Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 

[Townsend, Everett Edward]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 16, 1984     p. 4

Last Rites Held February 8 for Everett Townsend, 86

Funeral services for Everett Edward Townsend, 86, of Bedford, held February 8 in Shum- Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings. Mr. Townsend died February 5 in Rosary Hospital in Corning. Bedford Lodge No. 91 conducted I. O. O. F. services with interment in Platteville Cemetery, Platteville, Iowa.

Everett Edward Townsend, son of Franklin James Townsend, and Amy Jared Townsend was born in Ross Township Taylor County Iowa December 10, 1897.

He grew to maturity in the Bedford area where he attended the public school and the Christian Church.

On December 18, 1953 he was united in marriage to Verla [Iness] Streebin at Toledo, Ohio. They resided in Toledo until he retired and they moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Verla died in June of 1975. He continued to live in Des Moines until two years ago when failing health caused him to come to Bedford Manor where he has since resided.

He grew up on the farm near Bedford and was employed as machinery parts man for the Farmers Elevator for a number of years. Later he was employed in similar work in Omaha, Nebraska until he was hired  by the Hershel Manufacturing Company in Toledo, Ohio being in charge of farm equipment parts until he retired. In this employment he did not miss a day of work because of illness and the company upon his retirement recognized him for his duties faithfully performed.

He was a member of the Christian Church and Bedford Lodge No. 91 Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

He was preceded in death by his wife Verla; his parents; a brother Orie Townsend; brothers-in-law, Jeff Barnett and Cecil Streebin.

Left to cherish his memory arc two sisters, Alta Barnett of Shenandoah, Iowa and Florence Gilbert and her husband Ray of Bedford, Iowa; sister- in-law, Helen Streebin; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Everett will be remembered as a good man and he will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

[Townsend, Rosetta Ellen Brott]

Blockton News

Thursday      May 5, 1927    [p. 1]

Mrs. W. J.W. Townsend Dead

Mrs. W. [illiam] J. [ohn] W. [arwick] Townsend, of York, Nebraska, who came to Bedford recently to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Amy Waterman, being in very poor health, passed away Sunday evening. Funeral services were held yesterday morning at 10:30 o’clock.

[Townsend, Rosetta Ellen Brott]

Blockton News

Thursday      May 26, 1927     [p. 1]

Obituary

Rosette [Rosetta] Ellen Brott was born in Monroe County, Iowa, May 10, 1858, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Amy Waterman, at Bedford, Iowa, May 2, 1927. At the time of her death she was within 8 days of sixty-nine years of age.

She was united in marriage to W. [illiam] J. [ohn] W. [arwick] Townsend May 17,1874, living in Taylor county, Iowa, several years after marriage. To this union seven children were born, five of whom are living. Dr. O. [wen] S. Townsend, of York, Nebraska; Mrs. Amy Waterman, of Bedford, Iowa; Dr. Guy [Walter] Townsend, of Denver, Colorado; Ivan Townsend, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Miss Florene Townsend, of Danbury, Conn.

The family moved to York, Nebraska, in 1913, where Mrs. Townsend resided until a few weeks ago, when she went to visit her daughter in Iowa.

When a young girl Mrs. Townsend united with the M. E. church, but on coming to York, she became a member of the United Brethren church. Her whole life, outside of her home, was given to the church, being from childhood a most active and devoted member.

She bore in her life and character all the fruits of the Spirit, love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, faith. She was a faithful worker in the missionary society, having a life membership in the member in the organization.

She was a member of the Daughters of Veterans, her father [rest of sentence unreadable] Civil War when she was only six years old. Mrs. Townsend was also a member of the Rebekah lodge.

Besides her husband and five children, she is survived by two brothers, H. [enry] W. [alter] Brott, of York, Nebraska, and G. [eorge] W. [esley] Brott, of Redding, Iowa.

Funeral services were held May 4, at Bedford, Iowa, Rev. C. L. Young of the York, Nebraska, United Brethren church being in charge and Rev. Fletcher of the Bedford Baptist church assisting. Burial was at Platteville, Iowa where the family resided so many years.

At the funeral service Rev. Young spoke of the victories of the pioneer Christian. The hardships and struggles of those years in Iowa, making a home, raising a family, serving God thru it all and coming to the end of life victorious and triumphant and with the light of Eternal morning on her face.

Lorado Taft spoke of some of the countries of the old world being more artistic than America. They have a background of castles, manors and parks—beautiful for hundreds of years. Mr. Young suggested that while America might not have such a background of beauty, it did have a background of struggle and heroism and religious devotion. England's background may make artists, but America's background has made character.

"The bravest battle that ever was

fought,

Shall I tell you where and when?

On the maps of the world you'll

find it not,

T'was fought by the mothers of

men.

Nay, not with cannon or battle shot,

With sword or noble pen,

Nay, not with eloquent word or

thot,

From mouths of wonderful men.

But in the walled-up woman's

heart,

Of woman that would not yield

But bravely, silently bore her part

Lo, there be the battlefield.

No marching troops, no bivouac

song,

No banners to gleam and waves

But, oh, those battles—they last

so long,

From babyhood to the grave.”

[Townsend, Verla Iness Streebin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 26, 1975      p. 5

Verla Townsend, 67 Dies In Des Moines

Mrs. Everett (Verla Streebin) Townsend, 67, died June 14 at The Americana Nursing Home in Des Moines after a lingering illness.

Verla was born on a farm in Taylor County on February 14, 1906 [1908], the daughter of Charlie and Edna [Edith] Burch Streebin.

She graduated from the Bedford High School in 1927 and attended a Business School in Grand Island, Nebraska. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and worked in the Dime Store in Bedford for several years before moving to Des Moines. While in Des Moines she worked in Ankeny at the John Deere Plant.

On December 18, 1952 she married Everett [Edward] Townsend and moved to Toledo, Ohio, where they resided until December 1962 when they retired and moved back to Des Moines.

When she was a child Verla joined the First Baptist Church in Bedford and while in Des Moines attended the Westover Baptist Church.

She was preceeded in death by her parents and one brother, Cecil V. [ern] Streebin.

Her survivors include her husband, Everett Townsend, of Des Moines; sister-in-law, Helen Streebin, Bedford; two nieces, Dorla Hullinger of Orefield, Pa., and Karen Larison of Ida Grove, Iowa; two nephews, Leale Streebin, Norman, Oklahoma, and Lyndell Streebin, Blockton, Iowa; and several grand nieces and nephews.

Verla donated her body to Iowa City; the ashes will be interned in that city.

A Memorial Fund is being established in Verla's name for the First Baptist Church in Bedford.

[Note: Her gravestone gives her birth date as 1908.]

[Tuttle, Leroy Reginald]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     March 21, 2001

LEROY TUTTLE

Funeral services for LeRoy Tuttle, age 65 of Blockton, who died Friday, March 9, 2001 in Norman, Oklahoma were held Friday, March 16, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at the Blockton Christian Church with Pastor Scott Marcum officiating. Interment with military rites accorded by the John F. Hardin American Legion Post No. 164 were held in the Platteville Cemetery in Platteville. Memorials can be given in his name. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

LeRoy Reginald Tuttle was born June 16, 1935 in Glasgow, Montana, the son of Arthur Reginald Tuttle and Norma Helen McKay Tuttle. LeRoy grew up attending high school and one year of college in Salina, Kansas, after which he began a lifetime career in the United States Air Force where he served around the world and in the United States. While stationed in England he met his wife to be, June Cook, and they were married August 22, 1958 in Salina, Kansas. In 1977 LeRoy retired from the Air Force and they made their home in the Athelstan/ Blockton, Iowa area. For the past five years LeRoy worked for the Jensen Construction Company in Sioux City, Iowa. On November 23, 2000 LeRoy and June went to Blanchard, Oklahoma.

LeRoy is survived by his wife June of Blockton; three daughters, Sherraline Hahn and husband Stephen of Westminister, Maryland; Karen Burnside and husband Burt of Blanchard, Oklahoma; and Diana Cleveland and husband Howard of Cheyenne, Wyoming; his mother, Norma Tuttle of Goldendale, Washington; a brother, Robert Tuttle of Goldendale, Washington; four grandchildren, Gregory Hahn, Cheryl Hahn, Bert Burnside III and Jerrod Cleveland.

Preceding LeRoy in death are his father Arthur Tuttle, a brother, Norman Tuttle and a daughter, Shelia Ann Tuttle.

[Van Reenan, Margaret Ellen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 15, 1935     p. 8

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Van Reenen [Van Reenan] of Bedford, Friday, August 9. She was named Margaret Ellen. The little one lived only a few hours.

[West, Elmer Ellsworth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 3, 1955     p. 5

BLOCKTON NEWS

BLOCKTONElmer Ellsworth West, Grant City resident, died at Mt. Ayr hospital Jan. 19, 1955 at the age of 78 years. Funeral services were held Jan. 22, 1955 at the Methodist church in Grant City. Burial was in Platteville cemetery. Mr. West formerly lived on a farm south of Blockton.

[West, Maud Ethel Younkin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 8, 1954      p. 3

BLOCKTON NEWS

BLOCKTONMrs. Elmer West died after a long illness at the Grant City Nursing Home Monday night, March 29.

She was born August 20, 1882 in Taylor county, the daughter of William and Mary Younkin. Her early life was spent in Taylor County. After marriage, her life was spent in Worth county, Mo. She and her husband lived on a farm until 1923 when they moved to Grant City and remained there until the time of her death.

She is survived by her husband, Elmer E. [llsworth] West, one son Arthur West and wife of Wilmette, Ill.; two grandsons, Paul and David West; and one brother, Jesse Younkin of Bedford.

Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.

[West, Maud Ethel Younkin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 8, 1954     p. 3

BLOCKTON NEWS

BLOCKTONMrs. Elmer West [Maud Ethel Younkin] died after a long Illness at the Grant City Nursing Home Monday night, March 29.

She was born August 20, 1882 in Taylor county, the daughter of William and Mary [Quimby] Younkin. Her early life was spent in Taylor County. After marriage, her lite was spent in Worth county, Mo. She and her husband lived on a farm until 1923 when they moved to Grant City and remained there until the time of her death.

She is survived by her husband, Elmer E. [llsworth] West, one son Arthur West and wife of Wilmette, Ill.; two grandsons, Paul and David West; and one brother, Jesse Younkin of Bedford.

Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.

Fred Ridge, accompanied by his son Lloyd Ridge and wife, attended the funeral of Mrs. Elmer West at Grant City last Wednesday.

[Widner, Allen H.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      November 15, 1920     p. 3

Died In Missouri

A. [llen] H. Widner died at his home near Adrian, Mo., Friday evening at 7 o'clock after an illness of several years. The funeral services were held at Adrian Sunday, and interment also made there. He is survived by his wife [Amelia Brown] and one daughter, Mrs. Ruth Rexread [Rexroad], who had spent the past year at her parents home, one grandchild, Perry Allen Rexread [Rexroad]. Four sisters and four brothers also survive. They are R. H. Widner of Kansas City, Kans., L. [ytle] C. [hristian] Widner, Mrs. I. W. Ulrich, Mrs. W. D. Griffith and Mrs. Leo Daugherty all of Bedford, all five of whom were present at the funeral; J. H. B. Widner of Bedford, Mrs. C. B. Frantz of St. Joseph, Mo., and R. B. Widner of Sutherland, Nebra. Two little daughters and one sister, Mrs. Charles Mohler, preceded him.

[WIDNER, ALLEN H.]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, November 18, 1920
Mesdames Griffith, Daugherty, and Ulrich and L. C. Widner came home Tuesday noon after attending the funeral of their brother, A. [llen] H. Widner of Adrian, Mo.

[Widner, Margaret B. “Maggie”]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday      May 24, 1894     [p. 1]

In Memoriam

Written in memory of Little Maggie B. Widner, who died April 15, 1894:

A bud the Gardener gave us,

A pure and lovely child;

He gave it to our keeping,

To cherish undefiled.

But just as it was opening

To the glory of the day,

Down came the heavenly Gardener,

And took our bud away.

Around its little grave we linger,

Till the setting sun is low;

Feeling all our hopes have perished

With the flower we cherished so. ---M. W.

[Wilcox, Mary Isabel Stedwell]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday      March 19, 1919     [p. 1]

Obituary

Mary I. [sabel] Stedwell was born in Hartford Conn. May 18, 1853. Her early life was spent in the state of New York where she resided until 1869.

She was united in marriage with Thos. W. Wilcox February 15, 1971 [1871] at Grove City Iowa. After living a short time at Atlantic, they came to Bedford on May 16, 1872 where they continued their residence until their decease.

Five children were born to this union, a son and daughter dying in infancy. Mrs. Wilcox united with the Presbyterian Church on Jan. 11, 1904

Her husband passed away Feb. 1, 1918. After a short illness she passed away March 16th 1919 at Shenandoah, Iowa at the home of her daughter.

The funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church Tuesday March 18 at 1:30 P. M. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

She leaves to mourn her loss, one daughter and two sons—Mrs. Minnie Hughes, Shenandoah, Lyman Wilcox, Kansas City Mo. and Harry Wilcox of Davenport, Iowa.

[Wilcox, Mary Isabel Stedwell]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 20, 1919     [p. 1]

ECCENTRIC BEDFORD WOMAN DIED SUNDAY

MRS. TIMOTHY WILCOX DIED AT HOME OF DAUGHTER IN SHENANDOH 

In the Earlier Days of Bedford Mrs. Wilcox and Her Husband Occupied a Prominent Place in Its Activities

Many years ago in Bedford Prof. and Mrs. Timothy Wilcox of Bedford occupied front page prominence in the local newspapers on account of the many varied events of their life. Both had peculiar ideas in regard to many things, and frequently the Professor would put on a "show" in the old city hall or opera house, where he called upon his wife to assist him in legerdemain, ventriloquism and other stunts to amuse and entertain the public. For a number of years they lived on Main street on the lot just west of where now stands Dr. C. M. Paschal's office. One of the peculiarities of their life was a firm belief that a house built half under the ground made the best kind of residence and was a protection from the cold winds of winter. In those days he was a well digger, one [of] his eccentric signs swinging from his residence was "Wells dug upward 40 cents." It was along about this time that this couple had a wedding anniversary, probably known then as the "wooden anniversary." Practically everybody in Bedford was a guest during the day and left something useful. It required some two or three columns to report this event in the old Republican, and it was illustrated with old "wood cuts." Whenever an event of this kind was pulled off, Prof, and Mrs. Wilcox, in order to show their gratitude, would put on a public entertainment, so they continued in the limelight for many years. Mr. Wilcox gained considerable local reputation as a weather prophet, and would boast with considerable pride that he had never yet made a mistake in his prognostications. He did not depend on the day-to-day variety as the U. S. weather bureau employs, but would forecast the number of snowstorms or rain storms to occur in Bedford for a period of the entire year.

Well, this is all ancient. Time has worked its changes, and with it has brought the passing away of both of these people. Prof. Wilcox died several years ago in Bedford at his more recent home in the south part of town, near the St. Joe bridge. His wife died at the home of his daughter at Shenandoah last Sunday, and the Sentinel-Post of that city says:

Mrs. Mary Wilcox of Bedford, mother of Mrs. J. E. Hughes of this city, died at the home of her daughter, 1208 West Sheridan Avenue at 8 o'clock Sunday morning. Pneumonia was the cause of her death. Mrs. Wilcox came to Shenandoah two weeks ago for a visit and was taken sick a week ago. The body will be taken to Bedford tomorrow for burial.

Besides Mrs. Hughes, two sons survive, L. [yman] A. Wilcox of Kansas City, Mo., and H. [arry] E. Wilcox of Davenport. Mr. Wilcox died about a year ago. The deceased was past 65 years of age.

_____________________

Mary I [sabel] Stedwell was born in Hartford, Conn., May 18, 1853. Her early life was spent in New York State, where she resided until 1869.

She was united in marriage, with Thos. W. Wilcox Feb. 15, 1871, at Grove City, Iowa. After living a short time at Atlantic, Iowa, they came to Bedford on May 16, 1872, where they resided until their decease.

Mrs. Wilcox was the mother of five children, a son and daughter, dying in childhood.

She united with the Presbyterian Church on Jan. 11, 1904.

Her husband passed away Feb. 1, 1918, after a short illness. She passed away March 16th 1919, at Shenandoah at the home of her daughter. The funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church Tuesday March 18, at 1:30 P. M. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

She leaves to mourn her departure one daughter and two sons: Mrs. Minnie Hughes of Shenandoah, Iowa and Lyman Wilcox, Kansas City Mo. and Harry Wilcox of Davenport, Iowa.

[Wilcox, Thomas W.]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     February 6, 1918     p. 4

Obituary Thomas Wilcox

Thomas Wilcox passed away at his home in south Bedford, Friday, February 1. The funeral services were held, Saturday afternoon from the Presbyterian Church conducted by Rev. J.  A. Currie. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

Thomas W. Wilcox was the son of Jacob Caleb and Jane [Maria Bartlett] Wilcox and was born in Canada February 29, 1836.

He came to the U. S. at the age of 20 and with his parents lived at Maquoketa, Iowa. Soon after coming to Iowa, he was married to Nancy Ann Martin, to which union five children were born, a boy and girl dying in infancy.

His second marriage took place at Grove City, Iowa, February 15, 1871, when Joshua L. Smith, justice of the peace performed the ceremony, which united the deceased and Miss Mary I. [sabel] Stedwell in the bonds of matrimony. Their home was in Atlantic, Iowa for a time. On May 16, 1872, they came to Bedford and continued to make their residence here until his decease.

Five children were born to the second union, a son and daughter also dying in childhood.

Soon after coming to Bedford, he professed faith in Christianity and united with the Christian church. On January 11, 1904, with his wife he became a member of the Presbyterian Church during the pastorate of Rev. R. L. Barackman.

He was the oldest of twelve children, five of whom died in childhood. Three brothers and three sisters grew to manhood and womanhood but all preceeded him in death save one brother, Duley M. Wilcox, who is now at the county home near Maquoketa, Iowa.

He was in his usual health, seemingly, on Friday, February 1, 1918 and was attending to some household duties when seized with an attack of the heart trouble with which he had been bothered for some years. This attack was fatal and he passed away at the age of 81 years, 11 months, 2 days, after a residence in Bedford of 45 years, 8 months, 15 days. He leaves to mourn his departure the bereaved wife, four sons and three daughters. Mrs. Addie Harding, Oto, Iowa; Sylvester Wilcox, Oto, Iowa; J. C. Wilcox, of Canada; H. [arry] E. Wilcox, Kansas City, Mo.; Lyman A. [ndrew] Wilcox and Mrs. J. [ames] E. Hughes, Shenandoah, Iowa.

[Wilcox, Thomas W.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     February 7, 1918    p. 8

Thomas W. Wilcox

Thomas W. Wilcox was the son of Jacob Caleb and Jane [Maria Bartlett] Wilcox and was born in Canada, February 29, 1936 [1836].

He settled at Maquoketa Iowa at the age of 20 and shortly afterward was married to Nancy Ann Martin to which union five children were born, a boy and girl dying in infancy.

He was married a second time on February 15, 1871 at Grove City, Iowa when Miss Mary I. [sabel] Sledwell [Stedwell] became his wife, Joshua L. Smith Justice of the peace performing the ceremony.

For a time their home was at Atlantic, Iowa. On May 16 1872 they came to Bedford and continued to make this city their home.

Five children were born to this second union, a son and daughter also dying in Childhood.

Soon after coming to Bedford the deceased professed faith in Christianity and became a member of the Christian church. On Jan. 11, 1904 with his wife he became a member the Presbyterian church, during the pastorate of Rev. R. L. Barackman

He was the oldest of 12 children. Three brothers and three sisters grew to manhood and womanhood but all preceded him in death save one brother, the Dudley M. Wilcox, who is now at the county home at Maquoketa, Iowa. He was in his usual health seemingly on Friday, Feb. 1, 1918 and was attending to some household duties when seized with an attack of the heart trouble with which he had been bothered for some years, This attack was fatal and he passed away at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 2 days, after a residence in Bedford of 45 years, 8 months, 15 day.

He leaves to mourn his departure the bereaved wife, four sons and three daughters, Mrs. Addie Harding and Sylvester Wilcox, Oto, Iowa; J. C. Wilcox, of Canada; H. [arry] E. Wilcox, Kansas City, Mo.; Lyman A. [ndrew] Wilcox, and Mrs. J. [ames] E. Hughes [Minnie May], Shenandoah, Iowa.

The funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church Saturday, Feb. 2, 1918 at 4 P. M. The service was conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie.

Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.