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

[Davidson, Melba June Hargrove]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 14, 1966      [p. 1]

Final Rites Held Here Mon, for Three Auto Accident Victims

Funeral services for Mrs. Dean (Melba June) Davidson, 39, and her children, Lori Ann, 10, and Michael Dean, 7, were held July 11 at the Bedford Christian church with Rev. Jerry Sample officiating. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery here.

The car truck accident July 8, which took the lives of the three Davidsons, also killed Mrs. Davidson’s sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Fisher of Hilo, Hawaii. All five of the victims were in the Davidson car, which was struck head-on by a hot mix asphalt truck near the Andrew-Nodaway county line in Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that the truck driver, Thomas J. Orr, 21, who is hospitalized in fair condition in St. Joseph, was driving his vehicle north and apparently swerved into the southbound lane to avoid hitting a car that slowed for a turn east off U. S. 71. The truck and the Davidson car crashed head-on on the west shoulder of the 'road.

The Fishers had been visiting at the Dean Davidson farm prior to the accident. Mrs. Davidson would have received a degree in elementary education from NW M State College after another 20 hours of work. Since the fall semester of ’64 she had been commuting from her Taylor County home to classes at NWM State.

[Davidson, Melba June Hargrove]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       July 21, 1966     p. 6

Final Rites For Davidsons Held July 11

Funeral services for Mrs. Dean A. (Melba June) Davidson, Lori Ann Davidson and Michael Dean Davidson were held at the Bedford Christian Church July 11. They were killed in an automobile accident July 8. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Melba June Hargrove, daughter of Paul A. and Etta Shaw Hargrove, was born July 10, 1927 near Dedrick, Mo. She was graduated from the Nevada High School in 1945, attending Cottey College at Nevada, Mo., and later was employed by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Kansas City, Mo.

She was united in marriage to Dean A. Davidson on Sept. 12, 1952, in Kansas City, Mo.

Two children, Lori Ann, born Nov. 10, 1955, and Michael Dean, born Nov. 3, 1958 in Jefferson, Ia., were adopted by Dean and June November 18, 1959. Lori was ready for the 4th grade in school and Michael in the 2nd grade. Both Mike and Lori were loved by their parents and grandparents and all who were privileged to share the many pleasures they brought into Dean and June’s home.

June was baptized when a young girl at the Christian Church in Dedrick, Mo., and was a member of the Independence Blvd. Christian Church in Kansas City, transferring her membership to the Berea Church of Christ. She has taught a children’s Bible class there the past three years. As well as leading the busy life of a housewife and mother, she has attended the Northwest Missouri State College at Maryville, Mo., where she would have received her degree in education next year. This summer she was associate teacher in the Bedford Community pre-school.

June was loved and respected not only by members of the family but also by those in the communities in which she lived.

Those who survive with her husband are her parents, one sister, Mrs. Marilce Austin, one brother-in-law, Vernon Austin, Eldorado Springs, Mo.; and her grandmother, Mrs. Hortence Shaw, Shell City, Mo., several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a brother in infancy.

Her sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and William Fisher lost their lives in the accident which took those of June, Lori Ann and Michael Dean July 8, 1966.

[Freeman, Fred Fremont]

South-West Democrat

Friday     December 14, 1888     p. 4

—We are pained to be called upon to chronicle the sad fact that Mr. Fred Freeman, of Holt Township, died Tuesday morning from peritonitis after a brief illness of only four days. Mr Freeman was one of Holt township’s most prosperous farmers and was highly respected by all who knew him.

[Freeman, Fred Fremont]

South-West Democrat

Friday     December 21, 1888       [p. 1]

Holt Echoings.

HOLT, Dec. 3, 1888

Fred Freeman was attacked with cramps in the stomach on Saturday morning. In the evening Dr. McColm, of Gravity, was called and found him so bad that he had to stay with him all night. He came very near dying but today he is some better and will probably get along all right. His brother from Michigan arrived here on Sunday.

LATER: Tuesday morning, Fred Freeman was taken worse and E. M. Baker went to Gravity for a doctor, but in a short time after he had gone, he died, about the middle of the forenoon, we have not heard the exact time of his death or when he will be buried.

Mr. Freeman was an intelligent and hard working young man and was married only last March to a daughter of Mr. Dan Morgan. — Gravity Echo.

[Hanlin, Margaret]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      October 25, 1906       p. 9

—After a long and useful life extending over 94 years, 5 months and 28 days, Margaret Hanlin, passes peacefully away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. T. Arnold in this city on last Saturday. The aged mother has been in poor health for some time. Owing to her age it was hard for her to battle with the disease with which she was afflicted and when the end came to her long and useful life she was ready to depart and be at rest with her Heavenly father whom she had devoutly served for over seventy years as a member of the Methodist church.

Conway Record

[Lewis, Harry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       July 21, 1966     p. 6

Harry Lewis Rites Monday

Funeral services for Harry Lewis, 86, long time Taylor County resident, held July 18 at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home on Madison Street, were conducted by Rev. Walter Ortmann. Mr. Lewis died at Dora’s Nursing Home in Red Oak July 16, 1966 following a long illness. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

Harry Lewis was born Dec. 17, 1879 in Jasper County, Iowa to James and Nancy Lewis.

He was married to Lena Olson in 1910 at Marshfield, Mo. One son, French, was born to them. Harry joined the Baptist Church 43 years ago.

He was a resident of Taylor County for many years. About four and a half years ago, he moved to Red Oak, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, five sisters, his mother and father and his wife, Lena.

He is survived by his son; four grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Myrtle Nehls of Groton, South Dakota; a number of great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

[Note: Date of marriage is December 7, 1910 in Marshfield, Webster County, Missouri. Source: Missouri marriage records, 1805-2002.]

[Lewis, Lena Olson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 25, 1953      p. 7

Mrs. Lena Lewis Rites Here Monday

Mrs. Lena Lewis died Saturday, June 13, 1953 at the age of 70 years, six days after a prolonged illness.

Funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Benj. H. Hollis. Burial was in Bedford cemetery.

Lena Olson was born at Wilmer [Willmar], Minn., June 17, 1883. At the age of three years, she moved with her parents, Mary and Rasmus Olson to South Dakota.

She was married to Harry Lewis in 1910 at Marshfield, Mo. One son, French, was born to them. She joined the Baptist church 30 years ago.

She is survived by her husband, son and four grandchildren, all of Bedford; two sisters, Mrs. Ida Peterson of Webster, S. D., Mrs. Rose Loe, Washington; one brother John Olson of Wyoming.

[Lindley, Mary Ann Scherich]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday      January 25, 1917     p. 8
Mary A. [nn] Scherich was born in Washington County, Pa., September 30, 1825, and died at Blanchard, Iowa, January 23, 1917, aged 91 years, 3 months and 23 days.

The deceased grew to womanhood at the place of her birth. At 20 years of age, she married Timothy S. [tilwell] Lindley, and they lived together almost fifty years. Twenty-four years ago she mourned his death, and the longings of the widow have reached out toward both worlds; for the ten children born to them, four preceded their mother in death. The living are H. [enry] M. [artin] Lindley at Bedford, Iowa; W. [illiam] C. [ollins] Lindley of Lyonsville, South Dakota; Mrs. Lavina Melvin of Enid, Okla.; Mrs. Sarah Melvin of Blanchard, Ia.; Mrs. Florence Hutson, Chicago; and Mrs. Ruth A. Johnson of Rocky Ford, Colo. In 1883 the family removed from Pennsylvania to Des Moines County, Iowa, and there resided till 1876 [1886]; in that year they moved to Bedford, Iowa, and there resided till two years ago, when with her daughter, Mrs. J. [ohn] A. [lan] Melvin, she moved to Blanchard, Iowa. Here death found her, and the Master’s call came last Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock.

At the early age of 16 years she expressed her faith in Christ and united with the United Brethren church, but later joined the Missionary Baptist church in Des Moines County, Iowa. She transferred her membership to the congregation at Bedford, Iowa, of which she was a member at her death.

Grandmother Lindley’s life reaches far back through the years, and was built for eternity on the true foundation. She and her husband made that finest of all investments in the Godly training of their children, and had real cause for pride in seeing each member of the family a consistent Christian. God had joined them in one family that they might be forever united in Him. The Lindleys had the well-earned reputation of being good neighbors, kind friends, ever ready to hear and help a worthy cause.

Mrs. Lindley spent much of her later years in prayer and the reading of the Bible, of which she knew much by heart. She was always a woman of excellent health, and up until the last two weeks, had been able to get about in spite of her great age. Then to her worn out body came the weakness that brought her death. The change however was not one that she feared; she looked forward with happy anticipation and often express her readiness to go, dying in the belief that she would be thus united with her Saviour, her husband and her children who had preceded her, and knowing that the living children would follow her to the same Master. The unity of the family in the faith seemed a glorious fulfillment of the Scripture, which says: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and they house.”

The funeral was held in Bedford from the Baptist church this afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. D. W. Griffith of Hopkins, Mo., assisted by Rev. C. C. Hatcher conducting the services. Interment was made in Bedford cemetery.

[Lindley, Mary Ann Sherich]
Bedford Free Press
Tuesday     January 30, 1917     p. 5

Among those from out-of-town who attended the funeral of Mrs. Mary Lindley Thursday afternoon were: Mr. and Mrs. John Melvin, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McConkey of Blanchard; Mrs. O. B. Hutson of Chicago; M. Kenmore and Pete Melvin of Barnard, Mo., George Lindley and Charles Borden of Shambaugh, Homer Borden of New Market; Mrs. Ernest Crabtree and little daughter Audra Frances and Miss Nona Melvin of Hopkins.

[McMillin, Joanne Marlene]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 10, 1940     [p. 1]

McMillin Infant Dies

Joan Marlee [Marlene] McMillin, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gene McMillin of Bedford died Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, where she was placed in an incubator soon after birth on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The body was brought to Bedford and after a short service at the home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A, Douglas Steffenson, burial was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[Note: The name on the gravestone is spelled Joanne Marlene McMillin.]

[Mills, Lulu Hall]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 6, 1950     [p. 1]

Mrs. Lulu Mills Succumbed Friday

Mrs. Lulu Mills died at her home in Bedford, Friday, March 31, after an illness of several weeks.

The funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Russell G. Nye. Burial was in the Bedford cemetery.

Lulu, daughter of Seymour [Joseph] and Elizabeth [Ruth Golliday] Hall, was born March 21, 1869 in Taylor county, Iowa, being aged 81 years and 10 days at the time of her death.

In 1897 she was married to George Frank Mills and to them were born two children, Seymour and Paul. Paul died in infancy. Mr. Mills preceded her in death.

Because of her lifetime residency in Bedford and her activity throughout the years, Mrs. Mills was very well known in this community. She was a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls and taught school for many years. She was a member of the Bedford Methodist Church and participated in its many activities. She was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge and Triangle Club.

Mrs. Mills is survived by one son, Seymour Marvin of Hatfield, Mo.; three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

[Mills, Paul H.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 9, 1905     [p. 1]

Gone To Join The Angels.

Paul H. Mills, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mills, died this morning at 12:45 at the home of Mrs. Hall, of congestion of the brain, age 1 year, 5 months and 9 days.

Little Paul was seriously ill only a few hours. He was suffering from a bad cold, but was not taken seriously sick until about noon yesterday. His mother, who was at Gravity, was at once summoned, and arrived in the evening.

All that loving hands could do, or medical skill suggest, was done, but without avail. The angel of death bad touched little Paul with his wand, and, his soul, pure and undefiled, awaiting only until the loving mother could come to her child and press a last kiss upon his baby lips, went soaring heavenward to join the angel throng.

Frank Mills, the father, is at Sioux Falls, S. D. A telegram has been sent him and he is expected to arrive tomorrow. No funeral arrangements will be made until be arrives.

[Mills, Paul H.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       February 9, 1905     [p. 1]

A Sudden Death

Tuesday morning Paul H., the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. G. [eorge] F. [rank] Mills, was taken suddenly ill, and expired soon after midnight, death resulting from congestion of the brain. The little fellow was the sunshine of the home, and will be sadly missed by the sorrowing ones He was aged one year, five months and nine days.

 At the time of going to press no arrangements have been made for the funeral on account of Mr Mills not having arrived.

[Mills, Paul H.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 16, 1905     p. 3

Funeral of Little Paul Mills

The funeral of Little Paul Mills, son of Mr. and Mrs [George] Frank Mills, was held at the residence of Mrs. Hall today at 10:30 a. m., conducted by Rev. Thompson. Many friends of the sorrow stricken parents were present to show their respect and sympathy, and did all in their power to make their grief less poignant, and assist in laying the cold form of the little one to rest. But when death comes and claims the light and sunshine of the home; closing for ever the bright and loving eye, stilling for ever that sweet voice that so often has called a merry welcome to home coming papa and mama; at such a time words of sympathy can do little to assuage the anguish of a grief stricken parent. Time, the great healer, can alone sear the wound that no earthly thing can heal.

[Mills, Paul H.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       February 16, 1905     [p. 1]

The Last Sad Rites

The obsequies over the remains of little Paul, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. G.[eorge] F. [rank] Mills, occurred Friday morning at 10:30 at the home of Mrs. E. R. Hall, mother of Mrs Mills, being conducted by Rev. W. B. Thompson. Quite a number of beautiful flowers were presented by friends as tokens of love and affection. The little form was taken to the Bedford cemetery and laid in its quiet bed, where it will await the resurrection morn. May the ones bereft "look up to the hills from whence cometh their help." May they be enabled to say: "The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord!"

[Mills, Paul H.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       February 23, 1905      p. 6

J. [George] F. [rank] Mills returned to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, last Saturday where he is engaged in business with H. R. Dennis, formerly of Blockton. Mr. Mills was recently called here on account of the death of his son Paul.

[Patrick, Joseph Monroe]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     December 22, 1921    [p. 1]

Body Arrives

The body of J. [oseph] M. [onroe] Patrick arrived on the noon train today. It was met at the depot by the G. A. R. Boys, and many of the former friends of the deceased. The remains were taken to the M. E. church where services were conducted by Rev. Gable at 2 o'clock. The G. A. R. Boys met at their hall at 1:30 and marched in a body to the church.

Mr. Patrick was a resident and businessman of Bedford for several years, leaving Bedford several years ago for the west. We will publish the obituary next week.

[Patrick, Joseph Monroe]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 22, 1921      [p. 1]

J. M. Patrick Dead.

J. [oseph] M. [onroe] Patrick, pioneer citizen of Bedford, died at Great Falls, Mont., December  16th. The body was brought to Bedford today on the noon train, and funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church this afternoon. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

Complete obituary will be printed in next week’s issue.

[Patrick, Joseph Monroe]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 29, 1921      [p. 1]

Obituary of J. M. Patrick

J. [oseph] M. [onroe] Patrick was born at Kingston, Ross county, Ohio, May 3rd, 1836, and died in Great Falls, Mont., Dec. 16, 1921, aged 85 years, seven months and eleven days.

He first came to what is now Taylor County in 1856, where he worked at his trade of gunsmith. He enlisted in Co. E., Third Iowa Infantry, at St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 1st, 1861, and served two years, nine months and fourteen days.

He was married to Philma [Philura] M. Lucas at Bedford, Iowa, in 1865. To this union four children were born, Sylvan D. [exter], William H., Edna May and Anna L. Edna May died in 1904, the faithful wife in 1913; and Anna L. in 1920.

He was a member of Sedgwick Post G. A. R., the local Knights of Pythias lodge; and still retained his membership in the Presbyterian Church in Bedford.

Funeral services were conducted at the Presbyterian Church in Bedford at 2:00 p. m., Dec. 22, 1921. Rev. Lumbar preached the funeral sermon, the G. A. R. held their ritualistic services, and the Knights of Pythias were pallbearers.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Times-Republican, December 26, 1921, page 4.]

[Patrick, Joseph Monroe]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 29, 1921     p. 4

S. [ylvan] D. [exter] Patrick, who came here to attend the funeral of his father, J.[oseph] M. [onroe] Patrick, left Friday for his home in Enid, Okla.

[PATRICK, JOSEPH MONROE]
Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, Montana), Saturday, December 17, 1921
Civil War Veteran Dies in Great Falls After long Illness
Joseph M. [onroe] Patrick, aged 85, died at the Deaconess hospital Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, after an illness of several months. Mr. Patrick came to Great Falls from Brush, Colo., in the spring of last years with his son, W. H. Patrick, 608 Thirteenth street north, with whom he had been living until he contracted the illness which caused his death. He is survived by two sons, W. [illiam] H. [enry] Patrick and S. D. Patrick of Enid, Okla.
Mr. Patrick served in the union army during the civil war and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Funeral services will be conducted by members of the Great Falls post of the Grand Army of the Republic Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock in the chapel of the W. H. George company undertaking parlors. Later his body will be removed to his old home at Bedford, Iowa, by his son, S. D. Patrick.

[PATRICK, JOSEPH MONROE]
Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, Montana), Sunday, December 18 1921
PATRICK – The funeral of Joseph Monroe Patrick, father of William H. Patrick, of 608 Thirteenth street north, and S. D. Patrick of Enid, Okla., will be held today at 3:30 p. m. from the chapel of the W. H. George company. Mr. Patrick was a member of Sedgwick Post No. 10, G. A. R., department of Iowa, at Bedford, also a member of Bedford lodge No. 101, Knights of Pythias. The services will be under the auspices of Sheridan Post here in the city, and Rev. L. L. Totten will also have services; the members of the Knights of Pythias will also attend the services. The body will be taken Tuesday morning to Bedford, Iowa, for burial and will be accompanied by S. D. Patrick.

[PATRICK, JOSEPH MONROE]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Monday & Thursday, December 26 & 29, 1921
S. D. Patrick, who accompanied the body of his father here for burial, returned to his home in Enid, Okla., Friday afternoon.

 

[Patrick, Philura Lucas]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       February 6, 1913     p. 4

Obituary

Philura M. Patrick (nee Lucas) was born in Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio, Jan. 20, 1842. She was the daughter of Philander [Harvey] and Lydia [Fisher] Lucas. With her parents she went to Crawford County, Pennsylvania in 1853 where the family resided until the fall of 1862 when they came to Bedford, Iowa, which has been the home of the deceased since that time.

She was married to Joseph M. [onroe] Patrick in 1865 and to them were born two sons and two daughters: Sylvan D. [exter], of Enid, Oklahoma; William H., of Bedford; Mrs. L. L. Moody [Edna May], deceased, and Mrs. Anna L. Sherwood, of Brush, Colo. All the surviving children were present at the funeral.

As one of the pioneer settlers in this vicinity, she endured many hardships and privations incident to the settlement of a new country and during a continuous residence of more than a half century witnessed the growth and transformation of Bedford from a village of rude log huts and board shanties to a city of substantial and commodious store buildings and beautiful homes.

She united with the Presbyterian church of Bedford February 4, 1900. She had a quiet and retiring disposition and lived a quiet and unostentatious life in the community, loved and respected by a large circle of friends and neighbors.

She departed this life Friday, Jan. 31, 1913, aged 71 years and 11 days.

The funeral services were held at her late home, Sunday afternoon, Feb. 2, at 2:30 p. m., and were conducted by her pastor. Rev. J. A. Currie assisted by Rev. Philip Jackson, who for years had been a near neighbor and an intimate friend. The remains were laid to rest in the Bedford cemetery.

[Note: The same obituary, with some slight variations in the wording, was printed in the Bedford Times-Republican, February 6, 1913, page 5.]

[Patrick, Philura Lucas]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 6, 1913     p. 5

F. [rank] D. Sherwood came Saturday from Brush, Col., to attend the funeral of Mrs. Sherwood's mother, Mrs. J. [oseph] M. [onroe] Patrick.

S. [ylvan] D. [exter] Patrick came Saturday from Enid, Ok., to attend the funeral of his mother, Mrs. J. [oseph] M. [onroe] Patrick.

S. [ylvan] D. [exter] Patrick, who is engaged in the printing business in Enid, Ok., arrived last week to attend the funeral of his mother, Mrs. J. [oseph] M.[onroe] Patrick. Mr. Patrick is holding the state office of superintendent of the western free employment bureau.

[PATRICK, PHILURA LUCAS]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, February 6, 1913
Frank Sherwood, formerly of Clearfield, and for a number of years a teacher in the county schools, arrived here last Saturday, called by the death of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Patrick. Mrs. Sherwood has been here since her mother's condition became critical. They will return to their home at Brush, Colo., the last of the week.

[Patrick, William Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 18, 1947    [p. 1]

Former Resident Dies

The body of William J. [Henry] Patrick, a one-time resident of Bedford, arrived in Bedford Saturday on the morning train from Chicago, and burial was made in the Bedford cemetery. Rev. Gordon F. MacLean officiated.

[Perkins, Cora Belle]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday       May 29, 1884      p. 4

Died.

Died, at the residence of her parents, in this city, at 12 o'clock today, Cora Belle, youngest daughter of J. [ames] J. and E. [lizabeth] E. Perkins, aged 15 years, 5 months and four days, of dropsy of the heart. The deceased was a most estimable and amiable girl, just budding into womanhood, and her untimely death will create a void that will long be felt not only in the household of her bereaved parents, but in a large circle of young friends as well. She was able to look at the Memorial Day procession as it passed the house today on its way to the cemetery, and commented upon its fine appearance. She was raised in a chair so that she might be better enabled to see it on its return, and in this position her head sank upon her breast and her spirit took its flight.

The funeral will take place to-morrow at 2 o'clock p. m., from the Christian church, the services being conducted by Rev. J. P. Lucas.

[Refer, Judy Kay Rucker]

Funeral services for Judy Refer, age 66, of Lenox, who died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at her home were held Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Interment was held at Bedford City Cemetery. Memorials can be given in Judy’s name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Judy Kay (Rucker) Refer was born September 2, 1944, in Bedford, Iowa the daughter of Harry E. [Leroy] Rucker and Velma F. [ern] (Phipps) Rucker. She grew up in the Bedford area attending school, graduating from the Bedford high School with the Class of 1962. She continued to live in Bedford where she was a waitress at the Junction Café for a number of years. Judy met Larry Refer and the couple was united in marriage on September 4, 1978, in Lenox, Iowa. Judy and Larry made their home in Lenox where she worked for Taylor Ridge Estates for over ten years.

Judy was passionate about her family, particularly her grandchildren, with whom she spent much time. When her health was better, she liked to drive, mostly just around town, never venturing too far from home. Winter was her favorite season of the year . . . she even enjoyed driving in it! She always looked forward to the many shopping trips she enjoyed taking her grandchildren on. Judy and Larry attended the Lenox Presbyterian Church.

Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend is her loving husband of 33 years, Larry Refer of Lenox; her two children, Rebecca Hartley of Lenox; and Darren Strough and wife Amber of Estes Park, Colorado; four grandchildren, Dennis, Dustin and Michael Hartley, and Madison Strough; two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Parker Hartley; a brother, Merlyn Rucker and wife Marilyn of Bedford; two sisters, Maryann Mothershead and husband Oliver of Leon, Iowa; and Jan Sunderman and husband Lowell of Bedford; along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Judy in death were her parents, Harry and Velma Rucker; two brothers at infancy, Robert and Wayne Rucker; another brother, Jerry Rucker; and a great-granddaughter, Ava Hartley.

Judy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Her enthusiasm, humor and kindness will be missed by her family.

[Note: Online obituary available from Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel http://www.efc.cc/_main/obituaries.asp]