[William Thomas Meikle]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   July 15, 1976   p. 1, 4

Rites July 12 For Well Known Local Atty., Wm. T. Meikle

Funeral services for William Thomas Meikle, 80, of Bedford, well-known local attorney, held July 12 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain.  Mr. Meikle died July 9, 1976, in Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Ia.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

William Thomas Meikle was born on a farm in Taylor County, Iowa, on March 27, 1896, to William and Ella [Aiton] Meikle.  He attended Morning Star Country School and Church and was graduated from Bedford High School in 1915.  He attended the University of Iowa and served in the United States Navy during World War I.

After his discharge in 1918, he was graduated from Gard School of Law in St. Joseph, Missouri.  William then practiced law in St. Joseph where he met Thelma A. Hatcher.  They were married on December 27, 1926, in Leon, Iowa.  After a few years of practicing law in St. Joseph, the couple returned to Bedford where he opened a law office.

In 1933 they moved to a farm west of Bedford to raise their four children: Wilma Jean O'Dougherty of Denver, Colo., William Thomas Meikle II of Bedford, Robert Elmer Meikle of Fresno, Calif., and Julia Katherine Dougherty of Osceola, Ia.  In addition to his four children, he is survived by two sons-in-law, Hubert O'Dougherty of Denver, Colo., and Don Dougherty of Osceola, Ia.; seven grandsons, Richard David, Michael, and Martin O'Dougherty of Denver, Colo.; James A. Meikle of Hopkins, Mo., and Douglas and Scott Dougherty of Osceola, Ia.; one granddaughter, Kelly Dougherty of Osceola, Ia.; three great granddaughters, Krysti, Jennifer and Leaza O'Dougherty of Denver, Colo., and one great grandson, Richard O'Dougherty II of Denver.  William T. is the last of his generation in the Meikle family.

Bill was a man of many interests. In later years he started his day with the crossword puzzle and caring for his chickens.  Many people in the area have enjoyed the fruits of his gardening hobby.  He had [a] vivid memory for poetry and details and was able to create great interest in his recitations and stories to meet many situations.   He held a deep fascination for things of a political nature, and served in various capacities, including Taylor County Attorney, member of the National Committee for Agriculture, and in 1944 he was selected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.  In the years to follow he was actively engaged in county campaigns and issues.

He has kept his Scottish ancestry alive with his study of the poetry of Robert Burns.  An appropriate verse to fit the lifestyle of William T. Meikle is Burns' Epitaph on a Friend:  An honest man here lies at rest, As e'er God with his image blest; The friend of men, the friend of truth; The friend of age and guide of youth; Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd, Few heads with knowledge so inform'd; If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.

[Fred Lemuel William Martin]

Newspaper clipping, undated    Name of paper not given

Probable date January 1977

Des Moines Register News Service 

Indianola, IA.----Services for the Rev. Fred L. [emuel] W. [illiam] Martin, 78, of Indianola, who died Thursday at a Des Moines hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Sheridan Park United Methodist Church in Des Moines.  He was a Methodist minister in 15 Iowa towns, as well as serving in Kansas and Wyoming churches.  Survivors include his wife, a son, a daughter, Marilynn Strennen of Des Moines; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two brothers, a sister, a half brother and a half sister.

[Fred Lemuel William Martin]

Newspaper clipping dated January 27, 1977

Name of newspaper not given

Des Moines Services For Rev. F. Martin

Funeral services for the Rev. Fred L. [emuel William] Martin, 78, of 800 E. Iowa Ave., were held this morning at Sheridan Park United Methodist Church in Des Moines.  Interment was in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The Rev. Mr. Martin died Thursday at Des Moines General Hospital where he had been a patient since early last Tuesday.

He graduated from Simpson Academy in 1925.  A retired minister of the United Methodist Church, he had served pastorates at Randall and Chardon, Kans., Manville, Carpenter and Basin, Wyo., Magnolia, Tracy, Harvey, Lineville, Clio, Allerton, Carson, Sheldahl, Slater, Yale, Prairie Center, Wesley Chapel, Henderson, Wayland and Churdan in Iowa.  He was a veteran of World War I.

Since retiring in 1963, he had lived in Des Moines until 1972, then in Ankeny until moving to Indianola in 1974.

He is survived by his wife, Mary [Alice Hamilton]; a daughter, Mrs. Marilynn Strennen of Des Moines; a son, Mearl Martin of Cedar Rapids, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two brothers, Floyd Martin of Paradise, Calif., and Ernest Martin of LaJunta, Colo; a sister, Mrs. Olive Weir of McPherson, Kans.; a half brother, Russell Martin, and a half sister, Mrs. Ruth Varnum, both of Marshalltown.

The family suggests that memorials be given either to the Heart Fund or Sheridan Park United Methodist Church.

[Ellen Jean Thompson Mullen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 30, 1997    p. 5

Ellen Jean Mullen

Ellen Jean (Thompson) Mullen was born July 7, 1924 at the Gilbert homestead which was the home of her parents, Kate [Patton] and Walter Thompson.  She was united in marriage to Robert Glenn Mullen of Bedford on March 7, 1940 at the Methodist Church in Maryville, MO.  They farmed for 27 years before moving to their present home.  To this union were born six children, Gerald, Larry, Dianna, Kay, Denny and Kelly.

Ellen Jean was employed at Human Services of Taylor County from 1984 until shortly before her death.  During her work experience she was awarded the "Outstanding Volunteer Award" in 1987 by Governor Branstad.

Ellen Jean's joy was her family and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Sunday family dinners were a tradition around her big dining room where all who dined left with more wonderful memories each time.  She anxiously awaited each holiday by decorating her home, planning special delicious meals and bringing the family together.  She took great pride in her home, yard and flower gardens.  Over the years she gained many wonderful friends.

Ellen Jean is survived by one sister, Phyllis Henry; by all her children, Gerald Dean and friend Lynn and his children Teri, Randy and wife Kim; Larry Glenn and wife Susie and their children Todd and wife Tana, Erik and wife Machelle, Doug and wife Heidi, and Michelle Mullen; Dianna Lynn Davidson and husband Alan and their children Delynn and Ryan; Linda Kay McLearen, Denny Lee and wife Diane and their children, Krista and Shanin; and Kelly Scott and friend Dawne Eveland; nine great grandchildren, Amanda, Jeremy, Danielle, Chelsea, Jenifer, Elizabeth, Courtney, Daniel and Brian, and many, many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Bob, in 1980.

Funeral services were held by Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford on Saturday, April 26, 1997 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bedford.  Burial was in Graceland Cemetery.

[Ray Journey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 20, 1962    p. 8

Ray Journey Rites Are Held Here

Memorial services were held for Ray Journey, long time county resident, Sept. 12 at the Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, with Rev. Ivo Randels officiating.  Burial was in Memory Cemetery, New Market.

The following obituary was included in the funeral service:

Ray Journey, son of Amos and Mary Elizabeth [Woods] Journey, was born Feb. 26, 1887, in Taylor County, Iowa, and passed away Sept. 9, 1962, at his home in Bedford at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 14 days.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his beloved wife, Minnie; five children born of a previous marriage to May Leona Johnson.  They are: Gwendolyn Morton, Safford, Ariz.; Hilda White, Lynnwood, Calif., Neil Journey, St. Joseph, Mo., Thelma Wallace, Lakewood, Calif., and Donald Journey, Mesa, Ariz., sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; also two stepdaughters, Mrs. Paul Mohler, Luverne, Minn. and Mrs. Ray Allen of Des Moines.  He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Glen Godfrey, New Market and Mrs. Edna Gard of Des Moines; two brothers, Claude of Denver and Floyd of New Market.

His parents and four brothers have preceded him in death.  They were Gale, Harry, H. C. and Stein.

He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Out of town relatives and friends attending the funeral were Mrs. Paul Morton, Safford, Ariz., Mrs. Jim Wallace, Lakewood, Calif., Donald Journey of Mesa, Ariz., and Neil Journey of St. Joe.

Also Mr. and Mrs. Claude Journey, Denver; Mr. and Mrs. Ora Gard, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Allen, Des Moines; Mrs. Paul Mohler, Luverne, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Lex Snyder, Winterset; Mr. and Mrs. David Greer, Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Jay Snyder and Carl Snyder, Diagonal; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nash, Parnell, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Ray McFarland, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Campbell, Kellerton; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Herbert, Creston; Mr. and Mrs. James Hensley, Mr. and Mrs. George Crawford, Wade Crawford, all of Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Journey, Mrs. Nellie Journey, R. H. Pratt, Claude Drennen, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hipsley, Mr. and Mrs. Merritt Foster, New Market.