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

[AMBROSE, ANITA MARIE BARNES]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, March 22, 1962, p. 4

Mrs. L. Ambrose Dies In Ia. City

Mrs. Anita Barnes Ambrose, 26, of Gravity, died Thursday, March 15 at University hospitals in Iowa City after a lingering illness. She formerly made her home in Lenox with the Russell Dukes family after her mother's death. She was a graduate of Lenox high school

Survivors include her husband, Lloyd Ambrose; two daughters, Barbara and Pamela, one son, LaVern, all of Gravity; her father, A. C. Barnes and brother, Kermit Barnes of Braddyville; six half-brothers, Virgil Dukes of Clarinda, Russell Dukes of Lenox, Drexel Dukes of Villisca, Ray Dukes of Kent, Randy and Martin Dukes of Braddyville; one half sister, Mrs. Viola Starlin of Diagonal.

Funeral services were held Sunday at two p. m. at the Christian church in Gravity. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

[BAKER, ELIHU MARION]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, April 1, 1943, p. 3

E. M. Baker Dies

E. [lihu] M. [arion]  Baker, 87, died at his home in Gravity Sunday, March 28. He had been in poor health for several years.

His wife preceded him in death just three weeks ago Sunday.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Jess Wilson of Gravity and one son, Clarence Baker of LeRoy, Iowa; three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.

[BAKER, LEWIS GLEN]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, September 16, 1971, p. 7

Glen Baker, 74, Rites Sept. 10 In Gravity

Funeral services for Lewis Glen Baker, 74, long time resident of Gravity, were held September 10, in the Gravity Christian church conducted by Pastor Perry Cozadd. Mr. Baker died September 7, 1971 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville after a long illness. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Lewis Glen Baker was born in Randolph, Iowa to Mr. and Mrs. Elza Baker on February 10, 1897. He lived in Taylor Co., Iowa the most of his life. As a boy he became a member of the Fairview Church.

On March 26, 1919 he was married to Orpha Konecne. To this union three children were born: Bernard of Cedar Creek, Nebr.; Ms. Loretta Nielson of Sioux Falls, S. Dak., and Darrell of Gravity.

Prior to 1935 he farmed north of Gravity, later moving to Gravity where he managed a service station for many years. He has been active in civic activities and gave much thought to the welfare of his community.

He was a devoted husband and father. He loved and fully enjoyed his grandchildren and only great grandson. He lived to celebrate his 52nd wedding anniversary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Earl and son-in-law, Lars Nielsen.

He is survived by his wife, three children; two daughters-in-law; Hazel and Joan; five grandchildren; one great grandson; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Cooper of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Keith Hadley of Corning, Iowa, many other relatives and friends.

Glen was a true friend and a good neighbor; he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

[BAKER, ORPHA PEARL KONECNE]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, September 30, 1976

Orpha Baker, 77, Final Rites Held September 28

Funeral services for Mrs. Lewis Glen (Orpha) Baker, 77, lifelong resident of the Gravity vicinity, were held September 28 at the Gravity Christian Church with Mr. Marty Burgus officiating. Mrs. Baker died September 26 in Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Ia. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Orpha Pearl Konecne was born on a farm north of Gravity to John and Effie Konecne on August 12, 1899.

On March 26, 1919, she was married to Lewis Glen Baker. To this union three children were born, Bernard of Cedar Creek, Nebr., Mrs. Loretta Nielsen of Sioux Falls, So. Dak., and Darrell of Griswold, Ia.

Orpha lived in the Gravity vicinity all of her life. She was a member of Fairview Church and later transferred to Gravity Christian Church. She was active in church and other activities until her recent illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, Ora, and son-in-law, Lars Nielsen.

She is survived by her three children; two daughters-in-law, Hazel and Joan; five grandchildren; two great grandsons; two sisters, Mrs. Bessie Roberts of Vancouver, Wash., and Grace Foster of Gravity; one brother, Fred Konecne of Creston, Ia.; many other relatives and friends.

Orpha was a true friend and good neighbor and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

[BAKER, SERENA ALICE ALVORD]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, March 11, 1943, p. 7

Mrs. Baker Dies

Serena Alice Baker, 80, died at her home in Gravity Sunday morning. She had been in poor health for several years but seemed improved. Her death was due to heart trouble.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Christian church conducted by Rev. Mr. Proctor.

She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Rena Wilson of Gravity; one son, Clarence Baker of LeRoy; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren.

[BAKER, SERENA ALICE ALVORD]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, March 18, 1943, p. 2

Mrs. E. M. Baker

Serena Alice Alvord, daughter of Elbridge D. [eming] and Lucinda Churchill Alvord, was born near Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, November 15, 1862 and died at her home in Gravity March 7, 1943 at the age of 80 years, 3 months, 22 days.

She came with her parents to Taylor County, Iowa in 1865 and had resided in this community since that time.

On March 2, 1881 she was married to Elihu M. [arion] Baker. To them two children were born, a daughter, Mrs. J. R. Wilson of Gravity and a son, Clarence C. Baker of LeRoy, both of whom remain with their father to mourn the loss of a devoted wife and a loving mother. There are also three grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Emma Wisecup of Gravity.

At the age of 14 years she accepted Christ as her Savior and lived an earnest Christian life. She united with the Baptist church at Washington Center schoolhouse, that being used as a church at that time. When the Fairview Christian church was organized in Holt Township she became one of the charter members. After moving to Gravity she transferred her membership to the Christian church.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, being a charter member. She was also a member of the Rebekah lodge for many years.

The funeral services were held at the Christian church at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. C. W. Proctor. The Rebekah burial service was given at the grave in the Gravity cemetery.

[BURMEISTER, HARRIET HALDEN]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, June 23, 2004

HARRIET BURMEISTER - Funeral services for Harriett Burmeister, age 96 of Gravity, who died Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center were held Thursday, June 17, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Pastor William Ballard officiating. Interment was held at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be directed to the Stroke Association. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Harriet Halden Burmeister, the youngest of five children, was born June 17, 1907 in Moravia, Iowa the daughter of James Halden and Harriet Berry Halden. As a teenager, she became an accomplished pianist and played piano in silent movie houses. She met her future husband, Harry Burmeister, at Iowa State College in Ames. On January 1,1927, they were united in marriage. In November of 1939 the couple moved to Gravity where they purchased an International Harvester Dealership. While living in Gravity, she became active in the Methodist Church and played for many worship services there.

Harriet was asked to join the Study Club in 1940, and was active in that organization for over fifty-five years. Harriett and Harry thoroughly enjoyed traveling, and managed to visit each of the contiguous forty-eight states. She was excellent at needlepoint and took great pride in displaying her work. She also had a 'green thumb' with the ability to propagate and grow houseplants of any kind. Together she and Harry belonged to several neighborhood card clubs once they moved to Gravity. They continued to enjoy those relationships after they moved to a farm west of Bedford in 1953. Together they shared over sixty-two years of marriage before his death in 1989.

Left to cherish Harriet's memory are her two sons, James Burmeister and wife Virginia of Heyburn, Idaho; and Mark Burmeister and wife Phyllis of Marlton, New Jersey; a son-in-law, Phillip Willson of Council Bluffs, Iowa; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding Harriet in death were her parents James and Harriett Halden; her husband Harry who died July 30, 1989; and a daughter, Barbara Willson who died September 2, 2001.

[BURMEISTER, HARRY AUGUST]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, August 9, 1989

HARRY AUGUST BURMEISTER - Services for Harry Burmeister, 84, Gravity, were held August 3 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings   officiating.   Burial was at Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Mr. Burmeister died July 30, 1989 at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Neb.

Harry Burmeister, son of Ernest Burmeister and Hannah Andersen Burmeister was born on May 2, 1905 on a farm near Treynor, Iowa. He grew to maturity on the farm near Treynor, attending a country school and Treynor High School He was confirmed in the Congregational Church of Treynor at the age of 13.

While attending Iowa State College in Ames, he met Harriet Halden and on January 1, 1927 they were united in marriage in Moravia, Iowa. They lived on a farm near Walnut, Iowa and to this union three 3 children were born, Barbara, James, and Mark.

He was employed by farm implement dealers in Treynor and Fontanelle, Iowa. In 1939 he came to Gravity where he owned and operated the Gravity Implement Company until 1953. He was known and respected as a fair and honest businessman.

While a resident of Gravity, he was active in the community and served several terms on both the Board of Education for the Gravity Independent School District and the Gravity Town Council.

In 1953 he and his wife moved to a farm near Bedford where he resided until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marjorie Burmeister Hickey; and a brother, Raymond Burmeister.

Left to cherish his memory are: his wife; his three children; Barbara and husband Phillip Willson, James and wife Virginia, and Mark and wife Phyllis; seven grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

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

[CHURCHILL, LARRY C.]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, November 14, 1968, [p. 1]

Conway Youth Killed Sunday On Icy Highway

Larry Churchill, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Cecil (Billy) Churchill of Conway died about 4:45 pm Sunday when a car in which he was riding skidded out of control on snow slick Interstate 35 about five miles north of Osceola.

Funeral services for Larry will be held today (Thursday) at the Bedford Christian Church at 2 pm conducted by Rev. John D. Kerr and Rev. Ivo Randels. Interment will be at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

In addition to his parents Larry is survived by two brothers, Monte and Craig.

Killed in the same accident was Myra Beach, 19, of Ankeny. Driver of the car, Jeffrey Stroburg, 18, of Blockton was hospitalized in a Des Moines hospital. The three were all students at Iowa State University and were returning to classes when the car in which they were riding reportedly was struck by another car, which was attempting to pass it, spun out of control, crashed into the median and was struck again by a semi-truck trailer truck.

Myra, who worked for Look Magazine in Des Moines, was a former Sharpsburg resident. Her grandmother is Mrs. Eula Beach of Lenox.

Larry and Jeffery were both 1968            BCHS graduates.

[CHURCHILL, LARRY C.]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, November 21, 1968

Larry Churchill Rites Nov. 14 

Funeral services for Larry C. Churchill, 19, of Conway, were held November 14 at the Bedford Christian Church, conducted by Rev. Ivo G. Randels and Rev. John D. Kerr. Larry died November 10, 1968, in an automobile accident. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Larry C. Churchill, son of Glen C. [ecil] and Martha Florene Churchill, was born October 6, 1949 at Maryville, Mo,

Larry attended school in Bedford since the third grade and graduated from the Bedford Community High School with the class of 1968. At the time of his death he was attending Iowa State University at Ames.  Iowa.

He was baptized and became a member of the Bedford Christian Church about five, years ago.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Clarence Churchill, and his grandmother, Iva Dougherty.

Those left to cherish his memory besides his parents are two brothers in the home, Monte D. aged 13 years, and Craig T. aged 9 years; his grandmother, Nora Churchill; a grandfather, Pete Dougherty, both of Gravity, Ia.; two aunts and one uncle   and   ten cousins.

Larry was much interested in sports, participating in basketball while in high school. He also served on the Student Council, held some class offices, and was president of Southwest Iowa Future Teachers Assoc.

Larry was a kind and considerate son and brother.

His friendship was valued by his many friends and acquaintances.

[COE, CHARLENE ETHEL MAJORS]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, November 2, 1994

CHARLENE ETHEL COE - Charlene Ethel Coe was born on April 5, 1916 to Frank and Anna Jepson Majors at rural Page County, Iowa. She grew up in the Siam, Iowa area and attended Hardee School.

She married Lyle B. [ernard] Coe on June 27, 1940 at Sidney, Iowa and lived in the Clarinda area after their marriage.

To this marriage, one daughter, Nancy, was born.

Services for Charlene were held at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford on October 16, 1994 with interment at Gravity, Iowa.  

During World War II, Charlene and Lyle lived in Springfield, Mo. where Lyle worked after joining the armed services. After the war they moved back to the Clarinda area where they both worked at the Iowa State Mental Health Institute in Clarinda and later moved to Gravity in the early 1950's where she lived until her death.

In 1978, after 30 years of service, Charlene retired and continued to live in Gravity with her husband.

Charlene died at the age of 78 on October 13, 1994 at Jenny Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

She was a member of the Gravity American Legion Auxiliary as well as the Gravity United Methodist Church for the last forty-two years.

Charlene was preceded in death by her husband; both parents; and one brother, Lloyd Majors.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy and husband Gary Wyckoff; one grandson, Daniel Wyckoff; one brother, Lyle Majors; all of Bedford, Iowa; and four sisters, Erma Dinchak of Sun City, Ariz.; Gladys Slama of Greenfield, Wisc.; Wanda Moore of Clarinda, Iowa; and Wilma Morris of Berryville, Ark.; and many other relatives and friends.

[COE, LYLE BERNARD]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, July 27, 1988

LYLE BERNARD COE - Services for Lyle Bernard Coe, 74, were held at Shum-Novinger Funeral home July 25, 1988 with Rev. Paul Shultz officiating.

Military honors were provided by Gravity American Legion with burial at Washington Cemetery, Gravity. Mr. Coe died July 21, 1988 at Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, Ia.

Lyle Bernard Coe, son of Glen and Ola Tiffeny Coe was born at Woodbine, Ia. August 26, 1913. He lived in Dunlap and Woodbine area and grew to maturity there where he attended the public school and Methodist Church.

On June 27, 1940 he was united in marriage to Charlene Majors at Sidney, Ia. and they lived in the Clarinda area.

To this union one child was born, Nancy Louise.

He was employed by Nurswigh Mental Health Institute in Clarinda.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Marjorie.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, daughter Nancy and husband Gary Wyckoff, grandson Daniel; and sisters, Glenadine Selleck, Woodbine, Ia., Fern Millison, Clarinda; brothers Alvin and George of Canyon Lake, Tx. and Max of Woodbine.

He attended church at the Methodist Church in Gravity and belonged to the American Legion at Gravity.

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

[COMBS, NEIL EVERETT]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, June 3, 1998

Neil Everett Combs - Funeral services were held Friday, May 29, 1998 at Walker Merrick Funeral Home in Clarinda, IA for Neil Combs. Loren Daly officiated. Burial was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, IA.

Neil Everett Combs was born November 4, 1920 in Dallas Township, Taylor County, Iowa to Harry Gilbert and Sylvia Rose (Lewellen) Combs. He was the middle child, having an older sister, Crystal and a younger sister, Jean.

Neil attended Glasgow country school, graduating in June 1934 from the 8th grade. He then helped his father on the farm. In the spring of 1938, his parents moved to Polk Township near Siam, where he met our mother, Gladys Dalrymple.

Both of our parents enjoyed music and began to sing together at community gatherings. Dad played guitar and Mom played piano and violin.

Neil died May 26, 1998 while working on the farm. Farming was his life's work and passion and even their wedding date was determined by the crops, as when the crops were out he told Gladys they could get married the next day. Thus on December 12, 1940 they were married by the KFNF radio minister in Shenandoah, Iowa and soon began farming near Siam.

In 1946 they moved to their farm southeast of Gravity where they lived until 1969 when they moved to Gravity and he drove to the "west place" near Ladoga, where he farmed until his death.

Grandpa also loved to fish, and taught the grandchildren not only how to fish, but how to fillet the fish so they were ready to cook. He himself was snagged many a time in a grandchild's cast. Neil and his son, Harry, have enjoyed an annual fishing trip to Minnesota for years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Crystal Spring Todd; grandsons Bradley O'Dell and Benjamin Beemer; daughter in law, Judy Combs. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Combs of the home; sister, Jean (Mrs. Harold) Hartman, Clarinda; by children Harry and wife Mary of Fairfax, MO, Patricia and husband Keith O'Dell of New Market, Lorelei and husband Stephen Rusco of Gravity.

His nine grandchildren are Brent O'Dell, Council Bluffs; Holly and husband Tracy Barnes, Fairfax, MO; Dr. Nishi O'Dell, Ellis, KS; Jeremy and wife Linda Wheeler of Gravity; Mike and wife Dawn Lewis of Fairfax, MO; Jason Combs, Lincoln, NE; Beth and husband Jon Graves, Fairfax, MO; Jacob Hill, Bedford; and Josh Rusco, Gravity.

His fifteen great grandchildren, Bradley and Paula O'Dell; Dustin, Kelly, Spencer, Jase and Goldie Barnes; Amber and Baylee Lewis; Tiana, Kelsey, Audrey and Devon Wheeler; Brett and Benjamin Hill.

 

[HENDRICKSON, EDITH BURNADINE KIMPTON]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Funeral services for Edith Hendrickson, age 93 of Bedford, who died Saturday, May 17, 2003 at Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center were held Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at. 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Allman officiating. Interment was held in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be given in to the Bedford Fire Department. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Edith B. [urnadine] Kimpton Hendrickson was born to John A. [ckerman] and Ethel Beery Kimpton on July 24,1909 northwest of Gravity and departed this life on May 17, 2003 at the age of 93 years 9 months and 23 days.    

She spent the early years of her life at the farm home of her parents, along with her three brothers and three sisters. She attended and graduated from Eighth grade at Washington Township #3 School. She graduated from Gravity High School in 1927 and received her college at Cedar Falls Extension Summer Schools held by the Iowa Teachers College at Cedar Falls. She taught school for thirteen years in the Rural Schools of Taylor County.

Her entire life was spent in Taylor County with the exception of eight months spent in Winterset, Iowa. She is a member of the Gravity Christian Church, which she attended as long as she was able.

On May 18, 1940, she was united in marriage to C. [ornelius] L. Hendrickson and they moved to the farm home they had purchased the preceding year. It was located three miles northeast of Sharpsburg. All of her married life was spent there and she stayed on one and one half years after her husband passed away from cancer on May 18, 1972 on their thirty-second wedding anniversary.

She lived eight months in Winterset, Gravity for eight years, Lenox for five and later moved to Bedford in 1987. Edith enjoyed the farm and the lifestyle it provided, raising livestock and working in her garden. Even though they had no children of their own they loved their nieces and nephews like their own. She had a place for everything, keeping the farm and her home just so. Edith loved to crochet, making towels and pillows for family members.

Edith is survived by two sisters, Vida Snyder of Winterset and Mrs. Carl (Lois) Anderson of Winterset; one brother-in-law, Carl Anderson; three sisters-in-law, Beth Kimpton of Bedford, Julia Wheeler and Mable Brenton of Corning, Iowa; many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Preceding Edith in death were her husband, C. L.; her parents; three brothers, Homer, Wilbur and Paul; two nephews Homer Kirk Kimpton and Jimmy Kimpton; and sister, Iva.

[HICKS, IVA PLEASANT BEERY]

Clarinda Herald Journal, Monday, April 16, 1979

Mrs Glen Hicks Gravity native

GRAVITY—Mrs. Glen (Iva) Hicks, 88, died Sunday morning at the Colonial Manor in Bedford where she has been a resident the last seven years. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 pm in the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home at Bedford with burial at the Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

She was born in the Gravity area, homesteaded in Montana in 1914 and came back to make her home at Gravity around 1950.

[HICKS, IVA PLEASANT BEERY]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, April 26, 1979, p. 4

Services Held for Iva Hicks, Apr. 17

Funeral services for Mrs. Glen A. (Iva) Hicks, 88, of Bedford, held April 17 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Carl Cummings. Mrs. Hicks died April 15, 1979 in Bedford Manor. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Ia.

Iva Pleasant Beery Hicks, the youngest child of Daniel J. and Rachel D. Beery, was born July 19, 1890 near Shambaugh, in Page Co., Iowa.

The family moved to Taylor Co. when Iva was three years old and lived on what was known as "The Shambaugh Place." She attended school at Wesley #3 and graduated from the eighth grade. She later attended Normal School at both Bedford and Clarinda. She taught school for several terms in the rural Schools of Taylor Co.

She was united in marriage to Glen A. [rthur] Hicks on March 26, 1912. In 1914 they moved to Vida, Montana and homesteaded on government land. She encountered many harrowing experiences during those early years on the homestead.

She and Glen returned to Iowa in 1918 but "The Call of the West" was too strong for them and they moved back to Montana in 1923. They returned to Iowa several times to care for ailing members in their families.

Due to Glen's illness they returned to Iowa in 1950 and lived near or in Gravity until he died in 1969. Since then, Iva has lived with others and has spent the past seven years at Bedford Manor due to her illness of Par[kinson's disease? This part of sentence missing].

She was baptized into Christ for remission of sins at the New Market Christian Church.

Iva was talented in many ways. During her early years she will be remembered for her pleasant smile and her laughter. She was a patient sufferer and never complained.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen, her parents, two brothers, A. C. and Lawrence Beery and four sisters, Mary Hixson, Maybelle Argetsinger, Zena Westphal and Ethel Kimpton.

She leaves to cherish her memory two sisters-in-law, Jessie Beery of Bedford Manor and Maude Beery of Wolf Point, Mont. and several nieces, nephews and friends.

She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

[HUSS, CHARLES ALONZO]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, April 11, 1990

Funeral  services  for Charles Alonzo Huss were held Tuesday, April 10, 2:00 p.m. at the   Shum-Novinger   Funeral Home in Bedford. Rev. Ted DeHass conducted the services and burial was at Washington Cemetery in Gravity.

Charles Alonzo Huss, son of Lewis and Jane Firkins Huss was born on September 30, 1915 at home in rural Taylor County, Iowa and departed this life on April 7, 1990 in Lenox, Iowa at the age of 74 years.

He lived in Taylor County and grew to maturity in Taylor County where he attended the public school and the Maple Grove Church in Guss.

On June 6, 1936 he was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Mae Cree at Clarinda, Iowa and they lived most of their life in Taylor County.

He was a farmer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Vada   McColm   and   Mildred Moore.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Gwendolyn of the home; his sister Lola Perdew and husband, Howard, of Bedford; brother, Calvin Huss and wife, Golda   of Lyons, Co.; nieces, Joreen Cole of Missouri and Joyce Jones of Colorado; nephews, Larry McColm and Lewis McColm, both of Missouri; many other relatives and many friends.

In June of this year Charles and Gwendolyn would have celebrated 54 years of marriage.

He was kind and considerate, a friend to all, and he was a hard worker. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

[HUSS, GWENDOLYN MAY CREE]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, December 13, 1995

GWENDOLYN MAY (CREE) HUSS - Gwendolyn May (Cree) Huss, age 81, was born February 12, 1914 in rural Taylor County, Iowa to parents   Ora   L. [eslie] Cree   and Charlotte Lou Cree.   She died on December 6, 1995 at the Clearfield Nursing Home of Clearfield, Iowa.

Gwendolyn grew to maturity in rural Taylor County where she graduated   form   Gravity   High School in 1932, and was a member of the Oak Hill Congregational Church of rural Gravity.

She was united in marriage on June 6, 1936 to Charles A. [lonzo] Huss at the Clarinda Methodist Church. They farmed together near Gravity and then Lenox. No children were born to this union.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She is survived by one sister and her husband, Max and Darlene Shipley of Lenox; a sister-in-law and her husband, Howard and Lola Perdew of Bedford; nieces Joreen Cole of Richmond, Missouri, and Joyce Jones of Lyons, Colorado; nephews Lewis McColm of Ludlow, Missouri, and Larry McColm of Kahoka, Missouri; plus a host of cousins.

Before her husband's death five years ago, they had spent many of their retirement winters (17 in all) living in Texas. Gwendolyn is remembered for having a beautiful garden with rows of flowers lining the border for all to see as they passed by their farm.

[JOHNSON, MARY MAY MELVIN]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, August 6, 1986

Services held for Mary Johnson

Services were held Saturday, August 2, 2 p.m. for Mary Melvin Johnson at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.

Mary Melvin Johnson, daughter of James E. [dwin] and Sarah E. [lizabeth] Martin Melvin was born in Polk Township, Taylor County, May 13, 1901 and departed this life July 30, 1986 at Bedford Manor Nursing Home, Bedford, Iowa at the age of 85 years two months and 17 days.

She lived in Taylor County and grew to maturity in and around the Bedford/Hopkins area where she attended the public school.

On February 1, 1920 she was united in marriage to Leroy E. [llis] Johnson at her parent's home in Valley Township and they lived on a farm near Gravity.

To this union six children were born; Ivan Leroy, Clara Elizabeth, Edward Melvin, Helen Irene, Russel Dale, and Brice Glenn. Mary and her husband lived and farmed the same farm in Washington Township until they had to retire, because of health reasons.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three brothers, Brice, James and John Melvin, and three great grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are: Ivan and Dorothy Johnson, Fort Worth, Texas; Irene and Charles Neibling, Highland, Kansas; Clara and Donald Tribolet, Bedford, Iowa; Russel and Shirley Johnson, Hobart, Oklahoma; Edward and Millie Johnson, Gravity, Iowa; Brice and Carolyn Johnson, Phoenix, Arizona; one sister, Mrs. Roy (Susie) Dillon, Blockton; one brother, Vern Melvin, Hopkins, Missouri; three sisters-in-law; 27 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

She belongs to the Christian Church of Gravity where she was a faithful member as long as health permitted. She loved her home, her flowers, and her neighbors and her greatest thrill was enjoying a grandchild or great grandchild.

She was a kind and considerate wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and will be missed by all who knew and loved her

[KEELER, ELLSWORTH CARROLL]

Clarinda Herald Journal, Thursday, December 8, 1977

Carroll Keeler, 64 died Mon.

Ellsworth Carroll Keeler, 64, died this Thursday morning at Goldenrod Manor where he had peen a resident  the  past few weeks.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Monday at Walker Funeral Home with burial in the Washington Cemetery at Gravity.

He was born April 4, 1913, near Guss, the son of Clinton and Bell[e] Joselyn [Joslyn] Keeler.

Mr. Keeler had worked at Stipe Walnut Co. here in Clarinda.

He is survived by six children, Robert Keeler, Bigelow, Mo., Dean Keeler, of Rapid City, S.D., Norma Braman of Burlington Jct., Mo. and Marie Braman, Dwayne Keeler, and Darroll Keeler all of Shenandoah. Hubert Keeler of Montana is a brother and Annabelle Briley of Afton a half sister. His mother Mrs. Bell[e] Gloshan [Gloshen] lives at Prescott.

[MATHEWSON, GERDA MARIE SWARD]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, November 2, 1994, p. 5

GERDA MARIE MATHEWSON - Gerda Marie Mathewson, daughter of Carl Oscar Sward and Ida Johnson Sward was born on May 14, 1900 in Clinton, Mass.

The family moved to Maine where she lived until attending Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Mass. where she earned her degree in education and taught school in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

On June 29, 1941 she was united in marriage to Raymond Mathewson at her home in Braintree, Mass. They retired in Gravity, Iowa in 1973.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, her parents, one sister, Violet Witt, four brothers, George, Carl, Robert and Harry, and one great grandchild, Cynthia Matheny.

Left to cherish her memory are three step-daughters, Lucille Mathewson of Bedford, Iowa, Arline Matheny and her husband Art of Bedford, Iowa, Lorraine Herlinger and husband Ernst of Hedgesville, W. V., one brother, Arthur Sward of Carver, Mass., seven grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces along with a host of friends.

"Grandma Marie" as she was affectionately known, passed away at the Bedford Manor on October 25, 1994. Graveside services were held at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity with Pastor Duane Lauer officiating.

[MATHEWSON, RAYMOND WALTER]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, March 2, 1978

Raymond Mathewson Last Rites To Be Held March 2

Funeral services for Raymond Walter Mathewson, 85, of Gravity, will be held today, Thurs., March 2, in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bedford at 2 p.m., conducted by Pastors Brad Schlief and Carter Smith. Mr. Mathewson died February 28 after a long illness. Interment will be at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Raymond Walter Mathewson was born in Worcester, Mass. February 7, 1893.

He retired from the Seamless Rubber Co., New Haven, Conn, in 1958. Mr. Mathewson moved to Braintree, Mass. in 1961 and came to Gravity, Ia. in 1974.

His survivors are his wife, G. [erda] Marie Mathewson; three daughters, Arline Matheny, Gravity, Lucille Mathewson, Washington D.C., Lorraine Herlinger, S. Lancaster, Mass.; two sons-in-law, Arthur G. Matheny of Gravity and Ernest Herlinger of S. Lancaster, Mass.; seven grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

Visiting hours are at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the "Voice of Prophecy", Los Angeles. Calif.

[MONICO, HERMAN JOHN]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, May 9, 1985

Graveside services for Herman Monico held in Gravity  

Graveside services were held April 16, 1985 for Herman Monico, 65, at Washington Cemetery in Gravity. He was the son of Herman and Tearse [Teresa] Monico born March 22, 1920 in Omaha, Ne. He served two years in the Army Air Force.  He married Eleanor Lovitt. Two children were born to this union, Michael J. and Rebecca S. He is survived by six grandchildren, two sisters, three brothers, nieces and nephews.

[PERDEW, MARIE EVELYN JACKSON]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, January 21, 2004

MARIE PERDEW

Marie Evelyn Perdew, age 88, of Bedford passed away Sunday evening, January 11, 2004 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Ia. She was born July 27, 1915 in Taylor County, Ia, on a farm north east of Guss, the daughter of Benjamin and Myrtle E. (Else) Jackson.

Marie was home schooled by her mother from age 4 through age 11 when her mother remarried Lester Corbin. At that time she attended Holt School and graduated from eighth grade. On October 28, 1939 she was married to Leonard Perdew in Shenandoah, Ia. She joined Oak Hill Christian Church in 1926 and was a member until it closed.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Myrtle (Else) Jackson; husband Leonard Perdew in 1991; brother Virgil Dean Jackson; step father, Lester Corbin; step brothers, Joy Corbin and Wayne Corbin and brother-in-law, Howard Perdew.

She is survived by her children: Norma Finnell and her   husband   Walter   of Conway, Ia; Otis Perdew and his wife Jeanette of Conway, Ia; Zonette Beemer and her husband Dale of Conway, Ia; Olin Perdew and wife Jan of Conway, Ia; Terry Perdew and friend Lolinda Campbell of Conway, Ia; Dennis Perdew of Sheridan, Mo; sister, Mary Lou Jackson of Corning, Ia; sisters-in-law, Freda Corbin of Gravity and Lola Perdew of Bedford; brother-in-law, Robert Perdew and wife Dorothy Jo Anne of Gravity; 16 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan 14 at the Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel in Bedford with Rev. Tim Maxa and Rev. Ted DeHass officiating. Burial was in the Washington Cemetery near Gravity. Memorials were suggested to the John F. Hardin American Legion Post #164, Bedford Ambulance, or to the donor's choice. Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel in Bedford was in charge of arrangements,

[SCHRADER, MARY ELLEN GARRETT BEEMER]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, June 12, 1991, p. 5

MARY BEEMER SCHRADER - Mary Ellen Garrett Beemer Schrader was born November 18,1909 at Wetmore, Kan., the daughter of Frank and Helen Garrett. Mary had two sisters, Nora and Ethel. From Wetmore, Kan., her family moved to Burke, S.D., where they lived until Mary was four years old. From there they moved north of Gravity, Iowa, on a farm. Mary started to school at Washington Country School. From there they moved into Gravity and Mary continued her education at the Gravity School.

Mary met Hudson Beemer and they were married December 21,1927. Hudson and Mary engaged in farming. Two sons were born to this union, Hudson Dean on July 19, 1930 and Richard Dee on August 31, 1931. Their son Dean married Elverta Shafar. They have five children: Pam, who married Ron Calfee and their sons Dave, Toddy and Tyler of rural Gravity; Dennie, who married Joy and their children Noel and Brannen    of   rural    Gravity; Randy, who married Vicky and their children, Kolby, Korey and Kandy of rural Bedford; Deana who married Bob Hand and their daughter Taylor of Tulsa, Okla.; and James   of Bedford, Iowa. Mary and HudsonÕs son Dick married Jean Akers. They had two daughters: Dixie, who married Roy Weeda and their children Troy and Corey and Kristie, who married Eric Sapp all of Greenwood, Mo.; and Diane, who married Scott Sheffield and their children Todd, Trent and Tracy of rural Gravity.

Hudson and Mary spent their winters at their home in Mesa, Ariz. After Hudson's death in 1973, Mary continued to live in Gravity and spend winters in Arizona where she met Carl Schrader and they were later married September 22, 1979. She and Carl lived in Neligh, Neb. and they continued to spend their winters in Arizona and then Texas, which they loved. Mary had been in Gravity these last three weeks and was on her way back to Neligh, Neb. on June 4, 1991 when she died in a car accident near Pilger, Neb. She was 81 years, six months and 10 days old.

Survivors include her husband Carl, sons Dean and Dick and all their families, stepson Jerry Schrader of Neligh, Neb., stepdaughter Mary (Mrs. Bob) Taylor of Los Altos, Calif., seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, and her two sisters.

Mary Beemer Schrader's funeral was June 8, 1991 at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa, and burial was at the Gravity Cemetery. Carl Cummings and Rev. Marcia L. Smith Wood officiated. The Gravity United Methodist Church hosted a lunch for family and friends before and after the service. A special poem was created by Marcia Smith Wood and read at her funeral by granddaughter Pam Calfee.

"Remember Me"

Remember me when you share a cup of coffee,

Remember me when you listen to a friend,

Remember   me   when you're

planting trees or flowers,

Remember    me   with    those

birthday cards you send.

Remember me when you face life's pain and sorrow,

And need a listening ear to

assure you it's not the end,

Remember me in your laughter and your sharing,

In your living and your loving

of family and of each friend.

Remember me sitting on the

edge of my chair,

So I wouldn't miss anything of

this life shared with you,

 Your talks, letters, phone calls

and "Shish" that surprise party!

Remember! Because you can be

sure I'm remembering you.

Remember me when you open

your homes in love to others,

Or hold your wives and husbands

close to you,

Remember me in fresh breads,

cookies, pies and pie crust rolls,

And remember, I'll always be remembering you.

Remember how you made my

life worth living,

All of you, my children Dean

and Dick,  grandchildren  and

great-grandchildren, too,

You all were the source of my

laughter, courage, and loving,

Remember with hope, because

from heaven, I will be remembering you.

written by Marcia Smith Wood read by Pam

 

[WHITE, ARDETH CORINNE HOLLOWAY]

Bedford Times-Press, August 2010

Corinne White, 87 of Sioux City died Friday, August 6, 2010 at a Sioux City Hospital.

Services were held at 2 P.M. Wednesday at Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City with the Rev. Ralph Shorey, Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation with the family were held from 1 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. Graveside services were held at 1:30 P.M. Thursday in Washington Township Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa with Rev. Ted De Hass officiating.

[Ardeth] Corinne was born June 17, 1923, in St. Joseph, MO the daughter of John A. and Zetta C. (Sutton) Holloway. She married Carl R. [aymond] White, January 1, 1942 in Bellevue, NE. He died August 28, 1977 in Gravity, Iowa. She lived in Bellevue, NE and Gravity, IA before moving to Sioux City in 1986.

Survivors include three daughters: Sarah L. [orraine] McQueen of Des Moines, Merle Ann Davis and Nellie and her husband Duane "Shorty" Martinson all of Sioux City, nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sons: Arthur Willard and Lawrence Allen White, two brothers: Willard and William Holloway, one grandchild and three great grandchildren.

[WHITE, ARTHUR WILLIAM]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, August 17, 1972, 1p. 1]

Tractor Mishap Near Gravity Kills Man

Arthur W. White, 28-year-old son of a Gravity couple, was killed August 9 in a tractor mishap west of Gravity. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl R. White of Gravity.

Arthur William White of Bellevue, Nebr., was driving a Ford tractor with an attached rotary mower along the side of the road when the tractor slipped into a ditch, overturned and trapped White beneath it. He was killed instantly, reports Taylor County Deputy Sheriff Marven Weed who was called to the scene. The accident occurred at 5:45 p. m.

Arthur was living in a trailer near the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.[ohn] A. Holloway, west of Gravity.

[WHITE, ARTHUR WILLIAM]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, August 17, 1972, p. 7

Arthur White, 28, Last Rites Held August 13,

Funeral services for Arthur W. [illiam] White, 28, of Bellevue, Nebr., were held Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Gravity First Christian Church with Pastor Perry Cozadd officiating. White died August 9 in a tractor accident one mile west of Gravity. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Arthur W. White, son of Carl R. [aymond] and Arteth Corrinne [Corinne] Holloway of Gravity, was born November 24, 1943, in Bellevue, Nebr.

He was married September 7, 1968, to Cynthia Ann White, who survives.

Survivors also include his parents; three sisters, Merle Ann Hockett of Omaha, Sarah Loraine White, St. Joseph, Nellie Corrinne White, at home.

[WHITE, CARL RAYMOND]

Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, September 8, 1977

Carl R. White Last Rites Held

Carl Raymond "Big Blue" White, the son of Carl and Nellie Smith White was born October 20, 1918, in Sterling, Colorado, and passed away August 30, 1977, at his home in Gravity, Iowa.

Carl attended grade school in Cushing, Nebraska, finishing his schooling in St. Paul, Nebraska. He was united in marriage to Arteth Corinne Holloway on January 1, 1942, in Bellevue, Nebraska. To this union five children were born: Arthur, Lawrence, Sarah, Merle Ann and Nellie.

Carl worked for 23 years as a repairman for Sears, Roebuck and Company in Omaha, Nebraska. After his retirement in 1971 because of medical reasons, he moved to Gravity, Iowa, where he kept busy doing odds and ends.

Carl was an active member of the Sears & Roebuck Retirement Club; he was a C. B. fan and also enjoyed gardening and growing plants for friends.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Lawrence White in 1946, Arthur White on August 9, 1972, his stepfather, George Thomas Welch and a grandson, John Edwin Hockett in 1970.

Left to remember him are his wife Corinne White, three daughters, Sarah Lorraine McQueen of Faucett, Mo., Merle Ann Davis and husband Michael of Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and Nellie Corinne Martinson and husband Duane of Gravity, Iowa; three grandchildren, Terry Lynn, Mark, and Michelle Kay; a sister Marie Joseph of Palmer, Nebraska; 1/2 sister, Merle Richards of Kearney, Nebraska; 1/2 brother, Donald Welch of Cedar Rapids, many nieces, nephews and friends.

[WIDNER, GLYNN BRYAN]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, July 22, 1992

DR. COL. GLYNN B. WIDNER - Glynn B. [ryan] Widner, son of Lytle Christopher and Hettie Smalley Widner, was born July 7, 1908 in Jackson Twp. near Platteville, Iowa. He attended the Bedford Schools and graduated from high school in Bedford and from the Creighton University School of Dentistry in June 1932. He practiced this profession in New Market and Tabor, Iowa.

He married Verna Scott Lacy February 24, 1934 in Tabor, Iowa. A daughter, Glynna Kay, came to bless this union in November 1948.

Glynn joined the Army Dental Corps October, 1937 and served in World War II in France and Germany. Later he was transferred to the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps and was located in Japan and Travis Air Force Base in California.

He retired after almost 29 years of service as a colonel. In 1968 he was an assistant professor at the Creighton University of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb., and retired in May, 1981. Mrs. Widner died in Omaha in 1971 [1973].  

Dr. Widner married Florence Wrebetz [Wrabetz] Bee in October 1973 in Omaha and in 1983 they moved to Crofton, Neb. where he departed this life on June 27, 1992 at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 20 days.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 1 at the First Presbyterian Church in Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother George H. and five sisters, Alice, Anna Davis, Antha Shields Robbins, Audra Bracket and Myrtle Scott.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Florence, daughter Glynna Kay Brooks, stepsons Rev. Robert Bee and David Bee, son-in-law, Charles Brooks, two grandsons, five granddaughters and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside rites were conducted by Rev. Robert Bee and the Offutt Air Force Base Drill Team and Honor Guard from Omaha with burial in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity, Iowa.

[WITT, VIOLET THERESA SWARD]

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, October 13, 1993

VIOLET WITT - Violet Theresa Witt, daughter of Carl Oscar Sward and Ida Caroline Johnson Sward was born at Clinton, Mass. on August 31, 1909 and departed this life on September 28, 1993 at Corning, Iowa at the age of 84 years and 28 days.    

Although she was born in Massachusetts, she spent her childhood on a farm in Maine. She then lived in Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Iowa.

Violet was united in marriage to Maurice W. Witt in North Carolina and they lived in Kingsport, Tenn.

She was employed by Sigma Instruments in Braintree, Mass. during World War II and by Braintree Manor Nursing home.

She was preceded in death by her husband Maurice, her mother and father and four brothers, George, Carl, Robert and Harry; also two sisters-in-law, Marian and Gladys.

Left to cherish her memory are her brother Arthur Sward of Carver, Mass.; her sister Gerd[a] Marie Mathewson of Clarinda, Iowa, sister-in-law Anne Sward and several nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the Bedford Seventh-day Adventist Church.

"Aunt Bea" as she was affectionately known, will be sadly missed by all.