Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
[Barker, Bessie Irene Barton] Bedford Times-Press Thursday December 9, 1965 p. 8 Mrs. L. Barker Services Held Funeral services for Mrs. J. [oseph] Lewis (Bessie) Barker, 79, lifetime Taylor County resident, held November 27 at the east Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Rev. Ivo Randels. Mrs. Barker died Nov. 24, 1965 in Rosary Hospital, Corning. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity. Bessie Irene Barker, daughter of C. [urtis] H. [Wilbur] and Ettie J. [Rosetta Jane Hollis] Barton, was born near Old Holt, Taylor County, Iowa, Jan. 10, 1886. She lived her entire lifetime in the Oak Hill community. She was united in marriage to J. [oseph] Lewis Barker Feb. 5, 1908 and to this union two children were born, one son, Kenneth of Gravity, and a daughter, Mildred of Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been a member of the Oak Hill Church since Jan. 9, 1910 and a faithful worker in its functional activities, as long as health permitted. She is survived by her husband, J. [oseph] Lewis; son, Kenneth; daughter-in-law, Edith; daughter, Mildred; grandson, Kennard Barker; aunt, Etta Hyder; uncle, Charles Barton of Missouri; a sister-in-law, Emma Price; four brothers-in-law in Canada, Mark, Glen, Hugh and Clint Barker; sister-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Lundeen, many cousins and many, many friends. She faced her long illness without a word of complaint, or sorrow at her imminent passing, and always a concern for others and their comfort. [Barker, Kenneth Wilbur “Butch”] Bedford Times-Press Thursday November 10, 1983 Funeral services for Kenneth Wilbur Barker, 71, Gravity, were held November 4 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. James Dale and Rev. Roger Charley officiating. Mr. Barker died in Corning November 2, 1983. Gravity American Legion Post #578 presented military honors at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Ia. Kenneth Wilbur Barker, know to many as “Butch", the son of Joseph Lewis and Bessie Irene Barton Barker, was born December 30, 1911 in Holt Township. Kenneth was graduated from Gravity High School in 1930. He served 41 months in the U. S. Air Force. He was united in marriage to Edith Slack August 7, 1942. One son, Kennard Leslie, blessed their home. His parents preceded him in death. He spent most of his life as a farmer and due to his respiratory problem his second home was in McAllen, Tx., where he and his wife spent the past 13 winters. He leaves to cherish his memory those who knew of his pain and suffering and of his never complaining of his problems the past 16 years: his wife, Edith; son Kennard; daughter-in-law, Jill; grand-daughter, Sarah Irene; sister, Mildred Secord, and husband Eugene of Las Vegas; aunt Ruth Lundeen and uncle Glen Barker, in Canada; other relatives and friends. His family will miss his love and concern always thinking of them before himself. Bedford Times-Press Thursday January 22, 1970 p. 4 Rites Fri. For Fred Blood Funeral services for Fred Blood, long time Sharpsburg resident, will be held Fri., Jan. 23, at 2:00 p. m. at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. Mr. Blood died Tuesday at Rosary Hospital in Corning. Interment will be at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, with military honors by the Gravity and Lennox American Legion. [Blood, Fred Douglas] Bedford Times-Press Thursday January 29, 1970 p. 6 Fred Blood Rites Jan. 23 Funeral services for Fred Blood, 78, long time Sharpsburg resident, were held January 23 at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian church. Mr. Blood died January 20, 1970 at Rosary Hospital in Corning. Interment was in Washington Cemetery, Gravity, with military honors by the Gravity and Lenox American Legion. Fred Douglas Blood, son of Henry and Anna [Elizabeth] Duckett Blood, was born in Newton, Iowa, July 1, 1891. His father died when he was about three years old and his mother later married Charles Boyden of near Sharpsburg. He spent the remainder of his life in and near Sharpsburg. He was married September 15, 1920 to Olive Gertrude Hixson. To this union two children were born, Leona Maxine Stewart of Sharpsburg and Jack O. Blood of Guthrie Center. He was preceded in death by his mother, his father, a sister Ethel and a half brother, Herman Boyden. He is survived by his wife, two children, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two half-sisters, Pearl Dice and Glenna Nicholson of Omaha, Nebr., and a half brother, Howard Boyden of Englewood, Colo., and many other relatives and friends. His entire life was spent working for the betterment of the town and community of Sharpsburg. He was a Veteran of the First World War and served with the Headquarters Company, 351st Infantry, 88th Division. In 1965 he was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After serving in the Aaronic Priesthood as Deacon, Teacher and Priest, he became an elder in the Melchizedrk Priesthood of the Church in which capacity he served faithfully for the remainder of his life. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. [Blood, Olive Gertrude Hixson] Bedford Times-Press Thursday February 13, 1986 Services for Olive Blood held in Sharpsburg Services for Olive Blood, 86, were held February 8 at First Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg officiated by Rev. Don Fisher. Interment was at Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Mrs. Blood died February 4, 1986. Olive Gertrude Hixson was born November 6, 1899. Olive was the daughter of David Albert and Mary Magdalene [Beery] Hixson. She had two sisters, Eula Jones, now deceased and Mable Oxley of Sharpsburg and a brother, Claude Harold, who died in infancy. Olive’s family went to Kansas in a covered wagon when she was four. They lived in a sod house. It was there a little over a year later that her mother died. She and her sisters returned to the Gravity community with their grandmother, Rachel Beery, and grew up there. Olive became a teacher and while teaching a school near Sharpsburg met and married Fred Douglas Blood, now deceased. She and Fred were married over 49 years. To them were born two children, Jack Blood of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas and Leona Stewart of Peru, Indiana. There are eight grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren and all who knew her loved her and will miss her. She loved children and taught a class of small children in the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church, of which she was longtime member, for many years. She also served the church in many other capacities. She and her sister, Mable Oxley, spent much time and thought in helping to keep the church beautiful. Her life was one of love and service to family, church and community and she will be greatly missed. Bedford Times-Republican Thursday August 17, 1922 p. 3 Obituary George Gilbert Boyer was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, May 21, 1890. Died at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Bruce Williamson of New Market, Iowa, on August 12, 1922. He was united in marriage September 5th, 1911, to Miss Lottie Dowell of Bedford, Iowa. To this union was born four children, Joseph, Dorothy, Delmar and Lawrence. Besides the immediate family his father, Mr. Wm. Boyer of Alstairs, Canada, one sister, Mrs. Lenore Valley of Estherville, Iowa, and one brother, Clark Boyer, of Clarion, Iowa. His mother having passed away when he was but a babe of six weeks of age, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. S. [pencer] S. [mith] Boyer, reared him to manhood, and with him during his death sickness was his aged grandmother, who has been a devoted mother to him. The immediate cause of his death was hemorrhage of the brain after which he lay unconscious most of the time during the remainder of his life. All of the loving care of relatives and kind neighbors could bring but temporary relief. In early life he united with the Christian church, and has lived an exemplary Christian life. He was possessed of a generous and unselfish nature. He always gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him. Friends from a distance who came to the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ackley, Mrs. Elizabeth Ackley, Harry Ackley, L. Ackley, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Safley, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Safley, Mrs. Bert Safley, all of Bedford, Iowa; also his aunt, Mrs. Lois Houk, of Des Moines, Iowa. The funeral services were held at the Christian church at Gravity, Iowa, at 3:00 p. m., conducted by the pastor, Rev. Johnson, who spoke in the highest terms of the departed one. The loving from was laid to rest in the Gravity cemetery. He is not dead. He has only fell asleep with Jesus, and is at rest from all the cares and sorrows which he has known in the life on earth. And to the four children may his life be an example, to influence them to meet him in that home on high. Bedford Times-Press Wednesday March 5, 1997 MABEL FLO BURCH Mable Flo Munn Keith Burch was born November 30, 1896, in Baxter, Iowa. Her parents were Ida Mae and David Munn. She was the oldest of 12 children. She had six sisters and five, brothers: Nellie Gold, her only surviving sister, lives in Bedford, Iowa Mable married Fred Martin Keith October 2, 1917. To this union three sons were born, Leonard, Kenneth, and Wendell. They farmed at Gravity, Iowa until December of 1941 when they moved to Omaha because of her husband's health. He died in 1954. She did war work at Martin Bomber Plant building airplanes. Three star banners were shown in her window telling of her sons serving in the service. Leonard went to the Army, Kenneth was in the Marines, Wendell was in the Coast Guard, and Kenneth served again in the Korean War. Mable worked as a sales clerk until 1962. She married Franklin Burch. They lived in Bedford, Iowa until his death in 1982. Mabel came back to Omaha in1982 to be close to her son, Leonard. Until her death she kept her own apartment, taking care of her birds and writing letters. She remembered all the family and many friends’ birthdays with cards and letters. She hated to get cards without a note. Mable and her sister Nellie wrote each other every week. Her knowledge of past and present events was unbelievable and she shared this with many people. She taught her family to respect each other and the right and wrong ways of life. She gave advice when asked and sometimes when not. Her 100th birthday November 30 was shared and enjoyed by all of her family and many friends. On January 5 she helped celebrate Leonard and Marty's 50th wedding anniversary by dancing with him. She touched many people in her different ways. She was preceded in death by husbands, Fred Keith and Franklin Burch; son Kenneth Keith, grandson Terry Keith, stepson Ronald Burch. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Leonard and Marty Keith, Omaha; Wendell and Bobby Keith, Holmes Beach, Fla.; Wilma Keith, Loveland, Colo.; stepdaughter Edna Burch, Shenandoah; seven grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; four step grandchildren and five step great grandchildren and sister, Nellie Gold, Bedford, Iowa. Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 20 at Roeder Mortuary, Omaha, Neb. Graveside services were held at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa with Rev. Paul Evans officiating. Bedford Times-Press Wednesday July 30, 1997 Merle Jeanes Greeley Graveside services for Merle J. Greeley were held July 19, 1997at Washington Cemetery in Gravity, Iowa with Rev. Joyce Smith officiating. The arrangements were by Novinger Taylor Funeral Home of Bedford. Merle Jeanes Greeley was born September 16, 1906 in the farm home south of Clearfield, Iowa to James Edgar (Billy) Jeanes and Mary Etta Bye Jeanes. She departed this world July 17 at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa. She graduated from Blockton High School in 1924. She attended Shenandoah Normal Training and began her teaching career in the fall of 1924 at Platteville School in Taylor County. In the fall of 1926 she had saved enough money to enter Iowa State University. She was there two years. Then returned to Country School Teaching. She married Paul Greeley in May of 1930 and they moved to the farm four miles NW of Gravity where they lived until their retirement in 1969 to New Market. To this union was born one daughter, Maureen [Joyce] Greeley Cruth. At the time of her retirement Merle had taught 31 years - mostly in rural schools -and for a short time in Gravity -and finishing up the last seven years in the New Market School System. She was an exceptional teacher and was much loved by her students. For Mother, teaching was a joy, an avocation. In her mind there was only good in each child, it was her sacred trust to bring out that good. Her second graders started their day by saying "The Golden Rule" and putting on "Their Golden Gloves" and she herself always lived by it. I always thought every teacher got up at 4:00 a.m. and stayed up until 11:00 p.m. grading papers and doing lesson plans. In the early years when she taught at Antioch sometimes even getting to school was an event in itself. If a big rain would come she and Paul would get up. He would saddle her horse and she would set off for school in the dark, in the night across the bridge covered with water. She and the horse always hoped the bridge was there as neither liked to swim. Merle's retirement years in New Market were filled with service to the United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed her flower garden and neighbor's. Her greatest joy was still children - grandchildren, Donald and Jody and eventually the great grands, Thomas and Ethan. She was preceded in death by her parents Billy and Etta Bye Jeanes, her husband, Paul Greeley, brother, Lloyd and wife Alta Jeanes, sister Mary Jeanes, sister and brother in law, Doris and Harlan Freeman, sister and brother in law, Margaret and Joe Matthews, brother and sister in law, Robert and Birdie Jeanes, brother, Donald Jeanes, brother in law, Merrill Reynolds, infant sibling Hazel, Ned and Paul Jeanes. She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Bill and Maureen Cruth, grandchildren, Donald Cruth, Jody and husband Matt Hess, great grand's Thomas and Ethan Hess, a step granddaughter, Deb Sturgis and her children, David and Tammy, a sister and brother in law Louise and Alva Jones, sister Evelyn Reynolds, sister in law and husband Pauline and Merle Harland. There are a host of nieces and nephews, plus many friends and neighbors. Merle's passing marks the closing of another chapter of the era of Country Schools in Taylor County Iowa. Merle will be missed by all who knew her. Bedford Times-Press Wednesday August 10, 1988 PEARL KATHRYN GRIFFITH Services for Pearl Kathryn Griffith, 87, were held August 4 at Blockton Christian Church, officiated by Rev. Scott Marcum. Burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton, Ia. Miss Griffith died August 2, 1988 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Pearl Kathryn Griffith, the daughter of Marcus Albert Griffith and Jessie [Connett] Martin Griffith, was born in Taylor County, Iowa on July 28, 1901. She lived in Taylor County, spending most of her life in Blockton, Iowa where she attended school and church. She went to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. and later taught at Gay Center and Platteville country schools. Pearl was preceded in death by her parents Marcus and Jessie; two brothers Glade and Gordon; and one sister Esper Trimble. Left to cherish her memory are two nieces, Johann Nigh and Karol Talbert; two great nieces, two great nephews, three great great nephews and five great great nieces. Pearl was a member of Blockton Christian Church, surrendering her life to Christ and placing her membership on January 9, 1916. She was also a member of the Blockton Auxiliary. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Blockton News Thursday September 11, 1930 [p. 1] Obituary Albert F. [redrick] Heitman [n] was born in Hanover, Germany, December 26, 1873. He departed from us Sept. 2, 1930, at the age of 56 years, 8 months and 7 days at his home in Mustang, Oklahoma. He leaves to mourn his death three brothers and two sisters---Anna Hillers, of Blockton, Iowa; Henry Heitman, of Mineola, Iowa, and Maria, George and Frederick Heitman, of Germany. Also a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Heitman [n] came from Germany when he was about 16 years old and has since made this his home. He farmed in Oklahoma for 23 years and retired only about a year ago. He also farmed around Blockton for four years before going to Oklahoma. He joined the Lutheran faith in early life. Funeral services were conducted at Yukon, Oklahoma by Rev. A. N. Simons. Services were held at the home of Mrs. Karl Hillers at Blockton Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. Berman, pastor of the Lutheran church at Mineola, Iowa, and interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery. [Heitmann, Albert Fredrick] Blockton News Thursday September 11, 1930 p. 4 George Becker, accompanied by his mother, Mrs. Henry Becker, of Iola, Kansas, came Sunday to attend the funeral of his cousin, Albert Heitman [n], which was held Monday afternoon. Henry Heitmann and others, of Mineola, came Monday to attend the funeral of his brother, Albert Heitman [n]. Bedford Free Press Thursday June 26, 1924 p. 5 GRAVITY ITEMS E. [dward] M. [ontgomery] Humphrey, of Feed Point, Montana, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clyde Damewood June 16th, and his funeral was held at the Methodist church the following Wednesday. Mr. Humphrey was an old settler of Taylor County, a Civil War veteran and a true Christian man. The cause of his death was cancer of the liver. [HUMPHREY, EDWARD MONTGOMERY] [HUMPHREY, EDWARD MONTGOMERY] [HUMPHREY, EDWARD MONTGOMERY] [HUMPHREY, EDWARD MONTGOMERY]
[Ledgerwood, Cynthia Ann Alumbaugh] Taylor County Herald Thursday November 3, 1932 p. 3 GRAVITY Mrs. J. [ohn] W. [esley] Ledgerwood passed away Friday. Funeral services were held Sunday at the Christian church. LEDGERWOOD, CYNTHIA ANN ALUMBAUGH] Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, November 3, 1932 Mrs. Ledgerwood Dead Funeral Services Sunday for 81-Year-Old Resident of Gravity Funeral services for Mrs. J. [ohn] W. [esley] Ledgerwood of Gravity, who died at her home Friday, were held at the Christian church Sunday afternoon. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery. Mrs. Ledgerwood was Miss Cynthia Alumbaugh before her marriage in Ringgold County, on September 25, 1867. She was the mother of six children, one dying in infancy and Charles Ledgerwood of Gravity dying a few months ago. Surviving are the husband and four children, Mrs. Ollie Heater of St. Joseph, Mo., Frank Ledgerwood of Greenfield, Iowa, Mrs. Fannie Monahan of Gravity, and Carl W. Ledgerwood of Duluth, Minn. Mrs. Ledgerwood was 81 years old.
[Ledgerwood, Mary Barnard Pinney] Bedford Times-Press Thursday February 17, 1949 p. 3 SHARPSBURG Mrs. Frank Ledgerwood Dies Mrs. Carrie Pinney received word Tuesday of the death of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Frank Ledgerwood at Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. George Trast and her sister, Mrs. Tom Nissen of Sioux City, who was here visiting relatives, went to Greenfield Friday to attend the funeral services. Bedford Times-Republican Thursday September 2, 1909 p. 4 Mrs. Mary A. McCullock Mrs. Mary A. [nn] McCullock [McCulloch] was born in Pennsylvania, June 22, 1819, and died Aug. 29, 1909 at the residence of her daughter Mrs. Mary [Jane] Burge in Conway, aged 90 years, 2 months, and 7 days. Mary A. [nn] Keimer was married to Henry E. [ustace] McCullock [McCulloch], Oct. 14, 1841, and to this union was given five children; three sons, John, Isaac and William; two daughters, Mrs. A. [nn] E. Baughman and Mrs. Mary [Jane] Burge. All were present at the funeral except John McCullock [McCulloch] and Mrs. Baughman. There are twelve grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. With her family Mrs. McCullock [McCulloch] moved from the place of her birth to Illinois in 1858 and thence to Iowa in 1877 and settled on the farm four miles west of Gravity, where she resided till the death of her husband, which occurred Aug. 28, 1895, since which she has made her home with her children, the last four years with her daughter in Conway, Mrs. Mary [Jane] Burge. The last three years she was confined to her bed yet she retained all of her mental faculties perfectly to within a few hours of her death, although she had been partially deaf for several years. Thirty-five years ago she gave her heart to God and united with the Methodist Episcopal church where her loving words and kindly deeds showed her to be one of the most faithful and devoted followers of the son of the living God. During the last three years of her life, being deprived of all religious services, she has spent much of her time in reading God’s word and religious literature which has been a great comfort and consolation to her while her old and feeble body reclined on its bed of affliction. She was naturally of a cheerful and happy disposition, ever looking on the bright side of life, which no doubt contributed largely to the cause of her long life. Her home was one of hospitality and generosity and she was always wide-awake to every moral and religious work. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. L. Dunlavy in the Methodist church in Gravity on the following Monday at 2:30 o’clock assisted by the pastor of that church and her remains were interred in the Gravity cemetery by the side of those of her husband. D. Bedford Times-Republican Thursday March 12, 1925 p. 7 William H. McCullock [McCulloch] was born in Fulton County, Illinois, on January 13, 1859, and died at Clarinda, Ia., March 6, 1925, aged 66 years, 2 months and 21 days. He came to Taylor County in 1877 and settled with his parents on a farm near Gravity, Iowa. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. A. E. Baughman of Knowlton, Ia., and Mrs. Henry Burge of Conway, Ia., and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. His health has been failing for a number of years. The funeral was held at Gravity by Rev. Warren, assisted by Rev. E. B. Boyd, and the interment was made in the Gravity cemetery. [McCulloch, William H.] Bedford Free Press Thursday May 12, 1925 p. 5 GRAVITY ITEMS Will McCullough [McCulloch] died in the hospital at Clarinda last Friday. The funeral was held at the Methodist church last Saturday afternoon at 2:30. Mr. McCullough [McCulloch] was a twin brother of Mrs. Henry Burge of Conway. [McCulloch, William H.] Bedford Free Press Thursday May 12, 1925 p. 5 CONWAY Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burge and son Floyd and daughter, Orda, drove over to Gravity Saturday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Burge’s twin brother, Wm. McCullough [McCulloch] aged 66 years, who passed away at the hospital in Clarinda Friday. Bedford Free Press Tuesday February 23, 1915 p. 3 GRAVITY W. H. West was here from Muscotah, Kan., to attend the funeral of [William] Thomas McCune [McKune]. [William] Thomas McCune [McKune], an old citizen and a veteran of the Civil War, died last Monday and the funeral was held Wednesday, conducted by Elder William Dunlavy. [McKune, William Thomas] Bedford Times-Republican Thursday February 18, 1915 p. 8 GRAVITY [William] Thomas McKune died Monday night at his home here, after a lingering illness of many months. [McKune, William Thomas] Bedford Times-Republican Thursday February 25, 1915 p. 3 GRAVITY The funeral services of [William] Thomas McKune were held Wednesday at 2 o’clock at the Adventist church, conducted by Elder W. L. Dunlavy. Interment was made at Gravity cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. West left Saturday for their home in Muscotah, Kan., after attending the funeral of Mrs. West’s father, [William] Thomas McKune. Bedford Times-Press Thursday October 7, 1954 [p. 1] Clara Robbins Died Here Wednesday Funeral services for Miss Clara Robbins were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 10:30 a. m., Friday, October 1, conducted by Rev. Robert M. Peters. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery. Clara Belle Robbins, daughter of Elmer L. [eroy] Robbins and Amanda A.[retta] Barnes Robbins, was born west of Sharpsburg, Taylor County, Iowa, March 15, 1884, and died at the home of her sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Will Young in Bedford, Sept. 29, 1954, at the age of 70 years, six months, 14 days. She was preceded in death by her father, mother and one sister. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Bertha Young; one brother, Floyd Robbins, both of Bedford; one niece and three nephews. She suffered a serious illness in her early young womanhood, which left her afflicted for the rest of her life. Her entire life was lived in Taylor County. Bedford Times-Press Wednesday January 28, 1987 p. 2 HARL STURM Services for Harl [Harley] Sturm, 92, were held January 23 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Interment was at Washington Cemetery in Gravity, Ia. Mr. Sturm died January 27 [20], 1987 at Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, Ia. Harl Sturm, son of T. [homas] J. [efferson] Sturm and Nora [Eupha Lenora] Hegwood Sturm was born near Sharpsburg, Iowa in Taylor County April 13, 1894. He grew to maturity in the Sharpsburg area where he attended the public school Grove Number 9. On February 15, 1911 he was united in marriage to Ollie Myrtle Beemer and they lived on farms near Sharpsburg and Lenox and they moved to the farm near Gravity in 1932 where he resided until about 12 years ago when he moved to Bedford where he has continued to reside. Two children were born to bless their home and to share their love; Howard and Marjorie. He engaged in farming and he shared in the love of the land and the challenge of the farm life of improving the cropland and increase the yield of the crop. Harl as a young lad of five years of age started to play the violin and later the saxophone and he shared the talent and musical ability for the enjoyment of many many folks during his lifetime. If he heard a certain song he soon was able to play it and he enjoyed this God given talent until the very close of his earthly life. He was preceded in death by his wife who died March 30, 1966; brothers, Irve and Art Sturm and sisters, Ethel Key, Pearl Crawford, and Olive Cummings. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Howard Sturm and his wife June and Marjorie Lock and her husband Kenneth; grandchildren are Gordon Sturm, Sandi Sturm Miller; Dan Lock and Pam Lock Sprague; great grandchildren are Debbie Sturm Trevino, Jason Sturm, Lori Miller, Luci Miller, Todd Miller, Tammi Lock, Troy Lock, Brad Sprague and Bruce Sprague and one great great granddaughter Rachel Ann Trevino; a sister Lula Beemer of Creston, Ia.; other relatives and many friends. He was a 58-year member of Taylor Lodge #156 A. F. & A. M. and the United Methodist Church. His family and friends will long remember him for the many kind deeds he shared with them. Bedford Times-Press Thursday July 30, 1959 p. 10 Gordon Sturm Infant Dies In Des Moines Michael Edward Sturm, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Sturm of Des Moines, was born July 24 and passed away July 25 at the Iowa Lutheran hospital in Des Moines. The Sturms are former residents of Gravity. Funeral services were held at the Gravity Methodist church, Wednesday, July 29, at 2:00 p. m. Interment was in the Gravity cemetery. Rev. Frank L. Greenwood conducted the service. Bedford Times-Press Wednesday January 30, 2002 SARAH JUNE STURM Funeral services for June Sturm, age 85 of Dallas Center, formerly of Bedford, who died Thursday, January 24, 2002 were held Sunday, January 27, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford with Pastor Dave Ewing officiating. Interment was held at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be given in June's name. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford. Sarah June Sturm was born in Villisca, Iowa on June 27,1916 to Frank Higgins and Nora Beckwith Higgins. June grew up in the Villisca area attending school. On March 18, 1934 she was united in marriage to Howard Sturm in Villisca. Howard and June resided on a farm in the Gravity area where two children blessed their marriage, Gordon and Sandi. June played the piano, organ and accordion in the 'Sturm Combo'. This was a local band made up of Howard, June and Harel [Harl] Sturm, along with other members of the family throughout the years. Together they shared their gift and love of music, performing in the '20's, '30's, '40'sand '50's. June was a member of the Gravity United Methodist Church and the Order of Eastern Star. She also enjoyed gardening and working with her roses. June's family was always most important to her. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. In 1991 Howard and June moved to Dallas Center to live closer to their family. Howard passed away on July 30, 2001. June is survived by a daughter Sandi Boyer and husband Ray of Dallas Center; a son, Gordon Sturm and wife Carren of Ankeny; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding June in death were her parents Frank and Nora; her husband Howard; a grandson, Michael Sturm; two granddaughters, Angel Baby and Cindy Marie; and one great-grandson, Dakota Dalton. Bedford Times-Press Wednesday February 28, 1996 DONALD BRUCE WILLIAMSON Graveside "services were held for Donald Bruce Williamson, formerly of rural Gravity, on February 23, 1996 at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Rev. Paul Evans officiated and arrangements were made through the Novinger/Taylor Funeral Home of Bedford, Iowa. Donald Bruce Williamson, the son of Bruce Alonzo and Lillian (Boyer) Williamson, was born in Bushnell, Illinois on August 10, 1921. His grandparents were Spenser [Spencer] and Jeanette (Meechem) Boyer and Alonzo and Celia (Rutledge) Williamson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Gravity working with his father until August of 1958, the year his mother died. He lived in the Glenwood State Hospital School at the age of 37. He later moved to a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa. Donald died at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Des Moines, Iowa on February 21, 1996 at the age of 74 years, six months and 11 days. Donald was preceded in death by both parents and one sister, Leila (Williamson) Henry. He is survived by one sister, Gladys (Williamson) Van Alstine of Clarinda, Iowa; and one brother Max Eldon Williamson in California. Clarinda Herald Journal Wednesday December 11, 1996 Max Williamson Max Eldon Williamson, a White Salmon, WA, resident since 1954, died Nov. 24, in Vancouver, at the age of 85. Mr. Williamson was born March 21, 1911, in Hopkins, MO, to Lillie Edna (Boyer) and Bruce A. [lonzo] Williamson. He grew up in Iowa, marrying Letha Fern Van Alstine in 1931. He was a farmer for many years in Iowa before moving to the White Salmon area in 1954. He worked for SDS Lumber Co. for many years and owned Max's Exchange, a used furniture store in downtown White Salmon for about eight years. Mr. Williamson loved to garden and he and his wife ran the senior citizen's greenhouse for 10 years. Mr. Williamson is survived by his wife, Letha, White Salmon, daughters Sue Kazmanich, Portland, OR, and Virginia Moran, White Salmon, sister, Gladys Van Alstine, Clarinda, IA, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son. No formal services were held at Mr. Williamson's request. Interment was private. Memorials may be made to the Skyline Foundation building project. |