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Obituaries
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submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu
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Bedford Times-Press November 4, 1992 [p. 4] Hubert "Bud" Henry Funeral services for Hubert "Bud" Henry were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 1992 at the Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa, with Reverend Ted DeHass. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.Hubert "Bud" Henry, son of Robert L. [etcher] Henry and Alice Webb Henry, was born on the Bob Henry farm 9 miles southeast of Bedford on March 16, 1907, and departed this life on October 26, 1992 at the Clarinda Municipal Hospital at the age of 85 years, 7 months, and 10 days. He lived in Jackson Township in Taylor County his entire life, attending Pleasant Grove rural school. On September 30, 1931, he was united in marriage to Irene Laverne Weir in Maryville, MO. and they lived on a farm ¼ mile north of where he was born and raised. To this union 2 children were born: Peggy Elaine was born on October 23, 1933, and Myrna Lee was born on April 13, 1940. He was a farmer all his life but had also engaged in other enterprises, the marketing and [words missing?] [of] some patents that he and his wife introduced on the market. His greatest love was flying. He learned to fly in 1940, and from 1944 to 1991 he always had an airplane and a private airstrip on the farm.He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Irene; two daughters, Peggy Henry of Greeley, CO and Myrna Henry of Greenfield, IA; 1 sister, Mary Arlene Tyner of Salt Lake City, UT; 1 brother, Doyle Henry of Bedford; and numerous relatives and friends. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bedford, a longtime member of the International Flying Farmers and a charter member of the Iowa organization, a Mason (a member of Taylor Lodge No. 156), and a member of the Farm Bureau. His family and friends will remember him as a forward thinking, creative individual who was industrious and family oriented. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.Bedford Times-Press Thursday February 24, 1993 [p. 5] Cleo David Thomas Cleo David Thomas, son of Fred and Edna Thomas, was born at Gravity, Iowa, February 12, 1916 and departed this life February 18, 1993, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Omaha, Neb., at the age of 77 years and six days. He lived in Gravity and Bedford and grew to maturity in Gravity where he attended the public school. On March 24, 1941, he was united in marriage to Naomi Thompson at Bedford, Iowa, and they lived in the Bedford area, with the exception of three years in Santa Rosa, Calif. He was engaged in farming and the restaurant business. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Edna Thomas, and two brothers, Frederic and Dean Thomas. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Naomi Thomas, two sisters, Lucile Culbertson and Dortha Thomas, brother-in-law, Carl Culbertson, sisters-in-law, Wilma [Thompson] Thomas, Bedford, Iowa, and Pat Thomas, St. Joseph, Mo. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, was a member of CCC Camp and served on the Bedford Manor Board of Directors. He was a kind and considerate husband, brother and friend, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Services were held Sunday, Feb. 21, 1993 at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home with Gene Ehlers officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa.
Bedford Times Press March 23, 1994 [p. 5] Opal Marie Thompson Opal Marie Thompson expired at Bedford Manor, March 12, 1994 at the age of 89 years, eight months and 21 days. Mrs. Thompson had been very ill of congestive heart failure for some months prior to her death and she longed for release from the illness. She was born June 21, 1904 to Augustus and Maria Linderman Thummel who lived at Parnell, Mo. The family lived in rural Parnell and she attended Bunker Hill country school. She attended high school in Maryville [Mo.] and as was often the custom, lived with a sister during this time. She attended the Christian Church until she moved to Bedford where she joined the Baptist Church. On February 27, 1926 she was married to Paul Clarence Thompson at Bedford, Iowa. They lived in Nodaway County and Taylor County where they raised four children, Donald Clarence Thompson, Beverly June Duncan, Mary Jo Sleep, and Tommy Lee Thompson. Her life centered on the farm work and raising the four children while helping with the farm expenses by raising a large garden, enjoying the birds, especially her chickens which she called her "girls". She also was active in the church mission circle, Banner Goodwill, United Neighbors Rural Club and the ONO Club. She and her husband Paul traveled more than most families at that time, and spent several winters in Texas.A favorite memory of the family was Fourth of July as they attended parades and came home to the house in Bedford to eat and visit. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, her parents, two brothers, Jay and Warren Thummel, two sisters, Cora and Carrie Beavis. The surviving family is Donald and Margaret Thompson, Beverly and Wayne Duncan, Mary Jo and Bobby Sleep, and Tommy and Jan Thompson who cheered her later years with 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law also survive, Mrs. Naomi Thomas, Mrs. Wilma Thomas, and Mrs. Elfie Thompson. She will be missed and remembered for her kindness and consideration.
Bedford Times Press May 25, 1994 [p. 5] Wilma Thomas Funeral Services for Wilma Thomas were held Friday, May 20, 1994 at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home with Gene Ehlers officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford [Ia.]. Wilma Pearl (Thompson) Thomas, daughter of Elmer and May Belle (Wells) Thompson, was born south of Bedford April 1, 1924 and passed away May 17, 1994 at Mercy Hospital, Corning, Iowa at the age of 70 years, one month and 16 days. She grew up in the Bedford area and lived there most of her adult life, moving to Iowa City in June of 1993. On November 13, 1947, she was united in marriage to Dean William Thomas in Kansas City, Mo. To this union were born two children, Deana Lucile and Daniel Rae. Following their marriage, they lived in Taylor County, engaging in farming and then in the motel and restaurant business for a number of years.Wilma was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1936 and was an active member of that organization until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers: Ronald, Paul, Claude and Doyle Thompson, and her sisters: Opal Thompson and Aileen Rosenthal. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Deana Maynard, Iowa City, Iowa, and her husband Jeff, and Dan Thomas of Des Moines; her grandsons: William Dean Thomas of Creston and Paul Thomas Maynard of Iowa City; her sister: Naomi Thomas of Bedford; sisters-in-law: Elfie Thompson of Bedford; Lucile Culbertson and her husband Carl of Bedford, Pat Thomas of St. Joseph, Mo.; as well as many nieces and nephews.Wilma was a very loving and caring mother and grandmother who will be missed by her family and friends alike. Bedford Times Press November 1, 1995 [p. 5] Irene L. Henry On February 17, 1911, Irene L. [Laverne] Henry was born on the B. [enjamin] B. [alsar] Hoover farm also known as the Ella Hoover farm in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Samuel A. [lbert] Weir and Olive Mary Martin. She departed this life on October 24, 1995, at Community Care Center in Clarinda, Iowa, at the age of 84 years, eight months, and seven days, having lived almost all of her life in Jackson Township within five miles of where she was born. Irene went to Science Ridge and Forest Grove schools for her first eight years; the Weir family attended the Forest Grove Baptist Church and later transferred to the First Baptist Church in Bedford. She graduated from Cedar Falls College High School in 1925 and the following year she went to Bedford High School obtaining a Normal Training Degree. She then taught school for two years at Ross No. 2. On September 30, 1931, she was united in marriage to Hubert H. [oover] Henry at Maryville, Missouri. The next year Irene taught at Forest Grove School. The young couple lived with Hubert's folks until March 1, 1932, when they moved a quarter mile north to a farm which they purchased in 1944. By this time they had two children, Peggy Elaine and Myrna Lee.Irene supported her husband in everything he did, first being a housewife and mother and later becoming an excellent secretary and bookkeeper for the three businesses which the couple created based on Hubert's inventions. In 1946 Irene was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis resulting in visits all over the country to various doctors and hospitals, even a uranium mine in Montana. In June 1978, she had her knees replaced allowing her to roll away the old wheel chair to which she had been confined for the preceding four years. There were periods in her life when she got along better with the old arthritis but in her later years it became more crippling and much more painful.Irene was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Peggy and Myrna; one sister, Alice and husband John Colyn of Sabetha, Kansas; two brothers, Guy Weir and wife Louise of Bedford and J. T. Weir and wife Shirley of Bedford; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was a member of the Forest Grove Neighborhood Club and the First Baptist Church. Irene was a very special person who did not let the arthritis spoil
her pleasant disposition. She was cheerful, kind, and considerate
of others and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Bedford Times-Press Thursday July 1, 1998 [p. 5] Hal Edward Perkins was born to Ora W. and Anna Park Perkins on October 31, 1913 in Boone, Iowa. Hal had one brother, Chalon, and one sister, Eleanor. His parents divorced when they were children and Hal lived with his uncles on the Park side of the family, who took a very large role in raising him. He was needed around the farm to help with chores and so he attended school through eighth grade. Hal would later gain a stepfather, with Anna marrying Claude Berry. Hal was a Corporal in the 507th Parachute Infantry during WW2. He was a mortar gunman. His tour of service took him to Rhineland, Normandy, Central Europe and Ardennes Forest, France. He was wounded in his last combat jump and received a Purple Heart, 4 Bronze Stars and his unit received the Presidential Citation. Hal was a lifetime member of the National Disabled Veterans Organization. Hal spent most of his life in Bedford. He met Virginia Henry while working for her father moving livestock. They had dated about a year when on July 11, 1951 they tried to have a quiet wedding, going to New Market, with just a witness, but that witness helped the whole town know that they had been married, by driving them around, and around, and around town. Hal and Virginia were blessed with two children in their first few years of marriage--Ed and Beverly. Hal farmed, had a Grade A Dairy, but the true love of his employment years was trucking livestock. Someone was just telling me last night how agile he was until he was in his 70's, loading hogs into those trucks, and I've heard others tell about how dedicated and hard working he was to move their livestock even in not so pleasant weather conditions. Hal was a funny person, a teaser, with a great sense of humor. He had a bright, warm smile. There were only a couple of times that the family could think of him ever getting angry at people. Once was when Ed got hold of a gun he shouldn't have, and he took off running, and Virginia and Hal chased him around the house. But all in all he is remembered as an even-tempered loving man, who never complained even when he was probably in a lot of pain. When he was able he would do anything for anyone. We all know how difficult it is to put the life of someone we love into a page of memories. A life is so much more than the words we can say. But the family shared a few of their favorite memories. Hal singing and whistling in the milk house. Virginia and Hal went south to Arizona for four winters, and there was a neighbor that Hal called the "Striped Whistler" since he always wore overalls and always was whistling.Beverly remembered in her growing up years, having her dad get up and milk at 4:00 in the morning, especially on Christmas morning having to wait for "Pap" until the milking was done, to be able to get up and celebrate Christmas. Tyler remembered his grandparents coming to visit him in Cedar Falls, and though he was young, he remembered just being glad his grandpa came to visit. The whole family will remember Hal as a kind and loving man, who was the happiest helping others--they will remember that bright smile, the sense of humor and the whistling. He and Virginia may have led a quiet life--but it is clear that they were happiest that way, and the love they shared was what kept them going. Virginia said, Hal was the most kind and loving person she had ever met. I think if you can say that after almost 47 years of marriage, there was something special every couple wishes for in their own marriage.Hal was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Chalon Perkins and sister Eleanor. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Virginia of Bedford; son Ed of Yorktown and friend Rhonda of Clarinda; daughter Beverly and husband Craig, six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sister in law Marie Park, nephews, nieces and friends. Services were held on Saturday, June 27, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. at the Novinger Taylor Funeral Home. Burial was at the Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa. Reverend Nancy Ross presided.Bedford Times-Press Thursday July 18, 2001 [p. 5] Guy Thomas Weir was the first-born son to Samuel Albert Weir and Olive Mary Martin Weir on November 3, 1914 in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Iowa. He grew up helping his parents on the family farm. He attended rural schools, graduating 8th grade from the Forrest Grove School and then graduating from Bedford High School in 1934. On November 22, 1937 he was united in marriage to Louise Osburn at the Baptist Parsonage in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Guy and Louise enjoyed the farming life. Raising livestock and watching the crops grow made for fond memories. Always believing they should leave the land in better condition than when they purchased it, much time and energy was put into terracing and planting on the contour along with good crop rotation. Guy and Louise both served as 4-H leaders and were always interested in their neighbors and community activities. In 1995 Guy and Louise moved to Bedford where he kept busy being a volunteer at the Taylor County Museum. Guy enjoyed doing things that used his mind and creativity. He also enjoyed woodworking and was always up to the task of any repair work that needed to be done. Most important in Guy's life were his family, his home and his farm. Guy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford for close to fifty years. [He] had served on the FHA Committee, the ASC and Rural Fire Truck Committee for the local school board and belonged to the Page County and Iowa Angus Associations. Guy is survived by his wife Louise of Bedford; two sons, Lowell Weir of Des Moines; and Lee Weir and wife Julie of Clemson, South Carolina; a daughter, Joyce Cox of Omaha, Nebraska; a sister, Alice Colyn and husband John of Sabetha, Kansas; sister-in-law, Shirley Weir of Bedford; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Preceding Guy in death are his parents, Samuel and Olive; a son, Donald in 1952; a brother, J. T. Weir and a sister, Irene Henry. Bedford Times-Press Thursday June 1, 2005 [p. 4] Ruth Irene (Hickman) Thompson was born September 12, 1915, on her grandfather's farm in Comanche, Oklahoma. She was the middle daughter of Quincy and Marie (Dorr) Hickman. When Ruth was a young child she moved with her parents to a homestead in Colorado on a dry land farm of 320 acres. They were living there when the dust bowl hit and the farm was not prosperous so they moved to Marie's mother's farm south of Bedford. There Ruth attended Ross Center School and she graduated from the Bedford High School with the Class of 1934, obtaining her teaching certificate. She then taught country school for five years for a top dollar wage of $65.00 per month. While still in grade school, she met the man she would one day marry. On March 21, 1940 she was united in marriage to Robert Thompson at the Christian Church Parsonage in Bedford by C. Max Buck with their parents as witnesses. Robert and Ruth then farmed in Ross Township. Together they raised turkeys, as many as 3,000 per year. In 1946, they moved to Colorado where they continued to raise turkeys. In 1949, they returned to Iowa and purchased a farm in Grant Township where they resided for the next forty years. In 1990, they retired from farming and moved to Bedford while spending their winters in the Texas Valley. Ruth so enjoyed raising her three daughters and being involved in all of their activities. She continued to be involved with her seven grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and frequently gave in to the family's demands for her "world famous" chicken and noodles. Robert and Ruth also enjoyed square dancing and traveling. They were able to travel to many wonderful places including Russia, China, Japan, Germany, Spain and Europe. They also enjoyed an RV trip with Robert's niece to Alaska and several trips to see their children and grandchildren. In recent years, Ruth's health issues made it difficult for her to enjoy many of the activities she had previously, but she continued to face each day with strength and courage. Left to cherish Ruth's memory are her loving husband of 65-years Robert Thompson of Bedford; her three daughters, Barbara Pollard and husband Dan of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kathy Pinner and husband Lee of McAllen, Texas; and Glenda Cieminski and husband John of Schaumburg, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Kathryn Allen, Robert Pollard and wife Sara and Stephanie Pollard all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kendra Hughes and husband Shawn of Clarinda; Kim Wellauer of San Juan, Texas; Jennifer Cieminski and Beth Cieminski of Chicago, Illinois; three great-grandchildren; a sister Vadna Hickman of Larkspur, Colorado; a sister-in-law, Hazel Thompson of Maryville, Missouri; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Preceding Ruth in death were her parents Quincy and Marie; an infant brother John Quincy; a daughter Stana at birth; a sister Anna Stephens; a sister-in-law, Alice Cobb; brothers-in-law, Allen Thompson, Karl Cobb and Harold Stephens. |