Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[Davison, Harvey Eugene]

Lenox Time Table

Wednesday    January 7, 1987    p. 2

Davison rites held in Lenox

Funeral services for Harvey E. [ugene] Davison, 88, were held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 29 at Coen-Beaty Funeral Home in Lenox. The Rev. Elmer West officiated and burial was in Lexington Cemetery in Taylor County.

A retired farmer, Mr. Davison died Dec. 26 in Bedford.

He was born Feb. 5, 1898, in Hopkins, Mo., a son of Robert [Harvey] and Belle [Margaret] Laskey Davison.

He and Sarah B. [eatrice] Tall [Toll] were married April 27, 1921, in Maryville, Mo.

They farmed in Missouri and later near Prescott, moving to Lenox in 1979. Mrs. Davison died in 1983.

Mr. Davison was a member of the First Christian Church in Lenox.

He leaves four sons, Herman [Ray] of Modesto, Calif., Harley of Vanduser, Mo., Donald of Monroeville, Pa., and Jerry of Perris, Calif.; two daughters, Leota Pfeiffer of Yuma, Ariz., and Karen Gustad of Jeffers, Minn.; two brothers, Harlan of Hopkins and Archis of Bedford; a sister, Lula Carmichael of Hopkins; 28 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Summerhays, two sisters, a brother and two grandchildren.

[Davison, Sarah Beatrice Toll]

Wednesday     December 28, 1983     p. 4

Final Rites Dec. 27 For Sarah Davison

Final rites for Sarah (Mrs. Harvey) Davison of Lenox were held Tuesday, December 27 at the First Christian Church in Lenox at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Elmer West officiated. Interment was in the Lexington Cemetery at Bedford.

Mrs. Davison, age 82, died at her home on Thursday evening, December 22.

Visitation was held at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox on Monday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church.

[Davison, Sarah Beatrice Toll]

Lenox Time Table

Wednesday      January 4, 1984     p. 4

Final Rites Dec. 27 For Sarah Davison

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, December 27 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Lenox for Sarah Beatrice Davison.

Sarah was the daughter of Ben D. and Mary E. Powell Tall [Toll] and was born April 28, 1901 in Bedford, Iowa. She died at her home in Lenox on December 22, 1983 after a lengthy illness at the age of 82 years, 7 months and 24 days.

Sarah was united in marriage with Harvey Eugene Davison on April 27, 1921 in Maryville, Missouri. During the first years of their marriage, the couple resided in the Bedford area, moving to Prescott in 1941. They resided there and farmed until moving to Lenox four years ago.

Mrs. Davison was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Betty Summerhays; two sons-in-law, John Summerhays and William Worrell; two sisters, Ethel Blancord and Vinnie Skinner; one brother, Claudie Tall [Toll]: two grandchildren, Eddie Davison and Roger Jon Summerhays; and several great grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Harvey of the Bedford Manor in Bedford, Iowa; six children, Herman [Ray] and wife, Bernice of Modesto, California; Leota Phiffer [Pfeiffer] and husband, Frank of Yuma, Arizona; Harley and wife, Tilda of Vanduser, Missouri; Donald and wife, Betty Lou of Monroeville, Pennsylvania: Jerry and wife, Sharon of Perris, California; and Karen Gustad and husband, Dennis of Jeffers, Minnesota; 26 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Sarah was an active member of the Lenox Christian Church as long as her health permitted and was a member of the Prescott Methodist Church prior to that. She loved and took pride in her family around which she centered her entire life.

She will be remembered for her plants, gardening, crocheting and sewing, and the many lovely pieces she gave to others with love. She always gave of herself to others.

Final rites were conducted on December 27 at the Lenox Christian Church with the Reverend Elmer West officiating.

Music was by Billie Jean Barker and Marilyn Beck, vocalists. Norma Paymal was organist. Selections were "How Great Thou Art" and "The Lord is My Shepherd".

Casket bearers were Joe Harvey, Bob Summerhays, Jim Thrascher, Larry Hansen, Kevin Smith, and Dennis Gustad.

Interment was in the Lexington Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa. A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church in Lenox.

[Greeson, Daniel Monroe]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     July 1, 1909     p. 4

D. M. Greeson

J. F. Denser is in receipt of a letter telling of the death of D. [aniel] M. [onroe] Greeson, which occurred at his home in Kokomo, Ind., Tuesday. Mr. Greeson was for many years a resident of this county, having lived in Ross township nearly a quarter of a century. He left here some eight years ago and has since been residing in Indiana. His death was due to paralysis.

[Greeson, Daniel Monroe]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    July 8, 1909     p.  4

OBITUARY

Daniel Monroe Greeson

Daniel Monroe Greeson was born in Gilford County, North Carolina, January 8, 1831. When he was one year old his parents moved to Morgan County, Indiana, where his boyhood years were spent.

When a young man he was devoted to educational pursuits, and was a schoolmaster in the pioneer days. While visiting his brothers, David and George Greeson, in this county, he became acquainted with Charity Ellen Terrell of Alto, who became his wife January 1, 1862.

Their first home was in Morgan County, Indiana, where they remained until 1865, when they moved to Taylor County, Iowa. They lived in the west until 1899, at which time they returned to Howard County, establishing themselves at Alto.

Mr. Greeson is survived by his wife and three sons.  The latter are Richmond Arthur Greeson of Turon, Kansas, Edward C. [aresso] Greeson of Parsons, Kansas and Charles F. [rancis] Greeson of Chicago, Ill.

When Mr. Greeson was twenty years of age he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and was an active and devoted member throughout the remainder of his life. No man had aught to say against him as a neighbor and friend. Few men lead lives as free as was his from little faults and unworthy ambitions.

Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church at Alto at 2 o'clock this afternoon, which was very dear to the heart of the deceased, and which he supported faithfully and generously all his life. The membership will sorely miss his loyal and devoted service. Interment was in Crown Point cemetery, this city. —Kokomo (Ind.) Daily Tribune

[Greeson, Richmond Arthur]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    September 30, 1913    p. 8

Arthur Greeson Dead

W. F. Allen received a letter Friday from Edward Greeson of Kokomo, Ind., conveying the information that his brother [Richmond] Arthur, who has been in the clothing business at Turon, Kan., for several years, died suddenly Saturday evening at Battle Creek, Mich., where he had gone to take his wife to a sanitarium for treatment. Mr. Greeson was apparently in excellent health, and death came without warning. He was standing in the room with his wife, when he suddenly dropped to the floor, expiring almost instantly. The remains were taken to his home in Turon, Kan., where the funeral services were held Wednesday.

Arthur was a son of Daniel [Monroe] Greeson an old resident of the county, and grew to manhood here where he has many friends, who deeply sympathize with the family in their bereavement.

[Jordan, Edith Marian Thompson Carlton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     January 4, 1995     p. 6

EDITH THOMPSON JORDAN

Memorial services for Edith [Marian] Thompson [Carlton] Jordan, 77, of Salinas, Calif, were held Monday, Jan. 2, 1995 at the Northminster Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were under the direction of Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. Edith died December 22,1994 at the Hospice House in Monterey.

She was a retired secretary for the San Mateo School Administration and also was an assistant at Jordan International Co.

She was a native of Bedford. She had spent the last 15 years in Salinas.

She had formerly assisted with Meals on Wheels, and was a member of the Northminister Presbyterian Church of Salinas.

She is survived by one sister, Julia Thompson Griswold of Tallahassee, Fla.; step-children, Harriet Palmer of Los Altos, Calif., Marilyn Brice of Santa Rosa, Calif, H. James Jordan of Fairbanks, Alaska, Eleanor Homewood of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Paul Jordan of Burlingame, Calif, and Peter Jordan of Redwood City, Calif; two nephews, 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

[McKune, Rachel Ann Garrett]

Gravity Independent

Thursday      October 5, 1944     p. 3

Rachel Ann McKune

Rachel Ann Garrett, daughter of Jacob and Mary [Ann Coyan] Garrett was born in Taylor County, Iowa, November 4, 1876 and departed this life at the Saint Anthony’s hospital at Denver, Colorado, September 25, 1944, at the age of 67 years, 10 months and 21 days.

She was married to Oscar McKune February 9, 1897. To this union was born four children, two sons, Carl H. [omer] and Clarence E. [verett] both of Denver and two daughters, Mrs Opal [Alice] Sollars of Gravity, Iowa, and Mrs Coral Adams of Kansas City, Missouri. Besides her family she leaves to mourn her passing, ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two sisters and six brothers and a host of other relatives and friends; three grandchildren preceded her in death.

In early life she was united with the Christian church at Gravity, but in later years while living in Brighton, Colorado, she became a member of the Nazarene church.

She was always a kind and loving mother and although in falling health the past year she was a patient sufferer to the end.

Interment was at Crown Hill cemetery at Denver, the Rev. Victor McIntire of Longmont, Colorado, conducting the services.

Those attending from a distance were Mrs Opal Sollars and son, Darrel, Will Garrett, Carol Garrett and Mrs Carrie Alkire all of Gravity; Mr and Mrs W. M. Adams and son, Arnold and Mrs. Marie O’Conner all of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Anna Tindle of Fairplay, Missouri and Mrs. Cora Souder of Los Angeles, California.

The golden gates were opened

wide,

A gentle voice said “Come,”

And angels from the other

side

[Novinger, Boyd George]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      January 7, 1998    p. 6

Boyd G. Novinger

Boyd George Novinger, son of Fred Schultz Novinger and Sylvia Belle Bloom Novinger was born at New Market, Iowa November 19, 1920 and departed this life December 27, 1997.

He lived in New Market and grew to maturity in the New Market area where he attended the public school.

On March 17, 1944 he was united in marriage to Wilma Doris Shum and they lived in San Diego, Calif.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1947, serving aboard the U.S.S Honolulu in the South Pacific, receiving the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

Following his military service, he and Wilma returned to Bedford where he joined her parents in the funeral business.

To this union, one child was born, Christy Lu Novinger Taylor.

He served the community of Bedford as a funeral director for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one grandson, Benjamin Lee.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Christy and husband Keith of Bedford, grandchildren B.K., Mark, Sam, Kevin, Debra, Rhonda, Tony and Chester; six great grandchildren; one aunt, Nora Bloom Morris of Bedford; brother, Gordon and wife Mary of San Bernardino, Calif., sister, Shirley Mitchiner of San Bernardino, Calif.; four nephews and numerous cousins.

He was a member of John F. Hardin Post 164, Bedford American Legion, Taylor Lodge #156 AF & AM, VFW Post 11443, Bedford United Methodist Church.

He spent his life in service to the community. He enjoyed working with his hands repairing everything from Studebakers to guns.

His three youngest grandsons always wanted to call "Papa" if anything was broken. "Papa can fix it".

He was a kind and considerate father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services were held December 31, at the Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery.

[Thompson, Pauline Alta Keister]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     January 7, 1998     p. 6

Pauline Keister Thompson

Pauline [Alta] Keister Thompson, age 93 of Scottsdale, Arizona died Jan. 1, 1998 in Scottsdale.

Mrs. Thompson moved to Arizona 24 years ago from Iowa. She taught music for several years in the Iowa Public Schools. She was a homemaker, raising her family in Bedford, Iowa primarily, and then moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1973 where she lived for 20 years. She lived the last four years at her daughter's home in Scottsdale.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Sun City. Pauline was a graduate of Des Moines University in 1926.

She is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Thompson Brezel and Sylvia Thompson Klevoos [Klevos] and one son, Richard Hedrick Thompson; seven grandchildren.

[Thompson, Pauline Alta Keister]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     July 15, 1998      p. 5

Pauline Keister Thompson

Pauline Alta Keister Thompson was born in Peoples Township, Iowa to Benjamin and Corabelle Brooks Keister on December 8, 1904. She was the youngest of five children. Her parents were both college graduates, her father was a Methodist Minister and both Corabelle and Benjamin served as missionaries in South America. Her father died when she was a young woman still in college.

Pauline finished high school and graduated college. She was an educator in music. She came to Bedford in the late 20's, early thirties to teach music at the school.

She had a whirlwind romance with Richard Thompson. Pauline was a beautiful woman and Richard was smitten. After a one-week courtship they were engaged, and shortly thereafter were married. Richard was a salesman for Marshall Fields at the time they met but would later work for the family store – Thompson Mercantile, started by his grandfather, James Monroe Thompson.

Pauline and Richard had three children, Richard "Dick", Sylvia and Elizabeth or "Betsy". Pauline was a great mother, taking care of the children, providing love and support. She also felt their education was terribly important, especially in the arts. When Bedford didn't have a dance teacher or a piano teacher, she went looking for one, and provided the space for teaching and the lunch or dinner for the teacher. She felt it that important that her children be educated in music and dance.

She was a musician. She was a fabulous singer, and at some point in her life had even thought about being a professional singer. She had perfect pitch and could sing just about anything. It also made it difficult when a piano or person was out of tune - she caught it right away. She was the choir director at the Presbyterian Church for many years. Both her daughters sang in the church choir. Her faith and commitment to Christ were very important to her.

Pauline was involved in the community, volunteering for different events and activities around town. She knew what was going on in politics, she was a staunch Republican, she was up on current events and astute in the working of politics.

She was a Nebraska fan, and it seems that after many years of giving Richard a hard time about sports, she learned to enjoy them and the two of them would watch sports on t.v. together.

She was a member of the Fortnightly Club and Eastern Star and she was an excellent bridge player.

She loved her grandchildren, and they loved her. She "could read the same little Golden Book to her grandchildren again and again."

After Richard died in June of 1972, she sold her home and moved to Sun City, Arizona in the summer of 1973. She lived in Sun City until she moved in with Sylvia in Scottsdale two years ago. Pauline died January 1, 1998 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Pauline has and will be missed, those who are left to remember her are her children: Dick Thompson and wife Shirley, Sylvia Klevos and Elizabeth "Betsy" and husband Bruce Brezel, seven grandchildren and her friends.

Graveside services were held on Sunday, July 5, 1998 at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa. Services were provided by Novinger Taylor Funeral Home, Reverend Nancy Ross and the Lord's Prayer was sung by Jon Vogel.

[Toll, Benjamin “Ben”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     May 31, 1928    [p. 1]

Ben Toll

Mr. Ben [jamin] Tall [Toll] passed away at his home southwest of Bedford Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. He was about 68 years of age. No funeral arrangements are made at this time.

[Wight, Edith]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    November 28, 1895    p. 3

Last Thursday little Edith Wight a five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Wight, died from what one of the attending physicians pronounces a genuine case of diphtheria. The case was reported to the health authorities and the premises were immediately placed under strict quarantine regulations. The remains were interred Friday. No funeral services were held. The Wight premises will be kept under strict quarantine regulations until all danger of the spread of the disease is past. With the strict quarantine regulations in force in Bedford any contagious disease can be stamped out in a short time.

[WIGHT, EDITH]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, November 28, 1895
Edith Wight, the five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Wight, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 1895, with membranous croup. No funeral was held on account of a city ordinance which forbids public funerals over the remains of persons dying of this disease. Mr. and Mrs. Wight have the sympathy of their friends in the sad bereavement that has come to them.

[Wight, Marcus]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday    April 16, 1919    [p 1]

Obituary Marcus Wight

Marcus Wight died at his home in Bedford, Iowa Thursday April 10 having reached the age of 82 years, 11 months and 30 days. The funeral service will be held Thursday afternoon April 17 from the Christian church conducted by Rev. E. E. Lowe.

Marcus Wight was born near Syracuse, N. Y. April 11, 1837, moving to Keokuk Iowa in 1845. He came to Taylor county Iowa in 1857 and was married to Mary Jane Cobb, Nov. 6, 1859. Two sons were born to this union, Walter Scott Wight, who lives in San Luis Obispo, Cal. and Amos R. [euben] Wight now living in Sacramento, Cal. Mrs. Wight passed away Feb. 17, 1888.

On December 31st 1889 Marcus Wight and Chloe Leona Tarr were married. Three children were born to this union. Two died in infancy and one girl, Mayme M. Wight is at home with her mother who with two brothers survive the father.

Mr. Wight in early life belonged to the Methodist church; in 1858 he united with the Christian church at Bedford and remained steadfast to the end of his life. He served as elder to the local congregation a number of years and was active in all church life. His last thoughts and words were for the advancement of the Kingdom.

A number of years were spent in business in Bedford. About 16 years he, with his family lived in Barton County, Mo. where he led in the establishing of the church of Iantha.

A man full of good deeds, with friends by the score at the ripe age has entered into rest and reward.

[Wight, Mary Jane Cobb]

South-West Democrat

Friday     February 17, 1888     p. 4

—Died, in Bedford, Thursday evening Feb. 16, 1888, of dropsy, Mrs. [Mary] Jane [Cobb] Wight, wife of Marcus Wight, in the 52d year of her age. Owing to the fact that the relatives are considerably scattered, the time for holding funeral services has not been announced at the time we go to press, and we are without data to write a suitable obituary.