Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Bedford Free Press
Thursday December 12, 1907 p. 4
Obituary.
William Reuben Sparks was born in Owen County, Ind., May 20, 1839, and died at his home in Clarinda, Iowa, Dec. 4, 1907.
On Sept. 14, 1862 he was united in marriage in Boone county, Iowa, to Miss Deborah Ann Williams, and to this union ten children were born, six sons and four daughters. One son died in infancy, and one son, D. [ouglas] B., of Buffalo, Wyo., was unable to be present at the funeral.
J. [onathan] C., of Glenwood Springs, Colo., N. [athan] O., of Ladoga, W. [illiam] E. [lza], of Bedford, and M.[elvin] E. [rnest], of Clarinda, also the daughters, Mrs. Ettie Allison and Mrs. Grace McKinley, of New Market, Mrs. Nancy Roberts, of Harlan, Kas., Mrs. Emma Hayes, of Clarinda, were present with their faithful and bereaved mother to take the last earthly look upon the face of an affectionate and beloved father and husband.
Mr. Sparks was converted and united with the Baptist church when comparatively a young man, and was a faithful and consistent member until called to the home above. His death was sudden, caused from heart trouble, from which he suffered for some time.
The funeral service was held at the Baptist church of Clarinda, on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 a. m., Elder D. W. Griffith, an old acquaintance of the family, officiating. A large congregation of friends and relatives were present to show their respect and sympathy for the bereaved family. Touching music and appropriate and beautiful floral offerings were in evidence. The I. O. O. F. took charge of the services at the grave, the interment being in Old Memory cemetery, near New Market.
[Sparks, Deborah Ann Williams]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday February 13, 1919 p. 5
Obituary----Mrs. Sparks
Mrs. W. [illiam] R. [euben] Sparks passed away at her home in Clarinda on February 7, 1919, at 11 P. M. The funeral services were held at Clarinda Monday, conducted by Rev. C. C. Hatcher of Bedford. Interment was made in the New Market cemetery.
Miss Deborah Ann Williams was born Sept. 22, 1843, in Montgomery county, Ind., left this earth for the home beyond from her home in Clarinda on February 7, 1919, at 11:00 P. M.
When but a girl of 8 years she came with her parents to Boone County, Iowa. Here she grew to womanhood and was united in marriage to Mr. W. [illiam] R.[euben] Sparks of Boone, Iowa.
Into their home and lives came ten children, nine of whom survive, and are present to share the sorrow of this great loss—J. [onathan] C. Sparks, New Castle, Colo.; Mrs. Etta Allison, New Market; Nathan Sparks, New Market; [William] Elza Sparks, Bedford; Mrs. Grace McKinley, Clarinda; Douglas Sparks, Buffalo, Wyo.; [Melvin] Ernest Sparks, Clarinda; Mrs. Nannie [Nancy] Roberts, New Market; Mrs. Emma Humphrey, Clarinda, who with her daughter Joyce, made their home with her.
The late W. [illiam] R. [euben] Sparks with his now deceased companion moved to Davis county, Mo., in 1870, where they made their home till in 1887, when they returned to Iowa, residing in Taylor county and by and by came to make Clarinda their home, about 13 years ago.
Early in life deceased gave her heart to her Lord and her life to his service, becoming a member of the Baptist church. She lived a quiet retired life of humble trust and during her illness was patient and uncomplaining against the providence over her life that permitted her to so long remain an invalid. Seven years she suffered after a fall upon the ice, which left her with a broken hip.
On January 31st, in hope of bettering her condition she submitted to an operation at Kennelworth hospital. From this she rallied but complications soon developed and this noble spirit of earth yielded to the summons came up higher Saturday evening.
Thus comes to a timely ending the life of a consistent Christian, a loving mother, an inspiration to her children and all who knew her.
The nine children above mentioned, 20 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, a host of relatives and friends who loved her, shall miss this choice spirit. But one less at home means one more in heaven.
We patiently abide our time till the dawn of a perfect day has broken full upon our pathway and then we shall know and understand.
[Note: The same obituary was published in the Bedford Free Press, February 12, 1919, p. 3.]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday July 30, 1953 p. 4
Elza Sparks Rites Held Here Sunday
Elza Sparks, long-time resident of Taylor county, died at University hospital, Iowa City, July 22, where he had been taken from Bedford a few days before.
Funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Delbert Dick of Pickering, Mo. Burial was in Luteston cemetery northwest of Sheridan, Mo.
William Elza Sparks, son of William [Reuben] and Deborah [Ann Williams] Sparks, was born on a farm In Davies county, Mo., Feb. 14, 1872 and died at the age of 81 years, five months, eight days.
When he was 14 years of age his father bought a farm 4 1/2 miles east of New Market. He was one of a family of ten children, five brothers, all deceased, Jonathan C., Nathan O., Douglas B. Tommy and [Melvin] Ernest; and four sisters, Grace, Nancy, Emma and Etta, who preceded him in death.
On April 30, 1895 he was married to Hattie Wilson at Hopkins, Mo. They established their home on a farm near Sheridan and spent their married life in that community.
Three children were born to them; one dying in infancy, Alfred [Reuben] of Camas, Wash., Neva [Marie] Sumy of Pickering, Mo. There are 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Elza was a member of the New Hope Baptist church east of Hopkins.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 29, 1968 [p. 1]
Alfred Sparks Rites in Hopkins
Funeral services for Alfred [Reuben] Sparks, 69, of Camas, Wash., a former Bedford resident, will be held at 2 p. m. Fri. Mar. 1, at Swanson Funeral Home in Hopkins. Mr. Sparks died February 25 at his home in Camas. Interment will be at the Hopkins Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Faye; two daughters, Mrs. Robert Allen, Tigard, Ore., and Mrs. Donald Longfellow [Uryth], Jackson, Miss.; a sister, Mrs. Harry Sumy [Neva Marie], Skidmore, Mo.; ten grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
[Sparks, Faye Katherine Holmes]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 24, 1983 p. 4
Services Will Be Friday For Faye K. Sparks, 86
Services for Mrs. Alfred (Faye K.) [Katherine Holmes] Sparks, 86, will be Friday, March 25 at 2 p.m. at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. David Allen officiating. Burial will be in Hopkins Cemetery.
Mrs. Sparks died March 21 in Vancouver, Wa. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Allen, Pasco, Wa., 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and two sisters, Sally Miller, Seaside, Ore. and Doris Morley, Blanchard, Ia.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 7, 1957 [p. 1]
Carl Sparks Died of Heart Attack
A heart attack caused the sudden death of Carl [Kenneth] Sparks Sunday, found about six p. m. by his daughter Linda after he had fallen in the feeding lot while feeding his calves. His home was near New Market.
Mrs. Sparks [Florence Eva Jones] survives. Also nine children: Gary, Linda and Evaleen at home; Marlin, Kenneth and Marland, all of San Francisco, Calif.; Oliver, who attends Iowa State college at Ames; Darwin of Villisca, and Mrs. Cliff (Darlene) Drennen of Lansing, Mich.
Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church in New Market at 2:30 p. m., Saturday, March 9. Rev. Clarence Potter will officiate. Burial in Old Memory cemetery.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday June 4, 1942 p. 8
Ellis G. Nulph
Ellis G. [ilmore] Nulph, son of David [Alexander] and M. [arie] Elizabeth [Criswell] Nulph, was born near Shannon City, Iowa, December 20, 1875 and died near Blockton, Iowa, May 16, 1942, at the age of 66 years, four months and 16 days.
On March 21, 1906 he was married to [Mary] Luella Avey in Blockton, Iowa. To this union were born two children, Ruth M. [arie] Nulph of Clarinda, Iowa, and Kenneth A. [vey] Nulph of Des Moines, Iowa. There are also in the immediate family circle, besides the wife, daughter, son and son's wife, a grandchild, Dennis Arnold Nulph, and one brother, W. [illiam] C. [riswell] Nulph of Shannon City.
Mr. Nulph learned the newspaper business under H. H. Lupton in Clearfield, Iowa. After that he was foreman of the Lenox News-Times for two years, immediately preceding his work as junior member of the Lupton-Nulph firm, publishers of The Blockton News. He has been associated with the Blockton newspaper for thirty-nine years.
He united with the Methodist church in Blockton under the pastorate of the Rev. William Mercer. A tireless worker, he was honest through and through; none could be said to have been more thoughtful of his family.
He leaves his family, a good name and a record of a well-spent life.
Funeral services were from the Blockton Methodist church at two o'clock Tuesday, May 19, conducted by the Rev. C. A. Pollock of Clearfield. Interment was in Rosehill cemetery, Blockton.
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday May 21, 1942 [p. 1]
Publisher Nulph Dead
Ellis [Gilmore] Nulph, publisher down at Blockton for 38 years, died alone on their farm on No. 2, in Gay Township Saturday evening. He had been working on some repairs to the barn. Last noticed around six o'clock, his body was found after 8:00 out by the barn. Death had been sudden, doubtless from a heart attack.
The county coroner attended, and the body was brought here to the Crew Mortuary. The funeral was set for Tuesday afternoon at Blockton. The wife and two children survive. Kenneth is a lawyer in Des Moines; the daughter [Ruth Marie] is an instructor in the Clarinda Junior College.
Many years ago, Mr. Nulph lived in Clearfield, and was thus known by all our older folks. 66 is given as his age.
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday September 4, 1996 p. 5
Zelma Leona Smith Weese
Zelma Leona Smith Weese, daughter of Frank and Effie Dye Smith, was born on February 18, 1914 on a farm north of Athelstan, Iowa. She departed this life on August 28, 1996 at Heartland East Hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri at the age of 82 years, six months and ten days.
Zelma grew to adulthood in Athelstan, where she attended the Athelstan School and the Holiness Church. On January 1, 1931, she was united in marriage at the home of her parents to William B. [enjamin] Weese of Sheridan, Missouri. To this union four sons were born, Dean Laverne, Dwayne Leroy, Clarence Melvin and Gary Eldon.
Zelma spent her life as a wife, mother and homemaker. While raising a family of her own, when sickness or emergencies arose, she was always ready and willing to help care for her many nieces and nephews, who loved and respected her. She enjoyed gardening, canning and all other aspects of farm life. Her favorite hobby was making quilts for her children and grandchildren. Zelma also took pleasure in visiting with family, friends and relatives. During the past few years, ill health restricted her visiting to be done by telephone or occasional callers to her home.
Zelma was preceded in death by her father, mother, one son, Dwayne Leroy, two sisters, Alma and Alta, and three brothers, Emory, Cecil and Curtis.
She is survived by her husband, B. [enjamin] Weese of the home, three sons and wives, Dean and Mary Ann Weese of Lenox, Iowa; Melvin and Kathy Weese of Comanche, Iowa; Gary and Sue Weese of Arvada, Colorado, seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two sisters, Reva Bownes and Blanchie Schipper, both of Clarinda, Iowa and 18 nieces and nephews.
Zelma will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services were held on August 31, 1996 at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Rev. Ward Campbell officiated. Burial was in the Athelstan Cemetery in Athelstan, Iowa.
[Weese, William Benjamin ÒBenÓ]
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday January 15, 1997 p. 3
William B. Weese
William B. [enjamin] Weese, son of Enoch [Edward] and Minnie [Bertha] Tucker Weese was born on April 7, 1908 in Worth County, Missouri and departed this life on January 5, 1997 at the Lenox Care Center in Lenox, Iowa at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 28 days.
B. [en] was united in marriage to Zelma Leona Smith on January 1, 1931 at the home of Zelma's parents in Athelstan, Iowa. To this union four sons were born. Dean Laverne, Dwayne Leroy, Clarence Melvin and Gary Eldon.
He farmed in Worth County, Missouri and Taylor County, Iowa most of his lifetime. He also worked as the Grave Digger in this area for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing during his leisure time.
B. [en] was preceded in death by his wife Zelma in 1996; one infant son Dwayne Leroy; parents; five brothers: Herbert, Edgar, Kenneth, Calvin, Albert and two sisters: Jessie Norton and Violet Woods.
Survivors include three sons: Dean and wife Mary of Lenox, Iowa; Melvin and wife Cathy of Davenport, Iowa; and Gary and wife Sue of Arvada, Colorado; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; two sisters: Edna Key of Blockton, Iowa and Madelyn Loghry of Osceola, Iowa; and 18 nieces and nephews.
B. [en] will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services were held on January 8, 1997, 2:00 p.m. at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Rev. Ward Campbell officiated. Interment was in the Athelstan Cemetery in Athelstan, Iowa.
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday September 4, 1996 p. 5
Albert H. Gray
Mr. Albert H. Gray, 83 of Clarinda, IA died Thursday morning, August 29th at Clarinda from injuries suffered in an accident that morning.
He was born Feb. 10, 1913 to Pearl and Myrtle Gray on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. When he was two years old the family returned to their farm home at Clearmont, MO. He graduated from Clearmont, MO High School in 1930 and from Northwest MO State University in 1936. He coached for five years at Braddyville, IA and was in the U.S. Navy for 44 months. He coached 11 years at Clarinda, IA and was a Field Sales Manager for Walnut Grove Products of Atlantic, IA for 13 years. He coached nine years at New Market, IA.
He was married to Marie P. Peet on July 10, 1942. She preceded him in death Dec. 26, 1982.
Mr. Gray was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a sister, Lila Johnston.
He is survived by several cousins, nephews, and nieces and his special friend, Millicent Guthrie.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 31, at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home with burial in the Clarinda Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the
Clarinda Foundation or the United Methodist Church.
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday September 4, 1996 p. 5
Cyntha Adams
Graveside services for Cyntha Adams were held at the Bedford City Cemetery on Tuesday, August 27, 1996. The Rev. Paul Evans officiated with Novinger/Taylor Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Cyntha Adams, daughter of Marcus and Ida (Feagins) Adams was born at Hitchcock, Oklahoma on September 15,1904. When she was four years old the family moved to the Bedford, Iowa area in a covered wagon. She attended the Frog Valley Country School and the Berea Church of Christ. She lived with her parents until her mother died in 1963 when she moved into the Taylor County Home outside of Bedford. She later moved to the Lenox Care Center after falling and breaking her hip. Cyntha died on August 24, 1996 at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. She had reached the age of 91 years, 11months and 9 days.
Cyntha was preceded in death by both parents; two sisters, Naomi Peach and Dora Mackland, one nephew, Clark Peach; and one niece, Vera (Peach) Lawson.
She is survived by three nephews, Paul Peach of Clermont, Florida, Glen Peach of Detroit, Michigan and Alan Peach of Sioux City, Iowa; nine nieces, Marjorie Raynor of San Diego, California; Louise Herzberg and Wilma Campbell of Clarinda, Iowa; Dorothy Linkins of Shenandoah, Iowa; Irma Shrimpton of Clearfield, Iowa; Donna Overman of Omaha, Nebraska; Marilyn Arrick of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Joyce Wilkinson of Kyle, Texas and Hazel England of Austin, Texas.
Cyntha was a lifetime member of the Berea Church of Christ and will be sadly missed by her family and friends. A memorial has been established for Cyntha at the Lenox Care Center.
[Ware, Edith Pauline Musick Sands]
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday September 4, 1996 p. 5
Edith P. Ware
Edith P. [auline] Ware, age 73, from Hopkins, Missouri passed away August 29th, 1996 at Maryville Health Care Center. She was born February 2, 1923 in Sheridan, Missouri to Archie Musick and Velva Mae Foster.
Edith married James A. Sands in the summer of 1940. On August 14, 1972 she was united in marriage to Verle A. Ware in Quincy, Illinois.
She had lived in Hopkins for 23 years. Edith was a laborer at CudahyÕs Packing Co, St. Joseph, MO. She also worked at the Health Care Center in Bedford, IA for many years.
Edith belonged to the Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Verle, November 22, 1991; father and mother, March 2, 1991.
Survivors include: one son, James Russell (Jim) and Linda Sands, Clarinda, IA; three stepchildren, Clarence and Della Ware, Grant City, Missouri; Barbara and
Charles Treese, Maryville, MO; Ann and Skip Runkles, St. Joseph, MO; two grandsons, Troy and Jean Sands and Todd Sands; several step-grandchildren; one sister, Jean Cordell and husband Eldon, Hopkins, Missouri; one brother, Marvin Musick, Lenox, Iowa; step-mother, Ethel Musick, one half-sister, Marge McNeese and one half-brother, Larry Musick and his wife Pat, all of Hopkins,
MO.
Graveside Services were held Saturday, August 31, 1996 at Luteson Cemetery, Sheridan, Missouri with Rev. David Kaster officiating. Memorials may be directed to American Blind Association.
[Note: Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 database gives the marriage date and place as June 17, 1942 in Gentry County, Missouri.]
[Straight, Mary Elizabeth McAhren]
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday September 4, 1996 p. 5
MARY STRAIGHT
Mary Elizabeth (nee McAhren) Straight died on August 28, 1996 of heart and kidney failure in Wilmington, Delaware.
She was the wife of Brigadier General Clio Edwin Straight who died in 1991, formerly of Sioux City, Iowa, Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, and New York City.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Straight Warburton of Wilmington, Delaware; and her son, William Seymour Straight of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., and her grandchildren, Anne and Jonathan Straight.
Burial was at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. on Tuesday, Sept. 3. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Greenville, Delaware on September 14.
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday September 4, 1996 p. 5
Ruth Dougherty
Mrs. Ruth Dougherty, 81 of Bedford, IA died Wednesday night, August 28th at Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, after a long illness. She was born Sept. 4, 1914, near Massena, IA, the daughter of Robert and Minnie Bissell Hatfield. She attended normal training and taught school in the Bedford area. On June 30, 1934 she married Marion Dougherty; he preceded her in death in 1990.
Mrs. Dougherty had been head cook at Bedford High School before her retirement.
She is survived by five children: Maxon Dougherty and wife Donna of Bedford, IA; Robert Dougherty and wife Suzanne of Dunlap, IA; Donald Dougherty of Lenox, IA; Jerry Dougherty and wife Ellen of Forsyth, MO; Karen Brown and husband Bill of Clarinda, IA. There are 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Brothers and sisters are: Rita Porter and husband Gail, Adams, NE; Roma Colton, Des Moines, IA; Phyllis Archibald, Omaha, NE; Coryl Pace and husband Wayne, Bedford, IA; Clyde Hatfield and wife Norie, Jacksonville, FL. Sisters-in-law are Thelma Hatfield, Rippey, IA and Hazel Hatfield, Lexington, NE.
She was preceded in death by parents, husband, brothers Rex, Ross, and Dale and sisters Carol Humphrey, and Margaret Hatfield.
Funeral services were Saturday, August 31st at the Bedford Baptist Church with Rev. Jamie Mogler officiating. Burial in Graceland Cemetery near Bedford. Memorials may be directed to the Bedford Baptist Church. Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
[Cabeen, Mary Margaret Matthews]
Bedford Times-Press
Wednesday January 9, 1991 p. 6
MARGARET CABEEN
Funeral services for Mary Margaret Cabeen were held January 4, 1991 at the United Christian-Presbyterian Church in Bedford. Rev. Marcia Smith Wood and Pastor Ted DeHass officiated. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery.
Mary Margaret Cabeen, daughter of William Frederick Matthews and Margaret Douglass Matthews, was born at Bethel, Penn. April 17, 1923 and departed this life January 1, 1991 at Bishop Clarkson Hospital, Omaha, Neb. at the age of 67 years, eight months, and 15 days.
She lived and grew to maturity in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania where she attended the public school and the Presbyterian Church. She received her Bachelor's degree in education from Geneva College at Beaver Falls, Pa.
On June 11,1947 she was united in marriage to J. [ohn] Richard Cabeen at Fairview Presbyterian Church in Thomas, Pa. and lived on a dairy farm in Washington County, Pa. She taught second grade for three years.
To this union seven children were born. In 1963 they moved to a farm south of Bedford, Iowa where she enjoyed raising her family and was an avid gardener. In 1987 they moved into Bedford.
She was preceded in death by her parents and infant twin granddaughters. Left to cherish her memory are husband [John] Richard; children William Robert and wife Paula of Bedford, James Richard and wife Mary Lou of Lenox, Donald Wayne and wife Paula of Cordoba, Spain, Betty Jane Motsinger and husband Channing (Bud) of Hamilton, Mo., Janice Marie Beck and husband Brent of Lenox, John Edgar and wife Mary of Bedford, and David Lyle of New Market; sister Martha Matthews, brothers David Matthews and Calvin Matthews all of Bedford; and 15 grandchildren.
She was an active member of the United Christian-Presbyterian Church, having served as elder, clerk, financial treasurer, and active in Women's Association.
She was a kind and considerate, gentle and loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.