Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 
 

Buckley, Orville H -

Orville H. Buckley, 62, of Glenwood, Iowa, formerly of Lenox, passed away at St. Joseph hospital in Omaha August 3rd, 1973, where he had undergone heart surgery. He had

been in failing health for several years.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Gary (Virginia) Richardson of Thurman, Iowa, Mrs Don (Donna) Ibel of Denison, Iowa, one granddaughter, Lonna Ibel, two sons-in-law and

nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the Peterson Mortuary in Glenwood August 6th with the Rev, E.E. Basye officiating.

Interment was in the Elmwood cemetery at Coin, Iowa.

Masonic rites were held at the cemetery.

Honorary bearers were Fred Strunce, Bob Caley, Ed Rahr and Herman Folkerts.

Casket bearers were George Reynolds, Gordon Jackson, Wayne Stouder, Max Maughmer, Charles Boles Jr., and Hugh Edwards.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 9, 1973

 

Colyn, Esther Hulpieu Irvine-

Mrs. Chas. Colyn, 67, died at her home in Lenox after a lingering illness Tuesday.

Survivors include her husband, Charles, 2 step-daughters, Mrs. Avis Crawford and Mrs. Olive Ranck both of Portland, Oregon, 3 step-sons, Charles, David and John and their families all of McPherson, Kansas, 14 step grandchildren, two sisters, Miss Josephine Hulpieu and Mrs. Margaret Robb both of Dodge City, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Salem. Church of the Brethren with Rev. Elmer West officiating.

Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery. [Listed as buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lenox]

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 30, 1973

 

Colyn, Esther Hulpieu Irvine -

Final rites were held at 2 pm Thursday, Aug. 30th for Mrs. Charles Colyn, who died Tuesday, August 28th at her home in Lenox after a lingering illness.

Mrs. Colyn was born April 15, 1906 at Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hulpieu.

She attended Dodge City public schools through high school, later receiving her BA degree from Southwestern College at Winfield, Kansas. She received her Master's Degree from the State University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kansas.

Mrs. Colyn worked as a laboratory and x-ray technician at Springfield, Mo., at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson  and later at Eugene, Oregon.

For a time she was micro-photographer for the Bonneville Power Administration at Portland, Oregon. An avid genealogist, she was an active member of the Genealogical Society in Portland, Oregon, while living there. Numerous papers and researches done by her are in genealogical libraries around the country. She published the book, "The Click Family Scrapbook."

Mrs. Colyn had been very active in the Lenox area with handicapped and blind persons for a number of years.

She married William Q. Irvine in Eugene, Oregon Sept. 3, 1943. They lived in Portland, Oregon, where he died April 29, 1959. She married Charles A. Colyn Feb. 4, 1962, and the couple made Lenox their home,

Survivors are her husband, two step daughters, Mrs. Avis Crawford and Mrs. Olive Ranck both of Portland, Oregon, 3 step-sons, John Colyn, Charles Colyn, Jr., and David Colyn all

of McPherson, Kansas, 14 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren. Two sisters, Miss Josephene Hulpieu and Mrs. Margaret Robb, both of Dodge City, Kansas, as well as

a host of friends also survive,

Rev. Elmer West, pastor of the Church at Salem, officiated in the services held at the Church of the Brethren.

Music was furnished by Marie West, Irma Fuller and Ruth Hettinger.

Bearers were Lester West, Wray Walter, John Hettinger, Harold McCloud, Thurman Curphy,  and Glendon Walter.

Burial was in Salem Cemetery. [records show she was buried in Fairview Cemetery at Lenox.]

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 6, 1973

 

John, Esther Belle Van Camp-

Funeral services for Mrs. Esther B. John, 78, of Des Moines, were held Wednesday, August 15th at the Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines.

Mrs. John died at Northwest Community hospital Aug. 13th after a lingering illness. She had been a resident of Riverview Manor Convalescent and Nursing Home in Des Moines the

past twenty months. Interment was at the Glendale cemetery in Des Moines.

Esther Belle John, daughter of David Barker Van Camp and Abbigail Greta Ashton, was born January 27, 1895 near Rapid City, South Dakota. When a small child the family moved to

Taylor County where she grew to adulthood.

On December 25, 1913, she was united in marriage to William Kinsey John, and to this union were born three sons Kenneth of Conway, Howard of Des Moines and Ivan of Ankeny.

They made their home in Taylor County and Rippey, Iowa until they moved to a farm near Waukee from which they retired to their home in Des Moines fourteen years ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who died in November 1970, her parents, two brothers and one great grandchild.

She is survived by her three sons and their wives, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Vera Warneke of Bedford and Mrs. Verta Loucks of Winslow, Ariz., nieces, nephews, and relatives and many friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 23, 1973

 

Kerns, Chloe Jane Hayes -

Chloe Jane Kerns, long time resident of Sharpsburg, died Thursday, September 6th at her home.

Chloe J. was the oldest daughter of Robert M. and Dora B. Hayes and was born near Red Oak, Iowa, July 7, 1889 and departed this life at the age of 84 years and two months.

When she was a young woman her family moved to a farm near Lenox and she was a member of the Methodist Greenwood Church, later transferring to the Sharpsburg Methodist

Church.

On January 5, 1918, she was united in marriage to Roy Kerns and they have spent their entire married life in and around the Sharpsburg community.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Robert and Dora Hayes, two infant sisters and a brother, Ray Hayes of Lenox.

She is survived by her husband Roy, a sister Maybelle Grimm and a brother-in-law, Tom Grimm of Sharpsburg, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Ray Hayes of Lenox. Many nieces and nephews,

and a host of friends also survive.

Chloe was ever ready to lend a helping hand where ever needed in her family and church. She will be remembered as a Sunday School teacher by two generations of children

and she loved each and every one of them dearly. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 20, 1973

 

Lutz, Leonard -

Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Bush received word Sunday of the death of the Reverend Leonard Lutz, former pastor of the Salem Church of the Brethren.

Those who may wish to write to Mrs. Lutz, the address is P. O. Box 211, R R I, South Whitley, Indiana 46787.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 9, 1973

 

Reynolds, Marie Bethke -

Mrs. Marie Reynolds, 85, Lenox area resident for many years, died Saturday, August 4, 1973, at Chula Vista, Calif. Funeral services were held at the First Christian Church of

Chula Vista Monday, Aug. 6th.

Graveside services and internment were held at the family plot in Fairview cemetery at Lenox at 4 pm. Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Don Briley, pastor of the Christian Church

at Prescott, officiated.

Mrs. Reynolds was born on the family farm near Edgely, North Dakota to Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Bethke on March 25, 1888 and lived in that area until her marriage to E. E.

(Liffe) Reynolds of Lenox in 1916. They made their home in the Lenox area until 1951 when they moved to Chula Vista, California.

Two sons, Cecil Carl and LaVerne Louis and a stillborn child were born to the couple.

They also acted as foster parents for an orphaned nephew and niece, David and Leona Christy.

Marie was active in the Lutheran Church of Edgely and the Christian Churches of Lenox and Chula Vista. Her primary interest was in sewing and she was quite professional, making 

many items and garments for bazaars and other families as well as her own. In her later years, Mrs. Reynolds was blessed with reasonable good health and enjoyed being with

her family as much as possible.

She is survived by her two sons, Cecil Carl of Chula Vista, Calif., LaVerne Louis of Pacific Palisades, Calif., two sisters, Clara Railing of Minneapolis and Alice Soulsby of

Stanford, Montana, two granddaughters, Carol Wicks and Sharon Jersey and two great granddaughters, Cherilyn and Laural Wicks, all of San Diego, California.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 9, 1973

 

Richard, W Gail -

Memorial services for W. Gail Richard, 71, an attorney and retired claims manager for Continental Insurance Companies, were held at 2 p.m. in Mt. Lebanon Christian Church in Mt.

Lebanon, Pennsylvania recently. Mr. Richard died after a long illness at his home, 74 Markham Drive, Mt. Lebanon July 19th.  He was a native of Lenox, Ia. who lived in Pittsburgh the past 35 years. He retired from the insurance company in 1965.

He was a charter member of Mt. Lebanon Christian Church and a member of the University Club, Allegheny County Bar Association, Pittsburgh Casualty Insurance Claim Manager Council, Syria Temple and Tremont Lodge 343, AF&AM. He was a 50-year member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Opal Richard, a daughter, Mrs. Virginia Plavetich, a son, Don Richard, a sister, Mrs. John McCarroll and four grandchildren and an aunt, Mrs. M. L.

Spurrier of Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Burial was in the Lenox cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 16, 1973

 

Riley, Zepha Augusta Preston -

Mrs. Harvey Riley, 84, resident of the Lenox area, died suddenly Saturday, August 25, at her home.

Zepha Augusta Preston, the daughter of Stephen and Agnes Nichols Preston, was born April 24, 1889 on a farm south of Corning, Iowa, and passed away August 25, 1973, very suddenly at her home after a several month illness.

She was a life long member of the Methodist Church, joining the Corning Methodist Church as a small girl, later transferring her membership to the Mercer Center Church

after her marriage. Aside from her home, her interest in life was mainly her church and its welfare. She was a charter member of the Mercer Center Ladies Aid and served as Communion Steward for many years. As long as her health permitted she was in attendance each Sunday morning regardless of outside pressures.

She was married to Harvey Riley on February 12, 1912 at Ames, Iowa, by Rev. Kirkendall at his home. They started housekeeping by renting two rooms in the Grandma Casey

house for the first year, then living the remainder of their married life on their farm where she passed away.

She was preceded in death by a son. Also by her father, mother, a step-mother, a sister Flora, and four brothers, Odie, Thomas, Arthur, Charley and two infant sisters.

Surviving besides her devoted husband is one brother, Fletcher Preston of Mt. Etna, and four sisters, Mrs, Mary Cline and Mrs. Nirah Thomas of Corning, Mrs. Edna Schwalbe of

Milwaukee, Oregon, Mrs. Myrtle Hall of Creston, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 27th at 2 o'clock from the Mercer Center church with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating.

Music was furnished by Billie Jean Barker and Marilyn Beck with Norma Paymal, organist.

Bearers were Richard Riley, Harold Rundlett, Lee Brokaw, Wayne Bunting, Wayne Preston and Dean Bovaird.

Burial was in Walnut Grove cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 30, 1973

 

Schmit, Charles W -

Charles W. Schmit of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away July 21 in the Clarkson Hospital after a lingering illness. He was the son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Callahan of Lenox.

Services were held July 24th from Pious X Church with interment in Calvary cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ann Callahan Schmit in 1969. Survivors include his daughter, Regina Michelle, his mother, Mrs. Helen Schmit, who had made her

home with him for the past four years, also two sisters and two brothers.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Callahan and Stacy of Lenox, Mr. and Mrs. Gale Young of Granger, Kevin Callahan of Des Moines and Mrs. A. I. Gray of Lenox, all relatives, attended the services.

Mr and Mrs. Art Schweers of Lenox, family friends, attended as did friends from Shenandoah and Essex, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 2, 1973

 

Sluss, Mark James -

Dr. Mark J. Sluss, formerly of Lenox, passed away Sunday, September 2nd, 1973 at the London House Care Center in Sonoma, California.

He was a long-time doctor in Lenox, coming here in 1933.

During his years of practice here, he made a large number of friends who will be sorry to learn of his death. The family left Lenox in 1965 to make their home in California.

Memorial services were held in California Sept. 5th.

His wife, Helen, daughter Mary and son, John, will arrive in Lenox Friday, Sept. 7th.

Burial will be in Fairview cemetery with a short graveside service at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 8th.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 6, 1973

 

Sluss, Mark James -

A memorial service was held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock for Mark Sluss, former Lenox doctor, who died in California September 2nd.

Rev. Floyd Newbrough, pastor of the United Methodist church officiated.

Mark James Sluss was born January 7, 1903 in South Bend, Indiana. He attended grade school and high school in that city and the University of Indiana and Still College of Osteopathy in Des Moines, graduating in 1929.

He was married to Helen Leckliter in the same year and began his practice in Lenox.

Dr. and Mrs. Sluss have a son, John Sluss, and a daughter, Mary Showers, both living in California. There are five grandchildren.

Dr. Sluss practiced medicine in Lenox for 33 years before ill health forced him to retire and move to California in 1963.

During his years as a physician he was a highly respected man in the community and attained the following achievements: President of Iowa Osteopathic Society, Physician of

the Year in 1963, President of Lenox School Board for many years, President and Charter Member of Rotary Club, Lay Leader in Methodist Church.

He was also a member of Tremont Lodge, No. 343, A. F. & A. M. and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

He practiced general medicine and treated several generations of patients from a wide section of Southern Iowa. He felt a great deal of pride in delivering hundreds of babies

during his years of practice.

Since 1963, Dr. and Mrs. Sluss have resided in Temelec, Cal., where they have made many new friends.

During the last several years he was in poor health but did enjoy the comfort of his friends and family in this area.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 13, 1973

 

Smith, Esther V -

Mrs. Esther V, Smith, 82, of Lenox, died Thursday, August 30th at the Rosary hospital in Corning following a lingering illness.

Mrs. Smith was born February 26, 1891.

Services were held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Sept. 1, with Father Lloyd Connally officiating.

Bearers were Ray Cheese, Homer Miller, Art Schweers, James Beck, James Maloney and Jerry Wurster.

Burial was in St. Patrick's cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 6, 1973

 

Wilson, Cecil Edward -

Cecil Wilson, 67, well known Lenox farmer and livestock raiser, died Wednesday, August 8, 1973 at his home near here after a long stay in the hospital.

Cecil Edward Wilson, son of Robert W. Wilson and Minnie Seibert Wilson, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, on September 16, 1905.

Cecil became a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox when he was a small boy.

On October 15, 1940 he was united in marriage to Velda Preston. This union was blessed with two daughters, Nancy and Janey,

Cecil will be remembered for raising purebred hogs. He started the business as a young man.  He was known for his keen judgment and excellent care of livestock. In later years he

had a purebred Angus herd, which was a source of enjoyment. He was one of the originators of the Lenox Stock and Saddle Club and was a lifetime member.

Mr Wilson took an interest in every project of the Lenox community and enjoyed watching its growth.

His pride and joy was Wilson Park, located on land where he grew up. Many, many hours he spent in making it as a place of beauty.

He is survived by his widow. Velda, his daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Wesley Pennington of Creston, Iowa, and Janey and Richard Ferguson of Maryville, Mo., two grandchildren,

Terri Lynn Pennington and Scott Edward Ferguson, one brother and three sisters, Marvin Wilson of Blockton, Ia., Mildred Wilson of Lenox, Iowa, Gladys Garver of Corydon, la.,

and Maurine Strange of Burbank, Calif., and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a loving husband and father, always kind and generous. He will be greatly missed for all who knew him were his friends.

Funeral services were held from the United Methodist Church in Lenox Friday, Aug. 10th at 2 p.m., with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating.

Music was furnished by Maralyn Beck, Billie Jean Barker and Norma Paymal.

Bearers were Eldon Jones, George Grey, Lowell Bush, Geo. Sweeney, Herman Haering and Harvey Spoonemore.

Burial was in North Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 16, 1973

 

Wilson, Donald Samuel -

Donald Samuel Wilson, the second son of John D. and Ruth Sterns Wilson, was born June 30, 1917, on a farm west of Corning.

He was educated in the rural schools northwest of Corning and Carbon high school. At the age of 24 he was called into the army as one of the first drafted from Adams County during W W II. He served his country a total of five years, one year in Germany.

He was married September 11, 1943 to Betty Drorbaugh of Lenox at Battle Creek, Michigan. To this union were born three children, Donna, Mick and Angie. They spent the next

15 years on farms in Taylor and Adams Counties.

In 1960 he developed a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis and with his family moved to  Phoenix, Arizona, where they resided for only sight months. Because of Don's deep love for Iowa farm life, they returned to farming in Taylor County.

In January 1973 his condition was diagnosed as Hodgkin's Disease which resulted in his intermittant  confinement until  his death on September 9, 1973 at the Clarkson Hospital in

Omaha, Nebraska. His patient suffering and cheerful attitude toward life itself was an inspiration to those he loved most.

His survivors include his wife, Betty, two daughters, Mrs. Donna West and husband Dean of Prescott, Mick Wilson and wife Lynn of Columbia, Mo., and Angie Wilson, at home,

three grandchildren, Gary, Larry and Joni West of Prescott, two brothers, Harold and wife Margaret and Wayne and wife Lois of Corning, one sister Wilma, an aunt, Mrs. Ina Vogel

of Nodaway, a host of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held at the Roland Funeral Home in Corning Sept. 11, l973 at 2:00 pm, conducted by Joe Cook.

Burial was in Walnut Grove cemetery at Corning.

Music was provided by Dorothy Cook and Mildred Walter.

Pallbearers were Harold Welch, Glen Williams, Melvin Williams, Maurice Sullivan, Cecil Martin and Delmar Haley.

Honorary pallbearers were Howard Riley, Ed Tatty, Don Curry, Bud Wynn, Lester West, Walter Brown and Gene Welch.

Flower bearers  were Lena Welch, Margaret Williams and Bertha Williams.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 20, 1973

 

Wilt, James Harold -

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 5th for James Harold Wilt, 76, of Carlisle, la.

Mr. Wilt passed away at his home in the early morning hours Monday, September 3rd after an eighteen month illness.

Be was born on a farm between Lenox and Clearfield, Iowa, and had lived in Carlisle since 1926. A graduate of Simpson College, Mr. Wilt retired in 1964 after working for

many years for the Ford Motor Company, tractor and implement division.

After his retirement he was the city clerk in Carlisle for six years, retiring from that position in July of 1970. He also served on the Carlisle school board.

Mr. Wilt was a member of the Carlisle United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star.

Surviving him is his widow, Nele, one son, James F. Wilt of Carlisle, two daughters Mrs. Jaynane Zima of Iowa City and Mrs. Martha Lamar of Malibu, California, eight grandchildren

and the many friends he had made throughout his lifetime.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 20, 1973

 

Wolfe, Jennifer Jodene -

Jennifer Jodene Wolfe, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wolfe of rural Creston, died at the Blank Memorial hospital on August 17th. The baby had been born Thursday,

at Greater Community Hospital and was later transferred to the Des Moines hospital.

Graveside services were held at Calvary cemetery at Creston at 10 a.m. Saturday. Rev. Fr. Patrick Bacon, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church officiated.

The baby is survived by her parents, John W. and Peggy Ann Beck Wolfe, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wolfe of Creston and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Beck of Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 30, 1973