Orme, Cleota Loraine - Graveside funeral services for Loraine Orme, age 102 of Bedford, who died Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the United Methodist 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.

Cleota Loraine Orme was born October 24, 1904, in Polk Township, Taylor County, Iowa the oldest of four children to Arria (Bordner) Orme and Elmer Orme. She grew up attending rural schools, graduating from the Bedford High School with the Class of 1924. Loraine then taught in various Taylor County rural schools for eight years. During her summer vacations from teaching, Loraine completed two years of college at the Iowa State Teachers’ College in Cedar Falls. From 1932 to 1935, she taught in New Market. The following year she taught in Cromwell and from 1936, to 1939, she taught in Bedford. From 1939 to 1941, she served as Grade School Principal in Brighton, Iowa, and in August of 1941, Loraine obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Iowa State Teachers’ College. She then went on to teach in Ottumwa from 1941 to 1944, which completed twenty years of teaching in the State of Iowa.

Loraine then moved to the State of Illinois where she taught from 1944 to 1970 at the Irving Junior High School in Oak Park, Illinois. She completed her Master’s Degree in August of 1950, from the DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. In her connection with teaching, Loraine served as a textbook consultant with the Rand McNally Company on the history textbook, The Free and the Brave. During her vacations while teaching, Loraine traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, South America, Mexico and Bermuda. She also enjoyed automobile trips throughout most of the United States. Loraine retired in June of 1970, with a total of forty-six years of teaching under her belt! She then moved to Laguna Hills, California where she enjoyed traveling to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and the Holy Land. In 1987, Loraine returned to Bedford to be closer to family and childhood friends.

Although Loraine had no children of her own, she touched the lives of hundreds of children in a very loving, educational and productive way. She was a member of several Methodist Churches, first at the High Prairie Country Church and later the Bedford United Methodist Church.

Left to cherish Loraine’s memory are her loving sister Beatrice Hensley of Corning; along with nieces and nephews, Shirley McKee of Pickering, Missouri; Barbara Richardson of Huntsville, Alabama; Nancy DeJoode and husband Bob of Knoxville, Iowa; and Gary Hensley and wife Sally of Corning.

Preceding Loraine in death are her parents Elmer and Arrie Orme; a brother Alfred Orme; a sister, Geretta Duncan; a niece, Beverly Hensley-Hardee.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn Loraine’s passing.

Oxley, Marie Dorothy Henderson - Funeral Services for Marie Oxley, age 85 of the Greenfield/Macksburg areas, formerly of the Bedford/Gravity/Siam area, who died Monday, April 3, 2006, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston were held Friday, April 7, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was held in the Siam Cemetery.

Marie Dorothy (Henderson) Oxley was born March 6, 1921 in Siam, Iowa the daughter of Clarence Isaac Henderson and Lillie Pearl (Clayton) Henderson. She grew up in the Siam area attending rural schools, graduating from the 8th grade in 1938. She lived near Mahlon Oxley and the couple was united in marriage in Siam. Three children were born to bless this union, Donnis, Beverly and Jerry. The couple farmed in Siam and later in the Gravity area until 1945. The majority of their farming was done in the Diagonal, Macksburg and Greenfield areas. In March of 1995, Mahlon passed away, and Marie continued to live in the Greenfield area until her health required that she move to the Creston Nursing & Rehab Center.

Marie was a member of the Hill of Zion Congregational Church where she was active as a Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher along with singing in the Choir. She was a very accomplished guitarist and pianist and loved entertaining in the area nursing homes. She also enjoyed attending the Hobby Club, TOPS, the Alpha Class, and the Ladies Aid. Over the years, Maire was active giving guitar and piano lesions to many people. As a very young girl, at the age of 11, Marie started working cleaning homes for people and caring for their children.

Left to cherish Marie’s memory are her daughter, Beverly Ann White and husband Reverend Jerry of Creston; a son, Jerry LaRoy Oxley and wife Colleen of Greenfield; a sister, Gene Henderson of Grand Rapids, Michigan; twelve grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, cousins relatives and friends.

Preceding Marie in death are her father Clarence Isaac in 1933; her mother Lillie Pearl in 1968; husband Mahlon in 1995; a son, Donnis Dean in 2002; a brother Harold Wilbur in 1936; a sister Ruby Pauline in 1974; a brother-in-law William Frank Harvey in 1995; a brother Luther Charles Henderson in 1990; and two twin brothers in 1926.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn Marie’s passing.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Oxley, Paul H. - Funeral services for Paul Oxley, age 81, of Sharpsburg, who died Sunday, December 19, 2004 at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning were held Thursday, December 23, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Interment with military rites accorded by the Parkinson American Legion Post No. 250 & Moore Rutledge American Legion Post No. 578 of Gravity were held in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity.

Paul H. Oxley was born July 6, 1923 on a farm west of Sharpsburg, Iowa the son of E.L. Oxley and Mable Pleasant Hixson Oxley. Paul and his older sister Freda grew up on a farm west of Sharpsburg attending country schools. His family moved to his grandparent’s farm near New Market where he graduated from the New Market High School with the Class of 1941. After graduation, he returned to Sharpsburg where he farmed. On March 14, 1943, Paul married Jenola Lewis and friend Deanne Johnson married Donnis Walton in a double ceremony at the United Methodist Church in Maryville, Missouri. The two couples remained close throughout their lives. In January of 1944, he answered the call to serve his country entering the United States Army, serving during World War II in the Pacific Theatre on the Island of Siapan. After his discharge, he and Jenola returned to Sharpsburg to farm. In 1956, the couple moved to Waukee for six years where they were involved in Brown Swiss Cattle. Paul also worked for John Deere in Dallas Center in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. In 1962, they returned to their present home near Sharpsburg.

Paul was a member of the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church for over fifty years, having served as an Elder. He was a long-time member of the Lenox Stock & Saddle Club and served on the Board of Directors. Paul spent many hours keeping the rodeo grounds in good condition and working the calf shoot at every rodeo. Paul enjoyed horses enough to ride in the Taylor County Sheriff’s Posse during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Serving on the Board of Directors for Camp Sunnyside was also a favorite of Paul’s. Terry and Paul were able to pass the boot in front of their home one year during the Pony Express ride. Paul also served as an officer for the southwest Iowa Sheep Association in the late 1980’s.

Paul truly loved farming and the lifestyle it provided. He especially enjoyed the planting and harvest seasons. Although they had no children of their own, Paul and Jenola were involved in the lives of several boys. Paul always instilled good work ethics in everyone who stayed with them. From the age of ten, Terry Booth began farming with Paul. Terry started by pulling weeds in the soybeans and haying. Together they farmed several acres, including cattle and lambing up to 300 head of sheep. Terry continues to farm today with row crop, cattle and sheep. Paul also enjoyed working as a Ringman at local auctions.

Left to cherish Paul’s memory is his wife Jenola; a son Terry Booth and wife Holly and their children Kindra and Kasey all of Sharpsburg; a sister Frida Bailey of Bedford; nephew Howard Bailey and wife Vivian of St. Joseph, Missouri; nieces Linda Dittemore and husband Tom of Littleton, Colorado; and Diana Baak and husband Paul of New Market, along with their families; and the families of the late Dean and Donnis Johnson, and the families of Richard Gold of Council Bluffs and the families of John Brand of Texas; and many friends.

Preceding Paul in death is a brother-in-law, Harold Bailey, and a nephew Kenneth Bailey.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Oxley, Phyllis Salter - Funeral services for Phyllis Oxley, age 91 of Bedford, who died Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines will be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation will be Friday from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Interment will be held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.

Phyllis (Salter) Oxley was born August 1, 1917, in Glenn Park, New Zealand to George and Georgina (Cargill) Salter. She came to the United States with her parents and seven brothers and sisters in 1924. Phyllis later very proudly became a United States Citizen. She grew up attending country school, graduating from the Bedford High School with the Class of 1935. On May 15, 1938, she was united in marriage to Frank Ethan Oxley of Siam, Iowa, at the Presbyterian Manse in Bedford. Born to bless their lives was one son, Kenny.

Phyllis was a member of the United Christian Presbyterian Church for over eighty years. She taught school in rural Ross Township for a total of ten years then just enjoyed being home with her family. She loved to garden and grow flowers. Her front door was always open to family and friends alike. She loved her parents and looked forward to spending time with them, later taking care of them along with her sister Daisy. She took a special pleasure when some of her past students would stop in for a visit. The true joy in her life was being married to Frank . . . raising her family and spending time together. Phyllis truly believed being a grandma and grandma-great, were roles invented just for her! She loved playing and being with her granddaughters and great-granddaughter. Although her eyesight had failed, Phyllis remained an active part of the Bedford Community and her church family. Recently she was involved in the Monday afternoon Bible Study where her wit and humor along with her love for the Lord were shared with everyone. She also dearly loved singing country western music.

Left to cherish the memories of this wonderful mother, grandmother, teacher and friend are her son Kenny Oxley of Granger, Iowa; daughter Mary of West Des Moines, Iowa; two sisters, Daisy John and Susan Palmer; sister-in-law Margarite Salter; two granddaughters, Leann Oxley and Jennifer Young and husband Jason Davis; three great-granddaughters, Shannon Young, Lola Davis and Lyla Davis; along with many other family members and friends. Phyllis is also survived by her beloved friends, Vella Wolverton, and Dave and Deb Curry.

Preceding Phyllis in death are her parents; her loving husband Frank in 1987; three brothers, James, George and William Salter; and three sisters, Jean Molgard, Ina Allen and Margaret Salyards.

Phyllis will be missed by her entire family and many friends.

The family will hold the memories of her gentle spirit, wisdom and counsel as a wonderful gift of encouragement.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

O'Dell, Vernon Damewood - Mason Twp - Vernon Damewood O'Dell, 77, died Tuesday morning at the Methodist Hospital in St Joseph, Mo, and services are to be held Friday, the funeral at 2 pm at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford and burial at Old Memory at New Market.

Mr O'Dell has spent his lifetime in Taylor County. His farm is located on highway 2 between New Market and Bedford.

He has three brothers, Russell of Lebanon, Mo, Delbert of Council Bluffs and Albert of Bedford, and two sisters, Mrs Alta Parsons and Mrs Ida Morris of Bedford. Their parents were Mr and Mrs Elmer O'Dell of rural New Market.

Carl Cummings of Bedford will officiate at the services. Bearers include Henry Karg, Wayne Strong, Ivan Burwell, Ernie Glassgow, Leslie Yearous and George John.

Clarinda Herald-Journal, Clarinda, Iowa, Apr 22, 1976

O'Dell, Bruce F. [itch] - Funeral services for Bruce F. O'Dell, 77, of Denver, Colo., a native of Taylor County, were held at Moore Memorial Chapel in Denver officiated by Dr Frederick D. Rogers. Mr O'Dell died May 4, 1976 in Rocky Mountain Hospital in Denver. Masonic graveside services were conducted by Liberty Lodge No 150, A.F. & A.M. at Crown Hill Cemetery in Denver.

Bruce F. O'Dell, son of Mr and Mrs Lester O'Dell, was born March 23, 1899 and reared in Mason Township, Taylor County.

His survivors include his wife, Natalie; four sons, Robert and Lane O'Dell, Omaha, Nebr., Lyndon O'Dell, Des Moines, Ia, and Bernard O'Dell, Council Bluffs, Ia; one brother, Herman O'Dell, New Market; two sisters, Neva Novinger, New Market and Helen Cummings, Bedford; 13 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Atttending the services were Mr and Mrs Carl Cummings, Mr and Mrs Herman O'Dell, Keith O'Dell and Neva Novinger.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, May 20, 1976

O'Dell, Herman Harold - Funeral services were held Monday, August 5, at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Bedford for Herman O'Dell, 77, with Rev Ted DeHass as the minister.

Herman Harold O'Dell was born May 29, 1908 in Mason Township, Taylor County, Iowa to Lester Loren O'Dell and Emma May Fitch. He resided all of his life on the farm where he was born. He and his father farmed with horses and mules until the coming of tractors, and saw many changes in the farming methods over the years. Herman and Doris received a Century Farm Award from the state in 1976, the farm being 112 years in the family at that time. He was married to Doris Lucas June 1, 1935 in Marshall Township, Taylor County, Iowa, at the home of her parents. They built the house where they have since resided prior to the wedding. Children born to them are: Cheryl Kay Gifford of Garden Grove, Cal.; Keith O'Dell of New Market, Iowa; and Janelle Templeton of Bedford, Iowa.

Herman attended school in rural Mason Township and graduated from New Market High School.

Herman greatly enjoyed the work and fellowship shared with others in the Timberlake-Novinger-Travis-Cooper community and many stories of good times have been handed down as well as how it was in those depression years.

Herman was always interested in horses and spent a great many hours as a charter member at the Bedford and New Market saddle clubs, Taylor County Sheriff's Posse Drill Team, and other organizations such as the Pony Express Ride for Crippled Children in Iowa. One of the highlights of his life-long involvement with horses was making the Pony Express Ride to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a group in 1960.

He was also active in many civic groups, an early president of the Farm Bureau, a 4-H leader, and was an avid pitch player.

He attended church at Gilead near his home until he was married and he and Doris then attended the Bedford Baptist Church where he was trustee for a number of years and chairman of the Church Building Committee.

Many people will have memories, and in particular the grandchildren, Julie and Jane Gifford, Brent, Brad, and Nishi O'Dell had great fun and will have rich memories of times spent with grandpa. Whether it was a ride taking horses to the Fourth of July parade in Bedford or a ride down in the pasture to shut off the windmill, it was special with Grandpa.

Herman also, for the past year, had enjoyed visits from a great grandson, Bradley Jameason O'Dell, son of Brent and Tami.

He died of cardiac arrest in the Garden Grove Medical Center in Garden Grove, Calif., August 2, 1985. He and Doris had gone to Garden Grove to attend granddaughter Julie's wedding.

He is survived by his wife and children and one sister, Helen Cummings of Bedford. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce, in 1976; sister, Neva Novinger, in 1984; and his grandson, Brad O'Dell in 1982.

He was buried beside his parents in the Graceland Cemetery west of Bedford.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Aug 8, 1985

O'Dell, Sylvia Wilcox - Mrs Lorrance (Sylvia) O'Dell, native of Taylor county and a Clarinda resident of many years, died Friday at Ft Smith, Ark. Her son called the Herbert Owens here that local friends might know. The services were being held this Monday at Edward Funeral Home there and burial was to be in Ft Smith.

Mrs O'Dell was daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J.W. Wilcox and she spent her early years in the Gravity area. The parental home here was at 304 N 19th St. Sylvia was a graduate of Clarinda schools in 1921, and was married to Mr O'Dell who was a long-time postal employee. They have two sons, Jack of Wisconsin and Larry of Germany, both of whom had been called home by her critical illness.

Clarinda Herald-Journal, Clarinda, Iowa, 1969

O'Dell, Russell Elie - Funeral services for Russell E. O'Dell, of Lebanon, Mo, 81, Bedford native and former New Market resident, were held July 19 in the Holman Funeral Home in Lebanon. Mr O'Dell died in the Lebanon Hospital July 16, 1976. Interment was in the O'Dell family cemetery.

Russell Elie O'Dell, son of the late Elmer and Martha Damewood O'Dell, was born July 24, 1894, in Bedford.

Mr O'Dell was a farmer, farming in Taylor County until 1943 when he moved to Lebanon to buy a farm. He was still living on the farm at the time of his death.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Mae (Bean) O'Dell; son, Gerald; daughter-in-law, Gloe; three grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two brothers, Al, of Bedford and Delbert of Council Bluffs; two sisters, Alta Parsons and Ida Morris of Bedford.

He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Jul 29, 1976

O'Dell, Rhoda E. Jones Cooper - Funeral services for Mrs Rhoda E. O'Dell, 99, will be at 2 pm, Friday at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home with Rev Gudmund Petersen and Carl Cummings officiating.

The family will meet friends from 7-8 pm, this Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Mrs O'Dell died Tuesday morning at Goldenrod Manor after being a resident of rest homes for several years.

She was born August 22, 1879, at Allerton, Iowa, the daughter of Isaac and Mary McCullough Jones. She was married to Walter Cooper who died in 1902. Later she was married to Mahlon O'Dell who preceded her in death in 1936.

Mrs O'Dell had been a resident of New Market and Clarinda area.

Burial will be in Memory cemetery at New Market.

She is survived by four children, Doyle Cooper of Clarinda, Fern Hall of Washington D.C., Thelma Rapp of Chicago and Theo Squire of Lake Worth, Fla. She has three grandchildren, Lorraine Copp of Clarinda, Sherry Wiges of Elk Horn and John Squire of Seattle, Wa. There are also nine great grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Two living sisters are Clara Baker of Gravity and Lola Luellen of Clarinda and two sister-in-laws, Letta Jones of Clarinda and Esther Jones of Storm Lake. There were 13 children in the family.

Clarinda Herald-Journal, Clarinda, Iowa, Apr 19, 1979

O'Dell, Emma Mae - Mrs Emma Mae O'Dell, 85, died at her home near Bedford July 1. She is survived by two daughters and two sons, Mrs Carl Cummings, Mrs Wilbur Novinger, Herman O'Dell, of Bedford and Bruce O'Dell of McPaul, Iowa. There are also 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Shum Funeral Home at 2 pm, Thursday afternoon, July 3 conducted by Rev Robt. M. Peters. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Jul 3, 1952

O'Dell, Emma May Fitch - Emma May Fitch was born in Belvedere, Ill., Jan 25, 1867, and moved with her parents, J.H. and Sarah Fitch to Taylor county, Iowa, in the year 1869. Her parents located on a farm five miles northwest of Bedford and were active in church work. Together with friends in their community, they organized the Gilead church, where she became a member in her youth and grew to womanhood. Her church membership was transferred to the Bedford Methodist church in later years.

In 1890 she was married to Lester L. O'Dell and they moved to the farm which was to remain her home until she passed away on July 1, 1952.

This home was blessed with four children, Bruce of McPaul, Iowa, Neva Novinger of Gravity, Helen Cummings of Bedford, Herman, who resides on the home farm. Mr O'Dell died in 1945. Her brothers, Lyman, Ashley and Arthur Fitch preceded her in death.

Her passing leaves the two sons and their wives, the two daughter and their husbands, thirteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Shum Funeral home Thursday, July 3. Rev Robt M. Peters officiating. Burial was in Graceland cemetery.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Jul 10, 1952

O'Dell, Maude - Oak Hill - Services for Mrs Wilbur (Maude) O'Dell, 78, are to be held Tuesday at 2 pm at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford. She died Saturday night at the Corning [Iowa] hospital after an illness during recent months.

She was formerly Maude Barnett, the family having lived in the area most of their years, five miles northwest of Gravity. Mr O'Dell died in 1964, two surviving sons being Vance in the Oak Hill vicinity and Lewis in Arizona. She has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and a sister in California.

She was active in community affairs, a member of the Oak Hill Church until discontinued and then at Gravity Christian Church. She was member of the Ladies Aid, Study Club and Bridge Club.

Clarinda Herald-Journal, Clarinda, Iowa, Dec 15, 1975

O'Dell, Maude Barnett - Funeral services for Mrs Wilbur L. (Lavina Maude) O'Dell, 78, of Gravity, were held December 16 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Reverend Ross Keyt officiating. Mrs O'Dell died December 13, 1975 at Rosary Hospital in Corning, Iowa. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Lavina Maude O'Dell, daughter of John Barnett and Mildred Crawford was born at Nodaway County, Missouri on Auguat 16, 1897.

She moved to Page County early in life and grew to maturity near College Springs where she attended school and graduated in 1917. She taught school three years in Taylor County.

She was baptized into the Christian Church at Blanchard when 13 years old. She later moved her membership to Oak Hill Church.

On August 27, 1919 she was united in marriage to Wilbur L. O'Dell and they lived in Taylor County where they were engaged in farming. To this union two children were born, Vance and Lewis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, Jeff Barnett.

Left to cherish her memory are her son: Vance O'Dell of Gravity, Iowa, and his wife, Flora; Lewis O'Dell of Morenci, Arizona and his wife, Phyllis; 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchilren and one sister, Ethel Nation living in California.

She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge, Royal Neighbors and Oak Hill Church.

She was a kind and considerate mother and neighbor and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Dec 18, 1975

O'Dell, Irene Owen - Irene Owen was born in Hawleyville, Ia., Jan 24, 1900. Died at Clarinda, Ia., Aug 6, 1922, aged 22 years, 6 months and 13 days.

The days of her early childhood were passed in the community where she was born. After the death of her mother, at the age of eight, she made her home with her maternal grandparents at New Market, attending school there. She finished her education in the Junior year at the New Market high school, class of 1917.

She was married to Lorrence O'Dell at Bedford, Ia., Sept 22, 1918, going immediately to Clarinda where they made a permanent home. To this union one son was born Aug 1, 1922, the young mother giving her life that he might live. When but a young girl Irene identified herself with the Methodist church at Hawleyville and continued to the end to be a faithful and consistent member of that communion. In the four short years of her married life she was a model wife. Her illness lasted only six days. She made a gallant fight against death being sustained by a strong desire to live to rear her little son to manhood. If God had seen fit to spare her we know she would have been an ideal mother. She leaves her young husband Lorrence O'Dell and infant son Lorrence Jr one brother, Herbert, two sisters, Dorothy and Carrie, her father, Jean Owens, grandparents, Mr and Mrs O.B. Werts of New Market. The funeral services were held at the Hawleyville church, Aug 8, 1922 at 3 o'clock pm, conducted by Rev Douglas of Riverton, Ia. The remains were laid to rest in the Hawleyville cemetery.

New Market Herald, New Market, Iowa, Aug 10, 1922

O'Dell, Sherman - Sherman O'Dell, a former resident of the county, in Mason township, was accidently killed in a logging camp near Kirby, Mont., recently.

He was using a team for dragging logs and the hook to a long chain caught Mr O'Dell around the ankle, which frightened the team and they ran away, dragging him to death over the rough and stumpy ground.

Deceased was past 50 years of age and has lived in Montana for thirty years. Besides relatives, he is survived by his wife and five children.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Feb 17, 1914

O'Dell, Mrs Warren [Dora Bell "Bee"Lindsey] - Mrs Warren O'Dell, residing three miles east of New Market, Iowa, passed away on Friday of last week following an illness of considerable duration. The deceased was suffering with heart trouble and her demise was not unexpected.

For 31 years the deceased had resided on the farm where she died, and was a prominent worker in all field of endeavor which aided the community. She held the esteem and regard of a large circle of acquaintances and was at all times spoken of with respect, having possessed a big heart which constantly impelled her to perform some kind deed for a needy friend and neighbor.

In addition to a host of sorrowing friends she leaves a husband and three grown sons to mourn her death. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the home. Rev Osburn of New Market having charge of the service, and interment was made in the New Market cemetery.

Bedford Times-Republican, Bedford, Iowa, Jun 21, 1917

O'Dell, Doris Berniece Hughes - Funeral services for Doris Berniece O'Dell were held at the Bedford Baptist Church officiated by David T. DeHass. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa. Mrs O'Dell died January 16, 1990 at her home in Bedford.

Doris Berniece Hughes, daughter of Wm and Cora Belle Landes Hughes, was born August 10, 1905 in Gay Township, Taylor County, Iowa. She attended the neighborhood country school and high school in Conway and Clarinda. On July 19, 1927 she was married to Albert Bryan O'Dell with whom she was privileged to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary. With the exception of a few months during World War II when they lived in Tooele, Utah and Hastings, Neb., their entire married life was spent in Taylor County. She was pleased to live to see her grandson and his wife and family residing on the farm which she and Al purchased in 1945.

Al and Doris were the parents of one son, Billy Dean O'Dell. She was a 50-year member of the First Baptist church, Bedford; and as it is true of most Christian mothers, her greatest joys were her Lord and her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, Jay Hughes; and three sisters: Inez Delles, Jessie Denton, and Bessie (Mrs Guy) Reynolds.

Surviving are her son, Bill and his wife Lorraine of Bedford; grandson Robert and his wife, Laura; granddaughter, Martha O'Dell Jones and her husband, Jeffrey of Glenwood, Iowa; and great grandchildren: Michael Jones, Sarah O'Dell, Bryan Jones, Joseph O'Dell, and Scott Jones; also one brother, Dale Hughes of Round Rock, Tx; and several nieces and nephews.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Jan 24, 1990

O'Dell, Doris Lucas - Doris O'Dell, age 94, of Bedford, Iowa, died Thursday, November 1, 2001, at the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center, Bedford, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 3, 2001, at the First Baptist Church, Bedford, Iowa, with Pastor Ted DeHass and Pastor Jamie Mogler officiating. Visitation with the family was 7-8 pm on Friday, November 2, 2001, at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, near Bedford, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Baptist Church Library Fund, Bedford, Iowa.

Doris O'Dell was born April 19, 1907, in Independence Township, Nodaway County, Missouri, to Joseph Leroy Lucas and Lena Pearl Stutesman Lucas. She was a graduate of [Bedford, Iowa] high school and Cedar Falls Teacher's College and taught at Burlington Junction, Missouri, Rolf, Iowa and Atlantic, Iowa. On June 1, 1935, she was united in marriage to Herman O'Dell at her parent's home near Bedford, Iowa. He preceded her in death August 2, 1985. Doris was active in Farm Bureau, Extension and 4-H. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Bedford, Iowa.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Kenneth Lucas, Max Lucas, Ronald Lucas, Ivan Lucas; sister, Marie Larison; and grandson, Brad O'Dell.

Survivors include her daughter Cheryl Gifford of Torren, Mexico; son, Keith O'Dell and wife, Pat of New Market; daughter, Janelle Templeton and husband, Orville of Bedford; grandchildren, Julie Gifford and husband Richard Polt, Jane Gifford, Brent O'Dell, and Nishi Giefer; great grandchildren, Amy Polt-Gifford, B.J. O'Dell, Paula O'Dell, Bernard Giefer and Helen Giefer; sister, Vadonna Price of Bedford; brother, Vane Lucas and wife, Margaret of Bedford; sisters-in-law, Selma Lucas of Lenox, Annabelle Lucas of Bedford, Dorothy (Dot) Lucas of Bedford; brothers-in-law, Carl Cummings of Bedford, Estle Larison of Bedford; nieces and nephews.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Nov 7, 2001

O'Dell, Clara Bean - On April 27, Mr and Mrs Ernie Glassgow left for Branson, Mo, to attend the funeral of Clara Bean O'Dell, 88 years of age, who died April 26. Services were April 29 at the Homan Funeral Home. Burial was in the O'Dell Cemetery. Clara Bean's father was the late John Bean of near New Market, who lived there until 1942 when they moved to Lebanon, Mo. Their son was Gerald O'Dell. There are three grandchildren, one son, a daughter-in-law and one great-grandchild.

Clarinda Herald-Journal, Clarinda, Iowa, May 13, 1985