Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[Fickess, Albert Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 10, 1981      p. 4

Final Rites Held December 3 For Albert Lee Fickess

Funeral services for Albert Lee Fickess, 85, formerly of Gravity and Sharpsburg, were held December 2 in the Free Methodist Church in Alma, Nebr. with Rev. Paul Cronk and Rev. Paul Johnson officiating and in Hamilton Memorial Missionary Church in Bedford December 3 conducted by Rev. A.E. Hunter and Rev. Duane Hunt. Military honors were provided by the Moore-Rutledge Post No. 578 of the American Legion at the graveside in Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Albert Lee Fickess, first of twelve children, was born October 27, 1896, in Scranton, Iowa, to John Wesley and Naomi Butterton Fickess.

Albert lived with his parents in Oklahoma and Kansas for about 20 years. While in McCune, Kansas, at age 18, he was converted to Christ in a schoolhouse revival meeting. He moved to Sharpsburg, Iowa in 1917.

At the age of 21 Albert served in France during World War I as an orderly in the Medics Division. He was a member of the American Legion for 22 years--first in Moore-Rutledge Post No. 578 at Gravity, Iowa and later in Fay Cady Post No. 118 at Alma, Nebraska.

After World War I Albert returned to Sharpsburg where he farmed for a while. During a rainstorm he met a Christian schoolteacher named Ethel Butman, who needed a ride over muddy roads back to school. This led to their marriage June 15, 1921 at Gravity, Iowa. They resided in Sharpsburg until 1976 when they moved to Fremont, Nebraska, and later to Alma, Nebraska to be near their daughters, Ruby Cronk and Eula Johnson.

Albert was a faithful member of the Free Methodist Church for over 50 years and of the Missionary Church (in Bedford, "this church") for 11 years. He served capably as Sunday School superintendent, teacher, trustee, and delegate to annual conference. Albert took pride in his work of county road maintenance. He also enjoyed small game hunting, gardening and reading. He was a friend to all, and was known for his kindness to people in town or country. His family knew and felt his love. Strength, wisdom, and giving characterized his devoted life to family and friends.

Albert's beloved wife Ethel preceded him in death ten months ago on January 26, 1981. Also preceding him in death were his parents; five brothers—Floyd [Fayette], Glen, Harold and [John] Wayne; one sister, Mrs. Bertha [Lucille] Mattox; son-in-law, the Rev. Donald Crosby; and grandson, Steven Crosby.

Surviving are son Paul and wife Lorene of Polo, Missouri; daughters: Alice and husband Carl Rice of Greenville, Illinois; Ruby and husband, the Rev. Paul Cronk, of Alma, Nebraska; Eula and husband, the Rev. Paul Johnson, also of Alma; 18 grandchildren; 15 spouses of grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; four sisters: Mrs. Ethel [Belle] Wilson of Kennewick, Washington, Mrs. Dolly [May] Huddle of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mrs. Emma Ruth of Lansing, Michigan, Mrs. Kenneth (Ruth) Holmes of Cedar Falls, Iowa; one brother, Earl, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

The following lines express his children's sentiments:

TO MY FATHER

Unknown in halls of fame,

Yet truly great, My Father!

Great in the greatest things of

life. Not great in earthly

wealth. But greatly generous;

Generous in kindly counsel,

patience and love. Unsung in

songs, but shrined in loving

hearts, My Father!

[Fickess, Clarence Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 27, 1956        p. 9

SHARPSBURG

Obituary - Clarence Fickess

Clarence Wesley Fickess of Waterloo, Iowa, son of John Wesley and Naomi [Butterton] Fickess, was born near Piedmont, Okla., August 2, 1903. He spent his boyhood in Kansas and seven years in the Sharpsburg community. He was an employee of Vicking Pump factory of Cedar Falls for 27 years and died in Waterloo, September 12 at the age of 53 years, one month, 10 days, after a long illness.

On April 24, 1925 he was married to Anita Eliot. To them five children were born: one son, Gene, died at the age of 2 years. Mrs. Fickess died Oct. 24, 1946.

Surviving are Mrs. Dorothy Blumenthal, New York City; Mrs. Virginia Caley, San Diego, Calif.; Mrs. Phyllis Ehlert, Evansdale, Iowa; Robert at home.

On April 8, 1950 he was married to Ona Runyan who survives. There are also six stepchildren, Glen and Allen of Waterloo, Darwin and Mrs. Duane Lahr of Cedar Falls, Mrs. David Grover of Waterloo, Dixie at home.

Five brothers survive, Albert [Lee] of Sharpsburg, Floyd [Fayette] of Gravity, Glen of New Hartford, Harold and Earl of Cedar Falls; five sisters, Mrs. Bertha [Lucille] Mattox of Erie, Kans., Mrs. Ethel Wilson of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Dolly Huddle of Braddyville, Mrs. Emma Ruth of Lansing, Mich., Mrs. Ruth Holmes of Cedar Falls.

He was converted and kept faith in God to the end of life.

Funeral services were at Dahl Funeral home, Sept. 14, 1956 in charge of Rev. W. C. Bloyer. Pallbearers were five brothers and a stepson. Burial in Cedar Falls cemetery.

[Fickess, Daisy Marie Bicknell]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 30, 1991    p. 6

DAISY MARIE FICKESS

Funeral services for Daisy Marie Fickess were held January 11, 1991 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Shultz officiating. Burial was in Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Daisy Marie Fickess was the second daughter born to W. [ashington] Frank and [Mary] Elfina Joneson Bickness [Bicknell]. She was born at Lenox, Iowa on July 16, 1901, and died January 8, 1991 at the Bedford Manor Nursing Home at the age of 89 years, five months and 23 days.

Daisy grew up in Sharpsburg, Iowa, where she attended school and the Presbyterian Church. At church, she met her husband-to-be, Floyd F. [ayette] Fickess. They married on October 31, 1919, and made their first home in Sharpsburg. Later, they moved to Gravity, where they had plenty of room to garden. Daisy and Floyd had three children: Marie Fickess Hayman, Darlene [Naomi] Fickess King and Floyd Francis Fickess. Daisy loved her family, loved to have them help in the garden, and loved to cook for them.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd; her daughter, Darlene; and her sisters, Dorrit and Bernice.

Those who will treasure her memory include her children, Marie and Francis; her daughter-in-law, Garland Fickess, and son-in-law, Bob King; her sisters, Catherine Rogers, Frances Askins, Cora Reckart, and Mildred Daston; her brothers, Tom, George and Frankie Bicknell; and six grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Daisy was baptized in 1975 at the Christian Church in Joplin, Mo., along with her daughter, Marie, and granddaughter, Jean. As God blessed the world with Daisy's life, may God now bless Daisy with everlasting life.

[Fickess, Ethel May Butman]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      January 29, 1981      [p. 1]

Ethel M. Fickess, 83 Last Rites Will Be Held Here Friday

Funeral services for Mrs. Albert Lee (Ethel M.) Fickess, 83, of Alma, Nebraska, formerly of Sharpsburg, Ia., will be held Fri., Jan. 30, at 1:30 p.m. in Hamilton Memorial Missionary Church in Bedford conducted by Rev. Allen Tomlinson. Services are being held today in Alma, Nebraska at 10:30 a.m. Mrs. [Ethel May Butman] Fickess died January 26 in Harlan County Memorial Hospital in Alma, Nebraska. interment will be in the Gravity Cemetery.

[Fickess, Floyd Fayette]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 10, 1970      p. 3

Last Rites Held December 3 for Floyd Fickess

Funeral services for Floyd Fayette Fickess, 72, of Gravity, held December 3 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Darrel L. Draper. Mr. Fickess died December 1, 1970 at Rosary Hospital in Corning. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Floyd Fayette Fickess was born December 26, 1897 on a farm near Scranton, Iowa to Naomi Butterton and John Wesley Fickess.

At an early age Floyd moved with his family to Oklahoma and Kansas and returned to Taylor County, Iowa at the age of 19 and resided there until his death.

He was united in marriage October 31, 1919 to Daisy Marie Bicknell and to this union three children were born: Marie Hayman of Monett, Missouri, Darlene [Naomi] King, who preceded him in death, and [Floyd] Francis of Gravity.

He is survived by his wife; two children; six grandchildren; five sisters: Mrs. Ethel [Belle] Wilson of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Dolly [May] Huddle of Braddyville, Ia., Mrs. Emma Ruth of Lansing, Mich., Mrs. Ruth Holmes of Cedar Falls Ia.; four brothers; Albert [Lee] of Sharpsburg, Glen of New Hampton, Ia., Harold of Waterloo, Ia., Earl of Cedar Falls, Ia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Wayne and Clarence [Wesley], and his daughter, Darlene [Naomi].

For many years Floyd was a mechanic and trucker in the Sharpsburg and Gravity area until failing health forced him to retire. He will be greatly missed by his many relatives and friends.

[Fickess, Glen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 28, 1980      p. 11

Final Rites Today For Glen Fickess

Funeral services for Glen Fickess, 70, of New Hartford, Ia., formerly of this area, will be held today, February 28 at the First Baptist Church in New Hartford. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, New Hartford.

Born in Kansas, Mr. Fickess moved to Sharpsburg with his family when he was eight. He attended country schools in Taylor County.

On October 1, 1927, he married Flossie Fanning of Bedford at Atlantic, Ia. They left this area in 1936.

Mr. Fickess was preceded in death by his parents, John [Wesley] and Naomi Butterton Fickess, one sister and three brothers.

He is survived by his wife, of the home, a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Smith of New Hartford, three grandchildren, one great granddaughter, three brothers and four sisters.

[Fickess, John Wayne]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    December 24, 1942     p. 2

Sharpsburg

J. [ohn] W. [esley] Fickess received word Saturday that his son, [John] Wayne, who has been in the hospital at Glenwood, passed away Friday evening. J. [ohn] W. [esley] Fickess and Albert Fickess went to Corning to make funeral arrangements.

[Fickess, John Wayne]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 31, 1942     p. 4

SHARPSBURG

John W. Fickess Dies

Funeral services were held at Gravity Tuesday, Dec. 21, for John Wayne Fickess, son of J. [ohn] W. [esley] Fickess of Sharpsburg, who died at Glenwood Saturday morning.

[Fickess, John Wayne]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    December 24, 1942     p. 3

Conway

[John] Wayne Fickess, brother of Floyd Fickess, died Friday night and funeral services were held Monday from the Free Methodist church, Rev. Sines conducting. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery. Relatives from out of town attending rites were: J. [ohn] W. [esley] Fickess and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fickess and family of Sharpsburg, Clarence [Wesley] Fickess of Minneapolis, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Glen Fickess and daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Holmes of Cedar Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Huddle and family of Hopkins and Mr. and Mrs. John Ruth and son of Carbon.

[Fickess, John Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       May 29, 1947    p. 2

SHARPSBURG

Obituary – J. W. Fickess

John Wesley Fickess, son of John Wesley and Celesta C. [atherine Coleman] Fickess, was born Oct. 7, 1870 at Liscomb, Iowa and died Monday, May 19, 1947.

He grew to manhood and spent the most of his life in Iowa. On Jan. 1, 1896 he was married to Naomi Butterton.

To them twelve children were born. Mrs. Fickess died February 21, 1936, and the youngest son died in December 1942.

Surviving are six sons and five daughters: Albert [Lee] Fickess of Sharpsburg, Floyd [Fayette] Fickess of Gravity, Clarence [Wesley], Glen, Harold and Earl Fickess, all of Cedar Falls; Mrs. Ervin Mattox [Bertha Lucille] of Erie, Kans., Mrs. A. [rthur] C. Wilson of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Clarence Huddle of Braddyville, Mrs. John Ruth of Hurley, S.Dak., Mrs. Kenneth Holmes of Cedar Falls; 35 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg, Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gordon F. MacLean. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

[Fickess, Naomi Butterton]

Gravity Independent

Thursday       March 5, 1936      [p. 1]

Obituary- Mrs. J. W. Fickess

Naomi Butterton daughter of Fred and Emma Butterton was born February 28, 1878 at Dorchester, Ontario, Canada and departed this life February 21, 1936, at her home near New Market, Iowa at the age of 57 years, 11 months and 23 days. She has spent the last 19 years in Taylor County.

When she was a small child she moved with her parents to a farm near Audubon, Iowa where she spent her girlhood days. She was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1896 to John Wesley Fickess. To this union were born twelve children, all of whom are living.

She was converted at an early age and united with the Evangelical church at Audubon, Iowa and later became a member of the Free Methodist church at Gravity, Iowa where she was a devoted member till the time of her death.

She was greatly devoted to her family working untiringly with her hands for their temporal welfare and by precept and example for their spiritual welfare.

During a lingering illness of four months she was a patient sufferer and had testified repeatedly of her readiness to meet her Savior and has urged her family to meet her in Heaven.

She is survived by her husband and 12 children: Albert [Lee] of Sharpsburg; Floyd [Fayette] of Gravity; Mrs. Bertha [Lucille] Mattox of St. Paul, Kansas; Mrs. Ethel [Belle] Wilson of Rhineland, Missouri; Clarence [Wesley] of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Mrs. Dolly [May] Huddle of Clearmont, Mo., Mrs. Emma Ruth of Carbon, Iowa; Glen of Sharpsburg; and Harold, Earl, Ruth and [John] Wayne who are at home. Also 26 grandchildren, three brothers; 1 sister and many other relatives and friends all of whom mourn her departure but not as though without hope. We have the assurance that she is enjoying the presence of Him who died to save sinners.

Funeral services were conducted at the Free Methodist church in Gravity. Interment was made in the Gravity cemetery with the six oldest sons acting as pallbearers.

[Harbour, Francis Wayne]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 10, 1981      p. 4

Last Rites Held December 9 For Wayne Harbour, 82

Funeral services for F. [rancis] Wayne Harbour, 82, former Bedford postmaster, were held Wednesday in the Bedford United Christian-Presbyterian Church with Rev. Marcia Smith officiating. Mr. Harbour died December 5 in Douglas County Hospital, Omaha. Interment was at the Greenfield (Ia.) cemetery where Masonic and military honors were presented.

[Harbour, Francis Wayne]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 17, 1981     p. 4

Final Rites Held For Wayne Harbour, 82

Funeral services for Wayne Harbour, 82, of Bedford were held December 9 in the Bedford United Christian-Presbyterian Church with Rev. Marcia Smith officiating. Mr. Harbour died December 5, 1981 in Douglas County Hospital in Omaha, Ne. Interment was at the Greenfield, Ia., Cemetery.

Francis Wayne Harbour, son of Henry and Lou Harbour, was born in Greenfield, Iowa on July 1, 1899. He lived in Greenfield and grew to maturity there where he attended the public schools and the Presbyterian Church.

In 1925 h e was united in marriage to Dorothy Motley in Bowling Green, Mo. They lived in Greenfield for two years and then moved to Bedford. To this union were born two children, Robert Wayne and Katherine Lou.

He owned and operated Harbour and Son Produce for many years. He became Bedford Postmaster in 1954 and served 15 years in this position.

Mr. Harbour was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was active in the Masonic Lodge, Shrine, American Legion and Odd Fellows.

As a hobby, Wayne investigated more than 20,000 Ripley's '"Believe It or Not" facts, writing all over the United States and even as far as China. Albums containing his research have been placed in "Believe It or Not" museums in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Estes Park, Colo, and London, England.

Wayne's life was often a life of service. At 17, he was the youngest commissioned officer in World War I. He was Postmaster in Bedford from 1954 to 1969, mayor of Bedford from 1942 to 1946 and was active in the Bedford Presbyterian Church.

His was also a life of joy.

When he reached 50 years of age he rejoiced because none of his relatives had lived past 50—he gave a celebration party his family and friends will remember—This was repeated for his 60th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, daughter Katherine, parents, brother Harry and sister Lou.

Left to cherish his memory are his son Robert and wife Shirley of Omaha; two granddaughters, Cynthia Harbour, Omaha, and Linda Harbour Phillips and husband, Scott, of Omaha; two grandsons, William Harbour and wife, Kristine, Farmville, Va., and Robert J. of Omaha.

He was a kind and considerate husband, father, grandfather and true friend to those who knew him.

[Harbour, Catherine Lou]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 25, 1935     [p. 1]

Harbour Girl Fatally Hurt In Fall Friday

Little Harbour Girl Buried Sunday

Catherine Lou Harbour, four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Harbour of Bedford, was fatally injured in a 25-foot fall from a window at her home Friday afternoon, dying at a hospital in St. Joseph about 8:20 o'clock that evening.

The little girl struck on a cement driveway to a garage beneath the house, after she had toppled from the upstairs window, receiving injuries that proved fatal.

The screen on the upstairs window, situated near the head of the stairs, had been unhooked when painters had been at work on the exterior of the house. It is presumed Catherine Lou sat down in the window or fell against the screen, knocking it loose at the bottom from its moorings of drying paint.

Mrs. Harbour was in the basement lighting an oil burner that heats water for the upstairs bathroom, when the accident occurred. The fire lighted, she returned upstairs to give her a bath. Failing to get a response to her calls to Catherine Lou, Mrs. Harbour again pushed against the upstairs screen.

It felt tight a few moments before when she had pushed her hand against it.  This time it swung open freely. Looking out she saw the child on the cement drive below.

Mr. and Mrs. Harbour took the injured child to St. Joseph, after she was treated locally. The accident happened about 2:30 o'clock.

The funeral was held at the home Sunday afternoon at 4:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Ware Wimberley of Greenfield. Burial was made in the Harbour family lot at Greenfield.

[Harbour, Catherine Lou]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 25, 1935     p. 5

Attend Harbour Girl's Funeral

Among the relatives who were here Sunday to attend the funeral services for Catherine Lou Harbour were Judge and Mrs. R. [obert] L. [ee] Motley of Bowling Green, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Burcham of St. Louis; Mrs. Lou Harbour, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Harbour and daughter, Helen, all of Greenfield; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lambert, Mr. and Mrs. August Ruser, and Charles Newton of Omaha. Included with the friends from out of town were A. Friedman of Fontanelle; Mr. and Mrs. N. I. Menzer of Creston; Mr. and Mrs. Art O'Connor of St. Joseph; Mr. and Mrs. Lorrain Water of Des Moines; M. A. Khoury and Mr. Fitch of Creston; Russell Piper of Greenfield.

[Paul, Clark Edson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 30, 1950     [p. 1]

Heart Attack Fatal to Clark E. Paul; Steeves Appointed Clerk For New Term

Clark E. [dson] Paul died Wednesday at 3 a. m. in Municipal hospital in Clarinda following a heart attack. He had been clerk of the district court of Taylor County here for the last eight years.

Mr. Paul, 70, suffered the heart attack Monday morning while at work in the clerk's office of the courthouse. He was rushed to Municipal hospital that morning.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Friday), at 2:30 p. m. in the Shum Funeral home in Bedford. Rev. Robert M. Peters will officiate, with burial in Fairview cemetery.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Otis Padgett (Ruth) of Topeka, Kansas, son, Robert, of Gallatin, Mo., and four grandchildren.

Mr. Paul was born May 13, 1880, four miles north of Bedford, the son of Joseph Warren and Sarah Jane Chandler Paul. He was one of four children, none of whom are now living.

He married Miss Edna Barger June 29, 1911, and they had two children, Robert and Ruth.

Mr. Paul lived his entire life in and near Bedford, coming from the farm where he was born, to Bedford when he was 13. He had lived here ever since.

For many years he was a Bedford clothier, starting that profession when he was still a high school student and later buying a business of his own. After he disposed of his clothing business he sold cars for the R. W. Thompson garage for about eight years before becoming clerk of courts.

He joined the Bedford Methodist church in 1900.

[Paul, Edna Browning Barger]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 22, 1956    [p. 1]

Mrs. Edna B. Paul Rites Here Friday

Mrs. Edna B. [rowning] Paul, 72, of Gallatin, Mo., died Tuesday morning at a Cameron, Mo., hospital. She was a former resident of Bedford, moving to Gallatin six years ago.

Survivors include one son, Robert Paul, Gallatin; one daughter, Ruth Padgett, Kansas City; one brother, Herbert Barger, Denver, Colo.; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Shum Funeral Home in Bedford, Friday afternoon, Nov. 23 at 2:30 o'clock.