Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
[Bush, Margaret Jane Halliday]
Bedford Free Press
April 28, 1921
Obituary
Margaret Jane Halliday, the oldest of a family of eight children of Harvey and Lydia [Fife] Halliday, was born in Washington Co., Penn. With her parents she moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio at the age of twelve. She was married to David W. Bush, June 1, 1865.
She was the mother of six children: Charlie, who lives at Hutchinson, Kansas; Frank [Franklin Urbin] and Vesta near the home place; Lawrence near Clearfield; Mary [Belle] Posten near Gravity; Minnie Ann, the oldest daughter, died at the age of eleven months. Besides the five children she leaves 1 [?] grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. She also has one sister and two brothers in Michigan, and one sister in Indiana.
Grandma Bush was one of the pioneers of this neighborhood, settling on her home place near Guss some fifty years ago this March. She watched and aided in developing the farm from the bare raw prairie to the comfortable, shaded home, which was indeed a treasure to her.
Although she suffered much in her later years, largely as the indirect result of her earlier privations and hardships incident to an undeveloped country, yet she will always be remembered for her kindly and hospitable ways.
She became a member of the Presbyterian Church in early girlhood and later transferred to the M. E. church at Guss. Her heart and life were always pure and the summons, which called her home above on April 8, 1921 at the age of 79 years and one month, was a welcome message to her.
The funeral was from the home Monday, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Ivan R. Mills and interment was in the Guss Cemetery.
Bush, Margaret Jane
Mrs Margaret Jane Bush, a pioneer resident of the Guss neighborhood, died Saturday night April 23, at 10:30 o'clock at her home two and one-half miles northeast of Guss.
She was born in Pennsylvania on March 14, 1842, and moved with her parents to Ohio when she was twelve years of age. On June 1, 1865, she was married to David W. Bush, and to this union six children were born, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are Charles of Hutchinson, Kas., Frank and Vesta of Guss, Lawrence of Clearfield and Mrs Mary Posten of Gravity. Two brothers and one sister in Indiana also survive.
Mrs Bush had been a resident of Guss neighborhood for about fifty years and died on the home farm where she had spent much of her life. She was a member of the Methodist church of Guss. The funeral was held at the home Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, with Rev I.R. Mills of Nodaway in charge of the service. Burial was in the Guss cemetery. New Market Herald, May 5, 1921
[Bush, Franklin Urbin ÒFrankÓ]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday December 20, 1956 [p. 1]
F. U. Bush, 86, Died At Gravity
Funeral services for Franklin Urbin Bush were held in Gravity, Thursday, December 13 by the pastor of the Methodist church, Rev. Howard DeVore. Mr. Bush, son of David and Margaret [Jane] Halliday Bush, was born on January 29, 1870 at Canton, Ohio and died at his home in Gravity on December 11, 1956.
The Bush family moved from Ohio to the Guss vicinity when Franklin was a small child. He was united in marriage on December 7, 1904 to Alma Stroud. They established their home on a farm near Guss. They celebrated 52 years of married life together this year. To this union 3 boys and 2 girls were born.
The Franklin Bush family lived near Guss until 1925 when they moved to Clearfield, later moving to Blockton, then to Bushville, and back to the family farm at Guss before retiring to Gravity ten years ago.
He was a member of the Methodist church, having first joined at Maple Grove. He was in past years a member of several community, fraternal and civic organizations.
He leaves his wife Alma, two sons, Walter [Arthur] of Gravity and Glenn of Carlisle; two daughters, Lula (Mrs. Harry Grant) of Columbus, Nebraska and Elnora (Mrs. Howard Hoffman) of Bedford, a brother, Lawrence of Clearfield, several grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son Floyd [Edward]; brother Charles and sisters Vesta and Mary.
Bedford Times-Press
June 28, 1956 [p. 1]
Mrs. Ern Posten Of Gravity Dies
Mrs. Ern Posten [Mary Belle Bush], 76, of Gravity died June 23 after an illness of several months.
Funeral services were held at the Christian church in Gravity, Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Clyde Kelly and Rev. Howard DeVore. Burial in Washington cemetery at Gravity.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 14, 1963 p. 8
Ernest M. Posten Rites Feb. 7
Funeral services for Ernest M. Posten, held Feb. 7 at the Gravity Christian church, were conducted by Rev. Donald Peel. Interment was in Washington cemetery, Gravity.
The following obituary was included in the service:
Ernest McColm Posten, son of Ellen Payne and Joseph I. Posten, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, June 6, 1879, and passed away Feb. 5, 1963, at the age of 83 years and 7 months.
On Nov. 20, 1902, he was married to Mary Belle Bush, who preceded him in death on June 23, 1956. To this union three children were born: one daughter, Cleo, Mrs. Leslie Roush of Gravity, and two sons, Lester of Gravity, and Orville, who preceded his motherÕs death by one month.
He was one of a family of ten children, all having passed on except one brother, Clifford, of San Diego, Calif.
His entire life was lived in Taylor Co., most of it being spent on his farm in Washington Twp., northwest of Gravity. In 1948 he and his wife moved to Gravity, where he spent his remaining years, except for the past few winters, which he spent with his brother and sister-in-law, Clifford [W.] and Trola [E.] Posten.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his two children, Cleo and Lester and their families, consisting of nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren; his daughter-in-law, Margaret, and her two sons of Chula Vista, Calif.; his brother; a number of nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
In his early manhood he united with the Christian Church of Gravity.
He was a devoted father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
ÒErnÓ as he was always called, had a cheerful and ever-ready smile and greeting for his friends and strangers as well.
Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the services were Delores Roush, Omaha, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Wilson and family, Redding; Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Posten and Jane, Corning; Leonard and Pam Posten of Villisca; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hoffman, Braddyville; Alyene Bush, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sickler, Corning; C. L. Hendrickson, Lenox.
[Pistole, Lewis William Nelson]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 21, 1962 p. 8
Brother Dies In Maryville
Lewis William Nelson Pistole, 80-year old Pickering, Mo., farmer, died Tuesday, June 12 at St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, following a brief illness of five days. He was born Jan. 31, 1882 at Pickering, the son of the late Lewis and Nancy [Elizabeth] Shelman Pistole. Mr. Pistole was married to Dora Berkey, who died August 10, 1934.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Raymond Garten [Verna Leone], Melrose Park, Ill.; a granddaughter, Verna Helen Garten, Melrose Park, Ill.; a brother, Clarence Pistole, Littleton, Colo.; a half-brother, Ray Killam, Washington; four sisters, Mrs. Everett Florea [Sadie Nellie] of Hopkins, Mrs. Myrta [Jacquetta] Simmons of Bedford, Mrs. Frank Ham [Adeline Ella] of Guilford, Mrs. Kate [Catherine Marie] Spiker of Akron, Colo.
Funeral services were held at two p. m. Saturday at the Pickering Methodist church. Burial at White Oak cemetery, Pickering.
Times-Republican
Thursday April 18, 1929 p. 4
J. C. Pistole
J. [ames] C. Pistole of Hopkins, passed away at the St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Tuesday. The body was taken to Hopkins where interment was made. He had been in failing health for the past year.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 28, 1963 p. 4
Wm. T. Murr Services Feb. 19
Funeral services for William Thomas Murr, long time Taylor County resident, held Feb. 19 at Berea Church, were conducted by V. M. Gilbert of Des Moines. Interment was in Berea cemetery.
Included in the service was the following obituary:
William Thomas Murr, son of Alexander and [Mary] Jane [Thompson] Murr, was born June 6, 1880, at Maryville, Tennessee. Departed this life February 16, 1963 at the age of 82 years, 8 months and 10 days. When a young man he went to Oklahoma, where for several years he farmed near Fletcher.
On January 5, 1906 he was united in marriage to Bertha Ann Oxley of Bedford, Iowa who preceded him in death April 1958. He was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers.
He is survived by one brother, James R. Murr of Vinita, Oklahoma; a nephew and niece, Perry and Ruth Oxley; many other nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
For more than 50 years he has been a faithful member of the ÒBereaÓ Church of Christ. He was faithful to his belief, always interested in the betterment of the church, the home and the community.
Since the death of his wife, Bertha, Brother Murr has made his home with Perry and Ruth Oxley.
Times-Republican
Thursday May 3, 1928
Warren T. Goff
Warren T. Goff, youngest son of Wm. and Sally [Sarah Ann Bates] Goff, was born on a farm in Knox County, Ill., on August 27th, 1851, and departed this life on April 29, 1928, at the age of 77 years, 3 months and 26 days. Mr. Goff grew to manhood in the state of Illinois, and in 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. [nn] Lane. To this union were born seven children, as follows: Miss Eva [Etta] Goff of Bedford; Mrs. Otto White [Addie] of LaCrosse, Wis.; Mrs. A.[inley] A. [rnott] McCoy [Daisy] of Gary, Ind.; Mrs. Leslie McCoy [Letha] of Creston; Mrs. [Robert] Arthur Salen [Ina Elmira] of Bedford; Mrs. Grant [Frank Cromwell] Stewart [Nettie Centennial] of Bedford, and Mr. Andy [Warren] Goff of near Bedford. He also leaves 21 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. He also leaves other relatives and friends. Mr. Goff was one of a family of ten children, seven brothers and two sisters, all except one having passed on. He moved with his family to the state of Iowa in the year 1898 and located on a farm near Bedford, Ia., where he has lived for 35 years. He was a member of the local Masonic Lodge, also a member of the local Baptist church at the time of his death. Thus we draw to a close, and lay to rest, one of our early settlers, who has seen our fair state grow to be one of our great and most wealthy states. Much credit is due Miss Eva Goff, the daughter of the departed brother, who remained with him and made the home possible during all the years.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 p. m., Tuesday, May 1st, at the local Baptist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Interment was made in Fairview cemetery.
[Stephens, Emeline Gordon Sleep]
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 19, 1904 p. 4
Obituary
Mrs. Emeline [Gordon Sleep] Stephens was born at Mineral Point, Wis., May 15, 1848. She moved to Taylor County, Iowa about 34 years ago, and resided here ever since. She is the mother of ten children, and seven sons and three daughters, one son and one daughter having preceded her to spirit land. The other eight remain to mourn the loss of [a] faithful, devoted and loving Christian mother. Mrs. Stephens united with the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of sixteen, and she has been a faithful member of the same to the time of her departure.
She died May 16, 1904. The funeral services were held at the High Prairie church at 1 oÕclock Tuesday, conducted by Rev. T. J. Ream of Bedford. A very large crowd of sympathizing friends and neighbors attended the services. The interment was at Siam.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 26, 1936 [p. 1]
J. W. Stephens, 64, Dies Near Hepburn
J. [ohn] W. [illiam] Stephens, 64, a resident of the Bedford community for many years, died at his home near Hepburn, Iowa, Sunday, March 22.
The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by a Red Oak minister. Burial was made in the Gravity cemetery.
STEPHENS, JOHN WILLIAM]
Clarinda Herald Journal, Thursday, April 2, 1936, p. 2
John W. Stephens
John William Stephens, son of George P Stephens and Susan Simon Stephens, was born January 17, 1871, near Keosauqua, Iowa, and departed this life near Hepburn, Iowa, March 22, 1936 at 4 o'clock p. m. at the age of 65 years, 2 months and 5 days. His later life was spent in Taylor and Page counties. He was never known to criticize his fellow men, was active in Sunday school and was liked by all who knew him.
He was united in marriage with Laura A. Workman September 21, 1891, at Mountain Grove, Mo. To this union were born six children, Cecil G. Stephens, Bedford, Ia., Wilson Stephens, Clearfield, Ia.; Mary Stephens Brooke, Clarinda, Howard Stephens, Peoria, Ill.; Harold Stephens, Hepburn, Ia. and James W. Stephens, Hepburn.
He is survived by six grandchildren, one brother, Nathaniel Stephens, Mountain Grove, Mo., and two sisters, Mrs. Eliza Mickens of Layton, Calif. and Mrs. Ida Snyder of Keosauqua, Ia., Mrs. Katie Dodson, Lawton, Okla., a half sister, and two half brothers, Clyde and Charles Stephens of Idaho. He is preceded in death by his father and mother and three sisters.
The funeral services were held the afternoon of March 25 at Wetmore Funeral Home in Bedford and burial was in the cemetery at Gravity. Rev. Mowry of Red Oak, pastor of the Union church, was in charge of the services. Pallbearers were Ralph Livingston, Lewis and Jay Harkless, Ed Owens, Henry Haidsiak and Edgar Wainwright. Special music was furnished for the funeral by the Negley quartette of the Valley township community.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 11, 1954 p. 5
Obituary – George W. Stephens
George W. [ashington] Stephens, son of Daniel [Vinning] and Emmaline [Gordon Sleep] Stephens, was born April 7, 1879, and died Feb. 1, 1954, at the age of 74 years, nine months, 24 days.
He was born and grew to manhood on a farm southwest of Bedford and his entire life was spent in Taylor County. For the past 47 years he has lived at the home east of Bedford.
In his youth he became a member of the High Prairie Methodist Church.
Feb. 13, 1901 he was married to Anna Lou Bartley. To them five children were born.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Carl and Harley [Willard] of Bedford; three daughters, Mrs. Finis [Downing] Park [Ruby] of Gravity, Mrs. Lester [Neal] Akers [Myrtle Blanche], Mrs. Allen [Joseph] Thompson [Hazel Mildred] of Bedford; nine grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ed Patch [Emma Ruphena] of Clarinda; one brother, Vennie [Gordon] Stephens of Bedford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three half brothers, one brother and one sister.
Funeral services were held Feb. 4 at the Wetmore Funeral Home and the body was placed in the mausoleum in Fairview Cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 12, 1969 p. 2
Vennie Stephens Last Rites In Bedford June 7
Funeral services for Vennie G. [ordon] Stephens, 85, lifetime Taylor County resident, held June 7 at the Bedford Christian Church, were conducted by Rev. John D. Kerr and Mr. Carl Cummings. Mr. Stephens died at his home here on June 5, 1969. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.
Vennie Gordon Stephens, son of Daniel [Vinning] and Emeline [Gordon Sleep] Stephens, was born April 17, 1884, near Siam, Iowa.
On January 24, 1906, he was united in marriage to Pearl Rose Patch and to this union were born four children (Letha) Mrs. Geo. Schurr, (Elva) Mrs. L. D. Akers, (Doris) Mrs. Howard Coon, and Orville.
They lived on a farm in Clayton Township for 53 years at which time they retired and moved to Bedford.
Mrs. Stephens preceded him in death in 1966 after having celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Vennie was the youngest of a family of 10, all of whom had preceded him in death.
He was a member of the Christian Church of Bedford and remained faithful as long as his health permitted.
He is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; a host of relatives and friends.
He was a loving husband and father. He thoroughly enjoyed his family, his music and his flowers and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 30, 1936 p. 5
Mrs. A. J. Stephens Buried Saturday
Funeral services for Mrs. A. [ndrew] J. [ackson] Stephens, 83, who died at the home of her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. John [Shriver] Stephens, near Gravity, Thursday, April 23, were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Saturday afternoon, April 25, conducted by Rev. J. Stanley Decker. Burial was in the Guss cemetery.
Elizabeth Shriver, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth [Inghram] Shriver, was born March 4, 1853, near Waynesburg, Green County, Penn., and died at the home of her son at the age of eighty-three years, one month and nineteen days.
At the tender age of three years she, with three sisters and five brothers, was left motherless.
Later, she came to Bedford, Iowa, to visit her sister, Mrs. Ben Bailey [Susan], and while here, she was married to an old school mate from Pennsylvania, Andrew Jackson Stephens, on May 17, 1875.
Soon after their marriage they located on a farm about two miles southwest of Guss. Here three sons, Charles [Edward] , John [Shriver] and Clyde [Allen] and one daughter, Osa [Mabel], were born.
In order to educate their children, they left the farm, and at different times resided in Villisca and Shenandoah, finally moving to Bedford in 1904, where they made their permanent home.
She is survived by two sons, John Shriver Stephens of Gravity and Clyde Allen Stephens of Conway, eight granddaughters, one grandson and five great great grandchildren.
Here husband, one son, the only daughter, one grandchild, two great grandchildren and all of her brothers and sisters, have preceded her in death.
At an early age she united with the Methodist church, later transferring her membership to the Bedford Methodist church.
[Stephens, Andrew Jackson ÒJackÓ]
Times-Republican
Tuesday May 9, 1922 p. 2
ÒJackÓ Stephens dies
A. J. Stephens, familiarly called ÒJackÓ by his host of friends in Bedford, passed away Friday forenoon after a brief illness of about a week. He was stricken with a bad attack of apoplexy a week ago last Friday and never rallied from the first attack, the doctors from the first holding out but faint hope for his recovery. ÒJackÓ Stephens was a kind hearted and whole-souled man, out and out in his convictions, and had a host of warm friends in the community who were shocked when the news of his death was announced. Following is a brief summary of the life of the departed one:
Andrew Jackson Stephens was born in Greene County, Penn., October 14, 1849, and was one of eight children, whose parents were Edward and Mazie [Gump] Stephens.
Mr. Stephens came to Iowa in the year 1874, and May 17, 1875, married Elizabeth Shriver, whom he had formerly known in their Pennsylvania home. They soon began house keeping on a farm north of New Market and here they lived for many years and here their four children were born. The eldest child, Charles E. [dward], died in infancy; John Shriver and Clyde Allen, are prosperous farmers here in the county, and Ocie [Osa Mabel], the only daughter and the great pride of her parents heart, was called home to God at the early age of thirteen.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephens came to Bedford several years ago and have always taken a prominent part in church and community life. He was a member of the Methodist church and a very faithful attendant at church and Sunday school.
He took a deep interest in the affairs of the church and was always liberal in support of every worthy cause and well versed in the Bible.
He greatly loved his home and family and was ever striving to minister to their welfare and comfort. Nearly always the home is the place where is revealed the inner life and the true motives of a man and it was here that brother Stephens revealed the depth of his character and the tenderness of his heart.
Stricken with apoplexy, the physical decline was very rapid and he passed quietly away Friday morning, May 5th, aged 72 years, 6 months and 21 days.
Besides his wife and two sons he leaves two sisters and one brother, eight grandchildren and a host of friends and neighbors who will greatly miss his genial smile and hearty greeting.
The family has lost a devoted husband and father, the church a loyal supporter and the community a foremost citizen.
Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:00 oÕclock p. m., at the M. E. church, conducted by Rev. Gable.
The music was furnished by Mesdames Frank Beebe, John Fitch, and Messrs. Guy Thompson and Roy Brourink.
Interment was made in the cemetery at Guss.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 19, 1963 p. 5
John Stephens Rites Sept. 12
Funeral services for John Shriver Stephens, long-time Taylor County resident, held September 12 at Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Carl Cummings. Mr. Stephens died at the hospital in Clarinda, Iowa, after a long illness, on Sept. 10, 1963, at the age of 86 years and 28 days.
Included in the services was the following obituary:
John Shriver Stephens, son of A. [ndrew] J. [ackson] and Elizabeth Shriver Stephens, and one of a family of four children, was born on a farm near Guss, Iowa, on Aug. 12, 1877.
On Feb. 1, 1900, he was united in marriage with Della Bertha Thomas at Clarinda, Ia., and to this union five daughters and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 1924, an infant daughter, Bertha June, and his only son Jack, who passed away in 1939 at the age of 22 years, and two infant grandchildren.
He was united in marriage with Bertha B. [elle] Gray at Clarinda, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 1927 and to this union, one daughter was born.
Most of his life was spent on a farm in Taylor County Iowa. He moved to Gravity in 1938 and has resided there since that time.
He is survived by his wife, Bertha and five daughters: Mrs. Glenn Woods (Ruth) of Cumberland, Iowa; Mrs. Marvin Ruyle (Dorothy) of Tumwater, Wash.; Mrs. Oliver Ray (Marjorie) of Anderson, Calif.; Mrs. Kenneth Moser (Mary Frances) of Portland, Ore.; Mrs. Doyle Savage (Annabel) of Independence, Mo.; one brother, Clyde [Allen] Stephens and seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, three nieces, several cousins and many friends.
[Stephens, John Shepherd ÒJackÓ, Jr.]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday August 3, 1939 p. 7
Obituary
John Shepherd Stephens, Jr.
Jack Shepherd, only son of John [Shriver] and [Della] Bertha Thomas Stephens, and only grandson of Jack [Andrew Jackson] and Elizabeth [Shriver] Stephens, who preceded him in death, was born June 18, 1917 near Gravity, and died in a hospital in Fresno, Calif., July 23, 1939 at the age of 22 years, 1 month and 5 days.
When but seven years of age his mother died, after which he made his home with his sisters until 1927 when his father remarried and moved to Gravity, where he spent the greater part of his life. Last September he went to Colorado where he spent the winter with his sister. On April 21, in company with friends, he went to California where he was employed at the time of his sudden death.
Jack was a highly respected young man. He became a member of the Christian church in 1934.
He leaves to mourn his passing his father, stepmother and sisters, Mrs. Ruth Woods of Conway, Mrs. Dorothy Ruyle of Loveland, Colo., Mrs. Marjorie Ray of Athelstan, Mary Frances Stephens and a half-sister, Annabel Stephens, at home.
The funeral services were held at the Christian church in Gravity Sunday afternoon. Burial was in the Conway cemetery.
_______________
Attend Stephens Funeral
Those from a distance attending the funeral services for Jack Stephens at the Christian church Sunday afternoon were Miss Hazel Stephens of Cedar Falls; Mrs. Merle Groves of Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Woods and daughter Joan, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Buchanan of Conway; Mrs. Frank Armstrong, Mrs. Lola Woods, Miss Hazel Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fitch, Miss Bonnie Dowis, all of Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Ray and daughters of Athelstan; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ruyle of Loveland, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Oren Phipps of Farragut; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Branan of Guss; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Leaverton of Sharpsburg; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bebout and daughters, Mrs. Nellie Rosecrans and Earl, Mr. and Mrs. David Barnes, all of Hopkins; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Snodderly of New Market; Mr. and Mrs. Will Townsend of College Springs; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence McCown and son of College Springs; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wilmarth of Corning.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 23, 1981 p. 13
Last Rites Held April 21 For Bertha Stephens
Funeral services for Mrs. John S. (Bertha) Stephens, 93, formerly of Gravity, held April 21 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings. Mrs. Stephens died April 18, 1981 in Bethesda Care Center in Clarinda. Interment was at Conway Cemetery, Conway, Iowa.
Bertha Belle Gray, daughter of Constantine and Margaret Bennie Gray, was born near Gravity, Iowa, April 29, 1887.
After receiving her education in the rural school and at colleges in Greeley, Colorado, Cedar Falls, Iowa and Indianola, Iowa, she taught schools in Taylor and Page Counties for over thirty years, retiring in 1954. Some of the schools she served are College Springs, Shenandoah, Clearfield, Bedford and Gravity.
On January 29, 1927 she was united in marriage to John S. [hriver] Stephens at Clarinda, Iowa, and they moved to a farm north of Gravity, Iowa, with his two children, Jack and Mary Frances. To them was born one daughter, Annabel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, her husband and two stepchildren.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Annabel, and her husband, Doyle Savage, of Independence, Missouri; three step-daughters, Ruth and her husband, Glen Woods, of Massena, Iowa, Dorothy Ruyle of Olympia, Washington and Marjorie Ray of Clarinda, Iowa; two grandchildren; one great granddaughter; three step grandchildren; 14 step great grandchildren; 21 step great great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
She was a member of the Christian Church at Gravity, Iowa.
Her family and friends will remember her as a kind and considerate loved one, and she will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 23, 1981 p. 13
May Stephens, 88, Last Rites Were Held April 22
Funeral services for Mrs. Jesse Earl Stephens, 88, formerly of Diagonal, were held April 22 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. Stephens died April 19, 1981 in Ringgold County Hospital in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. Interment was at Guss Cemetery, Guss, Iowa.
May Branin Stephens, daughter of Wilbur Branin and Viola Wolf Branin, was born April 1, 1893 in Poweshiek County, Iowa.
When a small girl she moved with her family to a farm near Guss in Taylor County where she attended the public school and grew to maturity.
On June 12, 1918 she was united in marriage to Jesse Earl Stephens and they resided on farms in the Guss area. To this union four children were born: Jesse L., Richard F., Robert and Viola.
She had lived in [the] Diagonal, Iowa area for the past 40 years and had resided in the Clearfield, Iowa Clearview Nursing Home since December 5, 1980.
She was a member of the Diagonal Christian Church and attended as long as health permitted.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, who died in 1955, and two children, Robert and Viola. She was the last member of her family of brothers and sisters.
Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Jesse L. Stephens and his wife of Clarinda, Iowa, and Richard F. Stephens and his wife of Lineville, Iowa; ten grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one sister, Hester Case, of Falls City, Nebraska; other relatives and friends.
Her family and friends will remember her as a kind and considerate loved one, and she will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved her.