Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 18, 1965 p. 4
INFANT DAUGHTER OF LARRY COOKS DIES
Graveside services for Elizabeth Ann Cook, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry [David] Cook of Omaha, were held Feb. 12 at the Carson, Iowa, cemetery with Rev. David Clark, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Carson, officiating. Elizabeth Ann was dead at birth Feb. 10 at an Omaha hospital.
She is survived, besides her parents, by a brother, at home; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Cook of Council Bluffs and Mrs. Alice Boruff of Carson; and great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Gillette of Bedford.
Clearfield Chronicle
Thursday April 8, 1965 p. 7
OBITUARY
John William Ferris, better known as "Bill", the son of Eliza Jane and Charles Ferris, [was] one of nine children, having 7 sisters and one brother.
Bill was born July 14, 1891 at Murray, Iowa and passed away after a long illness March 26,1965 at the Americana Rest Home, Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 73 years, eight months, and 12 days.
In 1915, he met and married Mary Emma Reed and to this union was born four children--James Willard, Charles K., Mary Evelyn and Lenora Genevieve, the latter preceding him in death in 1932.
Mr. Ferris belonged to the Church of the Foursquare Gospel, Des Moines, Iowa and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Working on railroads most of his life, he worked for the Chicago Great Western in his younger days and then for the Des Moines and Central Iowa as an engineer until the time of retirement.
For the past ten years he has been in ill health. In February, having heart failure and then a stroke while in the Doctors Hospital in Des Moines, he left this earthly life as a result of this last stroke.
He leaves to mourn, his beloved wife, Mary of the home; one sister, Gertrude of Des Moines who made her home with him; one daughter, Mary Evelyn Nizzi of Des Moines; two sons Charles K. Ferris of Willimantic, Conn.; and Rev. James W. [illard] Ferris of Blockton, Iowa; 6 grandchildren; three, great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-laws, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Last rites were held at the Blockton Christian Church March 29th with Rev. Clarence Landis officiating. Burial in the Clearfield Cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 8, 1965 p. 4
John Wm. Ferris Rites March 29
Funeral services for John William Ferris of Des Moines were held at the Blockton Christian Church March 29 with Rev. Clarence Landis conducting. Mr. Ferris died after a long illness March 26, 1965 at the Americana Rest Home, Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 73 years, eight months and 12 days. Interment was at Clearfield, Ia.
John William ("Bill") Ferris, the son of Eliza Jane and Charles Ferris, one of nine children, was born July 14, 1891, at Murray, Iowa.
In 1915 he married Mary Emma Reed and to this union four children were born: James Willard, Charles K., Mary Evelyn and Lenora Genevieve; the latter preceded him in death in 1932.
Mr. Ferris belonged to the Church of the Foursquare Gospel, Des Moines, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainman.
He worked on railroads most of his life, working for the Chicago Great Western in his younger days and then in Des Moines and Central Iowa as an engineer until the time of his retirement.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary: one sister, Gertrude of Des Moines who made her home with him; one daughter, Mary Evelyn Nizzi of Des Moines; two sons, Charles K. Ferris of Willimantic, Conn., and Rev. James W. [illard] Ferris of Blockton; six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-laws, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 25, 1965 [p. 1]
Final Rites At Blockton for Mrs. Jas. Ferris
Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Blockton Christian Church for Mrs. James Ferris, 43, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident Feb. 9. Burial was In the Washington cemetery at Gravity.
Lois Ioma Gillette Ferris, daughter of Geo. [Mars] and Ada Cree Gillette of Sharpsburg, was born November 7, 1921 near Gravity. She passed from this life at the age of 43 years, 3 months, 2 days.
She attended school in Sharpsburg and following her graduation attended AIC Business College in Davenport, Iowa.
In October of 1941 she met James Willard Ferris and on January 11, 1942 they were united in marriage at the home of her parents in Sharpsburg. To this union were born four children, James Wayne, David D., Elaine Ioma, Corrine Ademae.
During the war years Lois was faithful as a mother, worker in the church and all community affairs, taking the place of mother and father, while her husband served with the Armed Services.
At an early age she joined the Methodist Church of Sharpsburg and was baptized. Later again she was baptized with her children and was now a member of the First Christian Church of Blockton, Iowa.
Lois was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Blockton Chapter No. 447.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. James W. Ferris, pastor of the Christian Church of Blockton; two sons, James Wayne of Des Moines, David D. of Creston; two daughters of the home, Elaine Ioma and Corrine Ademae; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. M. [ars] Gillette of Sharpsburg; a sister, Mrs. Martin (Darlene) Taylor of Muscatine, Ia.; two brothers Ivan Gillette of Aledo, Ill. and Dean Gillette of Davenport, Ia.; a granddaughter, Kathy Sue of Des Moines; also mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Ferris of Des Moines; sister and brother-in-laws, 14 nieces and nephews and four grand nieces and nephews.
Lois filled a need in the lives of those close to her. The Lord with a greater need came to take her home to rest. Her many words of wisdom and gracious deeds will always be remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 25, 1965 p. 3
SHARPSBURG
Mrs. Darlene Taylor of Muscatine, Ia., spent last week here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George [Mars] Gillette. She came at this time to attend the funeral services for her sister, Mrs. Lois Ferris of Blockton.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 24, 1973 p. 3
Frank A. Higgins, 81, Dies in Missouri
Graveside services for Frank A. Higgins, 81, of Versailles, Mo., were held Mon., May 21, at the Platteville Cemetery, conducted by Carl Cummings. Mr. Higgins died May 17 in Bothwell Hospital, Sedalia, Mo. Services were held May 20 at Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Sedalia, with Rev. James Allen officiating.
His wife, Iva Mae Higgins, died January 21, 1968.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 30, 1983 p. 4
Helen Higgins, 80, Last Rites Were Held June 29
Funeral services for Mrs. John Paul "Dick" ( Helen) Higgins, 80, of Blockton, held June 29 in the Blockton Christian Church, were conducted by Rev. Mel Smith. Mrs. Higgins died June 26 in Mount Ayr. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.
Among her survivors are a daughter, Mrs. [Frances] Lorene Adams, Omaha, Nebr., and a son, Frank "Bucky" Higgins of Creston.
[Higgins, Helen Alpha Beal]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday July 7, 1983 p. 4
Last Rites Held June 26 For Helen Higgins, 80
Funeral services for Mrs. John Paul Dick (Helen Alpha) Higgins, 80, of Blockton, held June 29 in Blockton Christian Church, were conducted by Pastor Mel Smith. Mrs. Higgins died June 26 in Mount Ayr. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.
Helen Alpha Beal, daughter of Edwin and Alpha Bell Van Camp Beal, was born October 12, 1902 in Bedford. She lived near Bedford where she grew to maturity. She attended the public school, the Christian Church and later joined the Christian Church in Blockton.
On August 30, 1922 she was united in marriage to John Paul Dick Higgins in Bedford. They lived all of their married life in Taylor and Ringgold counties except for three years in Missouri. To this union two children were born: [Frances] Lorene and Frank.
Helen was a farmer's wife and homemaker. She was a very devoted wife and mother; taking care of her home and family was her whole life. She especially loved the new grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Mrs. Higgins was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother, Arthur, one grandchild and son-in-law, John Adams.
Left to cherish her memory, are her daughter, Mrs. [Elbert] John (Lorene) Adams, Omaha, Nebr.; son, Frank (Bucky) Higgins, Creston; eight grandchildren: Mrs. Marvin (Sharon) Sass, North Liberty, Iowa, Shirley Compise, St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Richard (Peggy) Whitney, Omaha, Nebr., Mary Teytmeier, Omaha, Nebr., Allen Higgins, Cromwell, Ia., Mrs. David (Rebecca) Winchell, Omaha, Nebr., Richard Adams, Omaha, Nebr., Mrs. David Crigger, Creston; 20 grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one brother Edwin Beal of Portland, Oregon; daughter-in-law, Beulah Higgins.
She loved her church, friends and neighbors. Her family and friends will miss her.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 1, 1968 p. 2
Iva Higgins, 68, Rites Jan. 24
Funeral services for Mrs. Frank (Iva Mae) Higgins, 68, of Chicago, Ill., a former Taylor County resident, were held at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here January 24, conducted by Rev. Ivo G. Randels. Mrs. Higgins died January 21 at the Du Page Memorial Hospital, Elmhurst, Ill. Interment was at Platteville Cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa.
Iva Mae Hooker, daughter of Frank and Lynn Hooker, was born at Diagonal, Ia., in Ringgold County, May 6, 1899.
She spent most of her childhood in the vicinity of Maloy, Iowa and there she grew to womanhood.
She was married to Frank A. Higgins on August 20, 1917 by the Rev. Wm. Mercer of Blockton, and they established their home on a farm near Maloy.
To this union 10 children were born, five sons and five daughters. Two of the sons preceded her in death, as well as three brothers and her parents.
Left to cherish memories of her good life are her husband, Frank Higgins; Cecil and George of Melrose Park, Ill.; Frank Jr. of Wheaton, Ill.; Mrs. Darlene Owens of Versailles, Mo.; Mrs. Maxine Hogan of Addison, Ill.; Mrs. Willa Juliano of Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Catherine Cheser and Miss Doris Higgins of West Chicago, Ill.; five grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
[Higgins, Iva Mae Hooker]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday January 25, 1968 p. 5
Iva Higgins, 68, Rites Held Here
Funeral services for Mrs. Frank (Iva Mae) Higgins, 68, of Chicago, Ill., a former [resident were] held Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the west Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Ivo Randels officiating. Mrs. Higgins died suddenly at her home in Chicago, January 21. Interment was at Platteville Cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa.
[Higgins, John Paul, 1933-1934]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 22, 1934 [p. 1]
Higgins Baby Dies In I. C. Hospital
John Paul Higgins, eleven-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Higgins of Bedford, died at the hospital in Iowa City Tuesday night. The body was brought to Bedford and funeral services held at the Wetmore Funeral Home this afternoon, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.
The child was taken to Iowa City three weeks ago, where he was operated on for mastoids, following complications from scarlet fever.
[Higgins, John Paul "Dick", 1897-1960]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 7, 1960 p. 4
J. P. Higgins Died At Blockton
John Paul Higgins, son of Matthew [James] and Loretta Crull Higgins, was born Oct. 8, 1897 near Maloy, Iowa and died March 23, 1960 at his farm home near Blockton at the age of 62 years, five months, 15 days.
On August 30, 1922 he was united in marriage to Helen [Alpha] Beal at Bedford and to this union were born a son and a daughter.
He spent his entire life engaged in farming. He was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Helen; a daughter, Lorene, now Mrs. Adams of Omaha, a son, Frank Edwin Higgins of Blockton; eight grandchildren, Mrs. Sharon Gaule of Kansas City, Shirley Coy, Peggy, Mary, Rebecca and Dickie Adams of Omaha, Allan and Carolyn Higgins of Blockton; a great grandson, David Lee Gaule of Kansas City; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Frank Higgins of Blockton; a son-in-law, John Adams of Omaha; a grandson-in-law, Ronald Gaule of Kansas City; a sister, Mrs. Jesse Younkin [Pearl Fay Higgins] of Blockton; a brother, Frank Higgins of Dundee, Ill.
Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:00 p. m. from the Blockton Christian church conducted by Rev. Lowell Hall. Interment was [in] Rose Hill cemetery at Blockton.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 7, 1946 p. 2
Obituary - Mrs. Loretta Higgins
Loretta R. Crull, daughter of William [Marshall] and Lorena [Ray Justice] Crull, was born near Saybrook, Ill., March 21, 1866, and died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Kenneth Beadel in Lenox, Oct. 23, 1946, aged 80 years, 7 months and 2 days.
When she was thirteen years of age, her family moved to Iowa locating near Bedford. She was given the advantages of school and grew to womanhood in her parental home.
On February 17, 1886, Matthew James Higgins and Loretta R. Crull were married at Maloy, Iowa. They at once established their home on a farm near Maloy.
To them five children were born, two having died in infancy. The surviving are Mrs. Pearl [Fay] Younkin of Bedford, Frank A. Higgins of Henderson, Iowa, John P.[aul] Higgins of Blockton. The husband died in November 1925.
Her home life was one of devotion and service to her family.
Surviving with the daughter and two sons are 14 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one brother, Frank Crull of Blockton.
The services were held at the Blockton Christian church, Saturday, October 26, Rev. McEleney officiating. Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.
[Higgins, Mathew James, 1856-1925]
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday November 19, 1925 [p. 1]
Obituary—M. Higgins.
James Matthew [Mathew James] Higgins, oldest son of John and Ellen Higgins, was born in Rush County, Indiana, Feb. 11th, 1856, and departed this life at his home in Maloy, Iowa, Nov. 14th 1925, aged 69 years, 9 months, and 3 days. He came with his parents to Iowa when twenty-one years of age, and settled on the old Higgins place northeast of Maloy.
He was united in marriage to Loretta Crull on Feb. 17th, 1886, to which union were born five children, two of whom preceded their father in death.
Mr. Higgins has spent his manhood in this and nearby communities, with the exception of four years when he resided in Missouri. He leaves a host of friends to attest to his good character and honesty.
He leaves to mourn his departure his wife; three children, Mrs. Pearl [Fay] Younkin of Blockton, Frank Higgins and John [Paul] Higgins of Bedford; ten grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Lee of Boulder, Colo.; two brothers, Bart Higgins of Boulder, Colo., and Tom Higgins Montana; besides other relatives and a host of friends.
The funeral services were held in Maloy Christian church on Monday, Nov. 16th, 1925, Rev. A. J. Matthews officiating. Interment was in Platteville Cemetery.
[Note: The same obituary was published in the Blockton News, November 26, 1925, p. 1. His gravestone gives his name as Mathew J.]
[Loutzenhiser, Margret Louise "Peggy" Locke] [Ferris, Lois Ioma Gillette]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 11, 1965 [p. 1]
Auto Crash Kills 2 Blockton Women
Two Blockton women, Mrs. Robert Loutzenhiser, 37, and Mrs. Lois Ferris, 43, were killed in a two-car head-on crash about 6 p.m. Tuesday a mile and a half north of Blockton. Hospitalized in serious condition is Robert Loutzenhiser, 40, BCHS industrial arts teacher. Also hospitalized at Mt. Ayr, in less serious condition, are Loutzenhiser's son David, 17, and daughter, Dee Ann, 15; Elaine Ferris, 18, and Corrine, 15, daughters of accident victim Mrs. Ferris. Mrs. Ferris' husband is Rev. James Ferris, Blockton, Christian pastor.
The four Loutzenhisers and three members of the Ferris family were riding in one car driven by Robert Loutzenhiser. The driver of the second car was George Lawrence of Polk county, Iowa, who is hospitalized in Mt. Ayr but not seriously injured.
Occupants of the Loutzenhiser car were enroute to Bedford where Dee Ann and Corrine were to participate in a high school girls basketball game. The game was canceled after news of the accident was received.
The accident, which caused the first highway fatalities in Taylor County this year, was investigated by the Iowa Highway Patrol and by Sheriff Leonard Ratliff.
Services for Mrs. Loutzenhiser will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Blockton Christian Church.
Services for Mrs. Ferris are pending at press time Wed.
[Loutzenhiser, Margret Louise "Peggy" Locke]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 18, 1965 p. 4
Final Rites Held Feb. 13 For M. Loutzenhiser
Funeral services for Mrs. Robert (Margret) Loutzenhiser, 38, of Blockton were held February 13 at the Blockton Christian Church with Rev. Clarence Landis officiating. Mrs. Loutzenhiser was killed in a car accident February 9. Interment was at the Blockton cemetery.
Included In the services was the following obituary.
Margret Locke Loutzenhiser was born Sept. 16, 1926 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Harry and Edith Locke.
Margret Louise graduated from the Jackson, Michigan Senior High School in 1944 and attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, from 1944 through 1946.
It was here that she met her husband to be, Robert, a roommate of her older brother, Harry, who was in Naval V-12 training at Western Michigan. Robert and Margret were married Feb. 20, 1946 while Robert was an Ensign in the Navy.
After Robert was discharged from the Navy in 1946, he and Peggy returned to Western Michigan where Robert finished his studies for a B. S. degree in Industrial Arts. They moved to Lake Odessa, Michigan, where Robert had accepted his first teaching position. During subsequent years Peggy and Bob lived in Saranac and Gladwin, Michigan where Bob taught.
In 1956 Margret and Robert returned to Blockton to the family farm where they have since resided.
Margret is survived by her husband, Robert; her daughter, Dee Ann; her sons, David, Gregg and Gary. She is also survived by her parents, Harry and Edith Locke; her brothers, Harry and Donald, and Suzanne, her younger sister.
Out-of-town relatives attending the services include: Mr. and Mrs. Max Nielson, Battle Creek, Mich.; Don Locke, Jackson, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Graham, New York City, N. Y.; Mrs. Harvey Brown, Alpena, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry K. Locke, Wishon, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Loutzenhiser and Jane, McCredie, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Gibson, Jefferson City, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Maddox and Jeff, Columbia, Mo.; Robert Loutzenhiser, Clinton, Mo.; Miss Marilyn Taylor, Fulton, Mo.; and Commander Harry Lock, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 1, 1968 p. 2
WILLIAM WEEDA, 58, RITES IN LENOX
Funeral services for William R. [aymond] Weeda, 58, a farmer east of Lenox, were held January 28 at the Bender Funeral Home In Lenox. Mr. Weeda died January 25 at the Creston hospital. Interment was at the Lenox Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, [Mary] Floy [VanLoon Hancock]; two sons, Delbert [William] of Lenox and Harold of Conway, two daughters, Georgia and Darlene of Diagonal and a number of grandchildren.
Clearfield Chronicle
Thursday February 1, 1968 p. 4
WILLIAM R. WEEDA
William Raymond Weeda, son of Dick and Kate Weeda was born in Ringgold County Iowa near Tingley, January 9, 1910 and departed this life at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa January 25, 1968 at the age of 58 years and 16 days.
He was united in marriage to [Mary] Floy Van Loon Hancock, March 27,1941 and to this union was born one son, Delbert [William] Weeda.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife; his son, Delbert [William] of Lenox and three stepchildren whom he took as his own when they were young; Harold Hancock of Conway; Mrs. Orval (Georgia) Hays of Diagonal and Mrs. Curtis (Darlene) Stamps of Diagonal; thirteen grandchildren Todd and Kip Weeda; Debbie, Danny, Denny and Doyle Hancock; Jim, John, and Gary Hays; Douglas, Steven, Janet and Shari Stamps;
Two sisters, Mrs. Clyde (Emma) Borrusch of Mt. Ayr; Mrs. Paul (Margaret) McKay of Cheyenne, Wyoming and five brothers, Ira of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Irven of Conway, Iowa; Elmer of Delta, Utah; Wayne of Mandan, North Dakota and Allen of Osceola, Iowa; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In 1927, he heard the Gospel story of Jesus and made his choice to walk in His way, which he did Faithfully until the end. He farmed east of Lenox until he was stricken with illness six months ago. He was [a] devoted, loving husband and father and a helpful neighbor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He never complained and didn't give up, even to the last. All the loving care and medical skill was given him before God chose to call him home.
Home is not home for Father's
not there.
Angels have taken him —
out of our care.
Dark is his room and empty
his chair.
He has gone to that home
so peaceful and fair.
Sleep Father, sleep thy toils
are o'er.
Sweet be thy rest as oft
needed before
Well we have loved you
but God loved you more
He called you away to that
bright happy shore.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 28, 1968 from the Bender Funeral Home in Lenox at 2:00 P. M.
Casket bearers were Harold Wilson, Lloyd Whipp, Homer Pugh, Orval Brown, Quentin Beemer and Marion Wilson.
Burial in North Fairview Cemetery.