Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday July 3, 1980 p. 4
John Howard Beemer Dies In Missouri
John H. [oward] Beemer, Sumner, Missouri, formerly of the Bushville area, died at his home May 9, 1980 at the age of 73. Son of Simeon Beemer and Alice [May] Whitecotton Beemer, he was born near Lenox, Iowa.
He was united in marriage to Mildred Foster on December 22, 1928 at Brookfield, Missouri. To this union three daughters and two sons were born; Darrell of Tucson, Arizona; Lila Wickham, Creston; Carrell, Chillicothe, Missouri; Norma Jean Milford, Laclede, Missouri; and Patty Sue Boesch, Rolla, Missouri.
Mr. Beemer was a member of the Sumner Methodist church and moved to Hogridge, Missouri in 1922 with his parents at the age of 15. He moved to Gravity, Iowa in 1941 where he farmed until 1953, then returned to Sumner, Missouri.
Mr. Beemer was preceded in death by his father, mother, four sisters: Rella Akers, Nellie Blair, Mollie Rumbaugh and Ollie Sturms and one granddaughter, Jean Marie Wickham.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred, of the home; two sons: Darrell and Carrell; three daughters: Lila, Norma Jean and Patty Sue; one brother Sim B. [ryan] Beemer, Conway; four sisters; Minnie of Grants Pass, Oregon, Lottie Ross of Leon, Sarah Foster, Sumner, Missouri, and Grayce Houchin, Corning; sixteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 22, 1934 p.2
GRAVITY
Aged Lady Found Dead
Mrs. Judson Beemer, Sr., Died At Her Home
Mrs. Judson Beemer, Sr. [Esther Ann Miller], was found dead in her home Saturday morning, Feb. 17, probably having died the evening before. When found by Frank Ambrose she was sitting in her chair fully dressed. She had lived alone since her husband's death. The funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church in Gravity Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. R. V. Felt. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 22, 1934 p. 3
CONWAY
Mr. and Mrs. S. [imeon] B. [ryan] Beemer and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blair [Nellie Beemer], went to Gravity Tuesday afternoon to attend the funeral services of his grandmother, Mrs. Judson Beemer, Sr. [Esther Ann Miller].
Taylor County Herald
Thursday February 22, 1934 p. 5
GRAVITY NEWS ITEMS
Mrs. Judson Beemer, Sr.
Funeral services for Mrs. Judson Beemer, Sr. [Esther Ann Miller], were held Tuesday in the Methodist church. Rev. Felt officiated. Mrs. Beemer died suddenly Friday evening at her home in the south part of Gravity. Interment was in the Gravity cemetery.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday February 22, 1934 p. 5
GRAVITY NEWS ITEMS
Attend Beemer Funeral
Herm Beemer and wife of Lenox attended the funeral of Mrs. Judson Beemer [Esther Ann Miller], held here Tuesday.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 26, 1981 p. 11
George E. Beemer Last Rites Held March 25
Funeral services for George E. [verett] Beemer of Gravity were held Wed., Mar. 25, in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating with Military Honors given by Elvin Beemer. Mr. Beemer died March 21 in Rosary Hospital, Corning, Iowa. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.
George [Everett] Beemer was born April 4, 1891 in the Oak Hill vicinity, the son of Seal [Seely Judson] and Mayme [Mary Amanda Cram] Beemer. He and his brother Judson formed Beemer Brothers Auction Company. He was a lifelong resident of the Oak Hill area.
He was a member of the Oak Hill Church, serving as deacon and Sunday school superintendent. When the church closed, he became a member of the Gravity Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by a daughter Dorothy [Jean] Rainforth and a brother Frank.
He is survived by his wife Jessie, whom he married in 1914, a son Dr. Melvin [Reed] Beemer of Corning and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 9, 1981 p. 9
George Beemer, 89, Final Rites Were Held March 25
Funeral services for George E. [verett] Beemer of Gravity were held Wed., Mar. 25, in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating with Military Honors given by Elvin Beemer. Mr. Beemer died March 21 in Rosary Hospital, Corning, Iowa. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.
George E. [verett] Beemer, son of S. [eely] J. [udson] Beemer and Mary [Amanda] Cram Beemer, was born in Holt Township, Taylor County Iowa, April 4, 1891.
He grew to maturity in the area where he was born. He attended the public school and the Blue Grove Christian Church. He was baptized at a young age and was currently a member of the Gravity Christian Church.
In 1910 he moved with his parents to a farm near Oak Hill and chose farming as a career in life. In addition to farming he was a capable and well-known auctioneer since in the early 1920's.
On November 17, 1914 he was united in marriage to Jessie Whipple at the home of the bride's parents near Sharpsburg, Iowa. They moved to their present home where they have enjoyed 66 plus years of married life together.
Two children were born to bless their home and to share their love: Melvin R.[eed] Beemer and Dorothy Jean Rainforth who died November of 1958. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jessie of the home; his son, Dr. M.[elvin] R. [eed] Beemer and wife, Marney, of Corning, Iowa; six grandchildren: Barbara, Lynne, Gayle, Scott, Polly and Larry Rainforth; four great grandchildren; three brothers: Jay, Frank and Judson Beemer; other relatives and many friends.
He was a veteran of World War I.
He will be remembered as a kind and considerate father, grandfather, husband, brother, friend and neighbor and he will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 19, 1959 p. 5
Harold Beemer Died Wednesday After Heart Attack
Harold Beemer, farmer living near Gravity, died at his home as a result of a heart attack on Wednesday, November 11.
Funeral services were held at the Gravity Methodist church, Saturday afternoon, November 14. Interment was in the Gravity cemetery. Rev. Frank L. Greenwood of the Gravity Methodist church officiated.
Harold Jay Beemer, son of Jay [Emerson] and Eula Hicks Beemer, was born on a farm in Holt Township August 20, 1914 and passed away at the age of 45 years, two months, 21 days.
On February 26, 1937 he was married to Auralee Rosenbaum at Maryville, Mo. They moved to his grandparents' farm northwest of Gravity and in 1950 to the farm where the family now resides.
With the exception of one-year In Nebraska, Harold always lived in or near Gravity. He was a pioneer at heart and like his great grandparents who came to this area in covered wagons, he spent his spare time providing shelter for wildlife. His main hobby was planting trees, which now serves as a living monument to his memory.
He was a devoted husband, father and son, as well as a friend to all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1939, and his grandfather in 1941.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Harold Beemer; five children, Mrs. Ronnie Swingle, Gerald [Wayne], Kent, Tim and Susan Beemer, all of Gravity; his father, Jay [Emerson] Beemer; step-mother, Helen Beemer; half-brother, James Beemer, all of Sterling, Colorado; three uncles, Frank Beemer of Pacific Junction, George and Judson Beemer of Gravity; three cousins, Eugene Beemer of Creston, Melvin [Reed] Beemer of Corning, Quentin Beemer of Gravity.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 19, 1981 p. 4
Final Rites Held March 12 For Homer Beemer, 85
Funeral services for Homer Johnston Beemer, 85, of Gravity, Iowa, held March 12 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings. Mr. Beemer died March 8, 1981 at Gravity. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.
Homer Johnston Beemer, son of George [Washington] and [Florence] Erdine Johnston Beemer, was born August 16, 1895 in Taylor County, Iowa. He grew to manhood in Taylor County where he attended school and the Oak Hill Church.
On March 20, 1918, he was united in marriage to Grace Olive Johnson, and they lived their entire married life in this community.
To this union, two children were born: Elvin Homer Beemer of Bedford, Iowa, and Marjorie Grace Beemer Newman of Columbia, South Carolina.
Homer was a farmer and a respected livestock specialist. In later years Homer owned and operated a recreation parlor in Gravity.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Herman and Hudson.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Grace of the home; son, Elvin, and his wife, Margaret; daughter, Marjorie and her husband, Pete; brother, Horace; seven grandchildren: Chris, Britt and Chad Beemer, Susan Appenzeller, Forest, Roger and Mark Newman; six great grandchildren: Nelson and Matthew Appenzeller, Stephanie, Meredith and Andrew Newman, and Christa Ann Beemer; and [a] number of nieces, nephews, cousins; other relatives; and many friends.
He was a kind and considerate loved one and friend and he will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday August 16, 1973 [p. 1]
Last Rites Held Wednesday for Hudson D. Beemer
Funeral services for Hudson Dewey Beemer, 76, of Gravity, held Wed., Aug. 15, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Robert Truitt. Mr. Beemer died at his home Sunday. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.
His survivors include his wife, Mary, and two sons, Hudson Dean and Richard D.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 14, 1983 p. 4
Services April 2 For Jessie Beemer, 86
Funeral services were held April 2 for Mrs. George (Jessie) Beemer, 86, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here officiated by Rev. Roger Charley. Mrs. Beemer died March 30 in Corning, Ia. Interment was at Washington Cemetery near Gravity.
Jessie Whipple Beemer, the daughter of Clyde and Merva Martin Whipple, was born in Dallas Township, Taylor County, Iowa on June 27, 1896. She moved with her parents to the Sharpsburg community when she was a small girl where she resided until her marriage. She attended rural school in Grove Township and Sunday school at Blue Grove Church and was baptized at the Christian Church when she was 13. She was a member of the Gravity Christian Church at the time of her death.
Jessie was united in marriage to George [Everett] Beemer on November 17, 1914. To this marriage two children were born: Melvin R. [eed] Beemer and Dorothy Jean Rainforth.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and her daughter, Dorothy Jean, in November of 1958.
Left to cherish Jessie's memory are her son, Melvin R. [eed] and his wife Marney of Corning; six grandchildren: Larry Rainforth, Lincoln, Ill., Barbara Moritz, Darwin, Australia, Lynn Halterlein, Cairo, Egypt, Gayle Ludtke, Wachbach, West Germany, Scott Beemer, Lahaine, Hawaii, and Dolly Wellman, Anchorage, Alaska; five great grandsons, and a host of friends.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday December 16, 1948 p. 3
GRAVITY
Obituary – Mrs. S. J. Beemer
Mary A. manda] Crame [Cram], daughter of James and Amanda [Everson] Crame [Cram], was born near Danville, Ill., June 26,1870, and died at her home near Gravity, Friday, Dec. 10, 1948.
She was married on Jan. 15, 1889 to Seeley J. [udson] Beemer at Bedford, Iowa. To them four sons were born: Jay E. [merson] of Sterling, Colo., George E.[verett] of Gravity, Frank B. of Creston and Judson J. of Gravity.
She accepted Christ as her Saviour at the age of 16 years and was baptized, later uniting with the Blue Grove church and later moving her membership to the Oak Hill Christian church, which was organized in 1907, she being one of the charter members.
She leaves to mourn her passing her companion of sixty years, her four sons and their wives, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; also two half-brothers, Charlie [Everson] Dunkin of Hugo, Okla., and Fred [rick Robert] Dunkin of Gravity.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Leona [May], and a half-sister, Mrs. [Susan] Nettie [Jane] Posten.
She was a faithful and loyal companion, loving mother and a blessing to her many friends and neighbors.
Services were held at the Sunday afternoon, Rev. Vern Wiley officiating. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.
[Note: The same obituary was published in the Gravity Independent, February 16, 1948, page 1.]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 19, 1983 p. 4
Mary Beemer, 82, Final Rites Were Held May 16
Funeral services for Mrs. Sim Bryan (Mary Ethel) Beemer, 82, Conway, held May 16 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were officiated by Rev. Carl Cummings and Rev. Ted DeHass. Mrs. Beemer died May 12, 1983 in Rosary Hospital, Corning. Interment was at the Conway Cemetery.
Mary Ethel Beemer, daughter of Charles R. Smith and Annie Laurie Hamblin Smith, was born at Sharpsburg, Iowa, March 17, 1901. She lived around Conway and grew to maturity in Sharpsburg and Norwich, Iowa, attending the public school and the Presbyterian Church.
On March 17, 1917, she was united in marriage to Sim Bryan Beemer at Creston, Iowa, and they lived at rural Conway. To this union twelve children were born: Beth, Betty, Joyce, Virgil, Dean, Bryce, Dale, Mary Lu, Alice Ann, Jerry, Sally, and Tim.
She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Phillip and Donald, her sister, Nellie Rogers, her children, Beth in 1936 and Bryce in 1980, three infant grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Sim Bryan Beemer; her children and their spouses: Betty Boyer and her husband, Marvin, of Clearfield, Joyce Ridnour and her husband, Ralph, of Walnut, Virgil and his wife, Vivian, of Conway, Dean and his wife, Betty Jean, of Cody, Wyoming, Beverly Beemer, daughter-in-law, Cody, Wyoming, Dale and his wife, Zonette, of Conway, Mary Lu Schofield and her husband, Lloyd, Lenox, Alice Ann Miller and her husband, Lyle, Grant City, Missouri, Jerry and his wife, Jean, of Conway, Sally Hensley and her husband, Gary, Corning, Tim and his wife, Linda, Blair, Nebraska, 33 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; sister, Lulu Robinson, of Lenox; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Her family pays this tribute to her: " Our mother was devoted to her husband and family and tirelessly and cheerfully spent her life administering to them lovingly. Her children were her pride and joy as she listened for their footsteps and watched for their happy greetings. Her strong faith sustained her through her entire life and especially during the last months of illness.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday August 8, 1957 p. 4
Seeley J. Beemer Dies At Lenox
S. [eely] J. [udson] Beemer, a resident of Taylor County for nearly 80 years, died August 2 at a rest home in Lenox.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Gravity, Sunday afternoon. August 4. Rev. Roland Windle officiated. Burial in Gravity cemetery.
Seeley J. [udson] Beemer, son of Judson and Esther [Ann] Miller Beemer, was born Nov. 22, 1867 in Lee County, Ill., and died at the age of 89 years, eight months, 10 days. He moved with his parents to Taylor county on July 4,1878, locating on a farm in Holt Township, where he grew to manhood.
He was married Jan. 15, 1889 in Bedford to Mary [Amanda] Crame [Cram]. Four sons were born to them, all of whom survive They are Jay E. [merson] Beemer of Sterling, Colo.; George E. [verett] Beemer and Judson J. Beemer, Gravity; Frank B. Beemer, Pacific Junction, Iowa. There are also six grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; one brother, George Beemer, Bedford; one sister, Mrs. Sienea [Seena Mae] Morrison, Silverton, Oregon.
Mrs. Beemer died December 10, 1948. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Sim Beemer; one sister, Mrs. Elsie Clark; and twin sisters, who died in infancy.
He united with the Blue Grove Christian church, later transferring his membership to the Oak Hill church.
[Rainforth, Dorothy Jean Beemer]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday December 4, 1958 p. 4
Mrs. Gerald Rainforth Dies At Sharpsburg
Mrs. Dorothy Rainforth, 30, died Thursday, November 27 at her home north of Sharpsburg after an extended illness.
Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg Monday afternoon, Rev. Donald Gibson of Shelby, Iowa, officiating.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald Rainforth, an 11-year-old son, Larry Rainforth; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George [Everett] Beemer of Gravity; a brother Dr. Melvin [Reed] Beemer of Corning.
Dorothy Jean Beemer, only daughter of George [Everett] and Jessie [Whipple] Beemer was born at their farm home north of Gravity, December 24, 1927. She spent all of her childhood at the farm on which she was born. She attended grade school at Gravel Point and was graduated from Gravity High School in 1945. After her graduation she worked in the State Savings Bank at Gravity and was later employed in Omaha at the Corn State Serum Company.
On January 24, 1946, she was united in marriage to Gerald F. [rancis] Rainforth in the First Congregational Church at Hiawatha, Kansas. To this union one son, Larry Gene, was born on May 12, 1947. The first two years of their married life was spent in Sterling, Colorado. They moved back to Iowa in March 1948 and later that year moved to their present home, two and one-half miles north of Sharpsburg.
On June 28, 1938, at the age of 10 years, Dorothy was baptized into the Oak Hill Christian church north of Gravity. She was a faithful and active member there until she moved her membership to the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church in 1951.
[Rainforth, Gerald Francis ÒGerryÓ]
Clearfield Chronicle
June 16, 1999 p. 2
Gerald Rainforth
Mass of Christian Burial for Gerald Rainforth, age 79, was held on June 10,1999 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox with Father Leonard Kenkel officiating. Burial was held at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Military rites were conducted by the Parkinson American Legion Post #250. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.
Pallbearers were Vince Rainforth, Lance Rainforth, Bill Beaman, Jim Rychnovsky, Dean Evans and Arnold Maynes. Honorary pallbearers were Ivan Bennett, Leo Kaetzel, Eldon Jenkins, Dick Uhlenhopp and Arnold Yost. Organist was Diane Lange, and Cantor was Jolene Griffith.
Gerald Francis Rainforth, son of Roy [Francis] and Harriett (Fleming) Rainforth was born August 16, 1919 on a farm near Gravity, Iowa and passed away on June 7, 1999 at his home at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 22 days.
He grew up on the farm in the Gravity area attending country school and the Gravity High School. In 1934 he moved to Sterling, Colorado. In 1941, he entered the United States Army, serving in the European Theatre for five years.
In March of 1946 he married Dorothy [Jean] Beemer. This union was blessed with one son, Larry. In 1948, they moved back to a farm near Sharpsburg. In November of 1958 Dorothy died of cancer.
On April 23, 1960 Gerald married Catherine [Jane] Sweeney at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox and they moved to Akron, Colorado until February of 1961 when they returned to Iowa, living on a farm near Conway, where the family still resides. This union was blessed with four children.
Gerry loved to farm, especially raising hogs and Black Angus cattle. Even when his health failed, he still enjoyed putting in the crops. He enjoyed sports, but baseball was his favorite and he had even played some semi-pro ball as a young man in Colorado. Most of all he enjoyed his family and family gatherings, and was known to occasionally tease his four grandchildren, from time to time.
Gerry was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Taylor Farm Bureau and Parkinson Post No. 250 of the American Legion, had served on the Taylor County FHA Board in the mid 1970's. He had been a recipient of the Lenox Rotary Rural-Urban Good Citizen Award in 1985.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Roy and Harriett, his first wife Dorothy, his son Robert and his brother Harold.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Catherine; two sons, Larry (Helen) Rainforth of Lincoln, Illinois and Paul (Brenda) Rainforth of Sharpsburg; two daughters, Carol Rainforth and Joan Rainforth both of West Des Moines; four grandchildren, Vince, Lance, Paige and Bailey Rainforth; two brothers, Norman (Reah) Rainforth of Papillion, Nebraska; Dick (Shirley) Rainforth of New Market; a sister-in-law, Ardyce Rainforth of Richmond, Massachusetts and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 27, 1950 p. 3
CONWAY
Mrs. Matilda Short Dies
Mrs. Matilda [Cochran] Short passed away Friday at midnight at her home. She was a long-time resident of this vicinity.
The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Monday afternoon with burial at Clearfield.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 4, 1950 p.
CONWAY
Obituary – Mrs. Wm. Short
Matilda Cochran Short was born near Carthage, Ill., Oct. 16, 1871 and died April 21, 1950 at the age of 78 at her home in Conway. When twelve years of age she came with her parents to Taylor County and had lived since near Lenox and Conway.
She was married to William Short in 1891. To them were born 10 children, three preceding their mother in death, an infant daughter, Glen at the age of 15, and John who died in the service.
Those surviving are five daughters, May Harvey, Grace Horton and Viola Atkins of Clearfield, Helen Maddon of Kent, Mary Short of Conway; two sons, Lee Short of Lenox and Clifford Short of Conway.
The father and husband died in 1937. Besides the children, there are two sisters, Mrs. Emma Hurley of Lenox and Mrs. Anna Edwards of Creston; two brothers, Joe Cochran of Sharpsburg and Harry Cochran of Mt. Ayr; and 18 grandchildren.
Mrs. Short united with the Presbyterian Church when a young lady.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Conway, Monday, April 24. Burial was in the Clearfield cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 1, 1969 p. 5
Clifford Short, 59, Rites Held Wed.
Funeral services for Clifford Short, 59, of Conway were held Wed. April 30, at Shum-Novinger Funeral home in Bedford conducted by Mr Carl Cummings. Mr. Short died April 26, 1969 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha Interment was at Conway Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Eulalia and two daughters, Mrs. Theron (Betty) Johnson of Bedford and Mrs. Edward (Norma) Cox of Wheatland, Wyoming.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 8, 1969 p. 5
Final Rites Held April 30 For Clifford Short
Funeral services for Clifford Short, 59, of Conway, were held April 30 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Mr. Carl Cummings officiating. Mr. Short died April 26, 1969 at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Interment was at Conway Cemetery, Conway.
Clifford Short, son of William and Matilda [Cochran] Short, was born near Conway, Iowa, August 2, 1909.
He was united in marriage to Eulalia Shaddy on May 11, 1929 at Clarinda, Iowa, and they lived on a farm near Conway, Iowa until they moved to California where they lived for a year, returning to Taylor County in 1951. He had since then worked as a carpenter and painter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Viola Atkins and May Harvey and two brothers, Glen Short and John Short.
Left to cherish memories of his life are his wife, Eulalia of Bedford, daughters, Betty Johnson and her husband, Theron Johnson, of Bedford, Norma Cox and her husband, Edward, of Wheatland, Wyo.; three grandchildren, Janice Cox and Lana Hill and Renee Hill; a brother, Lee Short, of Lenox and three sisters, Helen Madden of Kent, Mary Briggs of Conway and Grace Horton of Clearfield; nieces, nephews; cousins; other relatives and many friends.
Cliff was a kind and loving husband, father, brother, friend and neighbor and he will be missed by all who knew him.