Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
[Cooper, Frank Raymond “Ray”] Taylor County Democrat Thursday July 26, 1894 p. 4 Joe Weeks received a message from Conway yesterday morning, which brought the sad intelligence that Ray Cooper, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cooper, had died that morning. The funeral services will be held today at the Methodist church in Conway. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks left on the noon train to attend the funeral. [Cooper, Frank Raymond “Ray”] Taylor County Democrat Thursday August 2, 1894 [p. 1] The Work of Death Frank Raymond, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. [illiam] H. Cooper, died at their home near Conway, Iowa, July 25, 1894, aged 13 years, 1 month and 14 days. The death angel came at 6:35 a. m. and severed the thread of life and bore Ray’s spirit to the home of the soul, after only a few hours of sickness. How true comes the force of the text, “In such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh: be ye ready.” The suffering family have the sympathy of their many friends. One more flower is
picked, Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Calkins at the M. E. church, Conway, on Thursday at 11 o’clock and were attended by quite a large number of relatives and friends. Interment was made in the Conway cemetery, where dust was consigned to dust. J. W. [Copeland, Grace Isabella Smith] Bedford Times-Press Thursday July 20, 1961 p. 4 Mrs. Copeland Dies In Florida Mrs. Grace [Isabella Smith] Copeland, 89, a former resident of Sharpsburg and Taylor County, died at the home of her son, Wylie Copeland in Eustis, Florida, Thursday, July 13. The body was taken to Hutchinson, Kans., where funeral services were held on Monday. Burial was at Hutchinson. Mrs. Copeland is survived by two sons and a daughter, Wylie Copeland of Eustis, Florida, Lynn Copeland of Nashville, Tenn., Mrs. Mildred Roots of Hutchinson, Kansas. There are also grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one brother, Verne R. Smith of Ames, a former resident of Bedford and Sharpsburg. Bedford Times-Press Thursday April 4, 1940 p. 2 SHARPSBURG Former Resident Dies J. S. Copeland Succumbs In Hutchinson, Kansas J. [ames] S. [amuel] Copeland, 75, died Thursday, March 28 at his home in Hutchinson, Kans., after an illness of two weeks. He was born Dec. 23, 1864 at Madison, Ind., and was married in 1895 at Sharpsburg, Iowa, to Grace I.[sabella] Smith. They moved to Hutchinson in 1906 and had made their home there since. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Wiley Copeland of Washington, D. C. and Lynn [Samuel] Copeland of Chatham, New Jersey; one daughter, Mrs. Mildred Roots of Hutchinson, and five grandchildren. The funeral services were held at Hutchinson Saturday afternoon and the body was brought to Sharpsburg Sunday evening. Short services were held Monday afternoon at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Lucy Gardner in Sharpsburg and burial was made in the Conway cemetery. Bedford Free Press Tuesday July 18, 1916 p. 5 Boy Burned to Death Drexel, the little two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Crabtree, who reside on a farm northeast of Coin, was burned to death in the hay barn on the farm Tuesday afternoon. A number of children were playing in the barn, which had just been filled with hay, when the fire started and the older children escaped. The fire was not seen until too late to do anything with it, as the new hay burned rapidly, and the men were in the hay field. When the remains were found they consisted of the skull, two ribs and a part of the spine. The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon, and interment was made in the Conway cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree were former residents of the vicinity of Bedford, Mrs. Crabtree being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Melvin. [CRABTREE, DREXEL]
Lenox Time Table Wednesday September 20, 1978 p. 4 Jack Cribbs, 39, Last Rites Were Held Sept. 11 Funeral services for John Lloyd Cribbs, 39, of Sharpsburg, held September 11 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Larry Secor, Rev. Wilton Grismore and Rev. W. C. Henn. Mr. Cribbs died in his home September 9, 1978. Interment was at Conway Cemetery, Conway, Iowa. John Lloyd Cribbs was born on May 13, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska; grew up in Niles, Michigan; and spent his summers on the farm of his grandparents, Harry and Ferne Pennebaker in Sharpsburg. Jack began farming upon graduation from high school in 1957 and continued until his death. On November 8, 1958, he and Donna L. [ee] Brand of Sharpsburg were united in marriage. They were blessed with two children, Karen Sue and Dennis Dale, both residing at home. Jack became ill in April of 1978 and was called to be home with his Lord in heaven while at home on September 9, 1978. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour early in life and joyfully served in church Sunday school and Bible Study groups and by witnessing with deed and message. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donna; his children, Karen and Dennis; his parents, John and Ada Cribbs of Peel, Arkansas; two brothers Gary of Romeoville, Illinois; Paul of Mishawaka, Indiana; one sister, Connie Corbit of Denver, Colorado; grandparents; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; parents-in-law; nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He will be greatly missed by his family as a wonderful husband,
loving father, his community as a willing worker and
by all of us as our good friend. [Darlington, Sophronia E. Rich] Bedford Free Press Thursday December 13, 1906 p. 3 ---The remains of Mrs. Dr. Darlington [Sophronia E. Rich], a former resident of Taylor County, arrived at Clearfield for interment Saturday. [Darlington, Thomas Edward “Ed”] Bedford Times-Republican Thursday November 2, 1911 p. 5 CONWAY The body of Ed Darlington who died in the hospital at Kansas City, Mo., was brought here Saturday noon and buried in the Conway cemetery. [Ecklin, Emily Rachel Cochran] Bedford Free Press Thursday August 1, 1895 p. 2 Mrs. John Eclin [Emily Rachel Cochran Ecklin] died on Sunday, July 27 at her home six miles southeast of Conway. Funeral services were held at 10 o’clock a. m. from the M. E. church at Conway, Monday, and were conducted by Rev. Calkins. Interment was made in the Conway cemetery. Bedford Free Press Tuesday December 1, 1914 p. 8 Obituary J. E. Ecklin
Last Tuesday evening, J. [ohn] E. [dwin] Ecklin, who lives in Grant township, was kicked in the abdomen by a vicious cow and received injuries from which he died in a St. Joseph hospital at 10:10 Friday morning. When first injured a physician was called but external appearances and the general condition of the injured man in the case was not considered dangerous until Thursday, when his condition became much worse and he was taken to St. Joseph, where an examination was made which disclosed that the intestine had been ruptured in two places, and there was practically nothing that could be done. Mrs. Ecklin accompanied her husband to the hospital and his daughter Mrs. Josie Matheny went down Friday morning, arriving about ten minutes after her father expired. The remains were brought back Saturday and the funeral was held at the home Sunday conducted by Rev. Kleckner of Clearfield. Interment was in the Conway cemetery. Deceased leaves a wife and five children to mourn his untimely death. The children are Mrs. Fred Rush, Mrs. Josie Matheny, Minnie Ecklin, Frank Ecklin and Lloyd Ecklin. His brother, Joseph, who resides at Carson City, Iowa, was present at the funeral. Mr. Ecklin was past
65 years of age, being born in Pennsylvania in 1849. He came to Taylor County
in 1880, where he has since resided. [ECKLIN, JOHN EDWIN] [ECKLIN, JOHN EDWIN] [ECKLIN, JOHN EDWIN]
Lenox Time Table Thursday March 3, 1977 [p. 1] Final Rites For Verla Grace Ecklin Verla Grace Ecklin, 77, died at the Rosary hospital in Corning, Wednesday, Feb. 23. She was born July 29, 1899 near Siam, Iowa in Taylor County and was the oldest child of William and Evalena Grace Hays. On March 9, 1927 at the Clearfield United Methodist Church, she was united in marriage with Frank G. [ilpon] Ecklin. She and Frank made their home and spent their lives in the Clearfield and Lenox communities. Two children were born to bless this union: J. E. and Arlene. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank in 1947 and her parents and a stepdaughter, Frances Grace. She is survived by her son: J. E. and his wife Bernadine of Diagonal; her daughter Arlene and her husband Richard Bandy of Glen Burnie, Maryland; five grandchildren, Johnny, Joan and Jerry Ecklin, Judy Briner and husband Allen all of Diagonal and Mark Bandy of Glen Burnie, Maryland. Two brothers and two sisters also survive, Argyle Hays of Dallas Center, Ia., Virgil Hays of Diagonal; Shella (Mrs. Herman Wurster of Avon Park, Florida) and Berthel (Mrs. Nelson) Ledgerwood of Corning. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. She spent most of her life in and around Lenox, having lived here the past 26 years. Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 25th at 2:00 p. m. from the United Methodist Church in Lenox with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating. Music was furnished by Norma Paymal, organist and Billie Jean Barker and Marilyn Beck, vocalists. Casket bearers were Willis Wurster, Howard Wurster, Russell Davenport, John Gourly, Delbert Weeda and Wayne Beck. Interment was in the Conway cemetery. Bedford Times-Press Thursday August 22, 1957 [p. 1] Bert Foster Rites Here Thursday Bert Foster, 68, a long-time resident of Jackson Township, died at his home Sunday, August 18 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bertha Foster. Funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home, Thursday, August 22 at two o’clock in the afternoon, Rev. Anthony Blankers will officiate. Burial in Fairview cemetery. [Foster, Bert] Bedford Times-Press Thursday August 29, 1957 [p. 1] Bert Foster Rites Held Thursday P. M. Bert Foster, a resident of the Bedford-Sheridan community all of his life, died at his home southeast of Bedford, Sunday, August 18. Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Thursday afternoon, august 22, conducted by Rev. Anthony Blankers of the Bedford Methodist church of which he was a member. Burial in Fairview cemetery. Bert Foster was born Oct. 17, 1888 on a farm northwest of Sheridan, Mo., and died at the age of 68 years, 10 months, one day. He was the son of Levi and Emily Jane Strobaugh Foster. He is survived by his wife and one sister, Vesta Huey of Malvern, Iowa, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, four sisters. [Foster, Bertha Maria Russell] Bedford Times-Press Thursday September 7, 1972 p, 6 Last Rites Held Sept. 2 for Bertha M. Foster Funeral services for Mrs. Bert (Bertha M.) Foster, 85, lifetime resident of Taylor County, held September 2 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Ollie Odle. Mrs. Foster died August 31, 1972. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford. Bertha M. [aria] Foster, youngest daughter of Wm. Henry and Elizabeth Kemery Russell, was born October 14, 1886 in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Iowa. On February 18, 1914 she was united in marriage to Bert Foster, and she and her husband spent their married life engaged in farming until his death on August 18, 1957. Bertha remained on the farm for several years, then moved to an apartment in Bedford until failing health forced her to give up her own home. She was a member of the Bedford Methodist Church and attended services there as long as her health permitted. Sundays were then spent listening to sermons and church music on her radio and reading her Bible. Bertha was a lover of the outdoors and children. Many a neighbor’s child has fond memories of happy times spent in her home and especially her great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert; her parents; two sisters, Iowa J.[ulia] Fluke and Anna E. [lizabeth] Russell; one brother, Henry K. [emery] Russell, and one nieces, Madeline Irvin. Bertha is survived by her only nephew, HK Russell and his wife, Anita, who have helped care for her since the death of her husband; seven grand nieces; one great nephew; and several great, great nieces and nephews; besides a host of other relatives and friends. Her keen wit and humor, pleasantness, and concern for others will be greatly missed by all. [Foster, Emily Jane Strobaugh] Bedford Free Press Tuesday June 9, 1914 p. 3 Mrs. Levi Foster, who has lived for many years just across the line in Missouri, and who is well known to many people in the south part of the county, died last week at the home of a son at Maple City, Kans. [Grace, Frances Delores Ecklin] Lenox Time Table Thursday October 10, 1974 p. 2 Obituary – Frances
Grace
Frances Delores Grace, daughter of Frank and Myrtle Slattery Ecklin, was born in the state of Montana on April 29, 1918 and passed away at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mt. Ayr, Iowa at the age of 56 years, 4 months and 28 days. In 1937 she was united in marriage to Ora R. [ussell] Grace, and to this union five children wee born, all of whom survive. She was preceded in death by her father and mother. Left to mourn her passing are her husband, Ora, Jeanette and Debbie at home, Phyllis Matheny of Lenox and husband John, Laurence Grace of Diagonal and wife Lola; Doyle and Betty Jean Walts of Diagonal, eight grandchildren, step mother Verla Ecklin of Lenox, half brother, J. E. Ecklin of Diagonal, half sister Arlene Bandy of Maryland, an aunt, Carrie McKinstry of Clearfield and uncle, Lloyd Ecklin of Largo, Fla. She was a kind and loving wife and mother and will be missed by all who knew her. Interment was in the cemetery at Conway. [Grace, Frances Delores Ecklin] Bedford Times-Press Thursday October 17, 1974 p. 7 Mrs. Ora Grace Last Rites Held September 28 Funeral services for Mrs. Ora R. (Frances Delores) Grace, 56, were held September 28 at the Varner Funeral Home in Clearfield conducted by Carl Cummings. Mrs. Grace died in Clearview Nursing Home September 26 in Mount Ayr. Interment was at the Conway Cemetery, Conway. Frances Delores Grace, daughter of Frank and Myrtle Slattery Ecklin, was born in the state of Montana on April 29, 1918. In 1937 she was united in marriage to Ora R. [ussell] Grace and to this union five children were born, all of whom survive. She was preceded in death by her father and mother. Her survivors include her husband, Ora; Jeanette and Debbie of the home; Phyllis Matheny of Lenox and Lawrence Grace and Doyle Grace both of Diagonal; eight grandchildren; stepmother, Verla Ecklin, Lenox; half-brother, J. E. Ecklin, Diagonal; half-sister, Arlene Bandy of Maryland; aunt, Carrie McKinstry of Clearfield; uncle, Lloyd Ecklin of Largo, Fla. She was a kind and loving wife and mother and will be missed by all who knew her. Lenox Time Table Wednesday August 21, 1991
ORA RUSSELL GRACE
Funeral services for Ora Russell Grace were held Wednesday, Aug. 14, 1991 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield, Iowa with Rev. Alan Rusk officiating. Interment was at Conway Cemetery, Conway. Towa. Ora Russell Grace was born February 17, 1914 to Anna McKee and Fred Grace in Sheridan, Mo. Ora married Francis Delores Ecklin December 31, 1937 in Tulsa, Okla. To this union five children were born; Lawrence, Russel, Doyle Richard, Phyllis Ann, Debbie Jolene, and Jeanette Colleen. Francis preceded Ora in death in September of 1974. Ora and Iva Marie Ulmer Waugh were married September 26, 1979 in Hopkins, Mo. Ora farmed most of his life in Ringgold County. He was also a former truck driver. He liked to hunt, and loved dancing and country music. Ora and Marie made their home in Lenox Ora left this life at the age of 77 on August 11, 1991 at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston. Ora was also preceded in death by a daughter Phyllis Ann Matheny and two brothers Jesse and Raleigh. Ora is survived by his wife Marie, two
daughters Jeanette Morrow and Debbie Casteel, two sons Doyle and Lawrence and Lawrence's wife Lois,
his stepson Larry Waugh and his wife Doris, his son-in-law John, and his brother's wives Maxine and Jean. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren,
three step grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and five step great
grandchildren. [Kuhn, Opal Mae McCurdy Keith] Bedford Times-Press Thursday May 31, 1984 Final Rites Held May 21 For Mae Kuhn, 83 Funeral services for Mrs. Thomas L. (Mae) Kuhn, 83, of Bedford, held May 21 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Marcia Wood. Mrs. Kuhn died May 18, 1984 in Clarinda Municipal Hospital after a short illness. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford. [Opal] Mae McCurdy Kuhn was born May 2, 1901, in New Market, Iowa. She was the daughter of [Erie] Samuel and Dora [Belle] Johnson McCurdy. Mae joined the Christian Church of Lebanon, Mo., in 1917, and became a member of the Bedford Christian Church August 15, 1937, and when the church united became a member of the Bedford United Christian-Presbyterian Church. She spent most of her lifetime in the Bedford area except for a few years when she was a young girl living in Missouri with her parents. Mae worked in the assessor's office with her husband, Tom, before becoming a field auditor for the Iowa State Tax Commission, a position she held until she was forced to retire in 1965 after an accident. She was a fifty-year member of Rebekah Lodge 134. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas L. [avelle] Kuhn, her mother and father, one sister, and two brothers. Saddened by her death are nieces; nephews; four stepchildren and their families; a special step grandson, Michael S. Kuhn and family; close friends June Hellyer and Lois Scane; several cousins and many friends. Bedford Times-Press Thursday July 11, 1935 [p. 1] Sarah Viola Russell Dies Here Sunday Sarah Viola Russell, daughter of James S. and Mary B. [elle Carnahan] Russell, was born in Mercer County, Ill., July 6, 1858 and died in Taylor County, Iowa, July 7, 1935, at the age of 79 years and one day. The funeral services were held Tuesday, July 9, at 2 p. m. at the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, conducted by Rev. Robert Boshen and Rev. John A. Currie. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery. She was the oldest of seven children. Her parents and four of her brothers and sisters have preceded her in death. The Russell family moved from Illinois to Taylor County, Iowa in 1881 and Vi (as she was called by all her friends) has lived there ever since. The entire family were members of the United Presbyterian church in Illinois; there being no U. P. church in Taylor County, they united with the Presbyterian church of Bedford where Vi was a faithful member, always attending church services when health and other conditions permitted. About six years ago, she fell and received serious injuries from which she never fully recovered. She leaves to mourn her passing, a sister, Mrs. Jane Carnahan of Omaha, Nebr., a brother, Clyde C. [arnahan] Russell of Bedford, four nephews and other relatives as well as a host of friends.
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