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

Boone, Marvin Lee -

Marvin Lee Boone, 3086 4th St., Boulder, Colo., died January 11 in Vail Hospital. He was 55.

Born in Lenox, Iowa on August 2, 1923 to Maurie and Edith Proud Boone, he was an iron worker and a member of Iron Workers Union No. 24 in Denver, Colo.

A veteran of World War II, Mr. Boone married Patricia Mellen December 6, 1952 in Idaho Springs, Colo. He had moved to that state from Iowa in 1948.

He is survived by his wife at home; his mother, Edith Boone of Cody, Wyo.; two sons, Mark William and Daniel M. Boone, both of Boulder; two daughters, Patricia Lee Boone

and Theresa Cline, both of Boulder; a brother Paul Boone of Cody, Wyo.; a sister, Margretta Kirkpatrick of Torrance, Calif.; and one grandchild.

Memorial services were January 15 at the First Presbyterian Church in Boulder with the Rev. Robert N. Oerter of the church officiating.

Mr. Boone was a brother-in-law of Joe Trost's daughter, Mrs. Paul (Margaret) Boone, now of Cody, Wyo., and a nephew of Lyle Proud of Kent.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 1979

 

Gates, Nettie Hood -

Mrs. Nettie Hood Gates died at the age of 91 on January 31, in Aurora, Colo. Her husband Siphorus Gates, preceded her in death in 1964.

Mr. Gates was a high school teacher in Lenox in 1922-23. The family moved to Loveland, Colo. in 1924.

Mrs. Gates was born in the Stringtown community in 1887.

She is survived by two sons and three daughters.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 14, 1979

 

Knox, John Cleveland -

John Cleveland Knox, son of John Jasper Knox and Lucy Etta Sargent Knox was born January 13, 1892 on the present Knox homestead, and died Mar. 1 at Rosary Hospital

in Corning at the age of 87.

He was united in marriage with Alberta Owens December 24, 1913. John was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clearfield, which he attended faithfully.

His wife Alberta preceded him in death December 9, 1978. John was very diligent in the care of his wife over her long illness and was a loving father.

Mr. Knox was preceded in death by his father, mother, two brothers, Bert and Howard; and four sisters, Dora Harvey, Blanche Bruner, Nellie Owens and Clara Knox.

Those of his devoted family surviving him are his son Lyle and two daughters, Mrs. Maxine Stevenson of Diagonal and Mrs. Hazel Lundberg of Denver, Colo.; a daughter-

in-law, two sons-in-law, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother-in-law and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Owens of Ellston, la. and many

kind neighbors, relatives and friends.

Services were conducted on Sat., Mar. 3 at the Clearfield United Methodist Church, Pastor Kevin R. Hoffman officiating.

Organist was Mrs. Walter Owens with music by Mrs. Richard Spurrier and Mrs. Harold Nelson. Casket bearers were Ivan Stephens, Charles Brott, Willis Wurster, John Lyddon,

LeRoy Beggs, and John Wilson.

Interment was in the Clearfield Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 7, 1979

 

Nissen, Wilma -

Helen Trost received word January 25 of the death of her sister, Mrs. Wilma Nissen, who lived in Detroit, Mich. Funeral services were held in Sioux City.

Helen and three of her grandchildren, Mark, Gina and Julie Reed drove to Sioux City on Sunday and attended the services Monday.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 1979

 

O'Connell, Homer Vincent -

Homer Vincent O'Connell, age 72, of R.R. Corning, passed away January 9, 1979 at his home where he had lived his whole life, after a long illness with lung cancer. The son of

Joseph Vincent O'Connell and Mary Ann Cain O'Connell, he was born November 11, 1906 in Holt township of Taylor County, Iowa.

On February 26, 1930, he was married to Sarah Nellie Lucas at St. Patrick's Church by Fr. M.J. Powers. This union was blessed on April 28, 1934 with the birth of a daughter, Bernadine LaVonne.

Homer was a member of the Iowa National Guard from 1923 to 1926, a member for 50 years of the Knights of Columbus, and a lifetime member of St. Patrick's

Catholic Church of Corning.

He was preceded in death by his mother on July 26, 1942; his father on January 28, 1965; his daughter and infant grandson, Joseph, on November 14, 1971.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie of R.R. Corning; a sister, Grace Marie O'Connell of Corning; a grandson, Timothy E. Matya of Shenandoah, la.; four granddaughters, Kathleen

Marie Matya Konecne of Lenox, Nancy Elizabeth Matya Voge of Portsmouth, la., Maureen Ann and Mary Michelle Matya of rural Corning; four great grandchildren,

Nathaniel Jon, Heather Rose, Nicholas Paul Matya of Shenandoah, la., Allen Patrick Konecne of Lenox, la. and a son-in-law, Thomas E. Matya, Jr. and wife Ferne.

Services were held in St. Patrick's Catholic Church January 11 at 10:00 a.m., and were performed by Msgr. John Kovacs, Jamie Hogan, alcolyte and Timothy E. Matya, lector and

eucharistic minister. Music was provided by Eleanor Kelly and the St. Patrick Church choir.

Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Corning.

Pallbearers were Harold Leonard, Arnold Leonard, Robbie Lundquist, Gene Cotter, Paul Richie and Tip Lucas. Honorary pallbearers were Willie Ryan, John Keefe, Raymond Richie,

Glen Van Houten, Clarence Russell, Henry Lundquist and Don Goodvin.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 1979

 

Pierce, Joe -

Joe Pierce, 88, of Los Angeles, Calif., died Sat., Mar. 10. He and his wife have visited the Cheese family and other relatives here. They had

many ties to this area and many friends here. The funeral was to be in Los Angeles.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 14, 1979

 

Schaffer, Elmer Jacob -

Elmer Jacob Schaffer, the son of Jacob and Mary Eberle Schaffer was born on a farm in Adams County near Prescott, and died at his home

near Kent on March 10 at the age of 80.

On March 16, 1927 he was united in marriage with Elsie Westerbeck in Ames. Following their marriage they farmed at the Lone Star Corner for two

years and then south of Prescott until 1954. They have lived in their present home the last 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Charles and three sisters, Clara Ran Decker, Cora O'Riley, and Lula Wurster.

He is survived by his wife Elsie Schaffer of Kent, a sister, Rose Wurster of Lenox, and many nieces and nephews who were very dear to him,

and a host of neighbors and friends.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday at l:30 p.m. at the Stringtown Community Church, the Rev. Gerald Rogers officiating. Burial was in

the West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox and a memorial was established for the Stringtown Church.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 14, 1979

 

Stillinger, Elizabeth Jane Smith -

Elizabeth Jane Stillinger, 78, of Red Oak died there March 27. The funeral was March 30 with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak.

The daughter of Joe and Jennie Smith, she was born in Nebraska November 26, 1900.

She married Merle Stillinger Feb. 28, 1925 at Elliott, la.

He died May 22, 1956. Mrs. Stillinger taught in a rural school, then worked for years at Murphy Memorial Hospital in Red Oak.

She leaves two sisters, Mrs. Roy Anderson of Red Oak and Mrs. Bessie Miller of Lenox, also nieces and nephews.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 4, 1979

 

Terry, Willie Lafayette (Bill) -

W. L (Bill) Terry, 75, died Saturday. Jan. 27, 1979 at the Lenox Care Center. He was a retired business man.

The service was Tues., Jan. 30 at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home, with Pastor Jack Cutbirth of the Lenox Christian Church officiating. Leta Crowell was organist.

Bearers were Mark Terry, Billy Terry, Denton Kidney, Richard Morgan, Fred Haynes and Stanley Ranck Interment was m West Fairview Cemetery.

Willie Layfette  [Lafayette] Terry, son of John William and Ellen Terry, was born near Shannon City, Sept 3. 1903, and passed away Jan 27, 1979 in Lenox.

On Dec. 30, 1925 he was united in marriage to Opal Van Winkle. This union was blessed with two children, Betty Louise and Billie Dale. Opal died in 1939.

Feb. 19, 1943 he was married to Mary Key at Maryville, Mo. They were parents of one son, Stephen

Bill was a member of the Lenox Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge. Ho was interested and active in civic affairs, having served on the light and water board,

the school board and for many years was on the volunteer fire department.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing on the farm where he lived as a child and in later years purchased. He also owned and operated a produce business in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 31, 1979

 

Thomas, Robert Hiram -

Services were held September 10 for Robert Hiram Thomas, 75, of Lenox at the Lenox First Christian Church with Rev. Jack Cutbirth officiating. Interment

was held at N. Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Robert Hiram Thomas, the son of Edward and Lillian Thomas was born October 17, 1903, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and passed away February 7, 1979, at

Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebr., where he had been a patient for 10 days.

He was united in marriage on May 15, 1928, to Anna C. Cohrs of Gallatin, Missouri.

In 1934 they moved to Conway area to farm and in 1944 they purchased a farm east of Bushville which they farmed until 1976, when they sold and moved

to 205 W. Michigan in Lenox, Iowa.

Hiram was active in community affairs such as Board Member of Adams County REA, Taylor County School Board, ASC Board Member as well as serving

on local school boards. In 1938 he became a member  of Masonic Lodge #348 in Conway and served as Master of that Lodge in 1942-43.

Hiram was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Anna C. Thomas of Lenox; two daughters, Marian Barrans of Lenox, Lillian

Leonard of rural Corning; and one son Robert Thomas of 0maha, Nebr., one brother Edward T. Thomas of Boss, Missouri and one sister Mary Moore

of St. Joseph, Mo.; eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 7, 1979

 

Walter, Fannie Velma Baker Beck -

Mrs. Fannie Walter, 82, died at 3:30 p.m., Fri., March 30 at Eden Hospital in Castro Valley, Calif.

She was a resident of Lenox but has been spending the winter with her daughter, Mrs. Jim (Wanda) Hensley in Hayward, Calif.

The body was brought to the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox Sunday, with visitation there Monday evening. The

funeral service was Tuesday, April 3 at the United Methodist Church, the Rev. W.C. Trembly officiating.

Interment was in the Clearfield Cemetery.

Mrs. Walter was born at Clearfield, the daughter of Frank and Mabel Sargent Baker.

In addition to her daughter in California; she leaves two sons, Wayne Beck of Lenox and Cecil Beck of Denver, Colo; a sister,

Mrs. Henry (Pearl) Beck, and a brother, Ernest Baker.

Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 4, 1979

 

Walter, Fannie Velma Baker Beck -

Fannie Walter, 82, of Lenox, died Friday, March 30 at the Eden Hospital in Castro Valley, Calif., due to complications of age. She had been ill for about three months.

Fannie Velma Baker was born November 23, 1896, at the home place northeast of Clearfield, the daughter of Frank and Mable Sargent Baker. She grew up and

attended school in rural Clearfield then attended a few years at the Clearfield High School.

On December 20, 1917, Fannie was married to William Beck at her parent's home in Clearfield. They farmed five miles east of Lenox until January 1950, when they moved to Lenox.

William died September 2, 1950. Fannie was married to John Walter in October of 1968.

She was a very active member of the United Methodist Church in Lenox, and she also belonged to the Rebekah Lodge and W.S.C.S.

Fannie is survived by two sons, Cecil Beck of Denver, Colorado, and Wayne Beck of Lenox; one daughter, Mrs. Wanda Hefley, Hayward, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Henry (Pearl)

Beck of Lenox; one brother, Ernest Baker of Clearfield; 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sisters Laura and Bessie, and one great granddaughter.

Funeral services were held Tues., April 3 at the United Methodist Church in Lenox with Pastor Bill Trembly officiating.

Music was furnished by Mrs. Norma Paymal, organist, and Marilyn Beck and Billie Jean Barker, singers, who sang "No One Cares For Me Like Jesus" and "How Great

Thou Art."

Interment was in the Clearfield Cemetery. Casket bearers were Earl Baker, Gerald Baker, Jim Beck, Darrell Huber. Lowell Brott. and Paul Bennett. The Larkin-Bender

Funeral Home in Lenox was in charge of the arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 11, 1979

 

Walter, Florence Mary Riley -

Funeral services for Mrs. Wray Walter, 77, were at the United Methodist Church in Lenox Mon., Mar. 9 with the Rev. W.C. Trembly and Rev. Elmer West officiating.

Norma Paymal was organist and Georgia Oliver, vocalist.

Casket bearers were Larry Walter, Ronald Rogers, Franklin Rogers, Ivan Wilson, Earl Martin and Virgil Oliver. Interment was in North Fairview Cemetery.

Florence Mary Riley, oldest daughter of Frank and Caroline Oliver Riley was born October 9, 1901 near Mercer Center, in Adams County. She died at the Rosary Hospital

March 9.

She was married at her parent's home on June 7, 1922 to Wray Walter.

She had been an active member in the Salem Church of the Brethren since 1924, having served in many capacities within the church.

Florence was preceded in death by her brother, Paul in 1919, her father in 1936 and her mother in 1954.

She is survived by her husband, Wray; her daughters, Carolyn Herman and Barbara Wilson; and sons-in-law, Jerry Herman of Lenox and Delmar Wilson of Corning; three grandchildren, Rosalie, Scott, and Kevin Wilson; one sister, Genevieve Rogers and her husband Gerald; three nieces and four nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 14, 1979

 

Woosley, Sheryl Arthur (Dutch) -

Sheryl Arthur "Dutch" Woosley, 64, died at Crest Haven Care Center in Creston January 14, 1979. He had been a resident of the lowana Hotel, but had entered the care center January 5.

Services were Wed., Jan. 17 at the Presbyterian Church in Creston, the Rev. Dale Cunningham officiating with burial in West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox,

the Keating Lindsay Funeral Home of Creston in charge.

He was born October 8, 1914, at Lenox, the son of Eli and Eva Draper Woosley. He spent most of his life in Lenox and Creston. He had retired as a laborer and painter in 1977.

Mr. Woosley was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Shirley Rogers of Lenox; Mrs. Janice Pesola of Engleside, Ill.; eight grandchildren; his mother; and a sister, Mrs. George (Velma)

Leech, Hallandale, Fla.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Anita, two brothers, a sister and his father.

A memorial was established in his name for the American Cancer Society.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 1979

 

Wurster, Mary Ellen (Mae) Cameron -

Mrs. Mae Wurster, 87, died at the Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield Thursday night, Jan. 18, 1979. She had been living at the nursing home since

October of 1975.

The funeral was at 10 a.m. Mon., Jan. 22 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox, the Rev. Fr. Michael O'Meara officiating.

Music was by Pat Miller, organist and Marilyn Rychnovsky, soloist.

Casket bearers were Wayne Brammer, Allen Brammer, Donald Starlin, Dennis Dukes, Leland Wurster and Lloyd Cameron.

Interment was in East Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Mary Ellen Wurster, daughter of John Elvin and Margaret Haley Cameron, was born September 10, 1891 on a farm six miles southeast of Lenox. At an

early age she moved with her parents to the farm that continued to be the family home.

Mary, better known as "Mae," attended country school and graduated with the Lenox High School class of 1910. She taught country schools for several

years and then attended the Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines, graduating in 1918. She worked for an insurance  company until her marriage

to Samuel Wurster September 22, 1920.

Mae spent her married life on the Cameron farm until she and Sam moved to Lenox in 1946, where she lived until entering the nursing home in October

of 1975.

She sustained a hip injury in a car accident more than 20 years ago and since that time had cheerfully continued her daily tasks with the aid of crutches.

She was a member of St. Patrick's Church and attended faithfully as long as her health permitted. She also took an active part in the American Legion

Auxiliary for many years.

Her husband died September 15, 1977. Others who preceded her in death were her parents, her brother, Raymond Cameron, and a grandson.

She leaves one daughter Evelyn, and son-in-law, Richard Brammer; five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren. Mae had a deep love for family

and each one held a special place in her heart, as she always put them and their needs before her own.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 1979

 

Yount, Mary Pullman -

Mrs. Clarence (Mary) Yount, 80, of Osceola died there Saturday, Feb. 3. The funeral was at Osceola Tues., Feb. 6, with interment in the Lenox cemetery.

Mrs. Yount was born on a farm west of Lenox, the daughter of Eugene and Lillie Pullman. The family later moved to Lenox where Mary attended school.

She was preceded in death by her husband.

Survivors include her four children, Duane Yount of Osceola, Dale Yount of Greenfield, Betty Hall of Estherville and Leta Johnson of Creston.

Relatives who attended the funeral included Mrs. Ruth Boltinghouse, Miss Isabel Nixon, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Nixon of Lenox, and Geneva Hagee of St.

Joseph, Mo. Mrs. Yount was a niece of Ruth, Isabel and Bill Nixon.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 1979