[103] Poznoff, Kevin M. - Kevin M. Poznoff, 44, of Topeka, KS, formerly of Leavenworth, KS, passed away in Topeka, Monday, October 30, 2006.        

He was born on January 30, 1962 in San Jose, California. In 1971 the family moved to Bedford, Iowa where Kevin graduated from High School. He then attended the University of Iowa. Kevin later served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was audio technician for the U.S. Air Force Band in St. Louis.         Kevin was a D.J. for KKLO Radio Station in Leavenworth, Kansas for several years.       

He was p receded in death by his step-father, Gary McNutt.       

  He is survived by his mother, Norma McNutt, Gower, MO, his father, Glen Poznoff, West Palm Beach, Florida, sisters; Marnie Mitchell and Lori Heinrichs, Plattsburg, MO, and Cassie Spencer, Bedford, Iowa, many family members and friends.        

His gentle and loving ways will be missed by all.        

Memorial services were held Friday, November 3rd at the first Baptist Church, Plattsburg, MO. Private Burial was held at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.         

Arrangements by Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower, MO.

[104] Pittelkow, Wilfried Otto - Graveside funeral services for Wilfried Pittelkow, age 69 who died in Bullhead City, Arizona were held Friday, October 27, 2006 at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa.  Memorials can be given in his name.  Memories can be shared with the family on our web site at                 www.ritchiefuneralhome com under obituaries.  Arrangements were entrusted to Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Wilfried Otto Pittelkow was born March 27, 1937 in Germany, the son of Dora and the late Wilhelm Pittelkow. Wilfried lived his first 15 years in Germany, then in 1952 the Pittelkow family moved to Atlantic, Iowa. On December 13, 1963 Wilfried was united in marriage to Karen Sue Hunt of Maryville, Missouri.  Wilfried and Sue adopted her niece Connie in 1981. Wilfried, Sue, and Connie resided most of their lives in the San Fernando Valley, California.

Wilfried retired in 2005 from Reflector Light where he was employed for 27 years as a truck driver/machinist. Wilfried loved his job very much. Wilfried enjoyed listening to country music especially the Grand Ol Opry, playing cards, watching TV, and shopping. He was also a huge L.A. Dodgers fan!  In early 2006 Wilfried and Sue moved to Laughlin, Nevada to be closer to daughter Connie and husband Mike. 

Left to cherish Wilfried's memory are his wife Sue of Laughlin, Nevada and daughter Connie Ward and son-in-law Mike of Laughlin, Nevada, Mother Dora Pittelkow of Bedford, Iowa, sister Hanna Davis of Sioux City, Iowa and daughter Annie O'Dell and husband John and children Ashley and Jeremy of Clarinda, Iowa and son Paul Pittelkow of Sioux City, Iowa and children LaToshia, Heather, and Derek Pittelkow of Oklahoma, sister Ingrid Pittelkow of Bedford, Iowa, brother Joe Pittelkow of Overland Park, Kansas and daughter Erica Lynch and husband Matt of Santa Monica, California, sister Heidi Meek of Bedford, Iowa, and daughter Lori Welch and husband Rande and children Eric, Cameron, and Kelle of Bedford, Iowa and son David Woods of Maryville, Missouri and sister Betty Pittelkow of Bedford, Iowa.

Preceding Wilfried in death are his father Wilhelm Pittelkow in 1987 and sister Marijana in 1945. May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn Wilfried's passing.

[105] Pershin, Forest Mack        Forest Mack Pershin, 86, of Creston died Mon. Aug. 28, 2006, at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston.        

No public services will be held. Online condolences can be made at www.powersfh.com.         

Forest Mack Pershin, son of Audrey Vernie (Raynor) Pershin and Forest Manford Pershin was born January 7, 1920 in Ringgold Co., Iowa.  He graduated from Gravity High School in 1938.  On June 8, 1939 he married Dorothy Annie (Dahlberg) in Mount Ayr, Iowa.  They settled northwest of Lenox in Adams County.  In 1953, they moved to Lenox where he owned and operated Mack's Billiards for two years. He moved to a farm south of Lenox until 1975, when they moved to Creston and have continued to reside.         

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Pershin of Creston; one son, Mike (wife Linda) Pershin of Creston and  one daughter, Judy (husband Raymond) Rios of Clearfield;  two grandchildren, Rhonda Rios of Riverside, Calif. and Pam (husband Brent) Strabala of West Branch; three great-grandchildren, one sister, Lela Dukes of  Ellston; a brother-in-law, Lowell Bush of Longmont, Colo.,  and many nieces and nephews.        He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Dale (wife Pearl), Lee (wife Louise) and Elbert (wife Maxine); one brother in-law, Vince Dukes, and two sisters-in-law, Ruby Bush and Alice (husband Bob) Reynolds.

[106] Palmer, Clifford - Funeral services and Masonic rites for Clifford Palmer, age 79, of Brooks, who died Thursday, February 16, 2006, at his home, were held Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nodaway United Methodist Church.

Interment was held in the Prairie Rose Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Ourcq Post No. 117 of the Corning American Legion. Memorials can be directed to the ZA-GA-ZIG Shrine. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home of Corning.

Clifford Earl Palmer was born September 4, 1926, in Corning, Iowa the son of Earl Palmer and Ada (Richards) Palmer. He grew up attending the Nodaway High School, graduating with the Class of 1943. On November 22, 1944, he answered the call to serve his country entering the United States Army serving in Europe during World War II. He was awarded the Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, two Overseas Service Bars, Army of Occupation Medal Germany and the Good Conduct
Medal, being honorably discharged on August 18, 1946. On July 23, 1947, he was united in marriage to Darlene Haley in Corning. The couple was blessed with the birth of three children, Clifford Dale, Marvin Clyde and Donna Elaine.

After Cliff's discharge from the United States Army he and Darlene farmed on various farms in Adams County near Nodaway and Brooks. He was also a substitute US Rural Mail Carrier from 1946 to 1952. In 1957, they moved to a farm south of Brooks located in Section 19 of Jasper Township. Together they purchased this farm and continued to live there.

Cliff enjoyed all sports, and during his high school years, he played basketball and baseball. He continued to play after graduation for the Nodaway Town Team for many years. He was an active man who enjoyed
deer hunting and being outdoors. He had a tremendous sense of humor and loved being around people. Even with his illness he said, "if I can get one laugh a day ..... it was worth it." He seldom missed any of his children or grandchildren's events throughout the years. Cliff also kept active in the American Legion Post, VFW, ZA-GA-ZIG Shrine and Iroquois Masonic Lodge No. 590.

Left to cherish Cliff's memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Darlene Palmer of Brooks; two sons, Clifford Dale Palmer of Omaha, Nebraska; and Marvin Clyde Palmer and wife Michelle of Corning; a daughter, Donna Elaine Palmer of Corning; a sister, Dorothy Greenway of Ada, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many friends.

Preceding Cliff in death were his parents Earl and Ada Palmer; and three sisters, Barbara, Doris Berkey and Rowena Rhamy.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn Cliff's passing.

Funeral services for Janice Peterson, age 51 of Bedford,
Iowa, who died Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at her home in
Bedford, Iowa were held Friday , January 25, 2008 at 10:30
a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Roberts
officiating. Visitation with the family was held 6-8 p.m.,
Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the funeral home.. Burial
was in the Fairview Cemetery. Memorials can be directed
to the Hospice of Central Iowa. Memories and condolences
may be shared with the family on our web page,
www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home
of Bedford, Iowa.

[113] Peters, Susan "Sue," 51, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at her home. Funeral Services was
Friday, February 3, 2006 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des
Moines with burial in Glendale Cemetery.

Sue was born August 11, 1954 in Peoria, Illinois to Virginia and Raymond Mushro. She loved
spending time with her family, attending her daughter's activities, and traveling. She is survived by her husband, her daughter Julie, her sisters Juliann McPadden of Corpus Christy, Texas; and Sharon Page of South Barrington, IL: Father-in-law LaVerne Peters of Bedford, IA; brother-in-law and family Mr. and Mrs. Ron Peters of S Mission KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her step-son Todd Peters, and Mother-in-law Maxine Peters. Contributions may be given to the family who will establish a memorial planting at the Clive Park.

[116] Price, Dorothy A. "Dot," 79, of Olney, Illinois passed away at 5:00 a.m. on February 6, 2005 at Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, Indiana.
Dorothy was born March 20, 1925 in Conway, Iowa to Clarence and Nellie Pace Mason.
She was married to Edward Price on August 6, 1946 in Clarinda, Iowa. She was a comptroller for General Telephone Company, Bloomington, Ill. She was a member of ITPA Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Elks Club, School Mentor and a Pink Lady at Richland Memorial Hospital.
Her survivors include one brother: Lowell Mason of Los Angeles, CA; 4 sisters: Edris Fann of Clarinda, IA; Jane Evans, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Waive Shields, Clarinda, IA and Lee Bailey of Littleton, CO; several nieces and nephews, a special niece Cheryl Taylor and special nephew Scott Taylor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 3 brothers.
Funeral services were held at 3:00 Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 1st United Methodist Church in Olney, Illinois with Rev. Scott Carlson officiating and laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery. Friends called from 1:00 p.m. to time of service. Memorials can be sent to Leukemia Lymphoma Associaton. Nale's Funeral Home in Albion, Illinois was in charge of arrangements.

[117] Perdew, Emanuel W. - E.W. Perdew who was taken to the hospital at St Joseph, Missouri last week, passed away Sunday afternoon. He had been in poor health for several years.

His daughter and husband, Mr and Mrs J.H. Laurence of Harlan came Sunday, and a brother-in-law and wife, Mr and Mrs Ed Carpenter, and a nephew, Mr and Mrs Clifford Carpenter of Des Moines also arrived here Sunday.

The funeral service was held in the Christian church here at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev Purday, pastor of the church. The music was by a quartet composed of Mrs O.M. Buckner, Mrs Cleo Savage, Don Foreman and J.S. Francis, accompanist, Mrs Claude Gray.

The pallbearers were: George Depew, Dean Fleming, Claude Gray, Fred McKune, Cleo Savage and Glen Baker. Interment was made in the Gravity cemetery.

Obituary - Emanuel W. Perdew, son of Hiram and Elizabeth Perdew, was born June 10, 1862, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and passed away at St Joseph, Missouri, October 14, 1945, at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 4 days. He came west with his parents to Illinois, and later on to Iowa, where he has resided for the past 68 years.

He was united in marriage to Iniss M. Carpenter, July 24, 1890, and to them were born four children: Wilber C., Charles E., Neva O. Laurence, and Vera A. Brown.

His wife passed away May 27, 1945; also one son, Wilber C., preceded him in death in 1920.

Those who remain to mourn his death are: Charles of Gravity, Neva O. of Harlan, and Vera A. of Gravity, and one sister, Mrs Nancy Stevens of Laverne, Okla., also nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.

Gravity, Iowa Independent newspaper

[118] Patch, Emma Stephens - Graveside services for Mrs Edward P. Patch, 84, of Murray, Iowa, longtime Taylor and Page county resident, were held at Fairview Cemetery [Bedford, Ia] Oct 22 following 11:00 am services at Murray Church of Christ. Rev Walter Williams of Murray was in charge of the services. Mrs Patch died at the Clarke County [Iowa] Municipal Hospital Oct 20, 1964.

Emma Stephens Patch was born of Scottish-English pioneer parents, Daniel and Emma Gordon Stephens, on December 4, 1880 in rural Taylor county, Iowa. Her early childhood and adolescent years were spent in the High Prairie Community, where she attended the Methodist Church and a one-room country school. It was a happy, peaceful childhood, leaving Emma with rich memories of church socials, box suppers, quilting bees and square dances. Emma was the third youngest in a family of ten children. She is survived only by her youngest brother, V.G. Stephens of Bedford, Iowa.

On December 9, 1896, Emma was united in matrimony to Edward P. Patch of Bedford, Iowa. Edward was also from an Iowa pioneer family. Edward and Emma had a full life together. Their marriage lasted 64 years until Edward's death on July 23, 1961. To their union were born four children: Ethel Patch Bower of Murray, Ia.; Lelia Patch Eike of Hot Springs, Ark; Charles Patch of St Joseph, Mo, and Dorothy Patch of Bloomington, Ill. The family lived on a farm near Bedford, Ia, for many years. After retirement, Edward and Emma moved to Clarinda, Ia, where they lived until Edward's death.

Emma was a member of the Christian Church at Bedford, the Church of Christ at Murray, and the Rebekah Lodge at Clarinda. She was mainly interested in her home and family. She was an artistic woman, who enjoyed music, painting and fancy work.

After her husband's death, Emma failed considerably. She was cared for by her daughter Ethel in the Guy Bower home at Murray, Ia. She was with Ethel and Guy for nearly four years, until the need of specialized care made it necessary to move her to the Johnson's Nursing Home at Murray, Ia.

In death, Emma not only joins her husband but also her only grandson, O. Manley Eike Jr who was lost in the China Sea in the Spring of 1955.

Besides her brother and her four children, Emma is survived by an only granddaughter, Martha Louise Bower Routh and two great-grandsons, Donald Lee Routh and Robert Louis Routh; and a host of nephews, nieces and their families in the Taylor county area.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa Oct 1964

[119] Price, Vadonna Pearl Lucas - Vadonna Pearl (Lucas) Price, the sixth child and third daughter of Joseph Leroy (Roy) and Lena Pearl (Stutesman) Lucas, was born September 23, 1917, on the sixty-third anniversary of her Grandfather John Stutesman's birth on the "Bartles" farm northwest of Sheridan, Missouri.

According to her older brother, Vane Lucas, who was nine when she was born, in his book, "Country Boy Ph'd" "She was plump, pretty and very welcome: into the family of three older brothers, Vane, Max and Kenneth and two older isters, Marie Larison and Doris O'Dell."

When Vadonna was two years old the family of eight moved by wagon from Sheridan, Missouri to Clayton Township, Taylor County, Bedford, Iowa to live on the Crum farm.

Vadonna attended country schools with her first teacher being her oldest sister, Marie. Vadonna got her first and only spanking in school from her sister/teacher Marie because she chewed her crayons. She graduated from 8th grade in May 1930 and earned her certificate for admission to high school.

Vadonna went to high school in Bedford and because of the distance from her home to the high school she roomed in Bedford during her freshman, junior and senior years. She loved school and excelled in many areas. During her senior year she was a softball pitcher on the Bedford High School girls all-star team that went to the state tournament in Des Moines. Vadonna graduated in May 1934, third in her class of sixty-four students. Vadonna maintaned a close relationship with her classmates in later years. She served as secretary for many years helping to organize their many class reunions.

After graduating from Bedford High School she worked at the Taylor County Home as a cook and later as a secretary for Taylor County Farm Bureau office.

In 1935 she met Ralph Oren Price while roller skating at the Bedford rink. She fell down and Ralph literally fell over her. Her brother, Kenneth, who was skating there also, knew Ralph and proceeded to introduce Vadonna to Ralph formally. Ralph always said "she tripped him on roller skates and he fell for her".

On Setember 23, 1936, on her 19th birthday, Ralph proposed to Vadonna. They were married on Saturday evening, May 8, 1937, at her parent's home, on the Gunison farm, one mile north of Bedford, Iowa by Reverend W.H. Hoge.

After the short honeymoon to Maryville, Missouri, they moved to "Grandpa" Elmer Barton's house five miles north of Gravity, Iowa on the Gravity-Gus road. Ralph was farming with his parents, Oren and Emma (Barker) Price who lived one-fourth mile south of Ralph and Vadonna. After Ralph's parents moved off the farm, Ralph and Vadonna moved to the home place which had been established by Ralph's grandfather, William H. Price in 1894. They lived there until moving to Gravity in 1962.

Vadonna and Ralph were the parents of eight children, Karen Irene (Norman) Akers, of St Joseph, Missouri; Marilyn Jean Leek, of Indianola, Iowa; Betty Elaine (Keith) Swigart, of Seligman, Missouri; Richard Duane (Sharon) of Corning, Iowa; Robert Craig (Lenett) of Seligman, Missouri; Barbara Vadonna (Denny) Elder, of St Joseph, Missouri; Alan Ralph (Debra) of Golden Valley, Minnesota; and Bryan John of Jefferson, Iowa.

Vadonna was very active and involved in her children's lives as they were growing up. She served as their 4-H leader, room mother, PTA officer, and family chauffeur. She was a good seamstress, making many of the children's clothes as well as band uniforms and dance costumes. She loved to cook. Gladys Combs, her long-time, tea-drinking friend and dear neighbor, said she was one of the best cooks in Taylor County. She organized and cooked many dinners for the PTA, Gravity Methodist Church, and neighbors. Vadonna also enjoyed gardening, crocheting and playing pitch. She always raised a large garden to provide canned vegetables for her family. She crocheted many afghans and doilies for family members. She was always ready to challenge anyone in a game of pitch, which, for the Lucas family, is a national pastime.

Vadonna was involved in her community. She was elected and served two terms on the Gravity City Council. Vadonna was a member of the DOC Club, Gravity Study Club, Oak Hill Christian Church Ladies Aid, and the Extension Club.

Vadonna loved her Lord Jesus Christ. She was a baptized member of the Gravity United Methodist church where she served her God in many capacities from church janitor to committee chairpersons, to president of the United Methodist Women for many years. One of her greatest joys came from serving and caring for other people.

In July 1965, Vadonna began working outside the home at the Clarinda Mental Health Institute. She worked the 11:00 pm to 7:00 am shift so she could continue to care for her family in the daytime. She retired on July 1, 1981 after 16 years of employment.

In May, 1987, Vadonna and Ralph celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. She was so thrilled with all her family and friends being with them for their special day.

On January 30, 1988, Ralph preceded her in death.

Vadonna loved children, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was never too busy or too tired to accept the opportunity of caring for them. It did not matter how many there were, she always welcomed them and their firiends with big hugs and lots of kisses. Of course, the refrigerator and cookie jar were always full.

The fifteen grandchildren she doted on are Rick and Roger Akers; Julia (Akers) McFarland; Scott Leek; Sonja (Swigart) Wells; Marty and Michael Swigart; Reo (Price) Menning; Richard (Dick) Price II; Bridge (Price) Pleake; Douglas Price; Kelsey and Jacob Price, Step-grandchildren, Bridget Westerman and Nikki (Jordan) Decker.

The twenty-three great-grandchildren are Ryan and Kevin Akers; Tara, Jonathan, Samuel, Alison, Julia and Laura Akers; Mark and Sarah McFarland; Miranda Leek; Jessica, Nathan and Brendan Wells; Ashley, Brittany and Cody Swigart; Dustin Swigart; Macy Pleake; and Mercedes Price. Step-great-grandchildren are Kayla Rodriguez, Noah Decker and Cole Rodenburg.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she is survived by her brother, Vane Lucas. Sisters-in-law, Margaret Lucas, Dorothy Lucas, Selma Lucas and Annabelle Lucas.

In addition to her husband, Ralph, she is preceded in death by her parents Joseph Leroy (Roy) and Lena Pearl (Stutesman) Lucas, brothers Max, Kenneth, Ivan and Ronald, sisters Marie Larison and Doris O'Dell. Brothers-in-law, Estel Larison and Herman O'Dell; sister-in-law, Blythe (Damewood) Lucas and great-grandchildren, Lacy Dawn Swigart.

In July 1991, she was diagnosed with a dementia related disease and has resided in the Bedford Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since then. She was lovingly cared for by the staff at the care facility for eleven and a half years.

Vadonna was a wonderful Christian influence in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She exemplified the Christian virtues of goodness, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection and most of all love. We know as Christians, we will be reunited with her in eternal life.