Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Graham, Kenneth Frank]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      September 14, 1994      p. 5

KENNETH FRANK GRAHAM

Kenneth "Kenny" Frank Graham, age 78, was born February 13, 1916 in Vicksburg, Miss., to parents Earl Graham and Lota Bearco Graham. He died September 7, 1994 at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr.

He grew up in the Northwest Missouri area and graduated in 1936 from the Elmo High School, Elmo, Mo.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. He served as a Seaman First Class on the U.S.S. Hendry, where he specialized in amphibious training for operations in the Pacific. This duty took him to much of the South Pacific, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and he was involved with clean-up operations in Japan at the close of the war. Because of his war efforts he was awarded two medals: a purple heart, and the Congressional Medal of Honor.

After serving his country he returned to the Midwest where he worked in several grocery stores as manager of the produce department.

He was married on May 29, 1968 to Vesta Bernice Scott Waugh in Omaha. They made their home in St. Joseph, Mo., Des Moines, Iowa, and later local Bedford, Iowa. It was noted that after his wife's death last December, his health slipped, as he lost the will to live after his beloved's passing.

Besides his late wife, Vesta Bernice, he was also preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter Janice Bishop.

Survivors include six other children, Judy Mills, Jackie Cole, Edward Graham, Margie Woodhull, Kerry Graham, and Roger Waugh. Also brothers Carl Graham and family of Maryville, Mo., Harvey Graham and family of Kansas City, Mo., Earl Graham and family of Wheatfield, Kan. and sisters Betty Gilbert and family of Maryville, and Irene Fifon and family of Kansas City, Mo. Also, a sister-in-law, Mildred Scott and family of Bedford, and a host of nieces and nephews. Also many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a member of the local American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations.

Funeral services were held at the Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford September 11 with Pastor Jamie Mogler of the First Baptist Church of Bedford officiating. Burial was at the Athelstan Cemetery.

His family noted that Kenny and his late wife enjoyed gardening, raising enough vegetables, especially tomatoes, to keep the whole town supplied. He also enjoyed yard work, being outside, tinkering with lawn mowers, CB radios, and Bingo down at the Legion Hall.

[Graham, Vesta Bernice Scott Waugh]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      January 5, 1994     p. 6

VESTA BERNICE GRAHAM

Vesta Bernice Graham was born October 4, 1923, the youngest child born to [James] Haley [Harley] and China Lantz Scott of Athelstan, Iowa. Bernice as [she] was known to family and friends grew up in Athelstan where she attended school and church. She graduated from the Athelstan High School in 1941.

Vesta was united in marriage to Aubrie Waugh August 10, 1941 at Maryville, Mo. To this union five children were born, Harrison, Reva, Gayla Janese, Leland and Roger.

Vesta worked outside her home all of her adult life. She cared for her ailing father until his death. Vesta was employed at many different jobs, but was most interested in caring for other people. Vesta was employed at Sisters Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo. as a unit secretary for many years.

On May 29, 1968 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Graham. To this union one son was born, Kerry.

Vesta and her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1972. Vesta was employed by the Des Moines Lutheran Hospital as a unit secretary on a medical-surgical floor. While at Lutheran Hospital, she received her Certified Nurses Aid training and Medication Aid training.

In 1977, Vesta and her family moved to Bedford, where she was employed by the Bedford Manor, first as a Resident Care Tech and later as Supervisor of the housekeeping department, until her illness forced her to retire. Vesta enjoyed her work very much and the people she cared for.

Vesta was an excellent cook and gardener. She and her husband Kenny raised and canned many vegetables from their garden each year and shared with everyone in the community.

Vesta was a kind and loving mother and cared deeply about all of her children. Vesta was a special aunt, grandma and great grandma.

Vesta was preceded in death by her parents, Harley and China Scott, two brothers, Herschel (Red) Scott, Howard Scott, one half-brother, Joe Fenwick, one sister, Genese Branson and a sister Hazel and a brother David who died in infancy, and one daughter, Gayla, who died in infancy.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband Kenny of the home; sons Harrison Waugh and wife Linda of King City, Mo., Leland Waugh and wife June, Roger Waugh and wife Sherry, Kerry Graham, all of Des Moines, Iowa; a daughter, Reva Weathered of Parksville, Mo.; seven grandchildren; one great granddaughter; seven nieces and two nephews; four stepchildren; one sister, Joyce Rockafellow of Des Moines and one sister-in-law, Mildred Scott, Bedford.

Vesta will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Green, Gerald Laverne “Jerry”]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     December 28, 1988    p. 3

JERRY GREEN

Funeral services for Gerald "Jerry" Laverne Green were held at the Blockton Christian Church on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1988 at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. Scott Marcum. Interment was in the Athelstan Cemetery. Services were under the direction of the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home.

Gerald "Jerry" Laverne Green was born April 5, 1955 in Mt. Ayr, Iowa to Gerald W. and Norma Jean Wildt Green, and departed this life December 19, 1988 at his home near Blockton, Iowa, at the age of 33 years, eight months and 14 days. Jerry lived in Athelstan, Iowa until the age of nine years when he moved to Missouri. In 1974 he moved back to the Athelstan area.

He married Charlene Gipe on May 4, 1974 in Elmo, Mo. To this union two daughters Andrea Kay, age 12, and Belinda Jean, age 9 were born.

Jerry was a member of the Sheridan Christian Church, a 4-H leader, member of the Advisory Board of MFA, and was a graduate of Sheridan Community High School. He had played Santa the past two years for the Blockton community. His chosen occupation was farming.

In addition to his wife, daughters, and parents, Jerry is survived by one sister, Sherry and her husband Fred Skinner and children Jennifer and Willie of Blockton; one brother Terry Dean and his wife Lori of Grant City; his mother and father-in-law, Jim and Bonnie Gipe of Albany, Mo.; sisters-in-law Benita and husband Martin Lane, Cristie, Keri and Kyle of Houston, Texas; Carolyn and husband Scott Davenport and Jodi of Des Moines; grandmothers, Mrs. Mae McIntyre of Elmo, Mo., and Mrs. Neva Green of Shenandoah; aunts and uncles are Mr. Donald Green, Wahoo, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond White, Shenandoah; Mr. and Mrs. Leland Laghry, Coin; Mr. and Mrs. Junior Green, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Green, Keystone, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Green, Mt. Ayr; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Green, Perry, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Laverne Wildt, Bedford; and other families; other relatives, many friends and neighbors.

[Grubb, Ralph John “Tony”, Sr.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 8, 1984      p. 8

Ralph [Tony] Grubb, Sr. Final Rites Were Held February 28

Funeral services for Ralph (Tony) J. [ohn] Grubb Sr., 65, of Shenandoah, Iowa, were held February 28 in St. John's Episcopal Church with Father Paul Shaffer officiating. Mr. Grubb died February 25, 1984 in Veterans Administration Hospital in Omaha, Nebr. Interment was at the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Ralph J. [ohn] Grubb Sr. was born on April 17, 1918, in Ruthven, Iowa, to Charles [Wesley] and Louise [Louisa Katherine Handke] Grubb.

He married Viola E. Booher on December 9, 1948, in Shenandoah, Iowa. Viola preceded him in death in October of 1981.

He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and was a nurseryman for many years for Mt. Arbor Nurseries in Shenandoah.

Mr. Grubb served during World War II for the United States Army.

He was preceded in death by his wife Viola, his parents, and three brothers, Leroy, Franklyn, and Edward; also a sister Rose.

Left to cherish his memory are: a son, Ralph J. (Jim) Grubb Jr., of Shenandoah; a daughter, Mrs. Larry (Vera) Dumler, of Cumberland; two sisters: Mrs. Floyd (Ruth) Woods Sr. of Ackworth, Iowa, and Mrs. Lyle (Mary) Hilker of Bristow, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Jody, Amy, Colby, and Rawn Grubb, and Derek, Dustin and A. J. Dumler; brothers-in-law Glade Booher of Clarinda, and George Booher of Shambaugh, Iowa; three sisters-in-law Marce Binau of Shenandoah, Darlene Jones of Shenandoah, and Leona Williams of Athelstan, Iowa.

Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Society or the Pioneer Hospice Program.

[Hanks, Claude Friend]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     September 24, 1964     p. 8

Claude Hanks Rites Yesterday

Funeral services for Claude Friend Hanks, 44, former Blockton resident, were held yesterday (Sept. 23) at 708 State Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Ward Campbell officiating. Mr. Hanks died in Kansas City Sept. 20. Military honors were conducted by Blockton American Legion at Athelstan Cemetery.

[Hanks, Claude Friend]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 1, 1964      p. 10

Claude Hanks Rites Sept. 23

Funeral services for Claude Friend Hanks, formerly of Blockton, held Sept. 23 at State Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell. Mr. Hanks died Sept. 20, 1964, in Kansas City, Mo. at the age of 44 years, one month and 18 days. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan.

Included in the services was the following obituary.

Claude Friend Hanks, son of Charles and Dorothy Hanks, was born Aug. 4, 1920 at Blockton, Iowa. He attended school at Blockton.

Later he moved to the state of Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruby Hanks of Kansas City; two sons, Lavond and Phillip Hanks of Lathrop, Mo.; three brothers, Otis of Redding, Ia., Orville of Skidmore, Mo., Harold of Butte, Mont.; five sisters, Mrs. Nancy Turner of Burbank, Calif., Olive Flanders of Cucamonga, Calif., Margaret Persons and Maude Holland both of Des Moines and Orda Moss of Bolton, Mo.; four granddaughters and one grandson as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

His father, mother and one brother preceded him in death.

[Hays, Gertrude Mayer]

Blockton News

Thursday      April 3, 1930     [p. 1]

Obituary

Miss Gertrude Mayer was born in Chicago, Illinois, March 17,1880, and died March 27, 1930, in St. Joseph, Mo., aged 50 years and 10 days. She moved from Chicago to St. Louis, Mo., in 1890, where she resided until 14 years ago when she removed to St. Joseph, Mo.

She was united in marriage to Clyde Hayes [Hays] Feb. 2, 1925. She was taken to a hospital March 14 where she died March 27.

Besides her companion she leaves to mourn their loss two sisters and one brother, Mrs. J. B. Meeder, Mrs. M. Steck, and Harry Mayer, all of St. Louis, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was a faithful, loving wife and good neighbor, and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

The remains were brought to Athelstan March 29th where the funeral services were conducted in the Baptist church by Challie E. Graham, and the remains laid to rest in the cemetery at the same place. The music for the occasion was furnished by Marion, William and Calvin Jenkins, and Ella Knop, with Miss Eleanor McDonald at the piano. The pallbearers were L P Jenkins, Lon Kemery, J. E. Jonathan Vanskyock, and Ernest and Thomas Ford.

The sorrowing ones have the sympathy of a host of friends. May the great loving Father comfort, bless and guide them all into that tearless Home above where is joy forever more.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Times-Republican, April 3, 1930, page 5 through the sentence “and the remains laid to rest in the cemetery at the same place.”]

[Hays, Lydia Bryant Mitchell]

Blockton News

Thursday     February 12, 1920     [p. 1]

Obituary

Lydia Bryant Mitchell was born in Illinois Sept. 9, 1845, and departed this life at her home in Athelstan, Mo. [Iowa], Feb. 3, 1920,aged 74 years, 4 months and 24 days.

She was united in marriage to C. [aleb] M. Hayes [Hays] in 1872. To this union was born seven children, as follows: Ella Pratt, Clarence L. [eRoy], Vernon D., Carl L.[eslie], Floyd H., Charlie C. and Styles E., all of whom are living except Floyd H., Charlie C., Styles E. and Vernon D. She also leaves to mourn her departure, her companion and the following brothers: William Mitchell, Styles Mitchell and Dan Mitchell. Also six grandchildren.

The living children were all present at the funeral except Clarence L. [eroy]. The funeral services were conducted from the home Feb. 5 by Challie E. Graham, pastor of the Isadora Church of Christ after which the remains were laid to rest in the Athelstan cemetery.

The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the many friends, all of whom wish for them the blessing and help of God in this hour of sorrow.

[Hays, Martha Mignon Idleman]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     January 16, 1918    p. 6

Mrs. [Martha]Mignon [Idleman] Hays died at the Noyes hospital in St. Joseph Tuesday [Jan. 8, 1918] following an operation for appendicitis.

[Kemery, Vesta Mabel Adams]

Blockton News

Thursday     February 12, 1920      [p. 1]

Obituary

Vesta Mabel Adams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John [Morgan] Adams, was born Feb. 11, 1897, and departed this life Feb. 7, 1920, lacking 4 days of being 23 years of age.

She was united in marriage to Ira [Birl] Kemery Dec. 13, 1914. To this union was born one son, Clyde Kenneth, aged 2 years.

She confessed faith in Jesus Christ a few years ago and was ever a consistent Christian, telling her friends during her sickness that heaven was like a land of flowers, and that she was going home.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, son, father, mother three sisters and three brothers, Effie, Etta, Myrtle, Elbert, Warren and John, Jr. [words unreadable] only a few days ago. She also leaves her aged grandparents and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were conducted from the home Feb. 9 by Challie E. Graham, pastor of the Isadora Church of Christ, and the remains laid to rest in the Athelstan cemetery.

The bereaved ones have the sympathy of their many friends. We commend them to the kind heavenly Father, and pray his blessings upon them.

[Hiatt, Violet Vivian White Acklin]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     July 6, 1988      p. 3

VIOLET VIVIAN HIATT

Services for Violet Vivian Hiatt, 73, were held June 25, 1988 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home officiated by Rev. Steve Hansen. Burial was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Ia. Mrs. Hiatt died June 23, 1988.

Violet Vivian Hiatt was born October 8, 1914 in Athelstan, Ia., the daughter of Luey Franklin and Bertha (Lee) White.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Alma Shifflet. She was also preceded in death by her husbands, Clarence Acklin and Elvin [George] Hiatt.

Violet is survived by her daughter, Lois Henry, who describes her mother as her best friend and four granddaughters, Mrs. Carl (Karen) Cain, Mrs. David (Susan) Stevens, Sandra Sons and Amy Henry. Violet is also survived by five great grandchildren: Angela, Jonathan, and Clarissa Cain, Stephanie Sons and Matthew Stevens; a brother Raymond White, and a sister, Anis Long.

Her family was the most important thing in her life and she had given her children a treasury of precious memories that they will carry with them always.

[Long, Annis White]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      February 3, 1993     p. 5

Services Wed. for Annis Long

Word has been received here of the death of a former Bedford resident, Annis Long, 80, of Glenwood.

Services were held at 10 a. m. Wednesday in Glenwood with burial at Athelstan Cemetery.

[Long, Annis White]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      February 10, 1993     p. 5

ANNIS LONG

Funeral service for Annis (Mrs. Mervin) Long of Glenwood, were held Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1993 at Peterson Mortuary in Glenwood, Iowa with Rev. Richard T. Wheatley officiating. Graveside service was held at the Athelstan Cemetery.

Annis [White] Long, formerly of Bedford, Iowa was born November 13, 1912 at Athelstan, Iowa and died January 31, 1993 at GlenHaven Home, Glenwood, Iowa.

She married Mervin Wilder Long April 7, 1937 in Grant City, Mo. To this union, four children were born: Vivian Tribbie of Glenwood, sons, Glen Long of Clarinda, Mervin Eugene Long of Glenwood, and Donald Lee Long of Tabor, Iowa.

She lived in Bedford, Clarinda and Corning. She was a housewife.

Left to cherish her memory are her children and 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

[Long, Mervin Wilder]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 6, 1979    p. 6

Mervin Long, 68 Last Rites Were Held Dec. 3

Funeral services for Mervin Wilder Long, 68 of Glenwood, Iowa, held December 3 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Del Kande Krol. Mr. Long died November 30, 1979 in Jenny Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Mervin Wilder Long, son of Lon [Alonzo] and Millie [Amelia Boatman] Long, was born at Gayner City, Missouri April 10, 1911. He lived on a farm near Hopkins, Missouri where he grew to maturity and attended the public school and the Methodist Church.

On April 7, 1937 he was united in marriage to Annis White at Grant City, Missouri and they lived near Bedford, Iowa for a number of years. To this union four children were born, Mrs. Vivian Marie Tribbie, Glenwood, Glen, Clarinda, Eugene, Pacific Junction, Donald, Tabor.

He was engaged in farming until 1963 when he moved to Glenwood, Ia., where he was employed at the Glenwood State Hospital School until his retirement and illness in May 1978.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George Long.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mrs. Annis Long; four children, Mrs. Delbert Tribbie, Glen, Eugene and Donald Long and 10 grandchildren; Darol and Dennis; Larry, Kenny and Karen; Lee, Carlie and Verann; Ricky and Brenda.

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

[White, Bertha Alice Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 17, 1946     p. 3

ATHELStAN

Obituary - Mrs. Frank White

Bertha Alice Lee, daughter of W. [infield] S. [cott] and Annie [Malinda Anna Bryan] Lee, was born at Parnell, Mo., May 10, l887 and died at her home northwest of Athelstan, Saturday, October 5.

As a child she moved with her parents to Blockton, where she grew to womanhood. At an early age, she was converted and became a member of the United Brethren church, and to this Faith she remained true.

She was married to Frank White of Athelstan on January 1, 1911. To them were born four children: Mrs. Annis Long of near Bedford, Raymond White, of Isadora, Mrs. Alma Shiflet of Athelstan, Mrs. Violet Acklin at home.

She is survived by her husband, four children and six grandchildren.

She was a kind and loving wife and mother and her many deeds of kindness will never be forgotten in the community in which she lived.

Services were held at the Community church in Athelstan Tuesday October 8, conducted by Rev. L. B. Day of Maryville. Burial was in the Athelstan  cemetery.

Attend White Rites

Among those from a distance who attended the last rites for Mrs. Frank White, included the following:

Mrs. Paul Booher of Sidney; Jesse Smith and son Tommy Smith and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Wise of Tabor; L. G. Gavin and family of Shenandoah; Berl Brown and family, Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Alexander of Essex; Mr. and Mrs. Clellan White and sons, Virgil and Earl, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell White, Mr. and Mrs. Ray White of Malvern; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Brumfield, Mrs. Herman Miller, Mrs. Roy Weaver, Mrs. Nellie Townsend, Mrs. Jim Hensley, Mrs. Glenn Walkup, Harold Brown and family, all of Bedford; Mrs. Bert Goff, Mrs. Jay Goff, Mrs. Anna Brumfield of Isadora; Mr. and Mrs. John Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Weaver, Mrs. Glenn Stroburg of Blockton.

[White, Luey Franklin “Frank”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 9, 1966     p. 8

Luey White, 78, Rites Tuesday

Funeral services for Luey Frank [lin] White, 78, of Athelstan, were held May 31 at the Community church in Athelstan with Rev. Lawrence B. Day officiating. Mr. White died May 29, 1966 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Annis Long near Glenwood, Ia. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan.

Luey Frank White, son of [David] Frank [lin] and Mary [Elizabeth Brumfield] White, was born June the 10th 1887, near Athelstan.

On January 1, 1911, he was united in marriage to Bertha Alice Lee.

To this union four children were born: Annis, Violet, Raymond and Alma.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha; one daughter, Alma; his parents; two brothers, Floyd and Tom; three sisters, Della, Alma and Madge.

He is survived by two daughters, Annis Long of Glenwood and Violet Hiatt of Farragut; a son, Raymond of Shenandoah, Iowa; one brother, Clellan of Malvern, Ia.; two sisters, Anna Brown of Essex, Ia., and Mary Booher of Sidney, Iowa; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

He was a kind and loving father and was loved by all who knew him.