Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com

[Freemyer, John Elmer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 5, 1945    p. 3

Obituary - J. E. Freemyer

John Elmer Freemyer, son of Joshua Russell and Senora Foland Freemyer, was born near Athelstan, Iowa, Taylor County, October 19, 1870, and died at his home June 25, 1945 at the age of 74 years, 8 months and six days.

He was married to Clara B. [ell] Rusco June 28, 1890.  To them nine children were born.  The oldest died in infancy.  Orpal P. died March 15, 1916.  The remaining are J. [oshua] Rolland, Agnes Johnson, Harold and Zelbert of Bedford, Arthur of Hopkins, Ansel of Conway, Zelda Sickels of Athelstan.  He has six sisters and one brother living.  One sister preceded him in death.  Surviving with the wife and children are 19 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Athelstan church, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Freemyer, John Elmer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 5, 1945    p.

Attend Freemyer rites

Those from a distance attending the funeral of John E. [lmer] Freemyer Thursday afternoon, were Mrs. Mary Swett and granddaughter Lucile of Delphos, Mrs. Lew Reynolds of Mt. Ayr, Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Thompson of Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Freemyer, Elaine Freemyer and Turner Rusco of Conway; Mat Morris, Arch Freemyer, Albert Cavin, Mr. and Mrs. John Adams, Mrs. Raymond Weaver, Mrs. Lizzie Campbell, Mrs. Guy Poor, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wilson, Ira Kemery,

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Older, Mrs. Tom Fluke, Florence McConahay, Mr. and Mrs. Mose Hennegin, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Heggins, all of Blockton; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Martin and grandson of Kellerton; Mr. and Mrs. Dean Million, Mrs. Frank McCall, Mrs. Perry Byrns, Mrs. Cecile Hale and daughters, Mrs. Minnie Ailshie, Mrs. Nellie Townsend, L. C. Severns, Mr. and Mrs. Vearon John, Mr. and Mrs. Oakley Schneider of Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. J. Vanskyock of Sheridan.

[Freemyer, Joshua Roland]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 5, 1952    pp. 1]

J. R. Freemyer, Died May 29

J. R. Freemyer died at his home in Bedford, May 29, after an illness of several years.

Funeral services were held at Athelstan Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Evan Routh, pastor of the Bedford Christian Church.  Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

Joshua Roland Freemyer, son of John E. [lmer] and Clarabella [Clara Bell Rusco] Freemyer, was born at Athelstan, Iowa, Dec. 31, 1893, and died at the age of 58 years, five months, 28 days.

He was married to Zola Campbell of Athelstan August 29, 1915.  To them were born five children, all of whom survive.

Mr. Freemyer's entire life was spent in Taylor County, moving to Bedford eight years ago.  He made his confession of Christ in young manhood, joining the Baptist church at Athelstan.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife; three sons and two daughters: Truman O. of Coin, [Agnes] Elaine of Albert Lea, Minn., Mrs. Louise Besco of Albert Lea, Elmer F. of Conway, Leo B. of Albert Lea.  Also nine grandchildren; two sisters, Zelda Sickels of Athelstan, Agnes Soper of Alaska; four brothers, Arthur of Hopkins, Ansel of Conway, Harold of Paige, Nebr., Zelbert of Bedford.

[Freemyer, Archer Monroe "Archie"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 1, 1949    p. 9

Obituary - A. M. Freemyer

Archer Monroe Freemyer, son of Joshua [Russell] and Senora [Foland] Freemyer, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, January 11, 1873 and died at Ellston [Ringgold County], Iowa, November 6, 1949 at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 25 days.

He lived the most of his life in Taylor County, engaged in farming, receiving his education in the rural schools.

He was married to Miss Alice Rusco in 1892 and to them were born six children, all of whom survive, together with 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Five sisters also survive, Mrs. Mary Swett of Delphos, Mrs. Martha Morris of Blockton, Mrs. Lizzie Elliott of Clarinda, Mrs. Clara Hennegin of Blockton, Mrs. Alice Severns of Santa Paula, Mrs. Annie Vanskyock, of Sheridan.

Mr. Freemyer was active in community activities, and was always a friend to all.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Mrs. Alice Freemyer, and children, Mrs. Della Cummings of Des Moines, Rob of Menlo, Kans., Will of Blockton, Mrs. Goldie Robertson of Los Angeles, Mrs. Grace Taylor of Zion, Ill., and Gene of Creston.

Funeral services were conducted from the Athelstan Community Church Nov. 9, by Rev. L. B. Day of Maryville.  Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Spencer, Alice Cobb]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 12, 1967

Mrs. L. Spencer Rites Jan. 3

Funeral services for Mrs. Louis W. (Alice) Spencer, 93, held January 3 at the Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Mr. Carl Cummings.   Mrs. Spencer died January 1, 1967 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Alice Cobb, daughter of Ambrose [Lambert] and Matilda [Foreman] Cobb, was born in Taylor County, Iowa on Feb. 14, 1873.

On Jan. 31, 1889 she was united in marriage to Louis W. [esley] Spencer, who passed away on Dec. 14, 1957 at the age of 92.  Two sons were born to them, Clark Spencer of Bedford and Troy Spencer of Loveland, Colo.; three grandchildren, George Spencer of Bedford, Ia., Velma Gamet of Loveland, Colo., and Beulah Reck, who passed away in 1959; nine great grandchildren and one great great grandson.  She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Nellie Dorr, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Two sisters, Etta Gilleland and Alta Lacy and one brother, Aden [Andrew] Cobb, preceded her in death.

She was a member of the Berea Church of Christ.

She was a kind and loving wife, mother, friend and neighbor, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

[Spencer, Louis Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 19, 1957    [p. 1]

L. W. Spencer Died Saturday

L. W. Spencer, a long-time resident of Taylor County, died at his home in Bedford late Saturday afternoon, December 14.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by V. M. Gilbert of Des Moines.  Burial in Fairview cemetery.

Louis Wesley Spencer, son of [Daniel] Andrew and Almira [Bishop] Spencer, was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, Oct. 10, 1865 and died at the age of 92 years, two months, four days.

On Jan. 31, 1889 he was united in marriage to Alice Cobb at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. [mbrose] L. [ambert] Cobb.

Two children were born to this union, Troy Spencer of Loveland, Colo., and Clark Spencer of Bedford.

He farmed for years in Ross Township, retiring in 1921, when he moved to Bedford, where he had since resided.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Alice; his sons, Troy and Clark; three grandchildren, George Spencer and Mrs. Beulah Reck of Bedford, Mrs. Velma Gamet of Loveland, Colo.; nine great grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Mabel Wolverton of Bedford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Allie, who died in infancy; Mrs. Eva Reece, Mrs. Ella Hensley and two brothers, Edward and Elmer.

He was a member of the Berea Church of Christ.

[Spencer, Louis Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 26, 1957

Out-of-Town Folks Attend Spencer Rites

Out of town relatives and friends attending the last rites for L. [ouis] W. [esley] Spencer in Bedford Tuesday, included Mr. and Mrs. Troy Spencer, Mrs. Velma Gamet and two daughters, Loveland, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. V. M. Gilbert, Des Moines; Ernest Spencer, Denver, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Bishop, Frank Buell, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mullies, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Evan Lee, Rich Hill, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stark, Albany, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hensley, Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Klopp, Corning; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Cobb, Blockton; Mrs. Lloyd Morgan, Topeka, Kans.

[Wolverton, Howard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 1, 1951    [p. 1]

Howard Wolverton Died Here Oct. 26

Howard Wolverton, 76, a resident of Bedford and community his entire life, died at his home in Bedford, Oct. 26 after a long illness.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church at 2 p. m. Monday, Oct. 29, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles and the body was placed in the mausoleum in Fairview cemetery.

Mr. Wolverton is survived by his wife [Anna Mabel]; three daughters, Mrs. Edna Lacy of the home; Mrs. Lloyd Morgan [Violet] of Topeka, Kans., Mrs. F.[rank] L. Wetmore, Jr. [Lucile], of Bedford; and a son, Paul Wolverton of Bedford.

There are also six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

[Wolverton, Jeanne Ruth]

Times-Republican

Thursday    March 16, 1925    p. 4

Grim Reaper Calls Little Jeanne Ruth Wolverton

Jeanne Ruth Wolverton was born Aug. 7, 1917, and passed away on March 2, 1925, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arch Wolverton, after an illness of five months.  She was taken to the Mayo hospital at Rochester and all that could be done was done for her.  She leaves to mourn her demise her parents, one sister, Thelma, three brothers, Rollie, Jack and Ted, and other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.  She had been a strong child until a soft tumor formed on the brain that caused her to lose her eyesight.

She told of how she loved her Saviour and was much concerned about her Sunday school lessons.  It is hard to realize how the parents miss this beautiful little girl, who seemed so necessary to their happiness, but that pure and innocent life has returned to its maker.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. Luce of the Presbyterian church of Bedford, who spoke comforting words that will not be forgotten.

[Wolverton, Zella Ruth Ford McClelland]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 5, 1970    [p. 1]

Mrs. Jas. Wolverton Dies In Colo.

Graveside services for Mrs. James (Zella) Wolverton of Denver, Colo., formerly of Bedford, will be held Sat., Mar. 7 at 2 p. m. at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, conducted by Carl Cummings.  Mrs. Wolverton [Zella Ruth Ford McClelland] died Tuesday in Denver.

Among her survivors is a daughter, Mrs. Francis Trumbo, of Bedford.

[Eiginoir, Eva Hook]

Times-Republican

Thursday    March 24, 1910    p. 5

Mrs. Eva Eiginoir

Mrs. Eva Eiginoir of Des Moines, sister of G. [eorge] W. [illiam] Hook, died Tuesday night in Des Moines, after a long illness.  Surviving are the husband and child.  The remains were brought to Clearfield, her former home, for burial, the funeral services being held Friday morning at 10 o'clock.  Mr. Hook departed for Clearfield today.

[Hook, George William, Sr.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 27, 1947   p. 1]

Deputy Sheriff Dies In Des Moines

G. W. Hook, Span. Amer. War Vet, Buried Monday

G. W. Hook of Bedford died at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines, Friday, November 21, where he had been taken on the previous Wednesday following a heart attack.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Russell G. Nye.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery with the Masonic rites and military services being held at the grave.

George William Hook, son of William and Cynthia [Hopkins Barnett] Hook, was born in Lowry City, [St. Clair County] Missouri, December 27, 1871, being aged 75 years, 10 months and 24 days at the time of his death.

In 1888 he moved with his parents to Taylor County, Iowa, where he resided until his death.  He spent two years in the U. S. Army at the time of the Spanish-American War.  He was a member of Company I, 51st Iowa Infantry and served with credit from 1896 until 1900, when the regiment was returned home from the Philippine Islands and mustered out.

Shortly after his discharge from the Army, he was married to Miss Jessie Boyd of Bedford.   Mrs. Hook passed away in 1911.  Two of their children had preceded her in death.  Surviving are:  Mrs. H. [omer] L. Carson (Ruth) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Mrs. Joe Seabury (Mary) of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Mrs. Perry Chaney (Jessie) of San Fernando, California.

On January 22, 1917 he was married to Miss Edna E. Eckles.  They were the parents of five children:  George William, Jr. and Mrs. F. [loyd] W. [illiam] Miller (Betty Jane) of Billings, Montana; Mrs. Harry Hoch (Jeanne) of Los Angeles, California and James and Jack at home.

For a period of twenty years, Mr. Hook was engaged in the automobile business in Bedford.  He was prominent in civic affairs and took an active part in political affairs of the county and state.  For a number of years he served with the Federal Reserve Bank and at the time of his death, was serving as Deputy Sheriff of Taylor County.

He was a member of Bedford Lodge No. 156. A. F. & A. M. and a 32nd Degree Mason.  For 47 years he was a member of the Methodist Church of Bedford and for a number of years served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Edna E. Hook of Bedford; eight children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild; one sister, Mrs. H. A. Caughlan of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

[Hook, Edna Eckles]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 26, 1974    p. 4

Death Takes Edna E. Hook September 19

A private funeral service was held September 21 for Mrs. G. W. (Edna E.) Hook, 84, by her five children at Price Funeral Home in Maryville.  Mrs. Hook died September 19 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Mo.  Following cremation, inurnment was at Fairview Cemetery.

A native of Nodaway County, Missouri, she was born May 10, 1890, the daughter of the late Josiah Edgar and Emma Geyer Eckles.  A member of the Bedford United Methodist Church, she was married to G. [eorge] W. [illiam] Hook, Sr., who died Nov. 21, 1947.

She is survived by three sons, G. [eorge] W. [illiam] Hook, Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; James Glen Hook, Laramie, Wyo., and Jack Eckles Hook, San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. Betty Jane Miller, Billings, Mont., and Mrs. Jeanne Cline, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Grace Dougherty, Maryville; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

[Hook, William]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 4, 1906    p. 8

Obituary - Wm. Hook

William Hook was born August 24, 1832, in Carroll County, Ohio; died December 23, 1905, aged 73 years and 4 months.

He was married May 5, 1853, to Miss Amy Clark.  To this union eight children were born, five of whom survive the father.  Mr. Hook was married February 2, 1871 to Cynthia S. [ophronia Hopkins] Barnett.  Three children were born to this union, two of whom are living.

Mr. Hook was converted at the age of twenty-three.  His membership was still in the M. E. church at Bedford, Ia., where he formerly lived a consistent Christian life and died breathing the words, "Precious Savior."

The funeral services were conducted at the home Wednesday at 2 o'clock by Rev. Conrey of the M. E. Church.  Interment in the [words missing].

[HOOK, WILLIAM]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, December 26, 1905
Death of Wm. Hook
Wm. Hook, an old and well-known citizen of Taylor county, died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Dr. Frank Carey in Clearfield, Saturday evening at 8:30. The funeral will be held at Clearfield tomorrow.
Mr. Hook is the father of G. [eorge] W. [illiam] Hook of Bedford and Mrs. Ed Wertz is his granddaughter. He had been ill for a long time and his death was not unexpected.

[HOOK, WILLIAM]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, December 28, 1905
Wm. Hook Dead
Wm. Hook died at his home in Clearfield Saturday evening, December 23, at 8:30 o'clock. The funeral service took place at Clearfield yesterday.

[HOOK, WILLIAM]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Friday, December 29, 1905
William Hook of Clearfield, Iowa, Died December 23, 1905
William Hook, one of the best-known men in Taylor county, died at his home in Clearfield on Saturday evening at 8:10 o'clock, of paralysis, age 73 years, 3 months and 10 days.
Although the deceased was by no means one of the oldest settlers of Taylor county, he was perhaps one of the best-known outside of public life. The fifteen or more years he resided here, was divided between Clearfield and Bedford and his acquaintances were not limited to these localities, for being a man who always took an active interest in all public enterprises he met men and made friends all over the county.
William Hook was born August 25, 1832, in Carl [Carroll] county, Ohio, and here he spent the early years of his life. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Clark, and immediately thereafter the young couple bid farewell to their friends and set their faces westward, determining to carve their own fortune in the then frontier state of Iowa.
They first settled in Wapello county but after five years there, they were induced by promises of cheap land and the unlimited natural resources of the country, to move to St. Clair county, Mo. Here he purchased land and in spite of the drawbacks incident to pioneer life, he made a happy, comfortable home for himself and family.
Six children had come to bless the home and make life more worth living, when the grim angel of death appeared and the wife and mother was called hence.
In 1870 the deceased was united in marriage to Miss Sophronia Barnett and to this union was born three children. Mr. Hook has prospered financially and was doing well when the tax trouble which has made St. Clair county world famous, arose. Land values became uncertain and a settlement seemed far away, so he decided to sell out and move elsewhere. This he did in 1884, settling at Maryville, Mo. Five years was spent there, when he again returned to Iowa and became a resident of Bedford. He made this his home for about twelve years and then moved to Clearfield, where he resided until the time of his death.
The deceased was the father of nine children, seven of whom together with his wife, survive him. The children are: Mrs. Cynthia Woodbury of Lawrence, Kans., James Hook, Maryville, Mo., Mrs. Emma Eiseminger [Eisinger], Des Moines, Mrs. Nancy Taylor and Mrs. Mattie Carey, Clearfield, Mrs. Eva Eiginoir [Eginoire], St. Paul, Minn., and G. [eorge] W. [illiam] Hook, Bedford. All except the eldest, Mrs. Woodbury, were present at the obsequies, as were also his two sisters, Mrs. Jesse Akron and Miss Martha Hook of Ottumwa. Two brothers, John Hook of Eldorado Springs, Mo., and Thomas Hook of O'Neal, Neb., are still living but were not present at the funeral.
The deceased at an early age united with the M. E. church, remaining ever after a conscientious Christian, a loyal and active supporter of the church.
In politics Mr. Hook was a republican. He believed with all sincerity in the principles of the party and felt it a duty incumbent on him to advocate those principles. Politics with him was not a means for gaining personal advancement or selfish reward—he worked for the success of his party because he felt that in this manner could the most good be done the greatest number.
As a citizen he was respected and admired by all and his integrity was not questioned, even by those whose views were different from his own. He was a MAN in every sense of the word, a kind and accommodating neighbor, a true friend, a devoted husband and indulgent father and though he is gone he has left behind to the children who mourn him that priceless heritage, an untarnished name, the memory of a life well spent.
The funeral services were held at the home in Clearfield on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 conducted by Rev. Conrey. Interment was made at Clearfield cemetery.

[Hook, Martha, Mrs.]

Times-Republican

February 27, 1923    p. 3

Dies After Long Illness

Last Friday about the noon hour, Mrs. Martha Hook, an elderly aunt of Wm. Hook, and who has been making her home at his home for some time past, passed to her final reward.  The elderly lady had been sick for some three months past, old age and general debility being the cause of her death.  The body was shipped to Martinsburg, Iowa, on Saturday noon, accompanied by Mr. Hook and laid to rest in the old family burying grounds beside loved ones who had gone before, the funeral services being held on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

[Journey, Claude Dee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 2, 1972    p. 2

Claude D. Journey Dies In Colo.

Funeral services for Claude D. [ee] Journey, 79, former resident of Bedford, Blockton and New Market areas, were held October 16 at Olinger's Mortuary in Denver, Colo.   Mr. Journey died at Porter's Hospital in Denver October 13, 1972, after being hospitalized for three weeks.  Interment was at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Claude D. [ee] Journey was the son Amos [Noah] and Mary Elizabeth (Woods) Journey, born at New Market, Sept. 20, 1893.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; eight daughters; Mrs. LaVern (Gracia) Miller, Mrs. Frank (Helen) Ferguson, both of Braddyville, Ia., Mrs. Kenneth (Ruth) Reed of Denver, Colo., Mrs. George (Gladys) Smith, Mrs. Raymond (Alma) Summers of Springfield, Ohio, Mrs. Winona Wyckoff of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Verna Lee Bonney of San Bernardino, Calif., Mrs. Tom (Mary Beth) Ferguson of Apapka, Fla.; two sons, Frank Journey, San Lorenzo, Calif., Gailand Journey, Springfield, Ohio; two step-children, Mrs. Faye Jones of Bass Lake, Calif. and Ray Ensminger of Calif.; 29 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren; one brother, Floyd (Joe) Journey, of New Market; a host of nieces and nephews.

[Journey, Amos Stine]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 22, 1948    p. 3

Obituary - Stine Journey

Amos Stine Journey, youngest son of Amos N. [oah] and Mary Elizabeth Woods Journey, was born November 21, 1899 southwest of Bedford and died unexpectedly at the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, April 13, 1948, at the age of 48 years, 4 months and 22 days.

His father passed away when he was one month of age.  His entire life had been spent in Page and Taylor Counties.

He was married September 25, 1924 to Eva Kendall of near Villisca.  To them two children, Dorothe Lucille and Vernon Stine, were born.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Eva; daughter Dorothe Lucille at home; son Pvt. Vernon Stine, who is in the United States Army and is now stationed at Fort Ord, California; two sisters, Mrs. Glen Godfrey of New Market and Mrs. Edna Gard of Des Moines; four brothers, Ray Journey of Bedford, Harry Journey of Preeceville, Sask., Canada, Claude Journey of Denver, Colorado and Floyd C. Journey of New Market.

The funeral services were held at the New Market Methodist Church Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. B. Starkey.

Attend Journey Rites

Relatives from a distance attending the funeral were Pvt. Vern Stine of Fort Ord, California; Claude Journey of Denver; Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Gard of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Journey of Creston, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Journey of Bedford, Mrs. Geneva Schmidt of St. Louis, Mr. and Mrs. Cass Kendall of Villisca, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Kendall of Lenox, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Kendall, Mrs. Florence Robinson and son of Hepburn.

[Newman, Hannah Luella "Ella" Tillman]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 2, 1972    p. 2

Ella Newman, 75, Rites Oct. 23

Funeral services for Mrs. Luther (Hannah Luella) Newman, 75, of Essex, Iowa, were held at the Hackett Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa October 23 with the Rev. Willard R. Garred, pastor of St. John's Lutheran church, Essex, officiating.  Mrs. Newman died unexpectedly October 20, 1972.  Interment was in the Essex cemetery.

Hannah Luella Tillman was born August 8, 1897 on a farm near Essex, Page County, Iowa.  She was the daughter of Albert and Matilda Tillman.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Fremont (Nyman) Lutheran Church.

She was united in marriage with Luther A. Newman on March 29, 1916.  To this union two sons and two daughters were born.

Her husband, Luther, preceded her in death on February 11, 1961.

Following their marriage they farmed in the Essex vicinity for many years.  Following her husband's death Ella retired to Shenandoah in 1962 to make her home.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, two brothers, Martin Tillman and Arnold Tillman; and two sisters, Mrs. Ida Bloom and Mrs. Anna Peterson.

Surviving are two sons, Virgil Newman of Fernley, Nevada, LeRoy Newman of Bedford; two daughters, Marvel, Mrs. Donald Johnson of Glendale, Calif, and Arlene, Mrs. Robert Schaeffer of Riverton, Ia.; 12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Agnes Hart, of Shenandoah; a number of other relatives and many friends.

[Fluke, John Jesse]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 9, 1961    p. 5

Attend Fluke Rites

Relatives called to Bedford last week by the death of John J. [esse] Fluke of Kansas City included the following:  a sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Midyett [Alice] of Warsaw, Mo.; also members of the sister's family, Mr. and Mrs. William Baughman of St. Joseph, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ferguson and Miss Goldie Beyer of Warsaw; a cousin and a nephew, Mrs. Elmer Fluke and Lyle Sickels of Blockton.  All were guests in the home of the Misses Etta and Ella Fluke while here.