Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Lantz, Ruby Fern Morris]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 29, 1948     p. 3

Athelstan

Obituary - Mrs. Guy Lantz

Ruby Fern Morris, daughter of Walter and Mae (Reader) Morris was born Dec. 3, 1905 near Athelstan in Taylor county. At the age of eighteen months, her mother passed way and she spent considerable time after that with her grandparents. She attended school in Athelstan.

She was married to Guy H. [ull] Lantz June 18, 1923 at Grant City, Mo. To them ten children were born: Mrs. Maxine Henry of Parnell, Paul Gene, Virginia Mae Kathlene Louise, Denton Dean, Yoanne, Priscilla June and Charlotte Ann of the home. Two children, Donald Eugene and Vilas Cleo preceded her in death.

She had been in ill health a little over a year but was able to be about home and do part of her work the morning she passed on, April 16.

She leaves eight children and her husband of the home at Parnell; her father, Walter Morris of Sheridan; four half sisters and three half-brothers.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Neighbor of Parnell at the Community Church in Athelstan Sunday afternoon. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Cordell, Anna Alice Rickabaugh Simons Leer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 21, 1955      p. 11

athelstan

Funeral services were held Wednesday for Mrs. Anna [Alice Rickabaugh] Leer, at the Community church with burial in Athelstan cemetery. Services conducted by Rev. L. B. Day of Maryville.

Mrs. Leer, 79, formerly resided at Athelstan and Sheridan and died Saturday at the home of her son, William Simons at Akron, Ohio.

Survivors include two sons William V. [irgil] Simons of Akron, Ohio, Paul B.[urton] Simons of Salida, Colo.; one daughter, Mrs. Floyd A. Sims of Houston, Mo.; three sisters, Mrs. Nancy Bainum of Sheridan, Mrs. Mary Reddrick of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Jennivieve Straight of Eldorado, Mo.

Those from a distance attending the last rites for Mrs. Leer were William Simons of Akron, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Floy Sims of Houston, Mo.; Mrs. Jennivieve Straight of Eldorado, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stlngley, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lucas, Bedford; Mrs. Iva Rickabaugh of Maryville; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rowen of Gaynor; Mrs. Jim Roudebush and Mrs. Raymond Weaver of Blockton; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wakes, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sims and son Clyde, Mrs. O. J. Meikling and son of Grant City; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rickabaugh, Mrs. Glee Bainum and daughter, Mrs. Nancy Bainum, Willie Allyn, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Young, Mrs. Robert Allee, Mrs. Guy Allee, E. Downing and daughter, Virginia and baby of Sheridan.

[Leer, David Wilson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     July 15, 1943    p. 5

David W. Leer Of Athelstan Dies

David W. [ilson] Leer, son of William Henry and Ellie Formen [Mary Ella Forman] Leer, was born in Bluffton, Indiana, Sept. 15, 1875 and died at his home in Athelstan, Iowa July 12, 1943, at the age of 67 years 9 months and 26 days.

When six months old he moved with his parents to Nevada, Mo., where he made his home until November 1935 when he moved to Athelstan.

On September 15, 1920 he was married to Anna Alice Simmons. He is survived by his wife, one brother and three half-brothers.

The funeral services were held at the home in Athelstan Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. G. L. Hufstader. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Morris, Charles Thomas]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 30, 1949      p. 2

athelstan

Obituary - Charles T. Morris

Charles Thomas Morris, son of James and Katherine Morris, was born near New Market, April 11, 1868 and died at the St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, on June 20, 1949, at the age of 81   years, 2 months and 9 days. Five brothers and sisters survive: Mrs. Cora Byrns of Athelstan, Walter of Sheridan, Jesse of Conway, Lester of Blockton and Ora of Pasadena, Calif. Those preceding him in death were: his father and mother, and brothers William, John and Karl, also three sisters who died in infancy.

He was married to Nellie Ellen Arnold November 11, 1920. To them were born 3 children, Rex Avril, Gerald Ray of Athelstan and Mrs. Doris Shackelford of Waldron, Missouri. Also a stepdaughter, Mrs. Vivian Parker of Barnard, Mo.

He is survived by his wife, 3 children and stepdaughter, also 8 grandchildren.

Services were held at the Community  church Wednesday conducted  by Rev. Ward Campbell  of Le Mars, Iowa. Burial was in Athelstan cemetery.

_______________________

Attend Morris Rites

Those from a distance attending the Charles Morris funeral services were: Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Shackelford and children of Waldron, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Morris of Des Moines, Mrs. Ethel Smith of Council Bluffs, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wise and   daughters of Shenandoah, Mr.   and Mrs. Ed Parker and family   of Barnard, John Swett of Redding.

[Note: His gravestone gives his birth date as 1867.]

[Morris, Emma Arnold]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      November 3, 1966    p. 9

Graveside services for Mrs. Carl (Emma) Morris, 69, of Des Moines were held October 20 at the Athelstan Cemetery. Mrs. Morris died Oct. 17 in a Des Moines hospital.

She is survived by one sister and several nieces and nephews.

[Morris, Harry Reginal]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 29, 1968    p. 2

Harry R. Morris Rites Aug. 22

Funeral services for Harry R. [eginal] Morris, 67, of Shenandoah, a native of Athelstan, held August 22 at the State Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here, were conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell. Mr. Morris died at University Hospitals in Iowa City Aug. 19. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Harry was born February 25, 1901 at Athelstan, Iowa, son of the late William A.[lonzo] and Martha R. [osetta Freemyer] Morris. He grew to manhood in Taylor County, and moved with his parents to Ellendale, Minnesota. In March 1943 he moved to Bedford, and later to Shenandoah.

He was united in marriage in 1929 to Miss Pearl Bottke of Utica, Minn. To this union were born two children, a daughter, Mrs. E. H. Biehstock (Gloyene) of Little Rock, Arkansas and a son Duane of Waseca, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and three brothers, Roy in infancy; Guy in 1909, and Carl in 1960; and two sisters, Mrs. John Lester (Eva) in 1954 and Mrs. Cecile Hale in 1964.

He is survived by his two children and seven grandchildren; one brother Paul of Mound City, Mo.; one sister, Mrs. Hans Meland (Lucille) of Ellendale, Missouri, and a host of nieces and nephews.

[Morris, James Henry]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      July 19, 1928     p. 11

athelstan

Funeral services for Mr. James   H. Morris, who passed away Tuesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cora Burrus [Byrn], were held last Thursday at the Holiness church, conducted toy Mrs. Mary Mosier of Mt. Ayr. Interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Morris and family of Ellendale, Minn., and Mr and Mrs. Carl Morris of Des Moines came Wednesday afternoon, called here by the death of Mr. James Morris.

Mrs. Glen Black and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lantz of Sheridan attended Mr. Morris' funeral on Thursday afternoon.

[Morris, James Henry]

Blockton News

Thursday      July 12, 1928     [p. 1]

James Morris Dead.

James [Henry] Morris, an aged veteran of the Civil war and father of Lester Morris of northwest of town, died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Perry Burnes [Byrn], northwest of Athelstan Tuesday morning after a, few days illness. He had been in failing health for several weeks, however. He was preceded in death by his wife some two years ago.

[MORRIS, JAMES HENRY]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, July 26, 1928
Obituary – James Henry Morris, son of Thomas and Katherine Morris, was born in Peoria, Illinois, July 2, 1844 and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cora Byrns, near Athelstan, Iowa, July 10, 1928, aged 84 years and 9 days.
When a small lad he moved from his birthplace to Polk county where he spent the greater part of his life.
At the age of 17, with four other boys he walked to St. Joseph and enlisted to the call for duty for the country which he loved and bravely fought for. He was in the service 3 years and 8 months, serving in the Missouri State Militia, Co. E, 4th Regiment.
In Feb. 1865 he was united in marriage to Katherine West, who preceded him in death June 2, 1927. To this union 14 children were born, 5 of whom died in infancy and one son, John, preceded him 13 years.
He leaves to mourn eight children, Charles and Walter, of Athelstan; William, of Ellendale, Minn.; Lester, Jessie and Ora, of Blockton; Harl of Sheridan, and Mrs. Cora Byrns, of Athelstan; 29 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, 2 brothers, Alfred of Bedford and Walter of Alberta, Washington; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
In their early married life Mr. and Mrs. Morris united with the old Mt. Zion church. Since the departure of his loved companion he renewed his covenant with the Christ that he trusted in during early life. He was greatly loved by his loved ones, was highly respected by neighbors and friends, whose sympathy goes out to his bereaved one[s] at this time.
Funeral services were held at the Athelstan Holiness church July 12, conducted by Mrs. Noah Mosier of Mt. Ayr and interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Morris, John]

Blockton News

Thursday      September 23, 1915     [p. 1]

John Morris Killed

John Morris, a citizen of Athelstan and a man about forty-two or forty-three years of age, was killed by train No. 5 last Thursday evening. It seems that he was sitting on the west rail of the track about midway between the two bridges near a quarter of a mile north of the Athelstan depot and made no effort to get out of the way of the train and paid no attention to the whistle. When the train struck him it either dragged or threw his body 115 feet. Many of the bones of the body were broken and the body was badly lacerated. The train stopped and when it was ascertained he was dead the coroner was notified and later the section men removed the body to Athelstan where an inquest was held Friday morning.

Mr. Morris leaves a wife and one child. He was a day laborer and had lived at Athelstan for several years.

The funeral services were held in the Holiness church at Athelstan Friday afternoon, the service being conducted by Rev. Tackett, and interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Morris, John]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     September 23, 1915      p. 5

JOHN MORRIS KILLED BY C. G. W. ENGINE

Struck While Sitting on Railroad Track Half Mile South of Athelstan

TRAINMEN ONLY WITNESSES

Enginemen Say They Were Unable to Stop Train After Discovering him and Giving Warning.

John Morris of Athelstan aged 35 years, was killed by a Chicago Great Western train, northbound, about 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon of last week. According to the report of the trainmen he was sitting on the track per near a curve about a half-mile south of Athelstan.

The body was picked up by the train crew and taken to town, and thence to Morris's home. Sheriff Morley of Bedford and Coroner Wallace of New Market were notified, and the coroner held an inquest Friday. It appeared from the evidence that Morris had been intoxicated, and the supposition is that that is the reason he failed to take advantage of the warning whistle of the engine. The enginemen say that they were too close to him to stop after they came in sight of him and whistled.

Morris is survived by a wife and one child. Funeral services were held at the Athelstan Methodist Episcopal church Friday afternoon.

[Morris, John]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday      September 21, 1915      [p. 1]

KILLED INSTANTLY BY GREAT WESTERN TRAIN

JOHN MORRIS OF ATHelsTAN FAILED TO HEED ENGINE'S WHISTLE

Sitting on Track—Body Carried Hundred Feet and Badly Lacerated—Leaves Wife and One Child To Mourn Death

Last Thursday evening about 4    o'clock John Morris, a man thirty    five years of age, living at Athelstan, was struck by a Great Western train    and instantly killed, the body being    dragged a distance of one hundred    feet or more before the train could    be brought to a stop.

The accident was witnessed by no    one but the train men, and according    to the version of the affair given by    the engineer, Morris was sitting on    the track, and when seen the distance    was so short that it was impossible    to stop before striking him. As he    paid no attention to the whistle and    made no effort to get out of the way    of the train the supposition was that    he was Intoxicated, which is reported    to have been substantiated by facts    brought out at the inquest.

The body, which was badly lacerated, nearly every bone being broken, was taken to the home and Sheriff    Morley notified, who in company with    the coroner, Dr. Wallace of New    Market, drove to Athelstan Friday    morning, where an inquest was held, the verdict corresponding to the    above facts.

Morris was a man about thirty-five    years of age, and leaves a wife and    one child. He has been a resident    of the county all his life, living for    the past several years at Athelstan, working on farms and at day labor    about town.

The funeral services were held at the M. E. church, Athelstan Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Tackett. Interment was in the cemetery at Athelstan.

[Morris, Katherine Caroline West]

Blockton News

Thursday      June 9, 1927      p. 5

Mrs. James Morris [Katherine Caroline West] of Athelstan   passed away last week and the funeral services were held at Athelstan Saturday, June 4th.  Interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery. She is survived by her husband, an aged veteran of the Civil war, and a number of children.

[Morris, Katherine Caroline West]

Blockton News

Thursday      June 16, 1927     [p. 1]

Obituary

Katherine [Caroline] West, daughter of Abraham and Julia West, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1846, and departed this life at her home in Athelstan, Iowa, June 2, 1927, aged 80 years, 10 months and 17 days.

At an early age she came with her parents to Taylor County, which has been her home continuously.

In February 1865, she was united in marriage to James [Henry] Morris. To   this   union 14 children were born, five of whom died in infancy and one son, John Morris, preceded her in death 12 years ago.

She is survived by her aged husband, seven sons—William, of Minnesota; Charles, Walter, Lester, Jess and Ora, of Taylor county, and Harl, of Sheridan, Missouri; one daughter—Cora Byrns; 29 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; 2 sisters—Mrs. Harriet Pace, of Bedford, and Mrs. Jane Adams, of New Market; and one brother, Marion Lewellyn, of Bedford.

 She was a devoted wife and mother. In early life she became a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist church. About 4 years ago she became a member of the Assemblies of God Church at Athelstan in which faith she lived and rejoiced until the end.

Funeral services were conducted at the Holiness church at Athelstan by Eld. Clifford Jackson, of Mount Ayr. A large congregation was present to pay their last respects to this kind and loving mother. Interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Morris, Maggie Mae Parker]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 7, 1980     p. 3

Maggie Morris, 91 Dies in Tabor, Ia.

Maggie Mae Parker Morris, 91, was born January 28, 1889, at Nodaway County Missouri to Stephen and Sarah Parker. She died in Tabor Care Center in Tabor, Iowa July 25, 1980.

She lived most of her life around Parnell, Missouri, except the last eight years of her life in Tabor, Iowa.

She was a member of the Mount Zion Pentecostal Church. She led a good and faithful life.

Maggie was married to   Walter Morris at Bedford, Iowa June 30, 1909. To this union were born nine children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, two sons, Keith and Doyle, one stepdaughter, Ruby Lantz, and 14 brothers and sisters.

Maggie was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend.

Left to cherish her memory are seven children; Ethel Smith, Audrey Jordan, Drexal [Drexel] Morris of Council Bluffs, Ia., Opal Wise of Tabor, Ia., Wayne Morris of Corning, Mo., Orville Morris and Pearl Morris of Parnell, Mo.; 20 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

[Morris, Nellie Ellen Arnold Payton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       August 25, 1977      p. 6

Nellie Morris, 90 Last Rites Held In Athelstan

Funeral services for Mrs. Charles T. (Nellie) Morris, 90 of Athelstan, held August 21 in the Athelstan Community Church, were conducted by Carl Cummings. Mrs. Morris died August 17, 1977 in Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Ia. Interment was at the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Ia.

Nellie Ellen Arnold Morris, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Elizabeth Martin Arnold, was born at Athelstan, Iowa, November 22, 1886.

She lived and grew to maturity in the Athelstan community where she attended the public school and became a member of the Baptist Church.

On November 11, 1920 she was united in marriage to Charles T. [homas] Morris at Athelstan, Iowa, and they lived in or near there all of their married life. Mr. Morris died June 20, 1949.

To this union four children were born, Vivian, Rex, [Gerald] Ray and Doris.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Rex, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren, a sister, Emma, and a brother James.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters and one son: Vivian Parker of Athelstan, Iowa, and Doris Shackelford of Kansas City, Missouri, a son, [Gerald] Ray Morris, of Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Cora Andrew of Portland, Oregon; 15grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; other relatives and a host of friends.

She will be remembered by her family and loved ones as a kind and loving mother, friend and neighbor, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Morris, Paul Otis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     July 29, 1982     p. 8

Blockton

Bea Adams attended graveside services in the Athelstan Cemetery on Saturday afternoon for her cousin, Paul [Otis] Morris, a former Blockton resident.

[Morris, Walter]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      March 24, 1960     p. 9

ATHELSTAN NEWS

Athelstan ---- Walter Morris, 82, retired farmer, died Sunday, March 13, at his home in Parnell, Mo. He was formerly a resident of Taylor County, having lived at Parnell for the past 10 years.

Mr. Morris was born in Taylor County on June 2, 1877, the son of James [Henry] and Katherine [Caroline West] Morris.

Surviving are his wife, Maggie May [Parker] and seven children: Miss Pearl Morris and Orville Morris of the home, Mrs. Opal Wise of Tabor, Iowa, Wayne Morris of Tarkio, Mo., Mrs. Ethel Smith, Mrs. Audrey Jordan and Drexel Morris of Council Bluffs.

Funeral services were held at the Community church at Athelstan Wednesday, conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell. Interment was in Athelstan cemetery.

[Rickabaugh, William Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 2, 1934      p. 6

sheridan

Pioneer Resident Dies

William Rickenbaugh Succumbs After Long Illness

William [Henry] Rickabaugh, 86, pioneer resident of Sheridan, Mo., died at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Floy Hayes near Blockton, Iowa, Friday, July 27. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Sheridan Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Mr. Pritchard, assisted by Rev. S. B. Look of Linneus, Mo. Burial was in the Sheridan cemetery.

Surviving relatives are one son, four daughters, two sisters, and two brothers. His wife died eleven years ago.

[Rickabaugh, William Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 2, 1934      p. 7

Athelstan

Mrs. F. O. Wilson received word Friday of the death of her uncle, William [Henry] Rickabaugh, at Platteville.

[Sickels, Mary Jane “Mamie” Sloan]

Blockton News

Thursday     May 3, 1934     [p. 1]

Mrs. Elmer Sickels Dead

Mrs. Elmer Sickels, who has been in poor health for several months, passed away Monday afternoon. Funeral services were held at the home yesterday and the body was taken to Geneva, Nebraska, for burial.

[Sickels, Mary Jane “Mamie” Sloan]

Blockton News

Thursday     May 10, 1934    p. 8

Obituary

Mamie (Sloan) Sickels was born at Monticello, Iowa, December 30, 1864, died at Athelstan, in Taylor County, Iowa, April 30, 1934, aged 69 years and 4 months.

Her parents were James W. [illiam] and Elizabeth (McGee) Sloan, both of whom at early ages migrated from the north of Ireland to Philadelphia where they were married in 1857.

Mrs. Sickels was educated in the country schools and later in the high school of Monticello.

She is survived by her devoted and affectionate husband, Elmer [Aden] Sickels; a dutiful son, Frank Sloan Sickels; two loving daughters, Elva Imogene Fidler and Garland Vada Stroburg; the following grandchildren: Elmer Charles Fluke, surviving son of Mabel Bessie Fluke, a daughter who died May 5,1911; Donna Marie and Denzel Donald Fidler; Nada, Dwain, Audrey, Agnes, Opal, Blain, and Emil Stroburg.

An infant son was born August 10, 1898. His birth and passing were not far separated.

She also left surviving her two sons-in-law, Lloyd Stroburg and Dewey Fidler. All of the foregoing are residents of the Athelstan vicinity.

She is also survived by three brothers, William J. [ohn] Sloan, farmer, and Charles H. Sloan, banker, lawyer and former congressman, both of Geneva, Nebraska, and Robert J. [ames] Sloan, lawyer, of Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. and Mrs. Sickles [Sickels] met soon after the Sloan family in 1888 came from Monticello to their new home, the "Big Springs Farm.”

Their marriage was celebrated in her parents’ home, February 24, 1889. They established their home on the ancestral farm of the Sickels family where their children were born and where for more that forty-five years by intense industry, constant economy and thrift they built up a reasonable competence for themselves and children.

Later through the appreciative generosity of a brother, now deceased, Frank W.[alker] Sloan, of Geneva, Nebraska, she became the owner of a large landed estate and of other property in Fillmore County, Nebraska.

The Sickels home has always been one of mutual affection, trust and confidence. They have enjoyed the respect and confidence of all their neighbors and acquaintances.

Mrs. Sickels had a keen intellect with a retentive memory and a forceful gift of expression.

She was intensely loyal to her friends and every cause she deemed worthy of her support Mrs. Sickels never joined a church but her friends knew that she lived an upright, moral, temperate Christian life. Her belief and life's philosophy drew her to the Presbyterian faith of her paternal ancestor. Compliance with her wish brings the minister of that creed to say the words which reflect the sentiments of this great concourse of people here paying tribute to her memory and many sterling virtues.