Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[McConkey, Alfred B “Al”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 15, 1962      p. 4

ALFRED McConkey DIES TUESDAY A. M.

Funeral arrangements are pending at press time for Alfred McConkey, 76, of Bedford, who died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

[McConkey, Alfred B “Al”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 22, 1962      p. 5

A. B. McConkey Rites Nov. 17

Services for Alfred B McConkey, held November 17 in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Ivo Randels. Mr. McConkey died November 13 at Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, Ia. Interment was at Forest Grove cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa.

Alfred B McConkey, son of David K. [ennedy] and Emily J. [ane Booher] McConkey, was born Feb. 5, 1886 and passed away Nov. 13, 1962, age 76 years, 9 months and 8 days.

He was born in Corning, Iowa, but lived in Taylor County the greater part of his life.

He was married to Grace Maude Schneider Aug. 25, 1909 and to them 6 children were born of whom 3 survive. They are: Charles of Carter Lake, Ia., Delmar [Bryant] of Malvern, Ia., and Carmon Kyle of Malvern, Ia. Allgretta, Lenzo and Paul are deceased.

He was remarried to Bonnie Shad Nov. 24, 1938 and to them 8 children were born, and all are living. They are: Mrs. Frieda Bennett, Elma, Wash., Mrs. Lois [Jean] Moore, Bedford, Ia., Mrs. Myrtle [Irene] Smith, San Diego, Calif., David [Lee] of New Providence, Ia., Richard, Jerry, Roger and Rebecca of Elma, Wash.

He was a member of the Christian Church of Bedford, Ia.

The survivors include a brother, Frank, of Malvern, Ia., and another brother, David, whose address is unknown, 19 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two nephews, four nieces, numerous cousins and many, many friends.

He was a kind and considerate father, quiet and reserved in speech but withal a very friendly man.

[McConkey, Charles Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 10, 1966      p. 7

Chas. McConkey Rites in Omaha

Funeral services for Charles McConkey, 48, of Council Bluffs were held Oct. 11 at the John A. Gentleman Mortuary in Omaha. Interment was at Forest Lawn Cemetery there.

McConkey was operator of a service station in Council Bluffs. He formerly operated businesses in both Omaha and Carter Lake.

He died Oct. 8 at an Omaha hospital after several years of illness.

McConkey was a native of Bedford.

Survivors include:

Widow, Fannie; son, Charles H., Jr., of Council Bluffs; four daughters, Linda [Elaine] and Sandra McConkey, both of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Lonnie Hornborger of Omaha and Mrs. Francis Meehan of Northboro, Mass.; five grandchildren.

Mother, Mrs. M. [c] Clellon White of Malvern; brother Delmar [[Bryant] of Malvern; sister, Mrs. Wilfred Kyle of Malvern; five half brothers, four half sisters; and seven stepbrothers and sisters.

[McConkey, David Kennedy]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 17, 1910      p. 4

David K. McConkey Dead

David K. [ennedy] McConkey was born in Hopeville, Ohio, April 4, 1846, and died at his home south of Bedford March 14, 1910. Mr. McConkey was the eldest of thirteen children. In 1872 he moved from his home in Ohio to Adams county, Iowa, and living there until 1878 when he moved to Taylor county. That same year he was married to Emeline Jane Booher, and to this union three sons were born, David, Arthur [Alfred Bryant] and Francis [Valentine]. The deceased was a Christian gentleman, being a member of the holiness church at Athelstan. He was a kind and loving father and a good neighbor, who will be sadly missed by all. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of all. The funeral was held Wednesday and interment was in Forest Grove.

[McConkey, David Kennedy]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 17, 1910      p. 5

OBITUARY

David K. McConkey.

David K. [ennedy] McConkey of Jackson Township died at his home Monday of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the funeral service was held in Forest Grove church at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, interment having been in the Forest Grove cemetery. The services were conducted by Rev. D. McMasters of the First Baptist church of Bedford.

Mr. McConkey was born in Ohio, April 4, 1846. He leaves three sons and several brothers and sisters.

[McConkey, David Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 3, 1965      p. 6

David McConkey Burial Rites in Forest Grove

Graveside services for Airman 2/class David Lee McConkey, 20, former Bedford resident, were held May 26 at Forest Grove Cemetery, Bedford, with military honors by Offutt Air Force Base personnel. David died May 20 at his sister’s (Mrs. Larry Smith) home in Lemon Grove, Calif. His body was flown from the Naval Hospital in San Diego, escorted by his best friend, Lowell Garrison, to Eldora, Ia. Services were held May 26 at an Eldora funeral home with Donald E. Lavelle officiating.

David Lee McConkey, son of Alfred and Bonnie [Lucille Shad] McConkey, was born Dec. 6, 1944 in Bedford. He attended grade school in Bedford and Lenox and high school in Eldora.

He joined the Air Force in San Diego Oct. 28, 1963, taking his basic training at Shepherd Air Force Base. Later he was sent to the Air Force Base at Oxnard, Calif., where he was stationed at the time of his death.

His father, Alfred B. [ryant] McConkey, preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Peggy and son Jay of Eldora, Ia.; mother, Mrs. LeRoy Mann, Elma, Wash.; four sisters, Mrs. Darrell (Freda) Bennett, St. Joseph, Mo.; Mrs. Lois [Jean] Moore, Elma, Wash.; Mrs. Larry (Myrtle) Smith, Lemon Grove, Calif.; Becky McConkey, Elma, Wash.; three brothers, Richard, Jerry and Roger McConkey, all of Elma, Wash.; two half brothers, Charles [Henry] McConkey of Council Bluffs, Ia.; and Delmar [Bryant] McConkey of Malvern, Ia.; a half sister, Carmon Kyle of Malvern, Ia.; four nephews and three nieces; one grandmother, Sarah Shad of Loveland, Colo.

He was a member of the Bedford Christian Church.

Attending the services in Eldora and Bedford, in addition to the survivors listed above were: David’s wife’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Al Chrisman, Eldora; LeRoy Mann, Elma, Wash.; Darrell Bennett, St. Joseph; Larry Smith, Lemon Grove, Calif.; Mrs. Charles McConkey and daughter, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Murran, Council Bluffs; Mrs. Delmar McConkey and children and Frank McConkey of Malvern.

[McConkey, Francis Valentine “Frank”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 13, 1975     p. 8

Francis McConkey Dies in Malvern

Francis Valentine McConkey was born near Blockton, Iowa August 30, 1889 and died in the Hamburg Hospital October 2, 1975.

His parents ware David Kennedy McConkey and Emily J. [ane] Booher McConkey. His mother died soon after his birth. He grew to young manhood and was schooled in Taylor County. He farmed some and later worked at carpentering and painting.

Ha lived in the Blockton area after his marriage to Osa M. Melvin October 28, 1908.

He also lived in California twice and in Coin and moved to Bedford after the death of his wife, Osa. In the early 1960's he moved to Malvern where he had since lived.

Uncle Frank, as most people knew him, was known for his kindness to all and was always ready to help anyone. He had many friends in Malvern as well as everywhere he had been. His Christian deeds and goodwill to all mankind has won him everlasting memory by his friends and his deeds will be remembered by all who knew of them.

[McConkey, Paul B.]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     March 13, 1918     [p. 1]

TWO MEET DEATH FROM EXPLOSIONS

_____________________

IMPROPER HANDLING OF COAL OIL CAUSES FATALITIES

Young Baby Daughter of Al McConkey Burned to Death In Home

Careless handling of coal oil resulted in the death of two in the county since the first of the year where improper use of coal oil has been the result.

The three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Al McConkey was burned to death at their home west of Platteville Wednesday evening of last week, when her father attempted to hurry the fire along by pouring coal oil from a can into a stove. The can exploded and the room was a mass of flames. The father ran from the house and all efforts to rescue the daughter were useless. The house was destroyed and the body was not found until afterwards. The mother being in another part of the house escaped.

Funeral services were held at Forest Grove church Thursday and burial made there.

[Note: It was the young son, Paul, not the baby daughter, who was burned to death.]

[McConkey, Paul B.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      March 14, 1918     [p. 1]

TWO DEATHS RESULT FROM EXPLOSIONS

________________________

THREE DEATHS IN COUNTY FROM EXPLOSIONS IN LAST TWO MONTHS

Two Year Old Son of Mr. and Mrs. Al McConkey Burns to Death in Home

The two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Al McConkey, who recently moved on a farm in Jackson township, about 8 miles southeast of Bedford was burned to death last Wednesday evening when a can from which the father was pouring kerosene on the fire in the kitchen stove exploded, burning the home to the ground.

Mr. McConkey had started a fire in the kitchen stove, which had apparently gone out and when he poured on the kerosene an explosion resulted, throwing the burning oil over the man's clothing and setting fire to the home. Mr. McConkey ran out doors and succeeded in extinguishing the flames about his clothing and attempted to rescue the child, which had been in the kitchen with its father, from the burning building, but the fire had gained too much headway, and the horribly burned body was not recovered until several hours after the explosion.

Mrs. McConkey and two weeks old baby, who were in another room of the house, escaped uninjured. The funeral services were held at Forest Grove Thursday afternoon and interment was made in Forest Grove cemetery.

[McConkey, Paul B.]

Blockton News

Thursday      March 7, 1918     [p. 1]

Another Bad Fire

Last evening about 6 o'clock the home of Chas. Schneider, 3 miles west of Platteville, was the scene of another bad fire in which a lad between two and three years of age was burned to death.

Al McConkey, a son-in-law of Mr. Schneider, and his family, consisting of his wife and three children, were at the Schneider home, Mr. Schneider having just recently moved to the place, formerly the Jess Younkin farm.

It seems that Mr. McConkey was starting a fire, or re-kindling a fire, in the kitchen stove and in order to hurry the fire along used kerosene with the result that an explosion occurred. The lad [Paul] that was burned to death, the second child in the family, was in the kitchen with his father and failed to escape from the burning building. Mr. McConkey was badly burned about the hands and face.

The house and contents were destroyed.

[McConkey, Richard Isaac]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 13, 1972      p. 2

Richard McConkey Killed in Truck Accident in Kans.

Richard I. [saac] McConkey, 22, former resident of Bedford, was killed March 26, 1972, in Kansas. He was driving a loaded cattle truck for Mel Brown Motor Express of Sioux City, Ia. A car pulled in front of him and in order to miss it he went off the road.

Funeral services were held March 29 at Cherokee, Iowa.

Richard was born October 14, 1949.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred [Bryant] McConkey of Bedford and one brother, David [Lee] McConkey.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Meriden, Iowa; mother, Mrs. Bonnie Mann, Montesano, Wash., formerly of Bedford; two brothers and four sisters, Jerry, Roger, and Becky, Montesano, Wash.; Mrs. Darrell (Freda) Bennett, Oakland, Calif., Mrs. Eldon (Lois) Borden, Elma, Wash., and Mrs. Larry (Myrtle) Smith, El Cajon, Calif.; two half sisters and one half brother, Tammy Mann, Montesano, Mrs. Carmon Kyle, and Delmar [Bryant] McConkey, Malvern, Ia.; grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Shad, Creston; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Mason, Charles M. “Charley”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 9, 1943     [p. 1]

Charley Mason, 57, Dies At Farm Home

Charles Mason, 57, farmer residing seven miles southeast of Bedford, near Forest Grove church, was found dead by his wife about 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, December 5, a .22 long rifle bullet having entered his temple, self-inflicted.

Mr. Mason had been in poor health for a number of years. A recent X-ray examination that was not encouraging is believed to have brought on the act.

Charles M. Mason, son of Frank and Amanda [Kemery] Mason, was born in Taylor county July 12, 1886.

He is survived by his wife and three brothers, Ed Mason and Jess Mason of Austin, Minn., and Bert Mason of Polo, Mo. One sister, Mrs. Ernest Cooper, preceded him in death.

On Feb. 23, 1910 he was married to Gertrude M. [ary] Straight. For the past thirty years he had been engaged in farming. All his life was spent in Jackson Township.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Note: World War I draft registration card gives his birth date as July 12, 1887.]

[Mason, Gertrude Mary Straight]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 11, 1953     [p. 1]

Rites Held For Mrs. Gertrude Mason

Mrs. Gertrude Mason, a resident of Bedford and Taylor county all of her life, died at her home in Bedford June 5, after a short illness.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred Cowles. Burial was in Forest Grove cemetery.

Gertrude Mary Straight, daughter of Wm. Curtis and Ida M. [ay Stoner] Straight, was born in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Iowa, Sept. 30, 1886 and died at the age of 66 years, eight months, five days.

On Feb. 23, 1910 she was married to Charley Mason. They established their home in Jackson Township where they lived until Mr. Mason's death, when she moved into Bedford, and has made her home here since.

She was active in the Forest Grove Baptist church and the community women's club. She enjoyed her home and took great pleasure in her flowers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who died Dec. 5, 1943; her parents and one brother.

She is survived by two brothers: Truman Straight of Bedford, Jess Straight of Sheridan, Mo.; four sisters: Mrs. George Crilly of Campbell, Miss Ella Straight of Bedford, Mrs. Ben Fent of Blockton, Mrs. Paul Bartlett, of Bedford.

[Midyett, Laura Ann Straight]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     August 11, 1904      [p. 1]

Death of Mrs. Midyett

Word reached Bedford Monday of the death of Mrs. D. B. [Benjamin Dillon] Midyett [Laura Ann Straight] at her home in Jackson Township, she having been sick several months. Mr. Midyett has surely seen some hard lines during the last year, among other things having been struck by lightning and badly hurt early in the spring. This last blow comes the hardest of all.

[Midyett, Laura Ann Straight]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      August 11, 1904     [p. 1]

Laid to Rest

Mrs. Laura Anna Midyett, nee Straight, died at her home, in Jackson township, 11 miles southeast of Bedford, on Monday, Aug. 8th. The funeral was held at the residence on Tuesday, and was conducted by Rev. Jones assisted by Rev. Furgeson, both of Bedford. The music was furnished by the Sheridan choir, and the pallbearers were ladies from the same place. A large number of friends were present to pay their last respects. Interment was at Forest Grove cemetery.

Deceased came to Taylor county with her parents when only two years of age. On October 21st, 1875 she was united in marriage to B. [enjamin] D. [illon] Midyett, and her husband and three children survive her.

[Midyett, Laura Ann Straight]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      August 11, 1904       p. 7

Tuesday's Items

The funeral of Mrs. Laura Midyett, wife of Ben. Midyett, who died yesterday, was held at the home in Jackson Township at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. Jones, pastor of the Baptist church conducted the services.

[Miller, Deacon Enos]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 9, 1947      p. 2

SHERIDAN

Deacon Miller Dies

Deacon E. [nos] Miller, 76, died in the St. Francis hospital at Maryville Thursday, September 25, following a lingering illness. The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, September 27 at the Methodist church. Rev. Tschetter officiating. Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

He is survived by a brother, Port Miller of Conway.

[Moler, Lloyd Francis]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 23, 1931      p. 7

Lloyd Frances Moler

Lloyd Frances Moler, son of Elmer and Mary Moler, was born in Worth County, Mo., Aug. 25, 1928, and passed away April 10, 1931, at the age of 2 years, 7 months and 16 days. He died from burns caused from some unknown origin while he and his little brother were playing in the yard. His parents saw him on fire but were unable to extinguish the flames before he was beyond medical aid. Everything possible was done to relieve his suffering. He leaves to mourn his death, his parents, and three brothers; also four grandparents, and a host of relatives and friends.

The funeral services were conducted from the Redding Methodist Church, Sunday afternoon, April 12th, by Rev. W. H. Warrior, and interment was made in the Redding cemetery.

[MOLER, LLOYD FRANCIS]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, April 16, 1931
Death Results from Burns
Lloyd Moler, the 2 ½ year old son of Elmer Moler and wife of east of Gay Center, was fatally burned on Wednesday evening of last week while playing around where his mother was burning trash, getting too near the fire and his clothing catching on fire. The little fellow died from the burns received Friday evening.

[MOLER, LLOYD FRANCIS]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, April 16, 1931
Obituary – Loyd Francis Moles [Moler] was born near Redding August 25, 1928 and died at the home of [his] parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Moler east of Gay Center, Friday evening, April 10, 1931, aged 2 years, 7 months and 16 days.
He died from burns caused by some unknown origin while playing in the yard. His father and mother both saw him on fire but were unable to extinguish the flames before he was beyond medical aid. All was done to relieve his suffering by kind and loving relatives and friends.
He leaves to mourn his death, his father and mother; three brothers, Charles Martin, Ivan Edward and Benjamin Lee; four grandparents and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the M. E. church in Redding Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock conducted by Rev. Warrior and interment was made in the Redding cemetery.

 

[Owen, Perry Wilbur]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 23, 1931      p. 7

Perry W. Owen

Perry W. [ilbur] Owen of Clarinda, a former resident of Bedford, passed away at his home in Clarinda last week He was but 59 years of age and it was not generally known here that he had been sick. He had been one of Clarinda’s leading businessmen for many years and his passing caused general sorrow in the community. He is survived by his mother, one son, one daughter, seven brothers, besides other relatives and a large circle of friends who deeply mourn his death. The seven brothers acted as pallbearers at the funeral.

[Straight, Ella]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 28, 1959    p. 4

miss ella straight died here friday

Miss Ella Straight, a native of Taylor County, died here Friday, May 22 after a long illness.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Monday afternoon, May 25, with Rev. E. M. McGehee of the Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial in Forest Grove cemetery.

Ella S. Straight, daughter of William C. [urtis] and Ida M. [ay Stoner] Straight, was born August 30, 1891 in Jackson Township, Taylor County and passed away at the age of 67 years, three months, 10 days.

She is survived by three sisters, Mrs. George Crilly of Campbell, Nebraska, Mrs. Edith Fent of Blockton, Mrs. Paul Bartlett of Bedford; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Fern Straight of Blockton, Mrs. Marjorie Straight of Sheridan; two brothers-in-law, George Crilly of Campbell, Nebr., and Paul Bartlett of Bedford, several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister.

She taught school for three years, then spent 18 years as a private secretary in Des Moines, illness causing her resignation.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Order of the Eastern Star and White Shrine in Des Moines.

[Straight, Ida May Stoner]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 21, 1938      [p. 1]

Mrs. W. C. Straight Dies; Funeral Friday

Mrs. W. [illiam] C. [urtis] Straight [Ida May Stoner], a resident of Bedford and community for many years, died at her home Wednesday morning, April 20.

The funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, April 22, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick. Burial will be in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[Straight, Ida May Stoner]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 28, 1938      p. 8

Mrs. Wm. C. Straight

Mrs. Wm. C. [urtis] Straight [Ida May], daughter of Amos and Helen [Smither] Stoner, was born in Delaware County, Iowa, Nov. 18, 1866 and died at her home in Bedford, Wednesday, April 20, at the age of 72 years, 5 months and 2 days.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick and burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

She received her education in Taylor County and taught in the rural schools before her marriage to William C. [urtis] Straight on Sept. 21, 1884. To them were born eight children: Mrs. Gertrude M. [ary] Mason of Bedford; Charles W. Straight, deceased; Mrs. Mae I. Crilly of Campbell, Nebr.; Miss Ella Straight of Bedford; Truman Straight of Blockton; Mrs. Edith Fent of Blockton; Jesse Straight of Bedford; Mrs. Ethel Bartlett of Bedford.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sept. 10, 1920; one son, Charles, Jan. 5, 1936; and one grandchild, Edwin.

Surviving with the seven children are 13 grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Clara E. [llen] Larison of Bedford.

She was a good mother and was always willing to minister to sick relatives and friends. The greater part of her married life was spent on a farm in Jackson Township, moving to Bedford in 1920.

[Weaver, Dicy Ferne Golliday]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 23, 1931      p. 7

Mrs. Raymond Weaver

Dicy Ferne Golliday, daughter of Abner and Martha Golliday, was born March 13, 1901, at Benton, Iowa, and departed this life at University Hospital, Iowa City, Ia., April 14, 1931, aged 30 years, 1 month and 1 day She was united in marriage to Raymond Weaver. To this union was born three children, Marie, Duane and Thelma Maxine. She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband and children and one stepchild, Iona; also her mother and four brothers, besides other relatives and a host of friends. She united with the Christian Church of Benton in early life. She was a devoted wife and mother and took such a great interest in her children and home.

The funeral services were held in the Athelstan Baptist Church, April 16, 1931, conducted by Challie E. Graham, and the remains laid to rest in the Athelstan cemetery.

[WEAVER, DICY FERNE GOLLIDAY]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, April 16, 1931
Mrs. Raymond Weaver Dead.
Mrs. Raymond Weaver, who was taken to the University hospital in Iowa City three weeks ago last Friday, died at the hospital at 3:30 Tuesday morning. Mrs. Weaver was a sister of Earl Golliday of this place. Funeral services will be held at Athelstan.