Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[McCoy, Susannah “Susie” Helm]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 5, 1944     [p. 1]

Mrs. W. L. McCoy Is Buried Here

Mrs. W. [illiam] L. [ewis] McCoy [Susannah Helm], a former resident of Bedford, died at her home in Alhambra, California, Thursday, September 28 after an illness of several months. The body was brought to Bedford, accompanied by her son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Clark McCoy, and the funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. C. Yadon.

Mrs. McCoy was a sister of Mrs. Joe Keith [Polly Adel] and Roy Helm, both of Bedford.

[McCoy, Susannah “Susie” Helm]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 12, 1944     p. 7

MRS. W. L. McCoy

Susie Helm was born in Taylor County, Iowa, March 26, 1868 and died in Los Angeles, California, September 28, 1944, at the age of 76 years, 6 months and 2 days.

She was one of a family of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Byrum Helm [Sarah Ann Billeter]. She was married to W. [illiam] L. [ewis] McCoy on January 11, 1888. To them, two children were born, Guy, who died in infancy, and Clark B.[illeter] of Los Angeles, who survives her. Her husband died June 15, 1931. Surviving with the son is the daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lillian McCoy of Los Angeles; one sister, Mrs. Polly A. [del] Keith, and one brother, Roy Helm, both of Bedford; two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mrs. McCoy lived in the Bedford community nearly all her life, leaving here after the death of her husband, and had since made her home in Topeka, Kansas and in Los Angeles.

She was a member of the church of Christ of the Berea congregation, later transferring her membership to the Compton, California, congregation.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, October 4, conducted by Rev. R. C. Yadon.

[Melvin, Roy Grover]    [Melvin, Bertha Mae Taylor]       [Melvin, Orlen LeRoy]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     April 8, 1937     [p. 1]

Bedford Tragedy

Three persons were dead at Bedford Sunday forenoon, when Roy Melvin, 56, shot and killed his wife, Bertha Melvin, his son Orlen age 20, and then himself. This all was done in the basement of the Melvin home. The couple were estranged, and Mrs. Melvin had applied for divorce three weeks ago.

It is apparent that Melvin went to the house in the night, stayed in the basement until his wife appeared at about ten to fix the furnace fire, and shot her three times. The two sons rushed downstairs, and Orlen, was killed by a shot thru the temple. Melvin then used the fifth and last shot in the revolver to take his own life. The youngest son, Darold, carried the news to the nearest neighbor, who was G. F. McLaury, formerly of Clearfield.

The sheriff called it double murder and suicide, and Coroner Shum was doubtful whether an inquest was required, or advisable.

[Melvin, Roy Grover]    [Melvin, Bertha Mae Taylor]       [Melvin, Orlen LeRoy]

Lenox Time Table

Thursday    April 8, 1937    [p. 1]

Roy Melvin, Bedford, Killed Wife, Son, Self

Sunday Morning Tragedy Followed Family Trouble

Roy Melvin, his wife, Bertha [Mae Taylor], and one son Orlen [LeRoy], are dead at Bedford following a Sunday morning shooting in which only one member of the Melvin family escaped. The living son, Darold, 15, ran sobbing from the house about 10 o'clock Sunday morning and told a neighbor that his father had shot his mother and brother and himself.

Melvin, apparently crazed by trouble he had been having with his wife, broke into the basement of the home sometime Saturday night and hid there until Mrs. Melvin went to the basement to fix the furnace fire about 10 o'clock Sunday morning.

When she entered the basement Melvin shot her twice in the head and once in the chest, using a .32 caliber pistol.

The sound of the shooting brought the two boys to the basement and as the eldest boy, Orlen, entered his father shot him through the temple. He died huddled over his mother's body.

Melvin did not shoot at the younger boy but turned the gun on himself.

Melvin had been estranged from his wife for some time and about three weeks ago she filed suit for divorce, charging him with cruel and inhuman treatment.

[Melvin, Roy Grover]    [Melvin, Bertha Mae Taylor]       [Melvin, Orlen LeRoy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 8, 1937    [p. 1]

Double Murder; Suicide By Roy Melvin Sunday

Kills Wife and Son Orlen; Then Turns Gun On Self; Spares Darold

Roy Melvin, 55, shot his wife, Bertha Taylor Melvin, 46, his oldest of two sons, Orlen, 23, and then turned the revolver on himself at their home in Bedford Sunday forenoon about 10:00 o'clock.

Death resulted in all three shootings in a short time.

Their other son, Darold, 15, witnessed the shooting of his father and brother and heard the shots that killed his mother. Running down into the basement in their nightclothes when they heard their mother scream and the shots that followed, the boys discovered their mother lying on the cement floor, blood pouring from wounds in her mouth, neck and chest.

The older boy ran to his mother. He believed she had shot herself, according to the younger boy's story. Then the father, gun in hand stepped out from his hiding place and fired a shot into the older boy's back and side. The one shot proved fatal. Officers believe the father and older boy had a scuffle before the shot was fired that killed the boy.

Then according to the younger boy and sole survivor of the family of four, the father put two more shells into his revolver.

Are you going to shoot me too? the younger boy states he asked his father as he watched him reload the pistol.

“No, not you, I didn’t intend to shoot Orlen but he got in my way,” the boy reports his father said.

Then the father placed the pistol to his own abdomen, firing one shot about two inches below the navel that ranged upward.

The boy says his father then took a few steps and another shot was fired. It is believed the second shot was fired into his mouth. The boy says he wasn't looking when the second shot was fired.

Roy Melvin and his wife had been having trouble off and on for some time. Last fall Mrs. Melvin had her husband restrained by law from coming to her place and filed a divorce action against him. This trouble was patched up and they resumed living together.

Reports are that about three weeks ago trouble again broke out between them and Melvin moved out, to make his home with I. N. Weingarth, in his shoe shop on Court Street.

Saturday night Melvin is reported to have been seen in the vicinity of his wife's home. Early Sunday morning about 4 o'clock Melvin arose and left the Weingarth store, according to reports, and it is believed he went to his wife's home and gained entrance to the basement by pushing open a cellar door held fast by a button-lock on the inside.

About ten o'clock Mrs. Melvin got up and putting on her house slippers went to the basement to fix the fire. Apparently Melvin was hiding in an anti-room at the time. The fuel in the furnace indicated that she had put in some lumps of coal before he made his presence known. The double murder and suicide all took place in the basement.

Darold Melvin attempted to give first aid to his mother and brother, taking off his nightshirt to stop the flow of blood from his mother’s wounds. Then he ran back upstairs and called for a doctor on the telephone, returned to the basement to administer to his mother and brother, and then ran across the year to the George McLaury home to sob out his story.

Deputy Sheriff Ivan Wells, Sheriff T. V. Lacy, Coroner Floyd Shum and others were soon at the scene. The bodies were taken to the Walker and Shum funeral home.

No inquest was held as it was apparent what had taken place, by the boy's story and the appearance of the bodies and the cellar.

Melvin secured the gun, an old six-shot revolver, .32-calibre, at Maryville a few days ago, it is believed, and bought some shells for it at the Prugh Hardware.

In his pockets officers found over $50 in money. Six empty shells and five loaded ones were found about the basement floor.

[Melvin, Bertha Mae Taylor]       [Melvin, Orlen LeRoy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 8, 1937     p. 5

Mrs. Roy Melvin and her son Orlen

Bertha Mae Taylor, daughter of Levi and Jane Taylor, was born April 13, 1890 in Taylor county, Iowa, near Bedford, and came to a sudden and tragic death at her home in Bedford Sunday April 4, 1937, aged 46 years, 11 months and 21 days.

She lived on a farm with her parents southwest of Bedford during the years of her girlhood, and when she was 15 years of age she united with the Berea church. On July 17, 1907, in the Christian parsonage in Bedford, she was married to Roy G. [rover] Melvin by the Rev. G. A. Hendrickson. To this union two sons were born, Orlen LeRoy and Darold. Orlen was born on September 4, 1913 in Bedford and came to his untimely death together with his mother, on Sunday April 4, 1937. Orlen was 23 years and seven months old.

The first of their married life was spent on a farm near Siam, since then the family had made their home in or near the city of Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin and their sons were well known to the People of Bedford and by those living in the country round about Bedford.

Orlen attended the grade school and the high school of Bedford, graduating with the class of 1931. He desired a higher education and spent nearly two years in the University of Iowa and planned to continue his education, which was interrupted by ill health. He united with the Church of Christ in Bedford on March 14, 1927 during the ministry of Rev. J. C. Harris and had been one of the most active young people in the church. He was always ready and willing to do whatever he could to help in the work of the church, and never said "NO" when called upon. He was very active in the work of the Christian Endeavor society and will be missed greatly by the young people of the church.

Mrs. Melvin was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and of the Rebekah lodge. She was preceded in death by her mother, who passed away in 1901, and by her father, who died in 1934. She is survived by two brothers, W. F. Taylor and James Taylor of Bedford; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Hayes of Bedford, Mrs. Maude Tracy of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Bessie Lacy of Missouri Valley and her step-mother, Mrs. Levi Taylor of Bedford. The shock of this tragedy comes greatest upon the immediate family of the dead. To Darold, the only member of the Melvin family to survive the tragedy, the entire community extends its sympathy.

[Melvin, Roy Grover]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 8, 1937     p. 5

OBITUARY

Roy G. Melvin

Roy G. [rover] Melvin, son of Wm. F. [ay] and Lucinda E. [llen Dougherty] Melvin, was born in Bedford, Iowa, August 14, 1883 and passed away Sunday, April 4, 1937, at the age of 53 years, 7 months and 20 days.

His boyhood was spent on a farm in Page county and later in Taylor County. As a young man he spent a short time in teaching in rural schools of Taylor County.

July 17, 1907 he was married to Bertha M. [ae] Taylor. To this union were born two sons, Orlen LeRoy and Darold. The first year of their married life was spent farming, after which they moved to Bedford, where they had since resided. He spent a number of years as a rural mail carrier, which position he resigned to become a salesman, and which work he continued until his death.

He is survived by one son, Darold; his father, a sister, and three brothers.

[Mick, Levi]

Bedford Free Press

March 17, 1904     p. 7

Levi Mick, an old resident of New Market, died one day last week. While sawing wood for a neighbor a blood vessel broke in his head and caused blood clot on the brain, resulting in his death in a short time.

[Scott, Harry Peter]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday       November 20, 1930     [p. 1]

Harry Scott Takes Own Life

Body Was Found in Corn Crib at His Farm Home

Harry Scott, a farmer about 55 years of age, was found dead about 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening in a corn crib on his farm about 3 miles west of Pickering, having taken his own life by hanging himself. Mr. Scott was well known in this community, having been a brother of Mrs. Claude Timberlake and A. [ndrew] D. [ick] Scott. He was a married man with 5 grown children. The funeral services were held in Pickering this afternoon and the body was brought to Bedford, and interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[SCOTT, HARRY PETER]
Maryville Daily Forum (Maryville, Missouri), Wednesday, November 19, 1930, [p. 1]
Harry P. Scott Commits Suicide Near Pickering  Farmer Hangs Self Yesterday---Financial Troubles Blamed.
Harry P. [eter] Scott, 57, committed suicide shortly after noon yesterday at his home, four and one-half miles northwest to Pickering, by hanging himself. Mr. Scott's body was not discovered until about 6:30 o'clock last night after a search had been made by his wife and two tenants, Virgil Hyde and Fred Markt.

Yesterday morning Mr. Scott went out to the barn after his horses shortly after breakfast, but they had gotten out some way, and he had to search for them until about 10 o'clock. At 11:30 he came in for lunch and seemed to be melancholy. He ate very little lunch, read his mail, and then left the house. That was the last seen of him until his body was found hanging in the tool shed.

Body Is Discovered

Shortly before dark Mrs. Scott went out and got up the cows. She then noticed that the horses had not been fed. Mr. Scott had been helping a neighbor, Arley Shellman, cut some wood out of the timber, and Mrs. Scott supposed he was at the Shellman home. She called over there, but Mr. Scott was not there, and had not been around all afternoon.

Mrs. Scott then called two tenants who live on the farm, Virgil Hyde and Fred Markt, and asked them to make a search for Mr. Scott. With the aid of a gasoline lantern they found Mr. Scott hanging from a rafter. He had used a large rope generally used to tie shocks of fodder, and had evidently jumped off from the edge of a crib.

Financial Troubles Blamed.

Coroner C. D. Humberd of Barnard was called and held a view inquest. Financial difficulties seem to have been the cause of Mr. Scott taking his life.

Mr. Scott was born Sept. 20, 1873, near Alexis, Ill. He was the son of Joseph and Erusilla [Drusilla] (Champion) Scott. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Agnes Jobbins Scott, four daughters, Mrs. Loren Culver, near Burlington Junction, Elna, in Macomb, Ill., Hazel, in Maryville, Ermina, at home, and a son, Carl, near Burlington Junction.

Funeral arrangements have not been made yet.

[SCOTT, HARRY PETER]
Maryville Daily Forum (Maryville, Missouri), Thursday, November 20, 1930, [p. 1]
Rites For Harry Scott
Funeral services for Harry Scott who took his own life Tuesday at his farm northwest of Pickering, were held at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon at the M. E. church at Pickering, conducted by the Rev. J. Howard Thompson, of Hopkins. The body was taken to a cemetery at Bedford for burial.

[Scott, Isa Jane]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      October 1, 1896     p. 4

DiED

Died, Monday Sept. 28, 1896, Miss Isa [Jane] Scott, aged 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. [oseph] R. Scott, of Mason township.

Funeral services will be at the residence, on Tuesday Sept. 29, at 10 o’clock a. m., conducted by Rev. J. C. Lewis. Interment at Titus cemetery.

[Scott, Joseph R.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 14, 1901    [p. 1]

Died, at his home seven miles northwest of Bedford, on Sunday, March 10, Joseph Scott. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. W. Griffith, assisted by the Masonic order, of which he was a member on Wednesday.  Interment in Titus cemetery.

[Scott, Joseph R.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 21, 1901     [p. 1]

Obituary.

Joseph R. Scott was born in Thorntown, Ill [Ind.] in December 9,1835, moved to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1837, where he lived until 1876, during which year he moved to Taylor county, Died March 10, 1901. He was married to Miss Drucilla [Drusilla] Champion, in Knox County, Illinois, May 30,1867. Six children were born to this union, five of whom are living.

[Scott, Kenneth Robert]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 15, 1991     p. 6

kenneth robert scott

Funeral services for Kenneth Robert Scott were held Tuesday, May 7, 1991 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery, rural Taylor County, Iowa.

Kenneth Robert Scott, son of Andrew "Dick" Scott and Hattie Shade Scott was born in rural Taylor County, Iowa June 11, 1910 and departed this life May 4, 1991 at the Colonial Manor in Corning, Iowa at the age of 80 years, 10 months and 23 days.

He grew to maturity in the community where he was born where he attended the public school.

Kenneth was self-employed and in addition to farm operation he trained and took care of horses and for many years lived with the Clem Jeffers family and held them in close friendship.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Opal Wisehart and Dorothy Adams, and three brothers, Raymond, Lewis and Basil.

Left to cherish his memory are cousins and a nephew, Lowell Scott of Bedford, Iowa.

He served his country during World War II from September 4, 1942 until November 19, 1945 in the U. S. Army; the most of his service was in the Philippine area. He was awarded three bronze stars.

 During his lifetime, he shared his friendship with many who will long remember him.

[Sherman, Isaac J.]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday    February 21, 1895     [p. 1]

The Grave

DiED, —at his home three miles west of Bedford, Monday, February 18, 1895, at 11 o’clock a. m, I. [saac] J. H. Sherman, aged 48 years. The funeral services were held at the family residence today (Wednesday) at 11 o'clock. Elder T. F. Richardson, of the First Christian Church, officiating. The local G. A. R. Post had charge of the funeral. The remains were interred in the Titus cemetery. Mr. Sherman moved to this county from Cedar county, Iowa, about one year ago and during the past few months has been a great sufferer from what his physicians pronounce Bright’s disease.

[Sherman, Lavina Clymer Chase]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     October 28, 1926     p. 7

Mrs. Levina Sherman

Levina [Lavina] Clymer was born in Hancock County, Ohio, Jan. 25th, 1846, and died at Clarinda, Iowa, Oct. 8th, 1926, at the age of 70 years, 9 months and 13 days. She was one of a family of thirteen children. When she was about 14 years of age she came with her parents by ox-team and covered wagon to Cedar County, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Daniel Chase on Sept. 21, 1862. To them were born two children, Josephine and Ernest, the latter dying Sept. 5, 1913. Mr. Chase died Oct. 2nd, 1867. Following the death of her husband she became a Christian and united with the United Brethren church. She was again united in marriage to I. [saac] J. Sherman on the 17th day of August 1870. For some time they continued to live in Cedar county. To them were born three boys, Norman, who died in April 1922; Merrit, who died in infancy, and Ray [Arthur Raymond] who is living. Mr. Sherman died Feb. 18, 1895. Since his death she has made her home with her children, part of the time in Lake City, Ia., and part of the time at Bedford, Ia. For the last four years she has lived with her daughter, Mrs. Weatherly in Bedford. She came of a long-lived family and she has sustained that record. She has two children, 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 sister living. Her son Ray Sherman and his wife of Lake City, Ia.; five granddaughters, Tessie Jurgensen of Olin, Ia., Pearl Gardner of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Mrs. Edwin Sadler of Escanaba, Mich., Mrs. Drayl Lemon of Edinburg, Texas, and Miss Jane Sherman of Des Moines; a daughter-in law, Mrs. Cora Sherman of Des Moines, Ia., and a nephew, Jess Sherman of Guttenberg, Ia., were in attendance at the funeral. During the last years of her life she has not been well, her mind having failed her, but her consciousness of God was so strong that she constantly affirmed her trust in Him.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Bedford on Monday, Oct. 11, at 10 a. m., conducted by Rev. G. T. Roberts. Burial was made at Graceland cemetery.

[Smelser, Mary Ann Cubbage]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     November 30, 1911    p. 4

Obituary

Mary A. [nn] Cubbage was born Nov. 11, 1840 in Knox County, Illinois, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Tackett in Tabor, Iowa, Nov. 14, 1911, she being 71 years and three days old at the time of death. Funeral services were held at Tabor, conducted by Elder George Weavers, who used for his text the 14th Chapter of St. Mark and a portion of the 7th verse, "She hath done what she could." The words were indeed appropriate as she has been an earnest worker in the service of the Lord ever since she gave her heart to the Savior when she was quite young.

She was united in marriage to Thomas Smelser Nov. 14, 1861, they being married just 50 years the day she died, making it very sad indeed for him. To this union were born nine children, six boys and three girls, they being Mrs. Alice Jefferson, of Sidney, Iowa; George, Frank and John and Mrs. Sarah Tackett, of Tabor, Iowa; Mrs. Emma Ellingwood, of Pacific Junction, Iowa; Melvin of Bedford; Elmer, of Perry, Oklahoma, and Rev. Fred Smelser, missionary at Yokohama, Japan. Besides her children she has 33 grandchildren and a brother, William Cubbage at Maloy, Iowa, and a sister, Mrs. Stephen Murry at Platteville, Iowa, to mourn her loss. She had been afflicted with stomach trouble, which terminated in tuberculosis of the bowels, which caused her death.

She and her companion moved to Union County, Iowa, in the year 1876 where the rest of her life was spent except six years they lived near Grant City, Mo. She was well known around Platteville, Athelstan and Blockton, she having lived between the towns for several years. She was a member of the Holiness church at Athelstan a good many years and was a woman of great faith in prayer, and the Lord rewarded her in seeing all her children converted to God.

[Smelser, Mary Jane Hurt]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      February 17, 1921    p. 7

Obituary—Mary Jane Smelzer

Mary Jane Smelzer [Smelser] was born in 1842 in Virginia and died at the County home Tuesday, February 15. A brief funeral service was held at the graveside in Titus cemetery Wednesday forenoon conducted by Rev. Gable of the Methodist church.

Deceased was married first to James Hurt and to this union was born one child G. [eorge] W. [ashington] Hurt now of Wyoming. Three grand daughters, Mrs. C. L. Valentine, Mrs. L. D. Branson and Mrs J. W. Downing were present at the funeral. Deceased's second husband, John W. Smelzer, died in 1903.

[Smelser, John W.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    November 12, 1903     [p. 1]

Obituary

John W. Smelser was born in Green County, Tenn., August 16, 1837, and died at his home in Mason Township November 5, 1903. Deceased was a consistent Christian, having sought the Lord and found Him when 19 years old, and united with the M. E. church at Cedar Grove, Tenn. He married Mrs. Mary Hart [Hurt] in 1873, and the union was a happy one. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. John Ross. Text—Rev. 14:13. Songs—"Asleep in Jesus," "Jesus Lover of my Soul."

[Smelser, John W.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     November 12, 1903     p. 4

Obituary

John W. Smelzer was born in Green County, Tenn., Aug. 16, 1837. He sought the Lord and found him in forgiveness of his sins when 19 years old and united with the Protestant Methodist church at Cedar Grove, Tenn. He was often found in the house of God, which he loved so well.

He married Mary Hurt in 1873 and a happy union of hands and hearts existed until his death, Nov 5, 1903. Funeral services conducted by Jno. Ross, Text Rev. 14-13.

P. S. We take this opportunity of thanking all friends for their help and kindness during sickness and bereavement.

MRS. MArY SMELZEr

GEO. W. HUrt.

[Stearns, Blanche Lillian Garner]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 7, 1940     p. 3

Blanche Lillian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. [lvarado] Garner [Anna Lee Buttermore], was born June 10, 1900 near Bedford, Iowa, and died at her home near Hopkins, Sept. 25, 1940 at the age of 40 years, 3 months and 15 days.

She was married to Albert Stearns on June 29, 1920. To them were born two sons, Eugene Clyde and Dean Albert, both of whom died in infancy. She spent her entire life in or near the Hopkins community and her passing will be mourned by all who knew her. She loved her home, family and friends and her whole aim in life seemed to be to help someone else. Although she had been ill  for a long time she was a patient sufferer, always appreciated everything that was done for her, never forgetting to say "thank you." Everyone who knew her can say that the world has been made better by her having lived here.

The Methodist church was her choice of faith. She had many pleasant visits with the pastor during the last months of her life and confessed her faith in Christ and her willingness to go to meet him if it was his will, and at the last said with outstretched arms, "Oh Lord, come and take me home."

Those surviving are her husband, her aged father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Garner of Bedford and four sisters, Mrs. Clyde Cavender [Maude Ethel], Lincoln, Nebr.; Mrs. Robt. Hamilton [Eliza Florence], Clarinda; Mrs. Jess Briggs [Anna Grace], Villisca; Mrs. J. [ames] F. [ranklin] Hamilton [Alice May] of Bedford and one brother, Ray Garner [Joseph] of Prescott, Iowa; also twenty-two nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted at the home on Saturday afternoon by the pastor of the Hopkins Methodist church, Rev. Paul Barton. Burial was in Graceland cemetery west of Bedford.

[Strode, Rachel Wimmer]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      February 6, 1896     p. 2

Mrs. W. [illiam] W. Strode [Rachel Wimmer], aged about 60 years, died Saturday morning at her home in Mason township. Funeral services were held at the family residence at 10 a. m., Sunday and the remains interred in the Titus cemetery.

[Strode, William Franklin “Frank”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 19, 1941     [p. 1]

Frank Strode Dies In Billings, Okla

[William] Frank [lin] Strode, a former resident of the Timberlake community west of Bedford, died at his home in Billings, Okla., May 30, according to word received by friends in Bedford. Burial was made at Billings.  He is survived by his wife, also by one daughter and a granddaughter, both of Denver, Colo.; and by a sister, Mrs. Brown [Alice] of near New Market. Mrs. Strode is a sister of Perry Opdylke of Billings, who is well known here.

 

[Strode, William W.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 17, 1904     p. 7

The Body Brought Back

Some time ago W. [illiam] N. [W.] Strode moved to Perry, O. T., but recently died, and the body was brought back for interment in Titus cemetery. Deceased lived for about 20 years northeast of Bedford, and was past 81 years old at the time of his death.

He was born in Kentucky February 20,1823.  January 9,1850, he was married to Miss Rachel Wimmer, who died in 1896. Nine children were born to them, five of whom survive. In 1878 he and his family moved to Taylor county, Iowa, where they lived twenty years. He moved to Oklahoma in 1898 and has made his home with W. S. Snodgrass since the death of his wife. Early in life he identified himself with the first day Adventist church. The funeral was preached by Elder Clestermyer, from 1st Corinthians 15:22.

 

[Strode, William W.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 17, 1904     p. 2

Laid To Rest

From Monday's Daily

The remains of W. [illiam] N. [W.] Strode a well-known Taylor county resident who recently moved to Perry, Okla., were taken through Bedford today on their way to Titus cemetery for burial. Mr. Strode lived 8 miles northeast of Bedford from 1878 to 1898 when he moved to the neighborhood of Perry, Okla. He was 81 years old at the time of his death having lived passed the four score mark, living a long and useful life.

Mr. Strode was born in Kentucky in 1827 [February 20, 1823]. From that state he moved to Warren County, Ill., where he married Miss Rachael Wimmer. Their married life was drawn out to 54 years until Mrs. Strode's death eight years ago. In 1878 they removed to Taylor county and remained here until 1898, since which time he has been making his home in Oklahoma.

Four daughters and 2 sons survive him. Mrs. W. W. Snodgrass, Mrs. O. [scar] G. Brown [Alice], and Mrs. D. C. Adams of New Market; Mrs. H. [arvey] H.[umphrey] Burke [Olive Melvina] and J.[ulius] J. Strode of Canada, W.[illiam] F. [ranklin] Strode of Okla.

A short service was conducted at the Titus cemetery this afternoon under the direction of Elder Fred Wilbur.

[STRODE, WILLIAM W.]
Daily Enterprise-Times (Perry, Oklahoma), Saturday, March 12, 1904
The body of W. [illiam] W. Strode, who died at his home 12 miles S. W. of this city, Thursday—March 10th, age 81 years, will be shipped Sunday evening to Bedford, Iowa, for burial.

[STRODE, WILLIAM W.]
Noble County Sentinel (Perry, Oklahoma), Thursday, March 31, 1904
Obituary – Fell asleep at the home of W. S. Snodgrass March 10, 1904, age 81 years and 20 days. W. [illiam] W. Strode was born in Edmonson county, Ky., Feb. 20, 1823. At the age of 8 years he with his parents moved to Illinois where they settled on a farm. In 1849 he was married to Rachel Winner [Wimmer] who died in 1895 [1896]; to them were born nine children, five of whom survive. They moved to Iowa in 1878 where they lived 20 years. Coming to Oklahoma in 1898. He has made his home with W. S. Snodgrass most of the time since the death of his wife.
Years ago, he identified himself with the First Day Adventist. About 13 years ago under the labor of Elder Larson and Gardner he accepted the Sabbath truth and from that time until his death he was a faithful member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. At the age of 10 years he witnessed the falling of the stars, one of the last signs of the soon coming of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thus ends the days of a beloved parent and a faithful brother. Funeral services were conducted by Brother James Klostemeyer, after which he was removed to Iowa for interment.

 

[Stroud, Rachel Stithem]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 28, 1938     p. 7

MRS. RACHEL STROUD

Mrs. Rachel Stroud, 80, passed away Monday, March 28, 1938, following an illness of about four weeks. She was stricken with paralysis, which was the immediate cause of her death.

Rachel Stithem, daughter of Amos and Sarah Stithem, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, Dec. 14, 1857, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Bush, near Corning.

She was married to Ruben Stroud in November 1873 and to this union three children were born. One son, Joseph, preceded her in death at the age of 17 years. She is survived by her son, Edward, and her daughter, Mrs. Alma Bush, and by two half brothers, Erie Mackey of Bedford and Warren Mackey of Nebraska. Also by eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She united with the church at Spalding schoolhouse when a young girl and later moved her membership to the Methodist church at Guss.

Funeral services were held at the Oak Hill church Wednesday conducted by Rev. W. E. Warrior of Blockton. Burial was in the Corning cemetery.