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

[Strange, Franklin]

Clarinda Herald Journal

August 1973

Franklin Strange died at Iowa City

BLANCHARD — Funeral services were held Monday at the United Methodist Church for Franklin Strange, 57, who died last Saturday at University Hospital in Iowa City.

Rev Richard Russell officiated at the services, with Mrs. Glen Vogel organist and M D Minter Jr of Rock Port, Mo, soloist. Casket-bearers were Keith Sloan, Larry Carlson, Kenneth Sloan, Ellis Hastie, Carl Boylan and Eddie Miller. Burial was in Snow Hill cemetery at Coin.

Mr. Strange was born Jan 8, 1916, in Rock Port, attending schools and living in that area for many years before moving to Blanchard in 1950.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine, three   daughters, Regenea Hookham and Karen Smith of Shenandoah, and Connie Strough of New Market; two sons, Edward of Shenandoah and Russell of Blanchard; five sisters, Mrs. Margaret Compton of Seattle, Wash, Mrs. Mary Weaver of Coin, Mrs. Eva Smith of Crescent, Mrs. J C Miller and Mrs. Geneva Evans of Northboro; four brothers, Floyd of Hastings, Oscar and Allen of Shenandoah and Harold of Hamburg, and eight grandchildren.

 

[Mejia, Susan]

Clarinda Herald Journal

August 1973

Relatives receive word of death

Local relatives have received word of the death of their niece, Susan Mejia, 28, following major surgery in a Seattle, Wash, hospital Aug 26.

She was the granddaughter of the late Henry Nothwehr.

She was preceded in death by one sister and surviving her are two brothers, two sisters and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mejia [Anna Nothwehr] of Tacoma, Wash.

[Bussard, Mary Marie Cutter]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday    August 30, 1973

Mrs. Bussard was former resident

Mrs. Mary   Marie  [Cutter] Bussard, former resident of this area, died Wednesday night [August 29, 1973] at Coon Rapids, Minn. She was the widow of Fred Bussard who died in 1961. Lelia Wallace of Clarinda is a sister.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Walker Funeral Home.           

[Bloom, Hilmer Frank]

Clarinda Herald Journal

October 1973

Services for Hilmer Bloom

Funeral services for Hilmer Frank Bloom, 80, were held Tuesday at Fremont Lutheran church near Essex, the Rev Melvin C Suhr and the Rev Herbert J Bjorquist being pastors conducting the services. Burial was in Mt Hope cemetery.

He had been living with his daughter, Frances, since his retirement in 1968 from farming in Douglas Township, moving to the present home in Essex. His half-brother, Roy C Anderson, is of Red Oak.

Mr. Bloom was born in Henry County, Ill., on Sept 29, 1883, son of Frank and Johanna Johnson Bloom. When he was a small boy, the family moved to Iowa, settling in Page County. He was married to Beda Josephine Carlson at Nyman on Jan 11,1905.

[Linebaugh, Anne, Mrs.]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday    August 30, 1973

Services set for Mrs. Linebaugh

Services are scheduled Saturday for Mrs. Orville [Dennis] Linebaugh [Anne B.], who died Tuesday [August 28, 1973] at Indianapolis, Ind. Her husband is a Clarinda native who lived here several years.

Services will be at 1:30 pm at Walker Funeral Home with Rev John Clark officiating.

Casket bearers will be Ted Miller, Lawrence Higgins, Marty Lee, Jim Montgomery, Earl Thompson, all of Clarinda, and Gary Linebaugh of Lincoln, Neb.

 

[McClure, Virgil Denver]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday    October 11, 1973

Virgil McClure spent entire life in Braddyville area

Virgil D [enver] McClure, 78, of Braddyville, died Monday [October 8, 1973] at his home after an illness of about two years with a heart condition.

He was born Jan 8, 1895, at Galveston, Tex, and when he was one year old his parents, the late Frank and Carrie McClure, moved from Texas, back to Braddyville, and the rest of his early and adult life was spent in and around Braddyville. He was employed in earlier years in the coalmines at Clarinda, government work at Wichita, Kan, and with the Braddyville Oil Co, McClure Gas Co, and the Union Gas Co from 1945 to 1970. He retired from active work in the spring of 1970.

In 1916 he was married to Hattie [Kellogg] Graham, and the couple had three children, Jimmie, Donald and Derald. In 1925 he was married to Greeta Wells of Clarinda, and they had five children, Jerry, Carl Robert, Junior, Juanita and Franklin Leroy. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry, who died in 1947, and Franklin Leroy in infancy.

Survivors are Greeta of the home, five sons, Jimmie of Los Angeles, Cal; Donald of Winslow, Ariz; Derald of Havana, Ill; Carl Robert of Underwood, and Junior of St Louis, Mo; one daughter, Mrs. John (Juanita) Verbanaz of St Louis, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Mort McClure of Zillah, Wash, Romaine McClure of Bradenton, Fla, and Robert McClure of Braddyville; three sisters, Mrs. Mark (Ellen) Goodwin of Braddyville, Mary Dean Jackson of San Diego, Cal, Mrs. Joe (Eva) Clymens of Hopkins, Mo.

Mr. McClure was a member of the United Methodist Church and a member of Plumb Lodge 285 AF-AM of Siam, Iowa.

Funeral services were held this Thursday afternoon [October 11th] at the United Methodist Church in Braddyville with Rev Clarence Landis officiating. Maynard Burch was soloist and Joyce Burch organist. Mrs. Blanche Bales was at the register.

Honorary bearers were Claude Apple, George Yaple, Merlin Teuscher, John Richmond, Max Garrett and Raymond Osborn. Casket bearers were: Harold Burch, Bobby Wilson, Arlo Sunderman, Cliff Bales, Loren James and Orland Engstrand.

Burial was in the Braddyville cemetery with graveside services being conducted by the Siam Masonic Lodge, Plumb Lodge No 285, AF&AM. Walker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 [McClure, Virgil Denver]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday    October 15,  1973

VIRGIL D McCLURE

Virgil D [enver] McClure, son of the late Frank and Carrie McClure of Braddyville, Ia, was born Jan 8, 1895 at Galveston, Texas. He departed this life Monday, Oct 8, 1973, age 78, in his home after an illness of about two years, with a heart condition.

Virgil was one year old when his parents moved from Texas, back to Braddyville. The rest of his early and adult life has been spent in and around Braddyville. He was employed in earlier years in the coalmines at Clarinda, government work at Wichita, Kansas, and with the Braddyville Oil Company, McClure Gas Company and Union Gas Company from 1945 to 1970. He retired from active work in the spring of 1970.

In 1916 he was married to Hattie Kellogg Graham to which three children were born, Jimmie, Donald and Derald. In 1925 he was married to Greeta Wells of Clarinda to this union five children were born Jerry, Carl Robert, Junior, Juanita and Franklin Leroy. He was preceded in death by two sons Jerry, who died in 1947, and Franklin Leroy in infancy. Survivors: are the wife Greeta of the home, five sons: Jimmie of Los Angeles, Calif, Donald of Winslow, Ariz, Derald of Havana, III, Carl Robert of Underwood, Ia, Junior of St Louis, Mo: one daughter Mrs John (Juanita) Verbanaz of St Louis; 13 grand children and 3 great grand children, 3 brothers: G Mort McClure of Zillah, Wash, Romaine McClure of Bradenton, Fla, Robert K McClure of Braddyville: 3 sisters: Mrs Mark (Ellen) Goodwin of Braddyville, Mary Dean Jackson of San Diego, Calif, Mrs Joe (Eva) Clymens of Hopkins, Mo. Virgil was a member of the United Methodist Church and a member of Plumb Lodge 285 - AF - AM of Siam, Ia.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday, Oct 11 at 2 pm at the United Methodist Church at Braddyville, with Rev Clarence Landis officiating. Music was furnished by Maynard and Loma Burch.

Casket bearers were Harold Burch, Bobby Wilson, Arlo Sunderman, Cliff Bales, Loren James, and Orland Engstrand. Honorary bearers, Claude Apple, George Yaple, Merlin Teuscher, John Richmond, Max Garrett, Raymond Osborn.

Interment in the Braddyville Cemetery with graveside services being conducted by the Siam Masonic Lodge, Plumb Lodge   No   285   - AF/AM.   Walker's funeral home in charge.

We cannot say, and we will not say

That he is dead. He is just away.

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the

hand

He   has wandered   into   an   unknown

Land,

And left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And    you-oh-you, who    the    wildest

yearn

For an old time step, and the   glad

Return,

Think of him faring on, as dear

In the love of There as the love of Here.

Think of him still as the same. We say

He is not dead - He is just away.

[Koehler, Maud Squire]

Clarinda Herald Journal

October 1973

Mrs. Oscar Koehler died at Tarkio, Mo

Mrs. Oscar (Maud) [Squire] Koehler died Wednesday at the Northview Rest Home at Tarkio, Mo, where she has lived for several months after closing her home on West Garfield Street in Clarinda. Her husband died Oct 5, 1972.

Services are pending arrangements by the family with Walker Funeral Home here.

Her survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Frank (Mary) Gay of Omaha, Mrs. James (Izetta) Costillo of Elmo, Mrs. James (Doris) Sheridan of Janesville, Wis, and Mrs. Patrick (Nancy) Laflin of Redlands, Cal.

[Brodrick, Earl]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday    March 1, 1973

Clarindan's brother died here Monday  

Earl Brodrick, 66, died here Monday [February 26, 1973] at the home of a sister.

He had been living with the Charles O'Connells for the past three years, Wanda O'Connell being one of five sisters and a brother who survive. Another sister is Elizabeth Stewart of Clarinda.

Mr Brodrick was born in Missouri April 19, 1906, and had lived at Burlington Junction and in Kansas before coming to Clarinda.

Services were held this Thursday at the Cochell Funeral Home in Stanberry, Mo, with burial at the High Ridge Cemetery there. 

 [Swanson, Mildred Lee Good]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday    October 29, 1973

Mrs Milton Swanson died at Essex home

Mrs Milton (Mildred) [Lee] Swanson, 60, died early Sunday morning [October 28, 1973] at her home in Essex where they had lived for the past two years. They had operated the Black Cat Tavern where she had been working Saturday evening and died in her sleep that night.

Services for Mrs Swanson will be at 11 am Tuesday at Walker Funeral Home with Rev Melvin C Suhr officiating.

Aletha   Hutchings   will   be organist. Casket bearers will be Clayton Johnson, Bob Searl, Omar Swanson, Robert Swanson, Clifford Swanson, and Dale Combs. Burial will be in the Bethesda Cemetery.

The family will meet friends at the funeral home this Monday from 7 until 9 pm.

Mrs Swanson was born Sept 15, 1913, at Clarinda, the daughter of Levi and Mary [Ella] Lister Good. She was married to Milton Swanson March 15, 1940.

Mrs Swanson is survived by her husband of the home and two children, Michael Lee Swanson of Clarinda and Mrs Robert (Mary Ann) Milburn of Grandview, Mo. Brothers and sisters are Mrs Netha Davison of Clarinda, Uril Good of Braddyville, Mrs Dale (Lucille) Combs of New Market, Mrs Verla Heil of Clarinda, Eldon Good of Charleston, N C and Max Good of Seymour. Mo.

 

[Snyder, Thelma Faye Gamble]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday    November 1, 1973

Services for Mrs Snyder

COIN — Services were held this Thursday afternoon at the United Methodist Church here for Mrs Neil [Neal] Snyder [Thelma Faye Gamble], 64, who died Tuesday [October 30, 1973] at the Municipal Hospital after an illness of several months.

Rev Lawrence P Fitzpatrick officiated at the services. Burial was in Polsley cemetery near Yorktown.

She was born on a farm west of Coin on Feb 8, 1909, one of five children of the Edwin Gambles. She was graduated from Coin schools in 1927 and attended Iowa State College at Ames, receiving degree in home economics.

Her marriage was March 4, 1934 to Neal Snyder, and they have a daughter, Mrs Richard (Helen) Howell of Omaha. A son, William, her parents and sister, Mrs Lawrence (Esther) Liljedahl preceded her in death.

A brother, Merle Gamble, of Coin and two sisters, Mrs Del (Ruth) Anderson of Coin and Mrs Glenn (Ruby) Anderson of Hastings are among the survivors.

           

[Kerns, Guy Curtis]

Clarinda Herald Journal

November 1973

Guy Kerns was life-time farmer

Services for Guy [Curtis] Kerns, 79, of Clarinda will be held at 2 pm, Saturday at Lavelle Funeral Home, with Rev Cecil Latta officiating. Burial will be in the Clarinda Cemetery.

Mr Kerns died Tuesday night at the home of Mrs Dessie Matthews where Mr and Mrs Kerns had been staying. He had been in failing health for eight years.

He was born Nov 26, 1893 at Gravity, the son of Joseph [Spencer] and Carrie [Adella] Barton Kerns. He was reared in the Gravity area and moved to Clearfield as a young man with his family. He was married to Pearl Faye McCowan Dec 30, 1918, at Bedford, and farmed in Page County all his life.

Mr Kerns was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter in infancy, one brother and one sister.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl Faye Kerns, three sisters, Mrs Ruby Atkins of Corning, Mrs Ernest (Nellie) Huber of Diagonal and Mrs Helen O'Neil of Yutan, Neb, three brothers, Walter Kerns of Creston, Roy Kerns of Lenox, and Harold Kerns of Clearfield.

[Gerdts, Angela Kirsten]

Clarinda Herald Journal

1973

Gerdts baby, 2, died at Red Oak

Angela Kirsten Gerdts, 2-year-old daughter of Roger [Ernest] and Susan [Knapp] Gerdts, died Saturday at the hospital in Red Oak. She was born May 1,1971 and had not been in good health during those few months.

Services were being held this Tuesday at Sellergren - Lindell Funeral Home at Red Oak, the Rev John Hargreaves officiating. Burial was to be in Evergreen Cemetery at Red Oak.

Her mother is of the home at 302 3rd Ave in Red Oak and the father at Ben Wheeler, Tex. Two sisters are Malissa and Christie, and grandparents Mrs Virginia Knapp of Nebraska City, Neb, Mr and Mrs Rudy Gerdts of Clarinda, Mrs Fern Carlson and Mrs Albert Knapp of Red Oak.

She had been baptized in the Lutheran Church.           

 

[Coulter, Robert, Jr.]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday    August 13, 1973

ROBERT COULTER JR

Robert Coulter Jr was born April 26, 1894 at Roberts, Ill the son of Robert and Mary Patton Coulter. When 9 mos old, his family moved to the Blairstown, Mo area where he was raised to manhood. On Feb 22, 1922 he was married to Inez V[eralena] Hargis and they had one daughter. They then moved to New Market, Ia in 1935. Mr Coulter had farmed and been the drayman at New Market. He also was Marshall from 1948-1952 and had done concrete work for many years and had been a member of the New Market fire department for over 30 yrs and had been active as long as his health had permitted. He had been a resident of West Heights Manor the past 2 months. Besides his wife of the home, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs Charles (Maxine) Thacker of Clarinda, 3 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 1 brother Chester (Jack) Coulter of Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, 4 brothers, and 1   grandson.

 

[Hemphill, William Crozier]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday    June 18, 1973

William Hemphill services Tuesday

Funeral services for William C [rozier] Hemphill, 62, of Clarinda will be held at 10 am Tuesday at the Westminster United Presbyterian Church, with Rev D C Davis and Dr J D Almes officiating.

Mr Hemphill died early Sunday morning [June 17, 1973] at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha after being hospitalized for the past 13 days.

Honorary casket bearers will be Dr Eldon Breazier, president of Tarkio College, Paul Issacson, Port Stitt, and judges of 4th Judicial District, members of the Bar Association of Page County, Southwest Iowa and State of Iowa.

Active bearers will be Richard Davidson, James Millhone, Ken Heiliger, Wesley Shutt, Donald Borthwick and Darrel Davison.

Vocalist at the service will be Mrs Clyde Campbell, with Mrs William Lisle organist. In charge of the register books will be Mrs Harriett Davidson and Dorla Marsh. Ushers will be Fiddle Miller, Dr James Campbell, Ken Cassat and Joe Tunnicliff. Burial will be in the Clarinda Cemetery.

Mr Hemphill, born Dec 10, 1910 at Duncanville, Ill., was the son of Rev and Mrs William H [unter] Hemphill [Iva May Crozier]. Graduating from high school at Stanwood, Iowa, in 1928, he attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., graduating in 1932. He attended Western Reserve Law School in Cleveland, and graduated in 1936.

He was married to Margaret Jean Loehr on Dec 20, 1937, at Greenville, Ill., and practiced law at Cleveland until 1942, when they moved to Tulsa, Okla. They moved to Clarinda in 1945. He was associated with William F Stipe, and later with Richard Davidson.

Mr Hemphill was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, a member of the College Visitation Committee Synod of Iowa, board of directors of Tarkio College, past moderator of the Synod of Iowa and of the Southwest Iowa Presbytery, and a church elder. He also was on the board of trustees of the Southwest Iowa Presbytery.

He had served on the Page County Conservation Board, and was a member of the county, southwest Iowa and state bar associations. He had been Page County attorney, and past president of the Clarinda Industrial Board. He also was instrumental in starting the Easter Sunrise service in Clarinda.

He was a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court, and locally was a member of the Clarinda Chamber of Commerce and of Nodaway Lodge No 140, A F & A M, and was a past member of the Kiwanis Club. He served as Clarinda mayor from 1954-56.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

Mr Hemphill is survived by his wife, two daughters, Jeanne and Ruth of the home; five sons, William L of Washington, D C, James of Burlington, John of Columbus, Ohio, Thomas of New Delhi, India and Robert of the home; two sisters, Mrs Martha Cox of Tucson, Ariz, and Mrs Stanley Shutt of Oakville, Iowa, and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church.

The family will receive   relatives and friends from 7:30 to   9 this Monday evening at the   Lavelle Funeral Home.   

 

[George, Leonard Paul]

Clarinda Herald Journal

June 1973

Local residents attend services

Funeral services for Leonard Paul George, 47, son of Mr and Mrs R Elton George of Coin, were held Thursday at Dworak Mortuary at Omaha following his death June 11. He had been under care three weeks and died at Douglas County Hospital. He had been able to continue his sales work with Omaha Furniture for 12 years until his final illness.

Mr and Mrs Dale Crawford of   Clarinda and Mrs Maymie   Manley of New Market were   among those attending the   service. Burial was in Hillcrest   Cemetery at Omaha. The family   home is at 3624 Ohio St in Omaha   for the wife, the former Dorothy   Alderson of Viola, Ark, and three   children. They had lost a son, Charles, 14, four years ago in a   gun tragedy. A sister, Mrs   Margie Penry, is of Council   Bluffs.                              

 

[Wilson, Mary]        [Wilson, Troy]         [Wilson, Michelle]

Clarinda Herald Journal

November 1973

Wilson children killed in mishap

Death of three children of the Norman Wilson family of Rapid City, S D, with relatives in the Bedford area, occurred Nov 6 in an accident near Castle Rock, S D.

Victims are Mary, 8, Troy, 6, and Michelle, 4, children of Mr and Mrs Norman Wilson of Rapid City, S D.

According to the Bedford Times Press Mrs Wilson is the former Sharon Beery, daughter of Mr and Mrs Harold Beery of Richey, Mont, former Bedford residents. Their great grandmothers are Mrs Jessie Beery of Bedford and Mrs Rosa McNees of Corning.

Mrs Wilson and son, Tracy, 10, were seriously injured in the car-truck accident in the fog and are hospitalized in Rapid City. The family reports they are improving.

George E McNees, Gravity, and Mrs Galen Spencer, brother and sister of Mrs Beery, flew to Rapid City to be with the family and to attend the Nov 9 services at Canyon Lake Methodist Church with interment at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, S D.

 

[Williams, Charles A.]

Clarinda Herald Journal

December 1973

Charles Williams lifelong barber

Funeral services for Charles [A.] Williams, 85, of Burlington Jct, Mo, were held this Monday afternoon at Barr-Merrick Chapel in Burlington Jct. Mr Williams died Saturday at the hospital in Maryville following a long illness. He had been a barber in Burlington Jct for over 50 years.

He is survived by two daughters: Mrs Darrell Grace and Mrs Doug Hill both of Burlington Jct.

 

[Noble, Emily Robinson]

Clarinda Herald Journal

November 1973

Services held for Mrs Ora Noble

BLANCHARD — Memorial services for Mrs Ora (Emily) Noble, 87, were held in the United Methodist Church Friday conducted by Rev Robert Collins, a Baptist minister, assisted by Rev Richard Russell.

She was born in Atchison County, Mo, Sept 7, 1886, daughter of William and Alice Robinson and died at the Fairfax Hospital Nov 28.

She had lived all her life in Atchison County, spending about 60 years on their farm between Blanchard and Westboro. She was married to Ora Noble, Jan

21, 1914.  For 2 1/2  years she had made her home in the Northview Manor at Tarkio.

She had attended Northwest Missouri University at Maryville and the Fairfax Public Schools and was a member of the Walkups Grove Baptist Church. She belonged to the Rebeccas and the Twin Naughts Chapter 275 OES.

Surviving are her husband, and a brother, Robert Robinson of Denver, Colo. She was preceded in death by a son, a sister and six brothers.

Flower ladies were Mrs Kyle Green, Mrs Olin Barnes, Mrs N J Russell, Mrs Vern Henderson. At the register, Mrs Byron Scotton, organist, Mrs Glen Vogel, soloist, Mrs Thurlow Herrick. Bearers were Dale Hull, Wilbur Hannah, Fred Andrews, Harold Clement, Gerald and Derald McEnaney.

Interment Blanchard cemetery, Davis Funeral Home in charge.

American Legion Auxiliary took food to the home of Mrs Elizabeth Rice, a sister of Ora Noble and friends and relatives were invited to the church basement for coffee and cake after the burial.

 

Relatives of Mrs Rice had been home for Thanksgiving and weekend. Dr Melvin Nuckolls came from Oskaloosa this Friday to attend the funeral. M / M Denver Nuckolls came from Paton, Thursday, to be with his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Rice.

 

[Holbrook, Bert Nelson]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Monday    December 3, 1973

Del Holbrook's brother died

Bert Nelson Holbrook, son of Isaac and Etta Holbrook, died Nov 28 at Columbia, Mo, after an extended illness.

He was born Dec 18, 1895, in Braddyville where he spent most of his life until a few years ago. He lived in Clarinda a few years where he painted, then moved to Portland, Ore, where he worked in shipyards, retiring in Columbia, Mo.

He was married to Dolly Bancroft in 1943. She survives him, as does one stepson, Blaine Bancroft and one brother, Del Holbrook of Clarinda.

Graveside services were held Saturday at 2 pm at the Clearmont Cemetery.