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

[Alexander, Margaret Rose Thompson]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

Margaret Alexander

Margaret R. [ose] (Thompson) Alexander, 77, Hopkins died November 5, 1998 at a St. Joseph hospital.

Mrs. Alexander, a homemaker, also had worked as a secretary for the Nodaway County Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service office, also at the Maryville Light and Power, and other businesses.

Born near Hopkins on July 9, 1921 she was a lifelong resident of the Hopkins area. She graduated from the Hopkins High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville.

Mrs. Alexander was a member of the First Christian Church, where she was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship and Fairview Social Club, all of Hopkins.

On June 6, 1943 she married Robert Alexander in Wichita Falls, Texas. He survives of the home.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Charles A. and Elizabeth E. Thompson; a brother, Harland Thompson, and two aunts, Amanda Dougherty and Elizabeth Underwood, who assisted in rearing her.

Survivors include: two sons, Stephen, Hopkins and Dr. David, Kansas City; two daughters, Kristen Guthrie, Clearmont and Michele Weddle, Maryville; a sister, Mary E. Kral, Sunrise Beach, MO; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Services were held November 7, 1998 at First Christian Church, Hopkins with burial in the Hopkins Cemetery. Arrangements were by Swanson Price Funeral Home, Hopkins.

[Carroll, Avril Don]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

A. Don Carroll

Avril Don Carroll, the son of Addison Volley Carroll and [Wilmenia] Pearl LaMaster Carroll, was born May 5, 1916 at Maloy, Iowa and passed away on November 10, 1998 at Omaha, Nebraska.

On August 18, 1938 he was married to [Georgia] Maxine Bownes at Grant City, Missouri. To this union five children were born.

Over the years, Don worked as a farmer and at the Clearfield grain elevator. He was employed at Union Gas Company in Bedford at the time of his retirement.

In August, Don and Maxine celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine; his children, Bonnie Polston and husband Ames of Bedford, Evelyn Mann and her husband Jerry of Council Bluffs, Donald A. Carroll of Dallas, Texas, Kenneth Carroll of Dallas, Texas, Karen Linke and her husband David of Clarinda; nine grandchildren, Nancy Erb and her husband J.D. of Omaha, Teresa Carmichael and her husband Troy of Shenandoah, Eric Carper and his wife Karen of Omaha, Amy Polston of Shenandoah, Don R. Mann of Omaha, David Mann of Council Bluffs, Aaron, Caleb and Anna Linke of Clarinda; and three great grandchildren, Jacob and Ben Feilen and Laura Carper of Omaha.

Also surviving are brothers, Robert Simpson and his wife Marjorie, A.V. Carroll and his wife Annabelle; sister, Jean Mutert and her husband Floyd, Ava Dean Shum and her husband Jim, Luzenia Charles and Angie McCullum and her husband Marvin; sister in law, Evelyn Meek and her husband Bud; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and one sister, Florence [Fern] Roberts preceded him in death.

Don was a devoted family man who worked hard, and cared and provided for what he considered to be his greatest treasure: his wife, his children and their families. He took great pride in all of his children and they were, in turn, very proud and lucky to have such a kind and loving dad and granddad. All of his family and friends were truly blessed to know and love this man and he will be greatly missed for his generous, friendly and caring nature.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. at the Novinger Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa on Friday, November 13, 1998. Interment was at Athelstan, Iowa.

Reverend Tony Portero Paff of St. John's United Church of Christ in Council Bluffs officiated at the service.

[Crowe, William Alfred "Bill"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 2, 1974     p. 8

Last Rites Held In Kansas for William Crowe

William   Alfred Crowe, 61, Oakley, Kansas, died Sunday, April 21 [1974], 3:10 a.m., at the St. Joseph's   Hospital, St. Joseph, Mo., where he had been a patient for a week. Mr. Crowe and his wife, Helen, had been visiting his sister, Mrs. Mack [Arthur] Jackson [Annette Jesselyn], and family for the past several weeks.

He was born September   1, 1912, in Columbus, Nebraska, the   second son of William C. and Emma Burgess Crowe. His older     brother, Charles    B. Crowe, preceded him in death in February 1954. His sister, Mrs. Jackson (Annette), is the only surviving member of this family.

He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1942 to 1945. His overseas duty was in Iceland.

On September 8, 1945, he was united in marriage in St. Louis to Helen Ann Wurm, who survives. No children were born to this union. During the early part of their married life, they lived in Ellinwood, Kansas, where he became vice president of the Corrosion Proof Fitting Company. He continued in that position when the company moved to   Great   Bend, Kansas, and they made their home there until 1962.  He was a member of the Argonne American Legion Post No. 180 and the Elks Club in Great Bend.

When   the   corporation dissolved in 1962, Mr. Crowe accepted an   accounting position at the Pioneer Feed Yards in Oakley, Kansas, where he continued to work until about three years ago when his health forced him to retire.

Bill, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was baptized in the United Methodist Church at Forest City, Mo.

In addition to his wife and his sister, he leaves two nephews, Michael [Carol] and Donald [Mack] Jackson, and one niece, Emma Lee Jackson; his stepmother, Mrs. Erma Crowe, and a host of friends.

His mother preceded him in death in October 1938 and his father in August 1971.

Services were held April 22 at the Swanson Funeral Home at Hopkins with the Rev. John Shipley officiating, assisted by Michael Jackson of Kansas City.

Mrs. Michael Jackson sang "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross," accompanied by Miss Becky Coleman, pianist.

On April 23 a graveside service preceded interment in the Lakin Comanche District Cemetery at Ellinwood, Kansas. The Rev. F. A. O'Kelley was the officiating clergyman.

[Grimm, Wyatt Paul]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

Wyatt Paul Grimm

Funeral services for Wyatt Paul Grimm, age 84, who died at the Madison County Hospital in Winterset on Sunday, November 8, 1998 were held at the Lenox Christian Church on Wednesday, November 11, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Dena Woldruff officiating. Burial was at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Wyatt Paul Grimm was born to Lloyd and Flo Lovitt Grimm on October 21, 1914 in Sharpsburg, Iowa. Wyatt grew to manhood in the Sharpsburg area. He attended country school and graduated from Sharpsburg Community School in 1933 where he was a good athlete participating in both baseball and basketball. As a young man he loved hunting and fishing with his father and brothers.

On August 6, 1941 he was united in marriage to Arlene Robinson in Maryville, Missouri. The couple were blessed with a daughter, Suzanne Lynn on December 16, 1953. Wyatt worked in the Sharpsburg for Chitty Hardware before being drafted into the United States Army in 1942. Nine months later he was given a medical discharge and after six months recuperation time, the couple moved to their present home in Lenox. Wyatt worked for Lenox Clothiers as a salesman for many years. In 1960 he became ill and spent four months in an Omaha hospital. Upon his return home he became self-employed doing painting and carpentry work. Wyatt was a meticulous worker in his field. He was known as a quiet man, but never an idle one. He worked long hours and gained great satisfaction from helping others. He and Arlene looked forward to wintering in Florida, something they were able to do for several years. He was also a member of the Lenox Christian Church for over fifty years.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene Grimm of Lenox; a daughter, Suzanne Christensen and husband Gary of Winterset; four grandchildren, Jennifer Christensen of West Des Moines; Cory Christensen and Lacey Christensen, both of Indianola and Brooke Christensen of Winterset; a brother, Bob Grimm and wife Marianne of Scottsdale, Arizona; two sisters, Maysel Boltinghouse of Lenox and Mildred Donaldson of Sharpsburg; a mother in law, Lulu Robinson of Lenox; four sisters in law, Dorothy John and Helen Morris, both of Lenox, Norma Cobb of St. Joseph; Missouri, Marjorie Sanders and husband Bill of Norwalk; along with many nieces, nephews, and  friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Flo; and one brother, Harlan Grimm in 1981.

[Hanna, John Fremont]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 21, 1926    p. 5

John hanna died last night

One of the county's best-known citizens, John [Fremont] Hanna, of Gravity, passed away, last night at the Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, after a lingering illness. He recently submitted to an operation, and he apparently was recovering nicely until Monday when his condition changed. The body was brought home by way of Bedford this noon.

[Hanna, John Fremont]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 28, 1926    p. 8

GRAVITY

John [Fremont] Hanna died last Wednesday evening in the Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, where he had submitted to quite a serious operation. His three children, Mrs. Gertie Stewart and Harold Hanna of Gravity and Roy Hanna of Sterling, Colo., were with him when he passed away. The body arrived here Thursday and the funeral was held at the Methodist church at 2:30 Friday afternoon. Rev. Warrior assisted by Rev. Green had charge of the services. He was laid to rest in the Gravity cemetery by the side of his companion who preceded him five years ago.

[Hanna, John Fremont]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 28, 1926    p. 8

GRAVITY

Dick Burrell and wife, O. A. Kysar and wife and Frank Fleming and wife of Bedford attended the funeral of Mr. Hanna here Friday afternoon.

Frank Greeley and wife of Burlington Junction, Mo. visited relatives here last Friday and attended the funeral of John Hanna.

[Hanna, Olive Shipley]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    August 11, 1921    p. 5

Mrs. Hanna Died in St. Joe Hospital.

Monday afternoon Mrs. J. [ohn] F. [remont] Hanna [Olive M. Shipley], who has been in ill health for a long time, was taken to the hospital at St. Joe, for an operation for gallstones. She stood the trip well, and was successfully operated upon Tuesday morning about eight o'clock. Her daughter, Mrs. W. [ill] B. [ert] Stewart [Gertrude], W. [ill] B. [ert] Stewart and Harold Hanna were with her at the time of the operation.

Thursday morning a message was received from the hospital- -stating that Mrs. Hanna passed away at ten o'clock. The body will be sent home for burial and the funeral will be held Sunday.

Roy Hanna was reached at Brush, Colorado, by telegram and arrived at the Hospital Tuesday. —Gravity Independent.

[Hanna, Olive Shipley]

New Market Herald

Thursday     August 11, 1921     p. 3

GRAVITY

Mr. and Mrs. R. [oy] W. [illiam] Hanna and children of Sterling, Colo., were present at the funeral services of Mr. Hanna's mother, which was held here Saturday afternoon.

[Hanna, Olive Shipley]

New Market Herald

Thursday     August 11, 1921     p. 3

GRAVITY

Mrs. J. [ohn] F. [remont] Hanna [Olive M. Shipley], who was operated upon last week at the hospital in St. Joe, Mo., passed away Thursday morning at 10 a. m. The remains were brought to their home here, Thursday night. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Methodist church here, conducted by Rev. Jay Kirkendall of Corning.

Interment in Gravity cemetery.

[HANNA, OLIVE SHIPLEY]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 11, 1921
GRAVITY – Mrs. J. F. Hanna passed away at Ensworth hospital last Thursday morning at 10 a. m., after a very serious operation. The remains were brought to their home here Thursday night. Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:30 p. m. from the Methodist church conducted by Rev. Jay Kirdendall of Corning. Interment in Gravity cemetery.

[Hanna, Roy William]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     

Roy W. Hanna Taken In Death

Funeral services for Roy W. [illiam] Hanna, 77, former Bedford resident and long time Taylor county resident, were held December 14 from the First Christian Church, Sterling, Colo., with the Rev Roger Guy officiating. Mr. Hanna, a retired Sterling car salesman, died December 11 in a Sterling hospital following a short illness. Burial was at Riverside cemetery in Sterling with Masonic graveside services.

Mr. Hanna, who resided in Sterling since 1919, was honored last year by the Studebaker Corp. for 40 years continuous service as a sales man.

From 1921 until 1949 Mr. Hanna was associated with the H. B. Swedlund Co., and from 1949 to 1953 was with the Koelling Motor Co. For four years he was employed by Koelling-Hoffman Motor Co., and from 1957-1961 was with the Cochran-Hoffman Motor Co.

 He was born March 7,1885, in Gravity, Iowa, the son of John F. [remont] and Olive M. [Shipley] Hanna. He married Osa Dunlavy, Dec. 31, 1908, in Gravity, Iowa, and the couple came to Sterling in 1919.

Mr. Hanna was a member of the First Christian church, the Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Osa D. Hanna of 522 Beatie; a son, Graydon Hanna of Denver; a daughter, Mrs. Gwendolyn Young of Newport News, Va., and three grandchildren.

[Huntsman, William Dow]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 18, 1974    p. 4

Final Rites Held July 13 for Dow Huntsman

Funeral services for William Dow Huntsman, 80, of Gravity, formerly of Hopkins, were held July 13 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford conducted by Carl Cummings. Mr. Huntsman died July 10, 1974, at Colonial Manor here. Interment was at Hopkins Cemetery, Hopkins, Mo.

William Dow Huntsman, son of Bates and Lena White Huntsman was born December 20, 1893, near Siam in Taylor County, Iowa.

He grew to maturity in the community where he was born being active in the various community affairs.

On December 18, 1922, he was united in marriage to LaVinnie Graybill at Hopkins, Missouri, and they lived in Hopkins until 1927 when they moved to a farm northwest of Gravity where he had since continued to reside until failing health caused him to have need of additional care.

He spent all of his active years farming and enjoyed the land and the activities of out-of-doors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife who died in 1965, two sisters, Alice Baker and Nellie Henderson, a brother, Ora Huntsman, and a brother who died in infancy.

Left to cherish his memory are a son, Stanley Huntsman, of Clarinda, Iowa; a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Louisa) Holland of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a step daughter, Mrs. Mildred Neller, of St. Helena, Calif.; three grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Charles (Goldie) Morehouse and Mrs. Dewey (Sue) Morehouse of Bedford; other relatives and many friends.

Ha was a kind and considerate husband, father, brother, neighbor and friend, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Jackson, Donald Mack "Don"]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 11, 1995    p. 8

DONALD MACK JACKSON

Funeral services for Donald M. [ack] Jackson, 45, of Kansas City, Mo. will be held Friday, Jan. 13 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Kansas City, Mo. with Rev. David Belt and Rev. Robert Randleman officiating and at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, Hopkins, Mo. with Rev. Larry Maxwell and Pastor Rick Titus officiating. Cremation will be under the direction of Kansas City Funeral Directors, Kansas City, Kan. Burial will be at Hopkins Cemetery, Hopkins, Mo.

Don died on January 6, 1995 at Trinity Lutheran Hospital, Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Jackson was born in Maryville, Mo. to Mack [Arthur] and Annette [Jesselyn] (Crowe) Jackson on December 9, 1949. He graduated from Bedford Community High School in 1968 and from Northwest Missouri State University in 1974. Following graduation he relocated to the Kansas City area where he worked in marketing and sales for the past 20 years.

Survivors include his father, Mack Jackson, Nixa, Mo.; one brother, Mike Jackson and his wife Angie of Springfield, Mo.; one sister, Emma Lee and her husband Jeff Hurst, of Forsythe, Mo.; one nephew and several nieces.

Memorials may be made to either church.

[Kirkman, Orpha]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

Orpha Kirkman

Graveside prayer services for Orpha Kirkman, age 88, who died at the Lenox Care Center on Thursday, November 12, 1998 were held at the Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum on Monday, November 16, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Nancy Ross-Hullinger officiating. Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum in Bedford. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Orpha Kirkman was born March 28, 1910 to Gwendolin V. Kirkman in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up on a farm in the Sharpsburg/Lenox area.

Orpha took great pride in caring for her Mother and Uncle Dewey as their lives matured. Later, upon their deaths, she moved to Bedford where she resided until she moved to the Lenox Care Center.

Survivors include several cousins and a special friend, Kitty Day of Bedford.

She is preceded in death by her Mother Gwendolin and an Uncle, Dewey Kirkman.

[Knox, Lola Elberta Neville Moffett Manroe]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 18, 1998    p. 6

Lola Elberta Knox

Funeral services for Lola Elberta Knox, age 93, who died at the Clarinda Regional. Health Center, on Thursday, November 5, 1998 were held at the Ritchie Funeral Home on Sunday, November 8, 1998 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Audrey Westendorf and Pastor Ruth Melick officiating. Burial was at the Clearfield Cemetery in Clearfield. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Lola Elberta Knox was born to John Albert [Adelbert] and Rose Belle Doherty Neville on August 14, 1905 in Argyle, which is located in southeast Iowa. The family moved to Clearfield when Lola was a child. She attended school, graduating from Ringgold County at the age of sixteen. She then attended the State Teacher's College at Cedar Falls. Lola became an elementary school teacher where she taught at four different country schools after moving to Lenox in 1943. She later taught at both Clearfield and Lenox schools, retiring in 1970.

On August 30, 1925 she was united in marriage to James [Edward] Moffett in Creston, Iowa. Together they would have five children that Lola would eventually raise by herself during the Great Depression after James abandoned the family. On, May 29, 1945 she was united in marriage to Roy J. Manroe in Lenox, Iowa. Together they would share sixteen years of marriage before Roy died on October 21, 1961. Later she married Harold Knox on October 18, 1963 in Knoxville, Iowa. In 1991 she moved to Gravity living alone for a short time before moving in with her daughter, Darlene.

Lola was a long-time member of the Lenox United Methodist Church. She loved birds and butterflies, her crafts and crocheting. She loved playing cards and games, and visiting with family. She enjoyed her crossword puzzles and a good conversation with anyone. Lola was able to live with her daughter in Gravity until her health required her to enter the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center.

Survivors include two sons, Delbert William (Bill) Moffett and wife Shirley of Littleton, Colorado and Darrell Earl Moffett and wife Anna Mae of Salton Sea Beach, California; two daughters, Thelma Darlene Manroe and Delores Ambrose both of Gravity; twelve grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren; along with several step grandchildren; step great grandchildren and step great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Rose; three husbands; a son, James Edward Moffett; a brother, Roth Neville; a sister, Reva Parkhurst and a grandchild.

[Menoher, Wade Lamont]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 30, 1964     p. 6

Wade Menoher Dies In Colo.

Funeral services for Wade Lamont Menoher were held July 23 in the Episcopal St. Aldans Chapel in Boulder, Colo, with the Rev. A. B. Patterson officiating.

Mr. Menoher died in the Community Hospital in Boulder July 20, 1964, at the age of 50 years, two months and ten days. Burial was at Green Mountain Cemetery, Boulder.

He was the son of Mrs. Lillie Menoher of Lenox.

Prof. Menoher was a registered professional engineer at the University of Colorado. He went to Boulder as a student in 1922 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1926, later his Master of Science degree. Menoher, Lenox High school graduate, also held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simpson College, Indianola, Ia.

Wade Lamont Menoher was born to Charles B. and Lillie [Monahan] Menoher in Gravity, Ia., May 10, 1905.

Surviving are his wife, Ida Grace Weeks, formerly from McCook, Nebr., whom he married Dec. 7, 1957; one son, Michael Lloyd Menoher, by a former marriage, of Jamestown, Colo., Michael's wife, Mary Ann, two granddaughters, Carol and Deborah, a step-daughter, Sondra Koetter, her husband, Ray and son, Thomas Wade; his mother, Mrs. Lillie Menoher, a number of cousins and many friends.

[Morris, Larry D.]

Clearfield Chronicle

Thursday     March 12, 1987    p. 3

larry morris

Larry D. Morris, 46, Latimer, Iowa was killed in a truck accident Monday, Feb. 9, 1987 near Vienna, Missouri.

Larry was born March 7th, 1940 in Diagonal, Ia. to Edgar and Erma Morris.

He was united in marriage to Patricia [Marie] Busby on May 15th, 1964 in Clearfield, Iowa and to this union two sons, Todd and Darren and a daughter, Sondra was born.

Larry was employed as a truck driver for Smithway Motor Exchange in Ft. Dodge.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edgar.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; also 2 sons, Todd and Darren; daughter, Sondra and Melissa Busby, who made her home with the Morris family, his mother, Erma Morris, of Diagonal; a sister, Mildred Brelsford of Perry, Iowa; and two brothers, Charles Morris of Boyden, and Eldon Morris of Altoona, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services were conducted at 10:30 AM Thursday, Feb. 12th, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer with burial in the Coulter Cemetery at Latimer.

[Note: The same obituary was reprinted in the Clearfield Chronicle, March 19, 1987 p. 3]

[PAYTON, JESSE ADOLPH]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, January 27, 1914
Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Payton, who have been here for several days on account of the death of Mr. Payton's nephew, Jesse Payton, went to Conway Saturday to spend a few days on his farm in Gay township and from there they go to Menlo for a few days visit with a son before returning to their home at Galesburg, Ill.

[Shafer, Melissa Ellen Stahl]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    October 21, 1926    p. 2

Mrs. George E. [lvanis] Shafer [Melissa Ellen Stahl] died at her home in Diagonal on Oct. 11th, aged 71 years and 9 months. The funeral service was held on Thursday in the Methodist church. Mrs. Shafer was the mother of Mrs. Orville [Leroy] Wahl [Sarah Ruth] of southwest of Clearfield, and of Mrs. Mabel [Luella] Wahl of Clearfield.

Mr. Frank Reynolds went to Diagonal Thursday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Geo Shafer.