Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Beard, Donald Edwin]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      March 7, 1990       p. 5

DONALD EDWIN BEARD

Services for Donald Edwin Beard, 61, Altamont, Ill., were held March 1 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Mr. Beard died February 23, 1990 at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Il.

Donald Edwin Beard, son of Edwin Beard and Leona Amanda Flowers Beard was born at Bedford, Iowa October 14, 1928. He grew to maturity in the Bedford community where he attended the public school and the Christian Church. He was graduated from Bedford High School in the class of 1945.

He was united in marriage to Dorothy Kennedy and to this union two daughters were born: Ann and Cynthia.

On January 31, 1959 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Kennedy and to this union two daughters were born: Ann and Cynthia.

On January 31, 1959 he was united in marriage to [Betty] Joan Brown at Bedford, Iowa and to this union, one daughter Paula was born.

Donald was interested in the printing business from his school years and he was linotype operator for the Clarinda Publishing Company prior to the time of his military service. He continued in the printing industry as his life work and he enjoyed the challenge of a rapid changing program through the years.

He enjoyed owning and training racehorses and he was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association. His horses had raced on the tracks in the Illinois area. For pleasure in his leisure time he was an avid pool player and he shared with friends in this pastime.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a half sister, Gwenivere [Guinivere] John. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Joan of the home in Altamont, Ill.; his daughters, Ann Hurt of Denver, Co.; Cynthia Bohnhoff of Dieterich, Ill.; and Paula Beard of Peoria, Ill.; seven grandchildren; a brother, Joe Beard of Italy and a half brother Gordon Beard of Naches, Wash.; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

He served his country during the Korean Conflict and served in the Army of Occupation in Japan, from October 1950 until September 1952. He was a member of the Christian Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had been a member of the Masonic Order and the Shrine.

His family will remember him as a kind and considerate loved one and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

[Beard, Hiram Charles]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      January 19, 1899      [p. 1]

H. C. Beard Dead

Another old settler of Taylor County has gone from whence no traveler ever returns. H. [iram] C. [harles] Beard, at the ripe age of 73 years and 11 days, died at the home of his  son Lawrence, six miles south of Bedford, at 8 o'clock p. m. Sunday, January 15. Mr. Beard had been in bad health for some time, and his death was not unexpected. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. N. Ware, at the late home of deceased on Tuesday morning. Interment in Fairview cemetery.

[Beard, Leona Amanda Flowers]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 27, 1985      p. 6

Graveside services for Leona Beard held

Graveside services were conducted for Leona Beard, 84, June 18, 1985 at Bedford Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Beard died June 15 at the Luthera Care Center in Altamont, Illinois where she had resided due to ill health. Rev. Carl Cummings officiated and Order of Eastern Star gave their service. Shum-Novinger Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Leona Amanda Flowers Beard, daughter of John Flowers and Margaret Romang Flowers, was born at Hopkins, Missouri October 14, 1900. She grew to maturity in the Hopkins area where she attended the public school and the Christian Church.

On November 6, 1923 she was united in marriage to Edwin Beard at Savannah, Missouri. They lived on a farm near Bedford and later they resided in Bedford.

To this union were born two sons: Donald and Joe.

She was employed by the Hopkins Telephone Company and later by the Bedford Telephone Company.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister; four brothers and her husband, who died January 26, 1972.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Donald Beard of Altamont, Illinois; Joe Beard of West Germany; a stepson Gordon Beard of Naches, Washington; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; three sisters: Jessie Holmes of Springfield, Missouri; Hazel Parisi of Hopkins, Missouri; Cressie Penn of Fontine, Montana; other relatives and friends.

She was a member of the Christian Church at Altamont, Illinois; Bedford Chapter #228 Order of Eastern Star.

She was a kind and considerate loved one and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Clark, Catherine Bell “Katie” Taylor]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 7, 1955     p. 4

BLOCKTON

Mrs. Kate Clark Dies

Mrs. Kate Bell Clark, 81, died Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Della Farris, near Blockton. She was a member of the Christian Church at Isadora, Mo.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. Clark is survived by a sister, Mrs. May Freemyer of St. Francis, Kansas.

Rev. John Huntington conducted services Tuesday afternoon at the Christian church. Burial in Athelstan cemetery.

[Clark, Catherine Bell “Katie” Taylor]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 21, 1955      p. 9

Obituary - Katie Bell Clark

Katie [Catherine] Bell Taylor, daughter of Lory [Leroy] and Mary [Carland] Taylor, was born in Madison County, Iowa, April 21, 1873, and died April 3, 1955 at the age of 81 years, 11 months.

She was married to James Edward Clark on Dec. 3, 1890. To them two children were born, Della of Blockton and Johnie, who died in 1936.

She was from a family of three brothers and three sisters. All these preceded her in death except one sister, Mrs. May Freemyer of St. Francis, Kansas.

Mrs. Clark moved to Worth County, Mo. as a baby and spent her entire life there until she moved to Blockton. She went as a bride of six months to their farm home east of Sheridan, Mo., where she lived until Mr. Clark passed away April 21, 1944. After his death she moved to Blockton.

She accepted Jesus as her Savior when a very young girl.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her daughter, Della Farris of Blockton; three grandchildren, Robert Clark, Pauline Clark and Harold Farris who is in Japan; a sister, Mrs. May Freemyer of St. Francis, Kansas.

[Clark, James Edward “Ed”]

Maryville Daily Forum

Monday        April 24, 1944      [p. 1]

Rites For James Clark

Rev. L. B. Day of Maryville conducted funeral services at 2:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon at the Athelstan Community church for James Edward Clark, a farmer near Sheridan for the past fifty-three years, who died at his home Friday following a long illness.

Mr. Clark was born in Harrison County, December 13, 1866. He was a member of the Christian church of Isadora. He is survived by his wife, the former Katie Bell Taylor; a daughter, Della May Farris of Blockton, Ia.; and three grandchildren. A son John Samuel Clark, preceded his father in death.

Pallbearers were Charles and Joe Rusco, Joe Hays, George Booher, Fred Fiddler and Tom Parker.

Music was furnished by Mrs. Glenn Sickels, Miss Lillie Cordell and Mrs. Paul Sickels, who were accompanied by Mrs. Frank Freeland.

[Clark, John Samuel]

Blockton News

Thursday       November 26, 1936      [p. 1]

John Clark Found Dead

John [Samuel] Clark of southeast of Athelstan was found dead Monday evening about 9 o'clock, a bank of earth having caved in on him while he was out setting traps.

It seems that he left home about noon, accompanied by his dog, a large German police dog, to set a line of traps. As he did not return home in the evening the neighbors organized a searching party to look for him. The searching party found his dog guarding a spot where a bank had caved in. It is also stated that the dog had uncovered part of his master's body. It is stated that the dog had to be killed before the searching party could approach the cave-in where the body of Mr. Clark was later uncovered. It is presumed he had opened a hole in the bank to set a trap when the bank caved in on him. The body was found at a point about two miles northwest of Isadora and about a mile from his home.

Mr. Clark was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Clark and a brother of Mrs. Della Farris of this place. He leaves as his immediate family his wife and two small children.

He was about 42 years of age.

[Clark, John Samuel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 26, 1936       [p. 1]

Man Killed By Cave-In At Athelstan

Dog Guards Master's Body

Athelstan—The saying that a dog is a man's best friend was proved in Taylor County this week.

After a cave-in which killed Johnnie Clark no person could reach the dead man's body until the dog had been killed.

Clark died when a skunk den he was digging out caved in and buried him. Clark, who lived with his wife and two small children near here, set out from his farm Monday afternoon to open a skunk den, his wife related.

She felt no anxiety for his safety until he failed to return at nightfall. Then she notified Mayor C. M. King of Athelstan, who gathered a searching party of a number of men.

Shortly after midnight they found the dog standing guard over a mound of earth under a highway bridge. Their approach to the mound was abruptly halted by fierce, threatening growls from Jack, the dog.

After the dog had been shot the men soon found that the pet had been digging to free his master from a cave-in. The dog had clawed at the pile of earth until only Clark's head and shoulders renamed covered. Clark, however, was dead when uncovered by the searchers.

The skunk den had led into the side of a creek bank, which had collapsed on Clark.

[Howery, William Isaac, Jr.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 23, 1905     [p. 1]

Wm. Howery Dead

Thursday of last week William [Isaac] Howery, one of the old settlers of Taylor County and a citizen of Bedford for about six months, crossed the dark river of death, aged 69 years. Although not in good health, Mr. Howery dreamed not of the end being so near. Saturday, March 14, he was taken suddenly ill and finally sank to eternal rest. The funeral services were conducted at the Christian church by Elder Wm. Cobb. Interment in Bedford cemetery. Deceased leaves a widow to mourn his loss.

[Note: The last name is spelled Howrey on his gravestone. He is buried in Bedford Fairview Cemetery not the Bedford City or Old Bedford Cemetery as stated in the obituary.]

[Howery, William Isaac, Jr.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Friday      March 17, 1905      [p. 1]

Death Claims an Old Settler.

From Thursday's Daily

William Howery died at his home in the northeast part of the city this morning at 12:30 of heart disease. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 p. m.

The deceased lacked only one milestone of reaching man's allotted time of three score and ten, and many years of that long life had been spent in Taylor County. He came here in an early day and with his wife settled on a farm five miles southeast of town. Here they lived until six months ago when they moved to Bedford. No children ever came to bless their home and the widow is left alone with no near relatives to share and lighten her sorrow.

Mr. Howery has not been well for some time but was only taken seriously ill on last Sunday. Since that time he has grown gradually worse, until just after midnight last night he breathed his last.

[Note: The last name is spelled Howrey on his gravestone.]

[Rusco, Roy Wilson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     September 5, 1963      p. 8

Roy Rusco, 47 Rites Aug. 28

Funeral services for Roy Wilson Rusco, lifetime Athelstan resident, held August 28 at the Athelstan Community Church, were conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell. Interment was at Athelstan cemetery, Athelstan, Ia.

The following obituary was included in the services:

Roy Wilson Rusco, son of John [William] and Hilda [Anderson] Rusco, was born July 31, 1916 in Athelstan, Iowa. He died at Ringgold County hospital in Ayr, Ia., Aug. 28 at the age of 47 years and 28 days.

Roy attended school and lived his entire lifetime in Athelstan.

His father and two brothers preceded him in death.

Mr. Rusco is survived by his mother of the home; one brother, Ray L. [eo] Rusco of Des Moines, Ia.; four sisters, Mrs. Juanita Cordell of Athelstan, Mrs. Ralph Schuster of Clearfield, Mrs. Mildred Carney and Mrs. Deliliah Hanks of Lathrop, Mo.; also eight nephews, five nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

[Shepherd, David Orson]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      December 10, 1908       p. 6

Obituary.

David Orson Shepherd was born in Knox County, Ill., May 1, 1842, and died at his home in Ross Township, three and a half miles southwest of Bedford, at 6:40 p. m., Saturday, December 5, 1908, aged 66 years, 7 months and 5 days. The death of Mr. Shepherd was quite sudden, having been in his usual health. The cause of death was given as organic heart trouble.

On March 19, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Drotherrigs [Deatherage], of Henderson County, Ill., and they moved to Taylor County in 1885. Four children were born to them, three daughters, Mary, who is attending college at Enid, Okl.; Mrs. Martha Sherrick, of Enid, Okl.; Mamie, at home, and one son, David Edgar, at home. This prominent family have many friends, having lived on the home place for the past sixteen years. The deceased was an industrious man, esteemed as a neighbor and friend and beloved by an affectionate family.

The funeral was held from the Baptist church Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev. McMasters.

The interment was in the Fairview cemetery and under the auspices of the Masonic lodge, of which the deceased was an honored member. Mrs. G. E. Sherrick and son Dean, of Enid, Okl, and Miss Mary Shepherd, of the same place, daughters ot the deceased, and Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Lane, of Clearfield, the latter a sister, and C. F. Shepherd, a brother, of Corning, were here attending the funeral. Aside from these relatives he also leaves three sisters and two brothers, of Galesburg, Ill., who were unable to attend the funeral.

[Shepherd, David Orson]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     December 10, 1908      p. 4

Dies Suddenly

Neuralgia of the Heart causes Death of D. O. Shepherd

The community was greatly shocked Sunday evening, by news of the death of D.[avid] O. [rson] Shepherd, one of the old settlers of the county whose home was about five miles southwest of Bedford.

Mr. Shepherd’s death was entirely unexpected and came without a moment’s warning. In the past he had complained with a pain in his side, but his complaints were not of such a nature as to cause any particular alarm. It is true, however, that Mr. Shepherd was not a man to complain, and he may have suffered many times and have said nothing about it. Even had he known that these pains presaged an early end of life, it is probable that he would have kept it a secret so that his family would not be worried about it. Death came about 5 p. m. Sunday while he was in the house, and it came as swiftly as a stroke of lightning. Less than half an hour before his death Mr. Shepherd had been out around the barn, apparently in as good health as usual. He came to the house and laid down on some chairs. Presently his family went to his side to see if he was ill, heard him breathing heavily and when they reached him he was dead.

David Orson Shepherd was born May 1st, 1842 in Knox County, Illinois, and it was there that he lived until a man of past 40 years. On March 19, 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Deatherage, who together with their four children survives him.

In March 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd moved to Taylor County. Later they settled on the farm which was ever after their home, and on which they lived for 16 years. The four children are Mary who is attending college at Enid, Oklahoma, and living with her sister, Mrs. C. [lyde] E. Sherrick [Scherich], who resides at that place; Nancy and David Edgar, both of whom are at home. All the children except Mrs. Sherrick were present at the funeral.

His son-in-law, C. [lyde] E. Sherrick, and his only grandchild, Dean Sherrick, of Enid, Okla., were also present, as was his brother, C. [harles] F. [ranklin] Shepherd of Corning, and his sister, Mrs. D. [avid] M. Lane [Martha] and husband of Clearfield. Three sisters and two brothers reside at Galesburg, Illinois, but it was impossible for them to be present.

The funeral services were held yesterday at 11 o’clock a. m. at the Baptist church in Bedford, conducted by Rev. McMasters. The ceremonies at the cemetery were in charge of the Bedford Masonic lodge of which deceased was a valued member. Interment was made at Fairview.

[SHEPHERD, DAVID ORSON]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, December 10, 1908
Obituary – David Orson Shepherd was born in Knox county, Ill., May 1, 1842 and died at his home in Ross township, three and a half miles southwest of Bedford, at 6:40 p. m. Saturday, December 5, 1908, aged 66 years, 7 months and 5 days. The death of Mr. Shepherd was quite sudden, having been in his usual health. Th cause of death was given as organic heart trouble.
On March 19, 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Drotheriggs [Deatherage] of Henderson county, Ill. and they moved to Taylor county in 1885. Four children were born to them, three daughters, Mary, who is attending college at Enid, Okl.; Mrs. Martha Sherrick of Enid, Okla.; Mamie, at home and one son, David Edgar, at home. This prominent family have many friends, having lived on the home place for the past sixteen years. The deceased was an industrious man, esteemed as a neighbor and friend and beloved by an affectionate family.
The funeral was held from the Baptist church Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev. McMasters.
The interment was in the Fairview cemetery and under the auspices of the Masonic lodge, of which the deceased was an honored member. Mrs. C. [lyde] E. Sherrick and son Dean, of Enid, Okl., and Miss Mary Shepherd, of the same place, daughters of the deceased, and Mr. and Mrs. D. [avid] M. Lane, of Clearfield, the latter a sister, and C. [harles] F.[ranklin] Shepherd, a brother, of Corning, were here attending the funeral. Aside from these relatives he also leaves three sisters and two brothers, of Galesburg, Ill., who were unable to attend the funeral.

[Shepherd, Eva Deatherage]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       January 24, 1952       p. 4

Mrs. Eva Shepherd Buried Here Monday

Mrs. Eva Shepherd, 84, a former resident of Bedford, died Jan. 18 at University hospital, Iowa City, where she had been taken after breaking her hip in a fall on Jan. 7.

Funeral services were held in Shenandoah Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. Talton Parker of Emerson. Burial was in Fairview cemetery at Bedford.

Mrs. Shepherd moved from Bedford In 1918 to Shenandoah, where she made her home with a daughter, Mrs. Nancy Braley.

She is survived toy three daughters and a son. They are Mrs. Clyde E. Scherich of Bedford, Mrs. Braley of Shenandoah, Mrs. Frank Klotzman of Canon City, Colo., David E. [dgar] Shepherd, Sr., of Goltry, Okla. Also by 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Shepherd was a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. and Mrs. C. [lyde] E. Scherich, Mr. and Mrs. Don Scherich of Bedford attended the last rites in Shenandoah. Mrs. C. [lyde] E. Scherich spent last week with her mother at the hospital in Iowa City.

 Accompanying the body to Bedford for the graveside service and burial were the Scherichs from Bedford; Mrs. Braley, Mr. and Mrs. Elvis Lee, Shenandoah; Mrs. Frank Klotzman, Canon City, Colo.; Paul Klotzman, Denver, Colo.; David E. [dgar] Shepherd, Sr., Goltry, Okla.; Mrs. Lillie Shepherd and James F. Shepherd, Enid, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bauer, Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Braley, Omaha; Robert Braley, Des Moines.

[Skinner, Troy Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 27, 2002

TROY LEE SKINNER

Funeral services for Troy Skinner, age 30, of Georgia, formerly of Bedford and Independence, Missouri, who died Tuesday, February 19, 2002 were held Saturday, February 23, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford with Pastor Jamie Mogler officiating. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in Troy's name. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Troy Lee Skinner was born January 31, 1972 in Corning, Iowa the son of Terry Skinner and Virginia Thrasher Read. As a small child, Troy loved going to the Lake of Three Fires where his grandparents, Darlene and Wes, ran the concession stand and swimming area. He grew up attending school in Independence, Missouri, graduating in 1990. He was active on his high school debate team and was 1989 Lincoln-Douglas Missouri State Debating Champion.

Troy attended Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri for three years where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Troy was employed as a waiter on a cruise ship based in New Orleans; a dining room captain in Palm Beach, Florida; and for the past year was a salesman for Conyers Toyota in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoyed collecting baseball cards with his step-father, Howard; and spending time with his friends Charles Gowdy, Tom Frey and Kevin Summerville.

Troy is survived by his father, Terry Skinner of Cameron, Missouri; his mother, Virginia Read and husband, Howard of Independence, Missouri; his brother, Specialist Cole Read who is stationed in Germany with the United States Army; his maternal grandmother, Darlene Derry of Bedford; his paternal grandparents, Clyde and Shirley Skinner of Missouri; step-grandmother Naomi Gibbs of Independence, Missouri; along with many aunts, uncles, family members and friends.

Troy is preceded in death by his grandfather Wes Derry.

[Woods, Adam]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday        January 26, 1911      [p. 1]

Death of Adam Woods

Adam Woods [died] at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. [obert] F. [ranklin] Snyder, living east of town Wednesday morning about 8 o'clock. While he had not been in the best of health for the past few weeks, he seemed about as usual on the morning of his death. He arose for breakfast, but did not go down to the table saying he felt a pain in his stomach. Giving a couple of deep breaths he passed quietly away without further warning.

Mr. Woods was born in Highland county, Ohio, Oct. 8,1827, and was 83 years old last October. He moved in early life to Illinois, and in 1876 came to Taylor county, Iowa, settling on the farm east of town now owned by C. B. Wysong. For several years past he has made his home with R. [obert] F. [ranklin] Snyder.

About 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Boatman, and together they buffeted life's waves for more than a half-century, she passing away in June 1906. Three children were born to them, two of whom still live. They are Mrs. R.[obert] F. [ranklin] Snyder and John H. Woods, living, and Maggie Payton, deceased. He also leaves a sister about 90 years of age, living at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

The deceased was a member of the M. E. church of this city, and was a true Christian. Nearly all the time he resided in Clayton Township he was a justice of the peace of that township. In public affairs he took a great interest and was a constant reader and student of current topics. As a man and neighbor he was esteemed, and as a father, husband and friend he was loved.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow, Friday, at 10 o'clock, from East Mission church, conducted by Rev. Fred N. Willis, assisted by Rev. D. McMasters. The remains will be brought to Bedford for interment in Fairview cemetery. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of all.

[Woods, Adam]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     February 2, 1911      p. 5

Adam Woods.

Funeral services over the remains of Adam Woods were held at 10 o'clock Friday morning at East Mission church conducted by the Rev. Fred N. Willis. The pallbearers were Melchor Payton, H. Snyder, C. B. Wysong, Fred Morris, George Larison, Delbert Douglas.

Adam Woods, who was for many years familiarly known in Bedford as "Uncle Adam,” died Wednesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. [obert] F.[ranklin] Snyder, quite suddenly He had been able to be up every day, and on the morning of his death had called for the usual assistance in getting up for his breakfast. A few minutes later he died.

Mr. Woods was born in Hillsborough, Ohio, October 8, 1827, and on November 30 [1848] he united in marriage with [Eliza] Jane Boatman, and in 1898 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Four years ago Mrs. Woods passed away. They were the parents of four children, Samuel, who died in infancy, Mrs. Maggie Payton, who died June 30, 1893, John H. Woods of Clearfield, and Mrs Sarah [Jane] Snyder of Bedford. Two sisters survive, Mrs. Sarah Godfrey who lives in Nebraska, and Mrs. Nancy Layman of Mt. Pleasant. There are seven grand children.

Soon after their marriage Mr and Mrs. Woods moved to Knox county Illinois, and in March 1876, they came to Taylor County. Mr. Woods had a wide acquaintance in this community by reason of his long residence here. He was justice of the peace for twenty years. At the age of 23 years he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and continued his affiliation with those of that faith until his death. He was a prominent and active member of the Masonic lodge.