001Funeral services for Helen Albert, age 84, formerly of Bedford, who died Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Living Center East in Cedar Rapids were held Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation were one hour prior to services. Interment were held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in Helen’s name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Helen Elizabeth Albert ws born april 15, 1938 in Waterloo, Iowa the daughter of Merrill J. albert and Helen (Dresher) Albert. Her mother Helen graduated as Valedictorian from the Bedford High School with the Class of 1912. She then attended college in Sadkatoon, Canada and the University of Iowa where she graduated in 1917 with her Bachelor’s Degree. She was a Superintendent of Schools in Iowa for six years, becoming Principal at the Duncombe High School. She passed away June 1, 1952. She married Merrill J. albert of Brandon, Iowa while he was attending Officer’s Training School during Word War I. After his wife Helen died in June of 1952 he married Cecilia Newquist. During his working years he was Superintendent of Schools in Duncombe, iowa. He passed away July 6, 1981.
Helen’s family made their home in Cedar Falls while her mother was High School Principal and her father Superintendent of Schools in Duncombe. While Helen was a small child, during the immunization process, she suffered complications. She lived her life from the age of 21 in a nursing facility where she was lovingly cared for.
Left to cherish Helen’s memory is her cousin Beverly Albert of Vinton, Iowa.
Preceding Helen in death are her parents Merrill and Helen Albert

002Funeral services for Dean A. Davidson, age 87, of Maryville, Missouri, formerly of Bedford, who died Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at his home were held Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation wiere Tuesday from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Interment with military rites accorded by the John F. Hardin American Legion Post No. 164 and the Iowa Army National Guard were held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials may be directed to the Bedford American Legion or the Fairview Cemetery Association. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Dean Atwood Davidson was born January 11, 1925, in Bedford, Iowa the son of Lewis James Davidson and Iva Mae (Crawford) Davidson, his twin brother was Dale. He grew up on a farm south of Bedford, living there most of his life. He attended school in Bedford, graduating with the Class of 1942. After graduation, he answered the call to serve his country entering the United States Army in 1944, serving in Italy during World War II. He returned home and started farming and was recalled to serve in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1951. Upon his discharge he came back home, purchased a farm 6 miles south and 1 mile west off of the old St. Joe Road. In September of 1952, he was united in marriage to Melba June Hargrove and the couple adopted two children Lori Ann and Michael. June and the kids were killed in a traffic accident south of Maryville on July 8, 1966. In November of 1967, he was united in marriage to LaVeta McClurg (Brown). To this loving union a son Kelly was born. LaVeta had three children of her own, Connie, Richard and Wayne. The family continued to live on the farm until 1990 when Dean retired and moved to Maryville. In 1992, Dean went to work at Northwest Missouri State University, working there for ten years. LaVeta passed away on December 9, 2011.
Dean was a long-time member Berea Church of Christ; he was a 4-H Leader; served on the ASC Township Committee; and had served on the Bedford Community High School Board of Education. He was also a lifetime member of the Bedford American Legion. Having owned an airplane and flying for many years, Dean was a member of the Bedford Flying Club and the Men's Forum in Maryville. Dean was a man of strong faith. He was passionate about farming and enjoyed the lifestyle it provided his family. Being a 'true family man' Dean enjoyed vacationing with his family every year. And although he was often soft spoken, his wisdom was passed on to his family.
Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful father, grandfather and friend are his son Kelly Davidson and wife Beth of Indianola; two step-sons, Richard Brown and wife Deb of Clarinda; and Wayne Brown and wife Michele of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren, Erica and Connor Davidson; along with four step-grandchildren, Chris Brown, Joshua Diggs, Rachael Diggs and Matthew Diggs; eight step-great-grandchildren and a community of friends.
Preceding Dean in death are his parents; his first wife June in 1966; his second wife LaVeta in 2011; his son, Michael Davidson; his daughter, Lori Ann Davidson; a step-daughter, Connie Diggs; three brothers, Dwight, Dale (his twin) and Wendell; and two sisters, Mildred Cobb and Bernice Welch.
Dean will be missed by his entire family and many friends. We will hold the memories of his gentle spirit, wisdom and counsel as a wonderful gift of encouragement. He will live on in our hearts forever

007Deborah Ann Bowers was born in Landstuhl, Germany March 30, 1970. As a child she traveled and lived in Germany, Colorado and Canada. She visited many states and Europe.

She died January 7, 2012 in the family home after a short battle with cancer.

She left behind two children, Tiffany Molitor and Cody Dalton; three grandchildren in Colorado Springs, Colo; her parents, Duane and Sheryl Bowers in San Antonio, Texas; three sisters Diane Nietzel and Stacy Bowers in San Antonio, Texas, and Susan Learned in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She is preceded in death by her brother Steven Bowers; grandparents Avis and Harold Bowers of Bedford, and Durward and Louise Spies of Wiota, Iowa.

Graveside memorial services will be 10 a.m. Monday, April 16, 2012 at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa with Rev. Dan Wiebesiek officiating. Following the services friends and family are invited to join them for lunch and visit with the family. Memorials may be given to a fund to be established. Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, is in charge of arrangements. www.EFC.

Funeral services for Melvin Howard, age 81, of Creston, formerly of Lenox, who died Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at Creston Nursing & Rehab Center will be held Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Visitation will be Friday at the funeral home from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Interment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Melvin Leroy Howard was born December 13, 1930, in Taylor County, Iowa the son of Jean Howard and Opal (Belding) Howard. He lived most of his life in the Lenox area, graduating from the Lenox High School with the Class of 1949. On November 27, 1950, he was united in marriage to Carol Lou Elwood at the Corning United Methodist Church in an afternoon ceremony. They were blessed to share 61 years of marriage!

Mel worked as a meat cutter for Cheese's Food Market for over 30 years. He built a family home, by himself, in his spare time. His family grew up there until they sold the home and purchased a "fixer upper" house. Carpentry and construction were his hobbies, but mostly his passion. After leaving the meat cutting business, Mel opened a restaurant business, worked as a housepainter and a handyman. During this time, Mel and Carol moved to Creston where they have lived for the past 20 years. He loved sports and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan as well as the Kansas City Chiefs.

Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend are his loving wife of 61 years, Carol Howard of Creston; two daughters, Kristeen Hoakison and husband David of Creston; Jackie Hayworth and husband Dennis of Grimes; four grandchildren, Christopher Hayworth, Kacy Hayworth, Caleb Hoakison and wife Jill, Kelsey Buck and husband Matt; a sister, Norma Warrick of North Bend, Oregon; along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Mel in death are his parents, Jean and Opal Howard; and two brothers and their wives, Daryl and Florence Howard and LaVaughn and Loretta Howard