Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[Dalton, Barbara Jean “Jeannie”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 24, 1960     [p. 1]

Barbara Jean Dalton Rites At Conway

Barbara Jean Dalton, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Dalton of Conway, died at Greater Community hospital in Creston about noon Sunday, November 20 after an illness of several months.

Funeral services were held at the Conway Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Frank Greenwood, pastor of the church. Burial in Fairview cemetery at Bedford.

She is survived by her parents; a sister, Cheryl, her twin brother, Bob [Robert Dean] and an older brother, Dick. Also other relatives.

[Dalton, Barbara Jean “Jeannie”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 1, 1960    p. 4

OBITUARY - Barbara Dalton

Barbara Jean Dalton, daughter of Darrell and Frances Shafar Dalton, was born November 23, 1946 and passed away at Greater Community hospital in Creston, November 20, 1960.

Jeannie was a member of the eighth grade class at Conway Junior High School. She was very active in music and athletic activities.

Two years ago Barbara Jean accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour and was received into the membership of the Conway Methodist church.

On March 13 she was taken to the doctor for treatment, and during the last week in April her parents received word that she had a malignant disease called Ewing’s cancer of the Bone. For the last several months Jeannie's condition continued to get worse.

During all of her illness, her mother and father, brothers and sister have given of their all to make Jeannie’s last days more enjoyable.

She leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Dalton of Conway; two brothers, Dick and Bob (her twin); one sister, Cheryl; three grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fay Shafar of Bedford, Mrs. Oma Dalton of Corning; one great grandmother, Mrs. Charles Kapple of Nodaway; and many other close relatives and friends.

The service was held at the Conway Methodist church, Tuesday, November 22. Rev. Frank L. Greenwood conducted the service. Interment was in Fairview cemetery at Bedford.

[Dalton, Eva Dowell]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     April 18, 1907     p. 4

State Line Items.

The many friends of Mrs. Milo Dalton, nee Dowell, were shocked to hear the sad news of her death Sunday, at her home in Nebraska. The remains were brought here to Bedford Wednesday morning. The funeral was conducted by Rev. A. I. Jones, of Bedford, at the New Hope church, at 2 p. m. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband and five children, one sister and three brothers, besides a host of friends.

[DALTON, EVA DOWELL]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, April 11, 1907
The body of Mrs. Dalton, who died in Nebraska arrived at Bedford yesterday morning and was taken to the Allison cemetery for interment.

[Dalton, Job]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     August 7, 1902      p. 6

Obituary

Job Dalton was born in Smithville, Chenango County, New York, November 17, 1816. Died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary [Ameline Engstrom July 15, 1902 in Marshall Township] Taylor County. Married to Miss Polly J. [ane] Meeker, September 5, 1838. To this union were born eight children, six of which survive him.

In his early married life he professed faith in Christ, and united with the Missionary Baptist church, and remained a faithful member to the end.

Those who knew him loved him, and the great crowd of people who gathered to pay their last tribute to their friend was a fitting testimony of his worth as a friend and Christian gentleman. A good man has fallen but he shall rise in the bright eternity. The funeral services were conducted by the writer, at the New Hope church, Nodaway County, Mo., July 27th, and he was laid to rest in the church yard.

A W. LOUDY.

[Note: Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 gives death date as July 20, 1902. Nodaway County, Missouri burials gives the death date as July 15, 1902.]

[Dalton, Milo Ellis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     January 25, 1951    

Milo Dalton Dies

Milo E. [llis] Dalton, 75, died unexpectedly about 5:30 Wednesday afternoon. He had been in failing health for several months but had been up and around the home during the forenoon Wednesday. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Wetmore Funeral home, with burial in New Hope cemetery. Rev. Fred H. Cowles will officiate.

[Dalton, Milo Ellis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 1, 1951     p. 5

Hold Rites For Milo C. Dalton

Funeral services for Milo C. [Ellis] Dalton, who died Jan. 24, were held at the Wetmore Funeral home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles. Burial was in the New Hope cemetery, nine miles south of Bedford.

Milo C. [Ellis] Dalton, son of William [Henry] and Lucy [Ann Ball] Dalton, was born near Bedford, May 30, 1875, and died at the age of 76years, six months and 25 days.

He was married to Eva Dowell in October, 1897. She preceded him in death in 1907. One son, Paul [Edwin] Dalton of Bedford, and one sister also preceded him in death.

Surviving relatives are three daughters, Mrs. Eva Daugherty of Medicine Bow, Wyo., Mrs. Esther McColly of Lansing, Mich., and Mrs. Ethel [Pauline] Robinson of Bedford; one son, Floyd Dalton of Lewiston, Mont.; two sisters, Mrs. Albert Turner of Bedford, Mrs Minnie Meehan of Lewiston, Mont.; one brother, [John] Frank Dalton of Los Angeles.

[Dalton, Oma Irene Durfey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       October 10, 1985     p. 6

Last rites held for Oma Dalton

Services for Oma Irene Dalton, 86, were held October 6 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford. Rev. Ted DeHass and Rev. Carl Cummings officiated. Interment was at Bedford City Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa.

Mrs. Dalton died Oct. 4, 1985 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital, Clarinda, Ia.

Oma Irene Dalton, daughter of George and Charlotte [Elizabeth Bopp] Durfey was born in Prairie Township, Fremont County June 17, 1899.

The Durfey family moved to Taylor County when she was 12 years old and it was here she grew to womanhood. On June 12, 1918 she was united in marriage to Paul Edwin Dalton and to this union five sons were born. They raised their family and farmed in the area around Bedford until Paul's death February 21, 1949. Their family was always the central consideration in their lives and it was Oma's wish that her family be with her in her last illness and this wish was fulfilled.

Oma was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, sons Dwight [Allen] in infancy, Duane in 1981, and a granddaughter Barbara in 1960. Left to cherish her memory are sons Dale and his wife Doris of Red Oak, Darrell and his wife Frances of Des Moines, Don and his wife Rosalie of Bedford, one daughter-in-law Marian Dalton of Evening Shade, Arkansas, 12 grandchildren, three step grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, two brothers, Harold Durfey and his wife Mary Jane, Kenneth Durfey and his wife Lola May, several nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Rebecca Lodge.

Oma had spent the past 10 years at Bedford Manor Nursing Home and had made many friends during her residency there. She was always appreciative of the excellent care she received there.

Oma will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Downing, Albert]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    July 15, 1987    p. 6

Albert Downing

Services for Albert Downing, 75, were held July 9 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Jon Palmquist officiating. Burial was at Bedford City Cemetery. Mr. Downing died July 6, 1987 in Omaha, Ne.

Albert Downing, son of Charles and Sarah M. Crawford Downing was born in Page County, Iowa on March 17, 1912. He lived in Page County and grew to maturity in the Clarinda area where he attended the public school and Shambaugh Methodist Church.

On April 11, 1936 he was united in marriage to Ruth E. [rline] Brock at Parkville, Mo. and they lived most of their married life in Taylor County.

To this union were born four children: Sarah Marie, Mary Ruth, Shirley Ann, and Dwight Allen.

He was engaged in farming for several years and then operated the Downing Blacksmith Shop at Bedford for almost 15 years prior to his retirement in 1978.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by three brothers: Clifford, John, and Robert.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Ruth of the home; his children, Marie Brown and family of Norfolk, Ne., Mary Ledbetter and family of Decatur, Ill., Shirley McClintock and family of Council Grove, Ks., and Dwight Downing and family of Salina, Ks.; 11 grandchildren; one brother, Walter and five sisters, Mary Humphrey, Ruth Richardson, Grace Caskey, Doris Griffith, and June Falkenburg.

He was a faithful member of the New Market Church of Christ and served there as an elder for many years. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #156.

He was a faithful husband, loving father, and loyal friend.

[Downing, Ruth Erline Brock]

Norfolk Daily News (Norfolk, Nebraska)

Friday     October 30, 2009

Funeral services for Ruth E. [rline] Downing, 96, of Norfolk were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at the New Market Church of Christ in New Market, IA. Reverend Russ Clark and Reverend Dr. Richard Brown will officiate. Burial at the Bedford City Cemetery, Bedford, IA. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 P.m., Monday, in the Granada Room at the Meadows with a prayer service at 3 p.m. by Reverend Dr. Richard Brown. Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Downing passed away Thursday, October 29, 2009, at Faith Regional Health Services.

Ruth was born on June 4, 1913, in Bedford, IA, the daughter of Lawrence [William] and Mary Elizabeth (Fuller) Brock. After her father died when she was 2 years old and the death of her mother when she was 14, Ruth moved to her Aunt Estella and Uncle Avery Vardaman’s farm, near Shambaugh, IA.

Ruth graduated from Clarinda High School and earned her teaching certificate at Iowa Teachers’ College in Cedar Falls, IA, which later became the University of Northern Iowa. While in college, Ruth enjoyed playing tennis and taking art classes. She went on to become a very good artist.

Ruth returned to Page County, IA, where she taught in the rural schools. On April 11, 1936, Ruth married Albert Downing in Parkville, MO. The couple moved to Fort Collins, CO, for a year before returning to southwest IA. After renting a farm near Shambaugh, IA, they moved to her family farm and later to a farm northeast of Bedford where they raised their family. Her husband began a career as a blacksmith and they sold the farm and moved into Bedford, in 1966. They built a new home in which she lived until 1992. At that time, Ruth moved to Norfolk, NE, to be close to her daughter and family. In August of 1997, Ruth moved to the Meadows. Several months ago, Ruth moved to St. Joseph’s Care and Rehabilitation Center.

 She was a member of the First Christian Church in Norfolk.

Ruth liked to garden and raise flowers. She especially liked roses. She had a life long love for music. Ruth played for church services for nearly fifty years and until very recently, she played for chapel services at the Meadows. She also crocheted and did embroidery, which her family continues to treasure.

Ruth is survived by her children and their spouses, Marie and Dick Brown, of Norfolk, Mary Ruth Ledbetter, of El Paso, TX, Shirley and Ken McClintock, of Council Grove, KS, and Dwight and Sally Downing of Salina, KS; 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 7 step grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Lehman Brock.

[Downing, Ruth Erline Brock]

Council Grove Republican (Council Grove, Kansas)

Friday    October 30, 2009

Ruth Eoline (Brock) Downing passed away shortly after midnight, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at the age of 96.

Ruth was born June 4, 1913, on a farm south of Bedford, IA. Her father, Lawrence [William] Brock, died when she was three years old. She, her brother, Lehman, and her mother, Mary, continued to live on the family farm.

 When she was 13 years old, and three weeks into high school, her mother died. She then lived with an aunt, uncle, and cousin on their farm in Page County, Iowa.

She graduated from the Clarinda High School and Normal School in 1931.

Ruth taught in a Page County country school and attended summer school at Cedar Rapids, IA.

In 1936, she married Albert Downing, and eventually they purchased a farm east of Bedford, IA. The family expanded to include three daughters, Marie, Mary, and Shirley, and one son, Dwight.

Ruth loved music and played the piano for church services until she was 95 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Mary [Elizabeth Fuller] Brock, her brother, Lehman Brock, and her husband, Albert Downing.

She is survived by her three daughters, Marie Brown and husband Dick of Norfolk, NE, Mary Ledbetter of El Paso, TX, and Shirley McClintock and husband, Kenneth of Council Grove, and by her son, Dwight Downing and wife Sally of Salina; eleven grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Following her funeral services Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Christian Church in New Market, IA, she will be laid to rest beside her husband and parents in the Bedford, IA, Cemetery.

[Dresher, Martha Anna]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     August 30, 1928      p. 4

Martha Anna Dresher

Martha Anna Dresher, daughter of Chas. F. [ranklin] and Nancy Jane [Morris] Dresher was born in Polk township, Taylor county, Iowa, Oct. 1, 1870, and died at her home in west Bedford, Iowa, on the 27th day of August, 1928, at the age of 57 years, 9 months and 27 days. She lived her entire life in Taylor County and most of the time in the immediate vicinity of Bedford. At an early age she was converted and united with the Methodist church at High Prairie. She was a loyal Christian and so long as able was a faithful church attendant. For some time her health has been poor but the sickness immediately preceding her death was of short duration. She comes of a family of five children, having been preceded in death by one brother, Oscar. She is survived by Mrs. Mary L.  [ouise] Hamilton of Bedford, Ia., Jesse Dresher of Sask., Canada, and by Mrs. Walter Myers of Bedford, Iowa.

Funeral services were conducted from the home Wednesday, August 20, 1928, at 2:00 P. M., by her pastor, Rev. G. T. Roberts, and her body was laid to rest in the old cemetery at Bedford.

[Dunlavy, Elizabeth Adele]

Bedford Argus

Thursday     April 3, 1879     p. 8

Dr. and Mrs. H. [enry] F. [rancis] Dunlavy were called upon to mourn the death of their baby [Elizabeth Adele] last Monday. This is their second bereavement within about a year. They have the fullest sympathy of the community.

[Dunlavy, Daniel T.]

New Market Herald

Thursday     April 13, 1922      p. 3

W. [illiam] I. [ngram] Weaver received word Monday of the death of his brother-in-law, D.[aniel] T. Dunlavy, at his home in Sioux, City. Mr. Dunlavy had been in poor health for the past year. Deceased was quite well known in this vicinity, and his death will be sad news to many.

[Dunlavy, Pearl]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    March 9, 1899    [ p. 1]

Died at Purdy, Mo.

Dr. W. [illiam] L. [ee] Dunlavy, of Gravity, passed through Bedford Wednesday of last week on his way to Purdy, Mo., where he was called by the sickness of one of his little girls with pneumonia. He arrived in that city on the morning of the second of March, and the child [Pearl] died in the afternoon, aged three years and eight months. The funeral services were conducted the following day, the remains being interred in that city.

[Dunlavy, Tressie Mabel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 1, 1974    [p. 1]

Graveside Service Here Monday for Tressie Dunlavy

Funeral services for Miss Tressie Dunlavy, 85, of Hinsdale, Illinois, well known former Bedford resident, were held Mon., July 29, at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford with Carl Cummings officiating. Miss Dunlavy died in Hinsdale July 24, 1974.

Tressie [Mabel] Dunlavy was born in Bedford October 16, 1888. Her parents were Dr. and [Mrs.] H. [enry] F. [rancis] Dunlavy [Nancy E. Frank]. Dr. Dunlavy, an M.D. in Bedford for more than 40 years, was a Civil War Veteran.

Tressie had a term at Drake University Conservatory (Des Moines, Ia.) in 1909 and received additional training in Chicago in 1914. From there, she went to New York City and went on the stage. While working with several theatrical companies she trooped over the country east of the Mississippi south to Georgia and north to Milwaukee, Wisc.

She helped form Equity Actors Union and co-authored the first published book on square dancing. For a number of years she taught voice and piano in Bedford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Mrs. George Walker [Maude], and a brother, Theron Dunlavy.

Among her survivors are two grandnieces, Mrs. Dennis (Maudie) McCarty, Hinsdale, Ill., and Mrs. Wm. E. (Lou Alice) Carter, St. Charles, Ill.

[Note: She is buried in the old Bedford or Bedford City cemetery near other members of her family and not in Bedford Fairview as stated above.]

[Meek, Pansylene Morris]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       October 10, 1985     p. 6

Services held for Pansylene Meek

Services for Pansylene Morris Meek, 59, were held October 2 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Ward Campbell officiating. Burial was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Mrs. Meek died September 29, 1985 at the University Hospital in Iowa City, Ia.

Pansylene Morris Meek, daughter of Lester Morris and Judy Godsey Morris was born in Taylor County, July 21, 1926. She grew to maturity in Taylor County where she attended the Maloy School and Blockton and Athelstan churches.

On March 14, 1954 she was united in marriage to James Leroy (Bud) Meek at Bedford, Iowa and they lived and farmed in Taylor County. To this union one child was born, James LeRoy Meek, Jr.

She was employed as a teacher and later a housewife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister (Dot Faye), brothers (Vilas Lester) and (Roy Andy).

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James LeRoy (Bud) Meek, her son, James LeRoy Meek, Jr. and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was a member of Mt. Zion Church, Athelstan, Iowa.

She was a kind and considerate wife, mother and friend and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.