Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu
 
[Amrine, Stephen Kinney]

Blockton News

Thursday      September 3, 1914     [p. 1]

F. [rank] S. [tephen] Amrine was called to Brush, Colorado, the first of last week by the fatal illness of his father, S. [tephen] K. [inney] Amrine, who passed away on Wednesday evening after he arrived there. His father was 74 years of age, an old soldier and formerly lived in the vicinity of Conway. Mr. Amrine remained over several days, having three brothers and two sisters living in that locality, and also visited with our former citizen, Amos Ford and wife. He reports the crops in [rest of sentence unreadable].

[AMRINE, STEPHEN KINNEY]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, August 31, 1939
Twenty-Five Years Ago – S. L. Amrine, father of F. S. Amrine, died at Brush, Colorado, Aug. 26 at the age of 74 years.

[Barnum, Ed B.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 31, 1901    p. 8

Ed. B. Barnum Dead

Word reaches us from Texas that Ed. B. Barnum died December 18 at El Paso. He was a son of John Q. Barnum, of Alvin, Texas. This family lived in Bedford a number of years ago, and Ed. Barnum attended the Bedford schools. The Bedford friends of this family will regret to hear of the death of Ed.

[Edwards, Thomas Jefferson]

Thursday     March 12, 1925    p. 4

Those from a distance here Tuesday to attend the funeral of T. [homas] J.[efferson] Edwards were his son, W. [illiam] H. Edwards of Amhurst, Nebr; Leon Canon of Maryville, Mo; Dan Hayes and wife of Randolph, Iowa; J. Sullivan and family of Shenandoah; and Harold Stephens of Shenandoah.

[Ewart, Virgil]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    April 12, 1906    p. 12

Virgil, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. John [Calvin] Ewart [Josephine Helen Kemery] of Jackson Township, after a long hard struggle for life, passed away April 4, 1906. Little Virgil was a beautiful child, idolized by those who knew him. These parents have laid up one of the greatest treasures possible with Christ. Funeral services held at Forest Grove April 5 and remains laid away in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Ewart, Virgil]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    April 12, 1906    [p. 1]

Another Child Gone

Little Virgil, son of Mr. and Mrs. John [Calvin] Ewart  [Josephine Helen Kemery], of Jackson Township, after a long, hard struggle for life, passed away April 4, 1906. Virgil was but 10 months and 6 days old when he was called. He was a beautiful child and idolized by all who knew him. It is hard to give up these little ones while so young and tender. There are but few things to comfort our heart under these circumstances. However, we will commit them into the hands of Him who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Christ has taken this little one to Himself to reserve for those who are to follow.

After the services conducted by A. I. Jones in the Forest Grove church the remains were laid to rest in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Hamilton, Maud Bailie]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     June 25, 1925      [p. 1]

MRS. ERNEST HAMILTON DIED THURSDAY NOON

Mrs. Ernest Hamilton [Maud Bailie] of Bedford died at her home last Thursday, and funeral, services were held Sunday. Full obituary will be printed next week.

The Times-Republican

Thursday    July 2, 1925    [p.4]

Maude Bailie Hamilton

Maude Bailie Hamilton, daughter of William and Nancy [Hoover] Bailie, was born in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Iowa, July 29, 1876.

Following an uneventful girlhood she was married Oct. 16th, 1901 to Ernest Hamilton of the same neighborhood.  For the last ten or twelve years of her life, Mrs. Hamilton had suffered from a slowly increasing weakness, and for the last two years had been quite unable to walk, relief from this sore affliction coming just at noon June 18, 1925.

The deceased is survived by her husband and two sisters, Mrs. Walter McCormick [Blanche] of Amarillo, Tex., and Mrs. Roy Meikle [Madge] of Bedford.  Services and interment given at Forest Grove Chapel under the ministry of Rev. Paul G. Luce, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bedford, Ia., assisted by members of the choir.      

[HAMILTON, MAUD BAILIE]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, June 25, 1925
SOUTHWEST – the entire community was shocked Thursday by the sudden death of Mrs. Ernest Hamilton, formerly Miss Maude Bailey [Bailie]. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon and interment was made in Forest Grove cemetery.  

[Haun, Calvin H.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    July 8, 1913    p. 4

Calvin Haun Dead

Calvin [H.] Haun, an old settler of Jackson township, died at the home of his son Charles in Sheridan, Mo., last Monday at the age of 77. Funeral services were held at the Forest Grove church Wednesday conducted by Rev. Smith of Sheridan. Interment was in the Forest Grove cemetery where his wife, who died several years ago is buried.

[HAUN, CALVIN H.]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, July 8, 1913
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davidson who came from their home in Nebraska to attend the funeral of Mrs. Davidson's father, Calvin Haun, at Sheridan, Mo., last week, visited a day or two with their old friends in the vicinity of Bedford.

[Haun, Edward Oran]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 10, 1949     p. 5

Edward Haun Buried Saturday

Edward [Oran] Haun, 54 [64], a resident of the community south of Bedford died in St. Joseph, Missouri, Thursday, February 3.

The funeral services were held at the Forest Grove Church Saturday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. Vernon Wheeler, pastor of the Hopkins Methodist Church. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Haun, Edward Oran]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 17, 1949     p. 4

Obituary - E. O. Haun

Edward Oran Haun, son of John and Elizabeth [Schneider] Haun, was born [in Missouri] May 26, 1894 and passed away at the St. Joseph Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo., at the age of 64 years, 8 months, 7 days. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and one sister.

He is survived by two brothers, Henry Haun of Hopkins and Alva Haun of Bedford; one sister, Eva [Etta] Meyers [Myers] of St. Joseph; and one nephew, John Myers of Hopkins. Early in life he became a member of the Maple Grove church.

The funeral services were held at the Forest Grove Church conducted by Rev. J. Vernon Wheeler of Hopkins. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Note: Source of birth place: Missouri State Death Certificate]

[Haun, Samuel A. F. “Sam”]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     November 3, 1904     p. 4

—After a long sickness, Sam Haun died at the home of his father, Calvin Haun, in Jackson Township, aged 40 years. Rev. Jones conducted the funeral services in woodman hall.

[Haun, Samuel A. F. “Sam”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      November 3, 1904      p. 7

Death of Samuel Haun

Samuel Haun, died at the home of his father, Calvin Haun in Jackson Township yesterday at 12 o'clock, age 40 years. The deceased has been an invalid for twenty years and his death was by no means unexpected, though nonetheless the cause of sorrow to his friends.

The funeral was held today at 1 p. m. at Woodman Hall, the Rev. A. J. Jones officiating.

[Hays, Benjamin Lysander]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 10, 1938      p. 4

Sudden death of B. [enjamin] L. [ysander] Hays, 58, coal miner in the Clarinda community for years and officer in the Odd Fellow lodge at that place, came suddenly Tuesday, Oct. 18, as dinner was on the table waiting for his return from the yard. He reached the kitchen door and fell, never regaining consciousness.

An autopsy showed the lining of his heart had been affected. He had been forced to remain home for several days from effects of illness, believed at that time to be from black damp in the mine. But a pathologist from Des Moines made the autopsy to find the cause, finding the heart rather than lungs affected.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Walker Funeral Home, the Odd Fellow lodge being in charge at the request of his nephews. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery southeast of Bedford.

Mr. Hays, while unmarried, has credit of assisting in rearing a fine family of six boys. He has made his home with the family of his brother Will since the latter's death many years ago. He has been like a father to the boys, seeing them through high school, including the youngest, Mernie, who is a senior this year.

HAYS, BENJAMIN LYSANDER]
Clarinda Herald Journal (Clarinda, Iowa), Monday, October 31, 1938, p. 30
Bengman L Hays
Bengman L Hays, son of Thomas R and Martha A Hays, was born in Taylor county, Iowa, Aug 6, 1880, and passed away at his home in Clarinda, Ia, Oct 18, 1938, at the age of 58 years, 2 months and 12 days.

He has been a faithful member of the Odd Fellow lodge 20 years.

Left to mourn his death are two sisters and two brothers, T I Hays of Shenandoah, Mrs Grover Hughes of Clarinda, J D Hays of Des Moines, and Mrs Walter Hardee of Villisca, also several nieces, nephews, and a host o£ relatives and friends.

The funeral services were conducted at the Walker Funeral Home by Rev G F Tackett of Nebraska City, Nebr. Interment was made in the Hoover cemetery southeast of Bedford. Pallbearers were Loyd Heller, Harley Pearson, Ernest Pearson, Will W McClelland, Guy Fulk, and G Hipsley.

 

 

[Hays, Thomas Edwin “Ed”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 26, 1914     [p. 1]

Ed Hayes Dead

Ed Hayes [Hays], one of the best known of Jackson township farmers, died at his home Tuesday night, after an illness of about a month. Funeral services will be held at Forest Grove church at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. John A. Currie of Bedford. Interment will be [made at Forest Grove cemetery.]

 

[Hays, Thomas Edwin “Ed”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 5, 1914    p. 5

Edwin Hayes.

Thomas Edwin Hays was born Oct. 28, 1856 in Jackson township, Taylor county, Iowa. He resided on a farm in the same township with his mother, brothers and sisters.

Upon the death of his father in 1873, he bravely took up the burden of making a home and keeping the family together, not thinking of himself, but always of the welfare of those who were dependent upon him. He was partially an invalid from childhood and suffered in silence without complaint, few realizing what he had to endure.

He departed this life February 24, 1914, aged 57 years, 3 months and 27 days.

The funeral was held at the Forest Grove church, Sunday March 1, at 2 p. m., and the services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie. Interment was made in the Forest Grove cemetery, the I. O. O. F. order of Bedford having charge of the burial.

The deceased leaves to mourn his loss, his aged mother, four sisters, Mrs. William [Horatio] Mitchell [Mary Jane], Parnell, Mo., Mrs. W. A. Forbes, Stanton, Neb., Mrs. H. [enry] F. [rancis] Dunlavy [Nora Beatrice], Bedford and Mrs. E. [lias] A.[ndrew]  Kemery [Ermina], Bedford, one brother, William Hayes, Bedford, besides many relatives and friends.

[HAYS, THOMAS EDWIN "ED"]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, February 26, 1914
Ed Hayes, one of the best known of Jackson township farmers, died at his home Tuesday night after an illness of about a month. Funeral services will be held at Forest Grove church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. John A. Currie of Bedford.  Interment will be in the Forest Grove cemetery.
[Note: The last name is spelled Hays on the family headstone.]

[Kemery, Alonzo “Lon”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      May 23, 1946     p. 7

ATHElstAN

Lon Kemery Dies

Lon [Alonzo] Kemery, former resident here, now of Lenox, died at the home of his son, Roy Kemery in Lenox Saturday. The funeral services were held at Forest Grove church Monday afternoon. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Kemery, Alonzo “Lon”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      May 23, 1946     p. 8

Obituary - Alonzo Kemery

Alonzo Kemery was born near Bedford, Iowa, March 12, 1874, and died at his home in Lenox, Saturday, May 18, at the age of 72 years, 2 months and 16 days.

His life was spent in farming and doing blacksmith work. In later years he spent his time caring for the garden and keeping the yard. He was busy up to the last days of his life, and had always enjoyed reasonable health.

He is survived by one son, Roy Kemery of Lenox; three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Bownes of Nevada, Missouri, Mrs. Eunice Adams of Chariton, Missouri, and Mrs. Florence Adams of Parnell, Missouri. Also by five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Forest Grove church Monday, May 20, at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. Robert Kinnersley. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Kemery, Elizabeth Sarah “Lizzie”]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     August 8, 1907    p. 5

The youngest child of Joe Kemery's died Saturday night with cholera infantum, and the funeral took place at Forest Grove Monday at 2 o'clock.

[Kemery, Elizabeth Sarah “Lizzie”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     August 15, 1907      p. 5

Obituary

Died at her home in Jackson Township, Elizabeth Sarah, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Kemery, aged 2 years and 12 days. She died very sudden only being sick eight days with cholera infantum. The funeral services were held at Forest Grove church by Rev. J. T. Parker, assisted by Rev. N. E. Burroughs. The remains were laid to rest in the Forest Grove cemetery.

Darling Lizzie how we miss you

And our hearts are sad and sore,

When we would embrace and kiss you,

Your loved form we see no more;

Though for only two brief summers,

You filled our home with sunshine,

In your hours of wake or slumber,

You were in our hearts enshrined;

But the Master came to bring you,

Take you to His home above;

Where we will one day meet you

Through a Savior's tender love.

Written by an Aunt.

[Kemery, Fred]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       May 23, 1907      p. 4

The remains of Fred Kemery arrived in Bedford Sunday night from Washington and the funeral took place Monday at the Forest Grove church at 2 p. m., conducted by Rev. Price, of the Christian church of Bedford.

[Kemery, Fred]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       May 23, 1907      p. 12

Wm. Flick and W. M. Emerson arrived Sunday evening from Chelan, Wash., with the remains of Fred Kemery for burial. Mr. Flick will probably remain in Taylor County until fall and supervise the rebuilding of his farmhouse, which recently burned. Mr. Emerson is an attorney and formerly lived near Isadora, Mo., having left there fifteen years ago for Washington. After visiting in this locality until the end of the month he will return home.

[Kemery, Fred]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       May 23, 1907      p. 12

Fred Kemery Dead

Fred Kemery was born in Taylor County in August 1871 and died at Lakeside, Wash., May 13, 1907. He left here for Washington this spring and had been living there but a short time when he was taken ill, the cause of death being given as uremia. The remains were brought here Sunday evening, accompanied by Wm. Flick and W. M. Emerson, and the body laid to rest Monday at Forest Grove Cemetery, where Elder Edgar Price preached the funeral sermon. The burial was under the auspices of the I. 0. 0. F., of which order he was an honored member and the local lodge attended in a body and members from the lodges of Athelstan, Blockton and Sheridan attending, there being about 100 present. Also a large number from the Rebekah lodge of Blockton of which he was a member.

Mr. Kemery has grown to manhood in Jackson Township and his large number of friends testifies to his personal popularity. When the Spanish-American war required volunteers company I. from Bedford was already filled but his anxiety to be of service to the country he loved so well impelled him to look further and he enlisted with Co. K. of Corning He went to the Philippines with his company and distinguished himself for bravery and an excellent soldier. He stayed there until compelled by sickness to return to his home. Early this spring he went to Washington more for the benefit of his health than anything else.

He leaves one brother, Albert and two sisters, Mrs. Fannie Brown of Jackson Township and Mrs. Rose Hopkins near New Market. He also leaves four half-brothers, Frank, Mont, Lynn and Delay, and three half-sisters, Miss Mable Kemery, Mrs. Bess McCormick and Mrs. Jennie Trumbo, to mourn his loss, his parents having preceded him. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of all.

[Kemery, Fred]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    May 16, 1907    p. 4

A telegram was received here Tuesday telling of the death of Fred Kemery, in Washington, where he went some time ago. The body will be shipped to Taylor County for interment but it is not yet known when it will arrive. The deceased was born and raised in Jackson township, and has many friends there to whom the news of his death will cause the most sincere sorrow.

[Kemery, Fred]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    May 23, 1907    p. 3

The body of Fred Kemery who died in Washington arrived here Sunday night and was buried at Forest Grove Monday. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Price at Forest Grove church. The obsequies were in charge of the Odd Fellows lodge of Athelstan. There was a misunderstanding about when the body would arrive and but few in Bedford knew when it came. Never the less the attendance at the funeral was very large.

[Kemery, Mary Catherine Anders]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     September 12, 1901    [p. 1]

Obituary.

Mary Catherine Kemery died at her home in Jackson Township, September 3rd, 1901, at 8:30 a. m. of consumption. She was a patient sufferer, a good mother and grandmother.

She was aged 65 years, 6 months and 11 days. Mary Catherine Andrews [Anders] was married to Daniel Kemery in the year 1855, in Lee County, Iowa, and came to Taylor County the fall of the same year, and has resided there ever since. To this union was born 10 children, of whom six are living and were present at the burial of their mother, two sons and four daughters and eighteen grandchildren, all living.

Deceased was a good neighbor and will be greatly missed in the community where she lived.

[Kemery, Sarah Ann Slater]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 9, 1931    p. 6

PASSING EVENTS OF LOCAL INTEREST FROM CONWAY

Mr. and Mrs. W. [illiam] F. [rederick] Osmond [Isabelle Slater] received a message early Thursday morning telling them of the death of Mrs. Osmond's sister, Mrs. Joe Kemery [Sarah Ann Salter] of Savannah, Mo. Mr and Mrs. Osmond left on the early morning train.

[Kemery, Sarah Ann Slater]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 23, 1931    p. 7

Mrs. Joseph H. Kemery

Sarah Ann Slater, daughter of James and Mary Slater, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 14, 1877, and departed this life April 2, 1931, at her home in Savannah, Mo., at the age of 54 years, 1 month and 18 days. She came to this country with her parents at the age of 11 years, and settled on a farm near Bedford, Iowa. She was married to Joseph H. Kemery, Sept. 7, 1894. To this union five children were born, the youngest, Sarah Elizabeth, having passed away in infancy. She united with the Methodist church at Sheridan, Worth County, Mo., and after moving to Savannah in 1911, she placed her membership with the M E. Church, South, and on account of poor health was unable to attend for some years. She is survived, by her husband and four children, Mary Jane Rogers of Rea; Alexander Henry of St. Joseph; May Campbell of Savannah, Mo.; Margaret Isabel Leador of King City, Mo.; one brother, Alexander Slater of St. Joseph, Mo.; two sisters, Mrs. Jas. Roady of Glasgow, Scotland, and Mrs. Fred Osmond [Isabelle] of Conway, Ia.; five grandchildren, and other relatives.

The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, April 11, at 2:30 o'clock, at the Savannah, Mo., M. E. Church, South, conducted by Rev. Frank of Mapel. Interment was made in the Savannah cemetery.

[Killion, Samuel]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 18, 1912     p. 8

Word has been received here of the death of Samuel Killion, which occurred at Houston, Texas, last week. The remains were brought to Bolckow, Mo., for burial. He is the brother of William and Jesse Killion, of this city, and will be remembered by many of the older residents of the county. The friends of the Killion brothers will extend their sympathy to them in their bereavement.

[King, Isaac]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     June 11, 1903      [p. 1]

ISAac KING DEAD

An Old Colored Man of This County, Once A Slave, Has Gone Where The Lash Is Not Felt.

Isaac King, an old and highly respected citizen of this county, was buried in Blockton, yesterday, where he has resided for the past fourteen years. He has been a long time resident of Jackson township. He entered the last piece of government land in this county. He was a very aged man; his exact age is not known but his knowledge of past events and his recollection of experiences indicate a good old age. He was well known and highly respected in this part of the country. He has had a hard row to hoe in life both in slavery and since. He died almost in destitute circumstances, as he has not been able to work for years.

[Mann, Bonnie Lucille Shad McConkey]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      May 26, 1999     p. 5

Bonnie (McConkey) Mann

Funeral services for Bonnie (McConkey) Mann, age 77, who died May 17, 1999 in Portland, Oregon were held on May 22,1999 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford with Pastor Bob Thompson officiating. Burial was held in the Forest Grove Cemetery. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Bonnie Lucille was born in Adair County, Iowa January 19, 1922. She is the fifth child of nine born to Isaac and Sarah Shad. Bonnie went to Washington Center, a little country school, where she completed seventh grade. At the age of sixteen, Bonnie married Alfred [Bryant] McConkey on November 24, 1938. She and Alfred had eight children, four boys and four girls. They resided in Taylor County their entire life together. After Alfred's death in 1962 she moved to the State of Washington. In 1965 she married Leroy Mann, who had three daughters from his first marriage. Another daughter was born to Bonnie and Leroy. Combining hers, his and theirs, Bonnie raised twelve children in all. Bonnie has twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She also has six stepchildren and many step grandchildren from her marriage to Alfred McConkey.

Bonnie was a member of the Albany, Missouri Baptist Church. She was an officer of the Albany Senior Center, a job she took much pride in.

In July of 1993 Bonnie moved to Summerville, South Carolina to be with her son, Jerry McConkey. As her health deteriorated she moved to the Sunshine Unit of Hallmark Health Center on March 2, 1994. Even though she was in a wheelchair, her favorite activity was basketball, and she won the gold medal for the Senior Olympics in May of 1994.

You would think when you are paralyzed on the left side and confined to a wheelchair, you would stay put...Not Bonnie. In August of 1995 she moved to Portland, Oregon to be with her daughter, Lois, where she remained until May 17, 1999 the day of her death.

Bonnie is survived by many family members. She has nine children of her own and three step children. Her children are Freda Bennett of Grandview, Missouri, Lois Potts and husband Cliff of Portland, Oregon, (Myrtle) Irene Smith and husband Larry of Gravity, Jerry McConkey of Gravity, Roger McConkey and wife Lupe of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Becky Deahl and husband Larry of Gravity, and Tammy Holderbaugh and husband Irvin of Ocean Shores, Washington. Her husband Alfred McConkey, her sons, David [Lee] and Richard [Isaac] McConkey and one granddaughter, Sheri Bennett, preceded her in death. Bonnie is the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Shad who also have preceded her in death.

Bonnie worked until the age of 70 caring for all kinds of people from nursing homes to the position of house parent in boys group homes, to individual care at people's homes and cooked in a day care center in Albany, Missouri. Bonnie's life slowed down after suffering a stroke during an open-heart surgery in 1992. Though her quality of life changed, she was still ornery as ever.

Bonnie raised her children with a firm hand and was successful in that role, as all of them have grown up to be decent, hardworking, loving, caring and honest individuals.

Our lives have been touched by a wonderful woman who has been there for our ups and downs. She will live on in our memories and never be forgotten.