died unexpectedly Tuesday morning while working in the yard at his farm home northwest of Lenox.

Mr. Bridgeman had been chairman of the Adams county Democratic central committee for about ten years and had been elected for a new term, as chairman of the county committee at the county convention this spring.

Survivors include three sisters, Elizabeth of Lenox, Mary of Denver, Colorado, & Alice of Corning, 2 nieces and 5 nephews.

Rosary will be said at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox tonight at 8 pm

Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10 o'clock at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox with Fr. Daniel O'Connell officiating.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 18, 1974

 

Case. Roy Oliver -

Roy Case, 67, of rural Prescott and well known farmer of this area died at his home Saturday night.

Mr Case was born at Prescott Jan. 16, 1907, the son of John. W. and Alta Gillet Case. He was married Jan. 30, 1947, to Betty Young.

Survivors include his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Dave (Donna) Berg of Afton, and a brother, Lloyd Case of Roy, Utah.

His parents and a brother, Earl Case, preceded him in death,

Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at the Prescott United Church with Rev. Don Briley officiating. Roland Funeral Home in Corning was in charge of the services.

Burial was in West Fairview cemetery in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 19, 1974

 

Case, Roy Oliver -

Roy Oliver Case, son of John W. and Alta Gillet Case, was born on January 26, 1907 at Prescott, Iowa and passed away at the family home, rural Prescott on July 13, 1974 at the age of 67 years, 5 months and 17 days.

As a small child he moved with his family to the farm where he has lived his entire life. He attended rural schools and was graduated from Lenox high school.

He became a member of the Christian Church early in life. For several years he served as a deacon and at the age of 23 he became an elder. In the church, he has served as an elder continuously from that time. At the time of his death he was an elder in the Prescott United Church.

On January 30, 1947 he was married to Betty Young at the Christian Parsonage in Lenox. Their home was blessed in 1951 when they adopted Donna, who was six weeks old when she came to live with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Earl.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, and daughter Donna and husband, David Bung of Creston. A brother, Lloyd Case and wife Ann of Roy, Utah, three nieces, other relatives and a host of friends also survive. Roy was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

He loved to visit with neighbors and friends.  Roy has often said he never met a stranger.

[Poem]

Funeral services were held at the Prescott United Church on Wednesday, July 17 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Donald Briley officiating.

Music was furnished by Joyce Perry, organist and Helen Richie and Betty Pettit, vocalists.

Casket bearers were Armand Travis, James Rychnovsky, Ernest Spring, Leo Scott, Dick Pettit and Harold Clank.

Interment was in West Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 25, 1974

 

Dunn, Mildred Welch Jones -

Mrs. Harry (Mildred) Dunn, 65, of Lenox, died at the Rosary hospital to Corning Friday afternoon, July 12th,

Mildred Welch was born in Story county, Iowa, Feb. 11th, 1909. She was the daughter of J. L. and Dora Reid Welch. She was married to Harry Dunn at St. Anthony on Nov. 27, 1941.

Mrs. Dunn is survived by her husband, Harry, Mr. and Mrs. John Kitzman of Lenox, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Welch of Storm Lake, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Welch of St. Anthony, 9 grandchildren .and 2 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and first husband, Glen Calvin Jones.

She had lived in the St. Anthony and Zearing communities before moving to Lenox about six years ago.

Funeral services were held Monday, July 15th at 11 o'clock a.m. from St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox with Fr. Daniel O'Connell officiating.

Organist was Cecelia Schweers.

Bearers were Leo Evans, Dale Purdum, Elvin Miller, Earl Baker, Melvin Williams and Raymond Drew.

Interment was in North Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 18, 1974

 

Fitzgerald, Oma Gertrude Coffman -

Oma Gertrude Fitzgerald, daughter of Harry O. and Martha Carson Coffman was born November 4, 1895 at Osceola, Iowa, and passed away at Rosary Hospital in Corning, Iowa, April 29, 1974 at the age of 78 years, 5 months and 25 days.

On January, 22, 1927, she was united in marriage to Howard Fitzgerald in Creston, Iowa, and they lived in the Kent, Iowa area until they moved to a farm near Clearfield where they lived until 1970, when they moved to Clearview Home.

To this union one son, Thomas Edward was born, who now lives in Carlisle, Iowa.

She was preceded to death by her parents, three brothers, Melvin, Ross, and Floyd, and one sister, Pearl.

She leaves her husband, Howard and son, Thomas Edward and his wife Sharon and five grandchildren, Jim, John, Dave, Dale and granddaughter, Danette. Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Thelma Schmitt of Barstow, California, also nieces nephews and cousins.

She was an active member of the Methodist Church, R.N.A. and WSCS, the Legion Auxiliary and the Samba Club.

She leaves a host of friends and neighbors who will sadly miss her.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 23, 1974

 

Liddell, J A (Audrey) -

J. A, (Audrey) Liddell, son of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Liddell, was born February 13, 1904, in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and passed away May 31, 1974 at the Jennie Edmundson hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, following a brief illness. Mr. Liddell had undergone surgery on Thursday night.

He was married December 22, 1925 in Creston, Iowa, to Margaret Coulthard. The family lives at Griswold, Iowa, Route 2. Mr. Liddell was a farmer. He lived in southwest Iowa most of his life, and had lived in the Griswold community since 1941.

He is survived by his wife, 2 sons, Russell D. of Griswold and Duane E. of Villisca, two daughters, Mrs. Marion Houser and Mrs. Harold Brunk, both of Griswold, his father, J. T. Liddell of Lenox, three brothers, Orville of Corning, Iowa, Elvin of LaJunta, Colo., and Dale of Denver, Colo., two sisters, Mrs. Mildred Phippen and Mrs. Earl Morelock, both of Denver, Colo., 14 grandchildren and many other relatives and a host of friends.

He attended the United Methodist Church in Griswold, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Griswold June 3 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Richard Hohl in charge of the services. Interment was in the Lowman cemetery in Cass County, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 13, 1974

 

Parker, James C -

James C. Parker, 79, passed away June 17th, 1974 at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, after a lingering illness. Mr. Parker, the son of Frank and Belle Abarr Parker, was born September 7, 1894.

He was a farmer by profession, loved to till the soil and his entire life was spent on farms in Ringgold and Taylor counties.

He was a member of the Lenox Methodist Church and enjoyed attending services  as long as his health permitted.

He was a member of Topaz Lodge No. 438 of Kellerton, Ia.

On February 29, 1920 he was united in marriage to Frances Taylor at Mt Ayr, Iowa. To this union was born one son, Corwin of Villisca, Iowa. Mr. Parker was a kind and

generous husband, father and grandfather. He daily practiced the Golden Rule and was considerate and honest with his fellow men.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and two nephews.

He is survived by his devoted wife Frances, son Corwin and wife, Sylvia, two grandchildren Gordia Parrott of Atlantic, la,, and Norman of Villisca, two great grandchildren, Troy and Haley Dawn Parrott. Other survivors include two brothers and three sisters, Guy Parker and Estella Wright of Redding, Inez Parker and Ralph Parker of Des Moines and Sarah Tindle of Diagonal and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted from the United Methodist Church in Lenox Wednesday, June 19th at 2 p.m. Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiated.

Music was furnished by Norma Paymal, organist, with Billie Jean Barker and Marilyn Beck, vocalists.

Bearers were Paul Note. Lyle Knox, Glen Hughes, George Starks, Roscoe Brown and William Barrans.

Interment was in Rose Hill cemetery at Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 20, 1974

 

Ray, Pluma Lee -

Pluma Ray, a resident of the Lenox Care Center since 1982, died Thursday at the age of 75.

Pluma Lee Ray, eldest daughter of Louella Sellers and William Ray was born September 25, 1898 on a farm west of Clearfield, Iowa and passed away May 30, 1974 at the age of 75 years, 8 months and 5 days.

Pluma came to Lenox in 1937 at 29 years of age and made her home with an aunt Una Sellers McGrew and lived there until June 1956. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lenox.

Pluma survived polio at the age of 11 years and thereafter and until her death was a "wheelchair traveler" most of the time. There were many things and places to enjoy and

she learned to drive a hand operated car for a time.

She came to the Lenox Nursing home April 2, 1962, after being a welcome guest with her sister, Florence Symonds of Lenox and a few years assembling western ties for a friend, Dorothy DeVoe in Phoenix, Arizona.

Her parents and two brothers, Harold of Anita and Forrest of Albert City preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her passing her sister, Florence Symonds of the Lenox Nursing Home, 2 sisters-in-law, Yarda Ray of Albert City and Carrie Ray of Anita and several nieces and nephews, Darlene Rich of Cedar Rapids, Dean Symonds of Davenport, Dorothy Baker of Clearfield and Tom of Omaha, Nebr, Albert Nivens of Liberia, Africa and Kathleen and Roberta and her great nieces and nephews.

Pluma was always a cheerful, happy and loving person, never forgot a birthday and was a friend to all. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, June 1 from the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox with Rev. Floyd Newbrough, pastor of the United Methodist Church, officiating.

Music was furnished toy Marcia Bender, organist, with Marilyn Beck and Billie Jean Barker vocalists.

Bearers were Dean Symonds, Tom Symonds, Morris Rich, Gerald Baker, Jerry Baker and Everett Symonds.

Burial was in the Clearfield cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 6, 1974

 

Reed, Regina -

Regina Reed, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Reed, died Friday, June 28th at Children's Memorial hospital in Omaha, Nebr. The baby was 1 month and 13 days of age.

Services were held Sunday, June 30, 1974 at 2:00 o'clock at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home With Rev. Floyd Newbrough, pastor of the United Methodist Church officiating.

The baby is survived by her parents James and Tina Reed, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Reed, grandmother Betty Reed of Lenox, grandfather Gene Conley of Missouri, and great grandparents, Mrs. Edith McCormick of Lenox, Opal Camp of Creston and Lloyd Bartrum of Omaha.

Burial was in North Fairview cemetery in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 4, 1974

 

Riley, Etta Floy Anderson -

Etta Floy Anderson, oldest daughter of William Howard and Jennie Anderson, was born August 18, 1889 on a farm near Lenox, Iowa, and passed away at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa, at l:35 a.m. on May 12, 1974 at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 24 days.

Etta was united to marriage to Fred J. Riley on March 22, 1911, To this union were born three children, Walter Laverne, Leatha Jennie .and Wilbur Howard, who was killed on November 19, 1932.

She and Fred moved to Millerton in Wayne County, Iowa, in 1936. She was preceded in death by Fred, who passed away on April 16, 1954. She had joined the United Presbyterian Church when she was 12 years old, but in 1922 she and her husband became members of the Church of the Brethren at Salem near Lenox. Later, in 1973, she transferred to the United Methodist Church of Millerton. She was a dedicated member of the church, and served as Sunday School teacher and as president of the WSCS, now United Methodist Women. She was also very active in community affairs and served as president of the Millerton Garden Club for several years.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. W. LaVerne Riley of Des Moines, Iowa, her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Thompson of Millerton, la., her grandson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Thompson and Diana, a great granddaughter, all of Greenville, So. Carolina, her sister, Mrs. Lula Huffman of Harlingen, Texas, her brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. George M. Anderson of San Diego, California, many nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the Millerton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lawrence E. Jones officiating.

Graveside services were conducted at the burial site in Lenox, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 23, 1974

 

Rupf, Zoe -

Zoe Rupf, 70, of Denver, Colo, died Friday. She was born and raised  in the Lenox community but had lived in Colorado for many years. She was a retired secretary.

Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. Monday in St. Patrick's Catholic church in Lenox, with Rev. Fr O'Connell officiating.

She was born in Lenox, the daughter of Frank and Rose Rupf.

Survivors include two nephews, Ray Cheese of Lenox and Hal Cheese of Fort Collins, Colo., and two nieces, Lola Martindale of Clarinda and Miriam Shaw of San Francisco,

California,

Burial was in the Lenox cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 6, 1974

 

Underwood, Richard James -

Richard James Underwood, 53, of Sharpsburg, died Monday, June 24th after a long illness. He was the son of Clifford and Bessie Sweigard Underwood and was born near Sharpsburg October 3, 1920.

Mr. Underwood graduated in 1938 from the Sharpsburg high school and in 1942 enlisted in the navy and served his country during World War II until October of 1945.

On June 18, 1944 he was united in marriage to Theoma Mathews of Humbolt, Nebr. To this union were born 2 daughters, Mary Faye and Patricia Ann.

Richard farmed on the place he lived all his life until failing health left him unable to function in his work.

He was a lifelong member of the Sharpsburg United Presbyterian Church and the American Legion of Lenox. He served his community and church in several ways.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Theoma, daughters, Mary and husband, Denis Gibbs of Omaha, and daughter Patricia and husband David Miller of Sharpsburg, 2 grandchildren, Jill Marie and Susan Ann Miller, his mother, Bessie Underwood, an aunt, Mrs. Fritz Popken of Tomkins Cove, N.Y., and several other aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and baby sister.

His courage, patience and good humor throughout his illness proved an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Funeral services were held at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. Wallace Nelson officiating.

Organist was Mrs. John Cribbs.

Bearers were James L. Larson, Leonard Knott, Harold Carey, Howard Elder, Teddy Boyer and Jerry Rainforth.

Burial was in the Conway cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 27, 1974

 

Van Houten, Arthur A -

Arthur H. Van Houten, whose recent passing occurred  at his home in Davenport, Iowa, was born on a farm southwest of Lenox and attended, like many others of his and later generations, the one-room school at No. 4 Platte Township. His father had taught school there in the 70's. Arthur, the 7th in a family of twelve and fifth son, attended Lenox

schools different times when his father was postmaster at Lenox and before, when he was one of the early editors of the Time Table.

This was a pioneer family, the parents, George H. and Selina Jenks Van Houten, were children when Mr. Jenks brought his family to what became Taylor County. The Van

Houtens had been in Iowa earlier, had returned in the Mormon Western Movement and came up from Missouri where George was born enroute from the upper New York home long before the Civil War days. Arthur's parents grew up in the new country although George's father and others of the family fought through that war, he  took his horse to Missouri and joined the cavalry whose members were seeing fierce warfare by guerilla desperados. He  was there in his mid-teens during the last one and a half years of the great struggle.

Mr. Jenks built a new house of black walnut and had a post office in his home which, was several miles south of what is now Lenox. Arthur's Grandfather Jenks saw all but the small son answer President Lincoln's call, never to return home again.

Arthur attended high school shortly at Lenox, joined his father George at Des Moines, where legislature work, state agriculture and horticulture, historical and state fair affairs required the son's aid in the office. Later he was graduated from Iowa State College and did civil engineering in southern Idaho. Coming back home, he married a college friend, Pearl Johnson and returned west. Later they made their home in Iowa.

After our nation was forced into war, Arthur failed in the last physical examination in Officer's Training school but was able to join his friends in France. His ability to speak French and his hobby while recuperating from a long illness made him a valued aid to the harassed French army. This led him to becoming manager of French Army Transport.

Back home in Davenport to join his wife, son and daughter he engaged in Life Insurance work. This led to the office of estate analyst. Dr. Palmer, of chiropractic fame, was one of his clients.

Mrs. Van Houten was taken very ill, but with the help of day nurses at the home Arthur was able to keep up his office and care for his wife at night all through the long year of

her illness.

Later he married Alma Stafford, long a church friend of the family. She is left to mourn his passing. Besides his son, George of Davenport and daughter, Edith Young of Waterloo,

there are his sisters, Abi V. H. Dawson of Sprague, Wash, and Mary D. Bell, Christian Occupational Home for the Handicapped.

There are grandsons whose lives have been enriched by the influence of his simple, trusting faith. A nephew, George Barrans, resides in Lenox, and a cousin's daughter, Grace Stoner. Many nieces and nephews and their children survive.  Several of the third generation of this pioneer family spent all or part of their youth in Lenox

Like his father, George H. Van Houten, Arthur felt a deep interest in all the members of the clan, and was able to keep in touch and enjoy visits and letters.

All who mourn rejoice that a good life reach a good fulfillment.  If is often recalled that he prayed for each and every one of us daily.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 27, 1974