Beemer, Dale Willard -
Funeral services for Dale W. Beemer, age 76 of Conway, who died Tuesday,
June 26, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa were held Saturday, June 30, 2007, at
9:30 a.m. at the New Life Missionary Church in Bedford. Interment with
military rites accorded by the John F. Hardin American Legion Post No. 164
were held at the conclusion of the service at the church. Cremation followed
the services with a private family interment of ashes at the Conway Cemetery
on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests memorials be
directed to the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. Memories can be shared
with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Dale Willard Beemer was the seventh child of twelve children, born February
16, 1931, in rural Conway, Iowa the son of Simmie Beemer and Mary (Smith)
Beemer. He grew up attending the Conway Consolidated School, graduating
with the class of 1949. Dale answered the call to serve his country after
being drafted into the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.
Dale faithfully served from December 1951 to December 1953. During his time
with the Marines he served at Barstow, California as a Forklift Operator in the
Supply Department. After Dale's discharge from the Marines, he returned home
where he enjoyed farming and the lifestyle it provided. Farming in the Conway and
Sharpsburg areas with his dad and family.
On June 14, 1959, Dale was united in marriage to Zonette Perdew, daughter of
Leonard and Marie Perdew, at the Conway United Methodist Church. After their
marriage, Zonette and Dale farmed, until moving into Conway in 1970, where he
began working for his brother Jerry as a Milk Man. He was later hired by the
Bedford Community School District where he served as a Custodian for twenty-
three years. Dale was very dedicated to his position at the school, he was always
on time, always very courteous, and kept himself dedicated to the task at hand.
He learned personal discipline at an early age from his parents, and from the time
spent in the Marine Corps. When Dale and Zoe were blessed with the birth of
their daughter Lynette on October 9, 1962, the doctor put her into Zonette's
arms and Dale commented "she is such a dolly - baby". He was so very proud she
was a girl, and from then on she was called his 'Dolly '( even though they had
chosen to name her Lynette. Later in life they were blessed with the birth of
grandchildren Levi David and Danielle Marie and then the delightful birth of a
greatgrandson, Dylan. This little family became the 'joy of his life'.
A special memory the grandchildren have of Dale is when he would "cuddle with
them" telling stories. He would always come up with a new and different story each
and every time. A special blessing to both Dale and Zoe is when they were allowed to
be present at the birth of their red-headed great-grandson, Dylan. Dale so looked
forward to his visits and Dylan's announcing "Hi Great-Grandpa!"
Our Dale was always thoughtful of others and their needs. He was a very fair
man and hard worker. He would recall his father saying "What is thine is not mine,
what is mine is not thine". Thought quiet and a deep thinker, Dale had a wonderful
sense of humor. He would do anything anyone asked of him, whether he was working
at the school, his home or within the community. Dale was truly a loving and wonderful
caretaker to Zonette all of her life.
Left to cherish Dale's memory are his loving wife of forty-eight years, Zonette
Beemer of Conway; his daughter Lynette of Des Moines and special friend Bruce Pace;
grandchildren Levi and Danielle, and special friend Dean Conrad all of Des Moines;
a great-grandson Dylan; brothers and sisters Betty Boyer and husband Marvin of
Clearfield; Joyce Ridnour and husband Ralph of Walnut; Virgil Beemer and wife Vivian
of Bedford; Tim Beemer and wife Linda of Bedford; Dean C. Beemer and wife Betty
Jean of Cody, Wyoming; Mary Lu Schofield of Lenox; Jerry Beemer and wife Jean of
Lenox; Alice Ann Miller of Grant City, Missouri; Sally Hensley and husband Gary of
Corning; a sisters-in-law, Beverly Beemer of Cody, Wyoming and Norma Finnell
and husband Walter of Conway; brothers-in-law Otis Perdew and wife Jeanette of
Conway; Olin Perdew of Clearfield; Terry Perdew and special friend Lolinda of
Creston and Dennis Perdew of Conway; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives
and a community of friends.
Preceding Dale in death were his parents Simmie and Mary (Smith) Beemer; a
sister Beth Carolyn Beemer in 1936; a brother Bryce O. Beemer in 1980; two
brothers-in-law Lyle Miller and Lloyd Schofield; and his in-laws, Leonard and
Marie Perdew.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 4, 2007
Brown, Edith Seybold -
Funeral services for Edith S. Brown, age 98 of Corning, who died Thursday
July 19, 2007, at her daughter Arlene's home in Blair, Nebraska, were
held Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church
in Corning. Interment was held in the Brooks Cemetery. Memorials
can be directed to the United Methodist Church Organ Fund. Memories can be
shared with the family on our web page www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under
Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home of
Corning.
Edith (Seybold) Brown, age 98, died Thursday, July 19, 2007 at her daughter
Arlene's home in Blair, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Walter
and Minnie Seybold and was born July 1, 1909, at her maternal grandfather
Smith's farm south of Corning. After graduating from Corning High School
at the age of 15 years, she went to live with her aunt Ethel Morris in Greeley,
Colorado, and for two years attended Colorado State University. Later, Edith
took classes at Drake University.
She taught in Adams County Rural School, Jasper #4 and Lincoln #6, then in
the Carbon Elementary and finally 9 years as a 3rd grade teacher in the
new Corning Elementary Building. Edith served as a Girl's 4-H Leader. She was,
for several years, on the County Committee and finally was Adams County
Committee Chairman. (Over 20 years of service).
Edith joined the Corning Federated Church as a youth and after her marriage
to LeRoy V. Brown in 1931, she transferred to the Corning United Methodist Church.
She has been an active member of the United Methodist Women, serving as
Vice President, President and Secretary of the General UMW. Edith was also a circle
leader for several years. After their marriage on October 4, 1931, Edith and
LeRoy spent over 50 years on the Brown family farm, where they raised four daughters.
There was a huge garden, a large strawberry bed and many fruit trees. All the
produce not eaten right away, was either canned or frozen. The house and yard
were filled with many beautiful flowers.
She was an excellent seamstress and made most of the clothing for herself and her
four daughters. She taught all four girls to sew as well as she did.
Edith's poor eyesight has been a handicap the last few years. However, she has
crocheted and knit many Afghans so that her greatgrandchildren each would have
one for a wedding present and the great-great-grandbabies have a blanket for
their cribs.
Left to cherish Edith's memory are her daughters, Joyce Bergman and husband
John of Corning; Dorothy Haley of Lawton, Oklahoma; Charlotte Thomas of Corning;
and Arlene Sanford and husband James E. of Blair Nebraska. She also has 13
grandchildren; 30 greatgrandchildren; and 11 great great-grandchildren. There
are also several stepgrandchildren and step-greatgrandchildren; and two nieces,
Judith Sparks and Bonnie Morrow.
Edith was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy Brown on November 23,
1993; her parents; a sister Ethel Murphy; and three son-in-laws, James Haley, Vernon
Walter and Leslie Thomas.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 25, 2007
Burks, Edward E (Gene) -
Edward E. (Gene) Burks, age 81, of Chandler, AZ passed away
on July 4, 2007 at Friendship Village Hospice.
Inurnment and graveside services will take place at
Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa on August 18 at 11:00 AM.
Gene was born April 16, 1926 in Bedford, the son of Joseph (Don)
and Lilly (Sharp) Burks. He graduated from Bedford High School.
He excelled in many sports as a student and upon graduation enlisted
in the U.S. Navy where he served on an aircraft carrier during WW II
as a radio operator.
After the war Gene returned to Bedford where he was employed
by the U.S. Postal service for 42 years first as a city carrier and
the remainder of his career as a rural carrier. At the same time he
worked an assortment of jobs including bookkeeper at Beemer and
Gold's Service Station, maintenance at both local banks, and owner of
the boats and concessions at the Lake of Three Fires. After his
retirement Gene and Betty moved to Chandler, AZ where he worked
for Microchip Tech. until his passing.
On April 16, 1954 Gene was united in marriage to Betty L.
Hendrickson of Essex, together they raised three children, Chris,
Dee and Doug.
Gene had a great sense of humor and enjoyed being with
people, he had a love of all sports, especially golf and enjoyed going
to work every day.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years. Betty, of Chandler, AZ.;
daughters Chris and her husband Phil Wise of Keokuk, OA., Dee and
her husband Gordon Lee of Bloomington, IL.; and their son Doug and
his wife Susan McKone-Burks of Decorah, IA.; five grandchildren
Todd Wise, Jason Lee, Carmen (Lee) McEncry, Meredith Burks and
Courtney Burks; four great grandchildren Cliona, Ethan, Callista,
and Xavier; and several nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his three
brothers Jack, Dick and Alan.
Memorials may be sent to the Hospice of the Valley,
Friendship Village 2525 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, Az. 85282
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 1, 2007
Cahill, Donald Emer -
Donald Emer Cahill was born January 26, 1927 at Bedford, Iowa
to Emer L. and Florence Marie (Douglas) Cahill. He passed away
Saturday, July 28, 2007 at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda,
Iowa at the age of 80. Don was married to Mary Pettis July 11,
1948 at Clarinda, Iowa. The couple had three children: David, Nancy,
and Teresa. Don served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
He worked at the Mental Health Institute in Clarinda and retired as
a mason. During his retirement he drove the food truck from the
MHI to the prison. Don was well known for the vegetables in his
garden and his love of fishing.
He also enjoyed golf which he took up during his senior years.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; son, David in 2006;
sisters Patricia Cahill, Katherine Rope and her husband Darrell,
and Eva Foster and her husband Boyd; and his brother, Ralph Cahill
and his wife Madelyn.
Don is survived by his wife, Mary, of Clarinda; daughters, Nancy
Wallace and husband Gene of Omaha, NE, and Teresa Lowrance
and husband Richard of Belvidere, IL; grandchildren Stephanie
Millikan and husband Shawn and their children Seth and Leah,
Amy Weaver and fiance, Travis Crasser, Richard Lowrance and
his son Richard Michael, Mary Lowrance, Robert Lowrance, and
Crissy Lowrance; sisters Maxine McKelligan of Lincoln, NE, Betty
Maier and husband Charles of Omaha, NE, Martha Williams of
Clarinda; brother, Richard Cahill and wife Katherine of Fairfield,
AR; loving family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at First
United Methodist Church with Rev. Andy Rubenking officiating.
Interment was at Clarinda Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church or
the American Cancer Society.
Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 1, 2007
Herring, Catherine Keys McGregor McNabb -
Graveside memorial services for Catherine Herring, age 102 of Creston, who died
Saturday, June 30, 2007, at the Creston Nursing & Rehab Center were held
Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Graceland Cemetery Chapel in Creston.
Memorials can be directed to the Union County Historical Society. Memories can
be shared with the family on our website at wwvv.ritchie-funeralhome.com
under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted lo the Ritchie Funeral Home of
Bedford.
Catherine Keys was born on October 8, 1904, in Gravity, Iowa, the second daughter
of Lawrence Loyal McGregor and Kittie (Keys) McGregor. Catherine grew up living
in Gravity with her family until 1916, when they moved to Creston, residing at 612
New York Avenue. After graduating from high school, Catherine attended Iowa State
College (now University) from 1922 to 1924, majoring in Home Economics. Following her
college years, she became a Food Demonstrator for the Pillsbury Company for the
Midwestern states.
In 1930, Catherine was united in marriage to Horace "Mac" Alexander McNabb, who
was an Engineer with the Wails Dove-Hermiston Corporation. Two children were born
to this marriage, Lawrence McGregor McNabb in 1932, and Stanley Alexander McNabb
in 1938. Catherine traveled throughout the United States with her husband and
children until 1940, when they returned to Creston.
The couple made their home at 605 West Prairie Street where Horace/Mac went into the
furniture and mortuary business with his father-in-law, Lawrence L. McGregor.
Catherine's husband, Horace Mac McNabb, died in 1961, and she later married her
long-lime friend Francis (Tim) Herring in 1973. The couple shared many years together
until his death in 1997.
Always a community minded person, Catherine was a member of the United Methodist
Church in Creston for over ninety-one years; and was a member of the Order of Eastern
Star for over fifty years. She was also active in Rainbow.
Catherine was a good mother, loved life and lived it with a great sense of humor.
Left to cherish Catherine's memory are her son Stanley McNabb and wife Kathy Staver
McNabb of Wasta, South Dakota; four grandchildren, Melody Harner, Brenda Hogan,
Debbie McNabb and David MeNabb all of Arizona; and five great-grandchildren; and five
great-great-grandchildren, all of whom live in Arizona.
Preceding Catherine in death were her parents; a sister Helen; her son Larry; one great
great-granddaughter Marissa; and both husbands Horace McNabb and Francis Herring.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 11, 2007
Irving, James Robert -
Funeral services for James Robert Irvin, 74, of Bedford, who died Saturday,
June 30, 2007 in St. Joseph, Missouri, were held Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at
10:30 am at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Military rites, performed
by the John F. Hardin American Legion Post 164, were held at the conclusion
of the service. Cremation followed the services with a private family
interment at Fairview Cemetery on July 5th. Jim's son Greg was honored to
craft the wooden urns for his father. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests
memorials to the Taylor County Historical Museum. Memories can be shared
with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com, under
obituary.
James Robert Irvin was the 7th of 8 children, born on December 19, 1932 in
rural Coin, IA. His parents were Robert A. and Edna M. (Vawter) Irvin. He
grew up and attended country school in the rural areas of Coin, Bedford and
Conway before his family moved to Oak Lawn Farm west of Platteville in 1943.
With five older sisters in the home, there was no shortage of people telling
him what to do. He developed a sense of orneriness to cope, which included
chasing at least one sister around the house with a skunk.
Nicknamed "Jim Bob" by his brother and sisters, his curiosity and inquisitive-
ness were always present growing up. Whenever his dad would bring home
something new mechanically, he would tear it apart to see how it worked and
then put it back together again. He kept this characteristic his whole life, being
able to dismantle a tractor into hundreds of parts and then reassemble it
correctly, rarely looking at a manual.
Jim and his father purchased a 1928 Ford Model A Coupe before his freshman
year of high school. He obtained his school permit and drove this car back
and forth from the family farm near Platteville to Bedford until he graduated
in 1950. During his high school years he was involved in football, basketball,
yearbook committee, FFA and other organizations. After his graduation he
attended CE School of Commerce in Omaha, Nebraska.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Leonard, Jim enlisted in the
United States Marine Corps in September 1951. He went to boot camp at San
Diego, CA, attended schooling at Jacksonville, FL and was first stationed in El
Toro, CA. Jim served his country during the Korean War as an ordnance man
with the First Marine Aircraft Wing. He had achieved the rank of Sergeant
when he was honorably discharged in September 1954. Jim received the
Korean Service Medal with 3 Stars; the United Nations Service Medal; the
Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Korean
Presidential Unit Citation.
Upon his return to Iowa, he enrolled at America Technical School in Des Moines,
completing training as a Radio Laboratory Technician. While working at a gas
station in Des Moines, a customer came in with a Ford Model A that was not
running properly and was frustrated and looking to sell the vehicle. Jim thought
he knew what was wrong, with the car, knew how to, fix it, and bought it for
$25. He fixed it for nearly nothing and sold it for $75. Over the years he wished
he had not sold the car but said the $50 he made was a lot of money at that
time.
One philosophy of Jim's was if you thought you needed to buy something, wait
two weeks to think about it, and if after two weeks you thought you still
needed it, then you probably did. Another lesson was that if you ever needed
to borrow something you had better return it in the same or better condition.
He was always fixing something of his own with baling wire and "visegrips",
always getting something to work that maybe should not have. However, if Jim
did build something new, it was usually built overboard. "If it was worth
doing, do it right", Jim would attend coffee in town bringing with him his sense
of humor and wit, always having his opinion about local or worldly news.
On June 3, 1956, Jim was united in marriage to Mary Anne Sharp, daughter
of Ernest and Chloris (Matheny) Sharp of Bedford. Jim and Mary Anne
built their lives together in the Bedford area along with their three children,
Linda, Mike and Greg. The family resided in the house that Jim designed and
built. After over 30 years of marriage, Mary Anne passed away in 1986.
In addition to farming northeast of Bedford, he owned and operated a
portable feed grinding operation along with a custom haying business that
served local farmers. In the late '70s, he and Mary Anne bought and
managed the Mobil Service Station. He continued the custom haying
business until his health forced him into retirement.
In 1994 Jim became reacquainted with June (Penton) Leighton with whom he had
graduated high school in 1950. At this time June's old feelings
from high school resurfaced. Both had previously lost spouses and found
they had many similar interests. On August 29, 1997, Jim and June
were married at the Taylor County Museum Chapel.
Jim's family was now extended to include June's siblings, children,
grandchildren and greatgrandchildren June's presence brought
happiness and warmth to Jim's life.
On many nights and weekends Jim and June could be found sitting
in the bleachers watching their grandchildren participate in their
many events.
He was very involved in his grandchildren's lives and supported them
in their activities. Jim's sense of challenge and humor has been observed
by more than one person to have been passed on to his children,
grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, June; their children Linda
(Allen) Sleeve of Shawnee, Kansas; Mike (Chris) Irvin of Bedford; Greg
(Jo) Irvin of Bedford; Karen (Denny) Williams of Shambaugh; Sherry (Larry)
Sticken of Ravenwood, Missouri; June Ellen (Joel) Thomason of Des Moines;
Debbie (Keith) Bales of Greenfield; Rich Leighton of St. Louis, Missouri;
grandchildren Kerri (Mike) Ketcham, Jamie Sleeve; Brandi (Adam) Cole,
Michael (Janet) Irvin, Jennifer Irvin (Adam Bruck), Jessica Irvin (Trevor
Flelcher); Cody Irvin (Jessica Loudon), Lyndsay Irvin, Jeremy (Traci) Fisher,
Brandy Jo (Stacy) Feldman; Sean Hargis; Lynett Huber, Courtney (Colin)
Kenard, Carlton Huber; Tony Leighton; Lisa (Steve) Johnson, Amy
Davidson, Peter Davidson; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters Dorothy Meyers,
Helen Irvin, Velma (Harold) Shepherd, Jackie (Jim) Jacobs, brothers-in-law
Harold Gilbert, Glen (Mary Lee) Sharp, sisters-in-law Rachel (Gail) Fitzhugh,
and Dorothy (McCurdy) Burgett; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives
and a community of friends.
Preceding him in death were wife Mary Anne Irvin; parents Robert A. and
Edna Irvin; great grandson Hunter Cole; siblings Lois Williams, Leonard
Irvin and Annalea Gilbert.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 11, 2007
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