Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[McCrae, John Samuel]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    June 25, 1931     p. 5

The infant son [John Samuel] of Mr. and Mrs. Sam McCrae of New Raymer, Colo., passed away at a hospital in Sterling, Colo., early Monday morning, about thirty-six hours after its birth. The little body was brought to Bedford by the father, who was accompanied by the mother's brother, Tim Sweiger [Sweigard] and from Omaha by his sister Miss Mary Jane McCrae. Short funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. F. McMican. Interment was made in Lexington cemetery.

[McCrea, Samuel T. “Sam”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 27, 1938     p. 8

Sam McCrea, 53, Dies In Arkansas

Sam McCrea, 53, died at his home in Newport, Ark., Sunday, Jan. 23. The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick. Burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

Sam T. McCrea was born Sept. 20, 1884 on the old home farm east of Conway. He resided in that vicinity until in 1931 when he moved with his family to Stuttgart, Ark. On Jan. 5, 1937 they moved to Newport, Ark., where he operated a large rice farm until his death.

He is survived by his wife, who was the former Miss Mary [Beatrice] Sweigard of the Sharpsburg community and by one son, James. Also by a sister and brother, Miss Mary Jane McCrea of Creston and C. J. McCrea of Shenandoah.

[McDowall, Isabella “Belle”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 18, 1974     p. 4

Belle McDowell, 77 Last Rites Held Here April 12

Funeral services for Belle M. McDowall, 77, of Bedford, held April 12 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain. Miss McDowall died in Municipal Hospital in Clarinda April 10, 1974.  Interment was at Lexington Cemetery, Bedford.

[Isabella] Belle M. McDowall was one of twin girls born near Conway, Iowa, October 16, 1896, to John McDowall and Helen Monie McDowall. She lived on the farm with her family until the farm was sold and the sisters moved to Bedford in 1962.

Belle was educated in the Taylor County Schools. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, first in Gravity, then in Sharpsburg, and finally in Bedford. She was also a member of the Eastern Star in Gravity, then in Bedford. In addition she belonged to a community club, the U.T.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Samuel and a sister, Nelle.

She is survived by her twin sister, Jane, and many friends.

[McDowall, Jane Hichel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 29, 1981     p. 8

Final Rites Held January 27 For Jane McDowall

Funeral services for Jane Hichel McDowall, 84, of Bedford, held January 27 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were officiated by Rev. Marcia Smith. She died January 25, 1981 in Bedford Manor. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa.

Jane Hichel McDowall, daughter of Helen B. Monie McDowall and John McDowall, was born near Conway, Iowa, on October 16, 1896. She attended the schools in this area and continued her education in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

She was a schoolteacher for many years. Jane was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, moving her membership from Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter for over fifty years.

Her parents, brother, and two sisters preceded her in death.

Although no immediate relatives are left to mourn her passing, Jane McDowall, who gave the warmth of her faith and friendship to so many, will continue to be loved and remembered by her many friends.

[McDowall, Nellie]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 10, 1972    p. 8

Nellie McDowall Rites Feb. 5

Funeral services for Nellie McDowall, 79, of Bedford, held February 5 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Ray C. McCain. Miss McDowall died February 3, 1972 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital. She had been in ill health for some time. Interment was at Lexington Cemetery.

Nellie McDowall, daughter of John and Helen Monie McDowall, was born March 9, 1892 near Conway, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Samuel McDowall.

She is survived by twin sisters, Jane and Belle McDowall.

She loved the farm and all that pertained to it. She will be greatly missed by her sisters and many friends.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years.

[McDowall, Samuel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 30, 1943    p. 6

Obituary - Samuel McDowall

Samuel McDowall, only son of John and Helen [Monie] McDowall and one of four children, was born at the family home west of Conway February 17, 1891. Here he grew to manhood and gave himself unselfishly to the comforts and security of his home and loved ones. The place of his birth was the family home for more than 53 years.

He was a kind and loving son and brother, a man of high ideals, one of the best of neighbors, especially gifted as a mechanic and using his ability to help in all times of need. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity, Sunlight Lodge No. 459, A.F.&A.M. of Gravity in 1918, and advanced to the degree of Past Master of the order.

He was preceded in death by his father, who died in 1902, and his mother in May 1941.

About three weeks ago Mr. McDowall was taken ill and died at the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda Sunday, Sept. 26, 1943, at the age of 52 years, 7 months and 9 days.

He is survived by his three sisters, Nellie, Belle, and Jane at home, six aunts and one uncle in Pennsylvania, two cousins, Mary Jane McCrae of Creston and Claude McCrea of Shenandoah and three second cousins, James McCrea of Creston and Betty Lou and Bob McCrea of Shenandoah.

Funeral services were conducted at the home Tuesday afternoon b y Rev. Z. M. Bressler of Gravity, assisted by Rev. J. W. Chase of Sharpsburg. Full Masonic honors were accorded by Sunlight Lodge No. 459 of Gravity with Kenneth Stephens of Bedford bringing the ritualistic work. Interment was in Lexington cemetery.

[Robey, Kenneth William]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 31, 1960     p. 4

Kenneth Robey Died In Texas

Kenneth [William] Robey, 49, of San Antonio, Texas, at one time a resident of Bedford, died at Brooks Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Friday, March 25.

The body was returned to Hopkins Tuesday and graveside services were held at Lexington cemetery, at two p.m., Wednesday, March 30. Rev. Walter S. Cox of Hopkins officiated.

He is survived by a son, Ronnie [Ronald Lee]; two sisters, Mrs. Wayne Newbury [Estelle] of Hopkins and Marjorie [Gertrude] Robey of Texas; two half-sisters, Mrs. Blanche Johnston of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Pearl Garrett of Lenox; three half-brothers, James Robey of Minot, N. Dak., Dewey Robey of Mohall, N. Dak.; Clark [Willis] Robey of Bedford.

[Robey, Mary Maude “Margie” Fanning Arnold]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 30, 1954     [p. 1]

Mrs. Mary Robey Died Here Saturday

Mrs. Mary Margie [Maude Fanning Arnold] Robey, 79, long-time resident of Bedford and community, died December 26 at the Cabeen nursing home in Bedford.

Funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles. Burial in Lexington cemetery.

Mrs. Robey is survived by two daughters and a son: Marjorie of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Wayne Newbury [Estelle] of Bedford, Kenneth [William] Robey of Dallas, Texas. There are several grandchildren.

[Robey, Marjorie]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 20, 1984    p. 6

Services held in Virginia for Marjorie Robey

Marjorie Robey of Virginia Beach, Va., formerly of Bedford, died September 14, 1984. The funeral was held September 18 in Virginia with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Virginia.

Survivors include a son G. L. Robey of Norfolk, Va.; sisters, Mrs. Pearl Garrett of Lenox, and Mrs. Estelle Newbury of Hopkins, Mo.; sister-in-law, Mrs. Mabel Robey of Bedford; and nieces and nephews and many friends.

[Marjorie married Dallas Laverne Arthur Book December 2, 1942 at Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri.  They divorced September 5, 1946.  Marjorie resumed the use of her maiden name. Source: Bedford Times-Press, September 26, 1946, page 1.]

[Sellers, Clyde E.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 17, 1938    [p. 1]

Hold Last Rites For Sellers Saturday

Funeral services for Clyde E. Sellers, 69, half-brother of Mrs. O. [liver] E. [dwin] Sperry [Ruby Sellers], who was killed in the automobile accident with the Sperrys, were held at the Christian Church in Creston Saturday afternoon conducted by Rev. L. E. Watson and members of the I.O.O.F. lodge. Military rites were held at the grave in the Conway cemetery, where burial was made. He was a Spanish American War veteran.

[Sperry, Amanda Taylor]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     January 7, 1926    p. 4

Amanda Taylor Sperry

Mrs. Amanda Taylor Sperry, daughter of John and [Emily] Jane [Doyle] Taylor, was born August 24, 1852, in Elmwood, Peoria County, Illinois, and departed this life December 26th, 1925, at Seattle, Washington.

She leaves a daughter, Mrs. S. [herman] G. Combs [Retta] of Seattle, Wash., and a son, O. [liver] E. [dwin] Sperry of Bedford, Iowa, and a grandson, Ralph W. Combs.

She confessed Christ about fifteen years ago and united with the local Christian church and had tried to live a very consistent Christian life.

Mrs. Sperry left Bedford, Iowa, last September 30th, with her daughter, Mrs. Combs, for Seattle, and was there but a short time before losing her health.

[Note: Washington State Death Certificate gives the death date as Dec. 28, 1925 at Edmonds, Snohomish Co., Washington and the age at death as 73 years, 4 months, 22 days which if correct would make her birth death August 6, 1852.]

[Sperry, David E.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     January 4, 1923     [p. 1]

D. E. Sperry Dead

D. [avid] E. Sperry, who has been ill for some time, passed away Wednesday night at 11:00 o'clock. Obituary will be published later.

[Sperry, David E.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 18, 1923    p. 7

Mrs. S. [herman] F. Combs of Seattle Washington, who had been visiting here at the home of her brother, O. [liver] E. [dwin] Sperry and attending the funeral of her father, left for her home Thursday morning.

[Sperry, Oliver Edwin “Ollie”] [Sellers, Clyde E.] [Sperry, Ruby Berjetta Sellers]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 10, 1938     [p. 1]

"Ribs-Ruby" Killed In Auto Crash

Tragedy Occurs Tuesday Near Early, Ia.

Mr. and Mrs. O. [liver] E. [dwin] Sperry of Creston, former residents of Bedford, known far and near as "Ribs and Ruby", were killed Tuesday morning about 8:20 o'clock when their automobile collided with a school bus at the intersection of U.S. highway 71 and state road No. 20, two miles south of Early, Iowa.

Mrs. Sperry's half-brother, Clyde Sellers, of Drake, Sask., Canada, was also killed in the accident. Two other occupants of the Sperry car, Mrs. Hanna Bierstedt of Creston and John Devoy, former employee of the Gamble store at Creston, were injured.

Jack Haradon, driver of the school bus, empty at the time, was also injured.

According to the account of the accident given in the Creston News-Advertiser Tuesday evening, the Sperry car left the couple's home in Creston at 4 a.m. that morning to take Mr. Sellers to Sutherland, Iowa, where he was to visit relatives while enroute to his home in Canada. Mrs. Bierstedt, who takes care of Mrs. Sperry's mother, Mrs. C. [harles] B. Stough, at her home in Creston, went along for the ride. Devoy was going to Cherokee to take a position in the Gamble store there, arranging for a ride with the Sperrys.

Plans for funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Sperry are pending the arrival of Mr. Sperry's sister, Mrs. Retta Combs, Seattle, Wash.

[Sperry, Oliver Edwin “Ollie”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 17, 1938      p. 5

Ollie E. Sperry

Ollie E. [dwin] Sperry, son of David and Amanda Taylor Sperry, was born Nov. 11, 1879, at Maryville, Mo., and passed away February 8, 1938, aged 58 years and 3 months.

He came with his parents to Bedford, Iowa, when 3 years old and spent all his life in Bedford until 1933, when he moved to Creston. While in Bedford, he was in the cigar business and later in the Gem Cafe. He was united in marriage July 31, 1908, to Ruby Sellers at Bedford.

He leaves to mourn his death one sister, Mrs. Retta Combs, of Seattle, Wash., and a nephew and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Combs, of Seattle.

His wife passed away the same day he did, February 8, 1938. They were taking Mrs. Sperry's brother, Clyde Sellers, as far as Sutherland, Iowa, on his way to Canada when the accident happened.

"Ribs" was a jolly good fellow and well liked by everyone who knew him. For miles around he and his wife were known as "Ribs and Ruby."

[Sperry, Ruby Berjetta Sellers]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 17, 1938      p. 5

Ruby Berjetta Sellers

Ruby Berjetta Sellers, daughter of Edward Patterson and Mary Jenkins Sellers, was born Nov. 9, 1884, at Wyanet, Bureau County, Ill., and died Feb. 8, 1938, aged 53 years and 3 months.

She came with her parents to Conway, Taylor County, Iowa, in 1890, and attended school in Conway. After leaving school, she worked in Bedford at the telephone office until her marriage, on July 31, 1908, to Ollie Sperry at Bedford and resided here until 1933, when they moved to Creston.

She leaves to mourn her sudden passing her aged mother, Mrs. C. [harles] B. Stough, of Creston; three brothers, Sherman Sellers of Denver, Colo.; Robert Sellers and Linford Sellers of Council Bluffs; two sisters, Myrtle Custer of Creston and Mary Edwards of Murray. Also a number of nieces and nephews.

Her husband met his death on the same day she did, Feb. 8, 1938, as did her brother, Clyde. Will and Ed preceded her in death, Ed having passed away just three months ago. She was a member of the Christian Church.

For the past few months, she had tenderly cared for her aged mother, to whom she was very devoted. All her life she has done for others, and her lovely home was always open to her relatives and friends. To know Ruby was to love her.

On the day of her death she was taking her brother, Clyde, to visit an aunt at [

[Welch, Irwin Claire]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 22, 1942   [p. 1]

I. C. Welch, 82, Dies Unexpectedly

I. [rwin] C. [laire] Welch, 82, died unexpectedly at the home of his son in Bedford about noon Wednesday, January 21.

The funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, January 23, at the Presbyterian Church, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick. Burial will be in the Lexington cemetery.

The body will lie in state at the church from one to two o’clock, and the casket will not be opened after the service.

[Welch, Irwin Claire]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    January 22, 1942   [p. 1]

I. [rwin] C. [laire] Welch, 83-year-old Bedford farmer, died suddenly Wednesday at the home of his son, Otto, in northwest Bedford. Death was attributed to a heart ailment.

The aged man had driven to his son's home. Upon stepping from the car he had complained of a chest pain and was taken to the residence. While relatives were attempting to remove his overshoes, he slumped into unconsciousness from which he never recovered.

Surviving are his four sons, Otto of Bedford, Walter of Des Moines, Chester of Janesville, Wisconsin and George of Waco, Texas.

Funeral services will be Friday afternoon at two o’clock from the Presbyterian Church. The body will lie in state from one o'clock until that hour when the casket will be closed and not reopened after the rites.

Interment will be at Lexington cemetery.

[Welch, Irwin Claire]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     January 29, 1942    p. 5

OBITUARY

I. C. Welch

Funeral services for I. [rwin] C. [laire] Welch, who died unexpectedly at the home of his son, Otto Welch, in north Bedford, Wednesday, January 21, were held at the Presbyterian Church Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. Douglass Steffenson. Burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

Irwin Claire Welch, son of Merritt and Rachel Welch, was born in Henry County, Iowa, February 17, 1859, being aged 82 years, 11 months and 4 days at the time of his death.

He resided in Nebraska for a time, returning to Iowa in March 1894, where he was married to Miss Margaret Jane Black. Mrs. Welch died July 11, 1938.

He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Bedford, serving as an elder for many years and until the time of his death.

He is survived by four sons, Chester [Claire] Welch of Janesville, Wisc., George Welch of Waco, Texas; [Walter] Ellis Welch of Des Moines, Iowa; Otto [Wayne] Welch of Bedford.

[Welch, Irwin Claire, Infant Daughter of]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    June 16, 1904     p. 2

The infant child of I. [rwin] C. [laire] Welch, living northeast of town, died Saturday and was buried yesterday at the Lexington cemetery. The funeral services were conducted at the house at 3 p. m., by Rev. Barackman. A number of the friends of the family from Bedford attended.

[WELCH, IRWIN CLAIRE'S INFANT, 1904 – 1904]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, June 16, 1904
--The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Welch regret to learn that their infant child lived only a few days. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Barackman. Interment in Lexington.

[Welch, Margaret Jane Black]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 14, 1938      [p. 1]

Mrs. I. C. Welch Dies July 11th

Mrs. I. [rwin] C. [laire] Welch died at her home east of Bedford Monday, July 11, after an illness of two weeks, part of which time was spent in the St. Francis hospital at Maryville.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick. Burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

Margaret Jane Black, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Black, was born at Trenton, Iowa, Dec. 6, 1865, being one of a family of six children, three girls and three boys.

March 11, 1886 she was married to I. [rwin] C. [laire] Welch at Trenton. Soon after their marriage they moved to a farm near Omaha, Nebr., where they resided for eight years, when they moved to their farm east of Bedford, where they spent the remainder of their 44 years of married life together.

Mr. and Mrs. Welch were the parents of seven children, three having died in infancy. The four surviving sons are W. [alter] Ellis Welch of Des Moines, Chester Welch of Janesville, Wisc., George Welch of Waco, Texas, and Otto Welch of Bedford. There are also five grandsons and one granddaughter. They are Richard Welch of Janesville, Wisc., W. [alter] Ellis Welch Jr., of Des Moines, Bob, George, and Don Welch of Bedford and Mrs. Richard Buckner of Clarinda. Two brothers are still living, George Black and Calvin Black, both of near Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Mrs. Welch gave her heart to Christ in childhood and united with the Methodist church, transferring her membership to the Presbyterian Church with her husband after moving to Bedford. She was a good wife and mother and lived a beautiful Christian life.

Her two sons, Chester and George were unable to be present for the last rites.