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

[Minnie Frances Keith Jared Journey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   September 16, 1976    p. 4

Final Rites Held September 11 For Minnie Jared

Funeral services for Mrs. Ray (Minnie) Journey, 81, lifetime resident of Bedford, held September 11 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain.  Mrs. Journey died September 9, 1976, in Batesville, Arkansas.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Minnie Frances, daughter of Silas U. [sher] and Mary Jane [John] Keith, was born February 1, 1895, in Ross Township, Bedford, Iowa.  She was one of a family of six children and spent her entire life in this community.

On December 5, 1915 she was married to John B. [ruce] Jared and to this union two daughters were born, Eleanor Jane, now Mrs. Paul Mohler of Batesville, Arkansas, and Mary Lou, now Mrs. Ray Allen of Fairfield Bay, Ark.  There are four grandsons, Dr. Philip J. Mohler and wife, Nancy, and three children, Betsey, Andy, and Peter, Grand Junction, Colorado; David Mohler and wife, Ann, and sons, Adam and Jon David, of San Antonio, Texas; Dr. Michael Mohler of Fayetteville, Ark.; Edward D. Allen and wife, Mary, of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

After a long illness, Mr. Jared died in July of 1952.

Those surviving besides her family are one sister, Mildred Spencer, of Bedford.

Her parents and two sisters, Florence Snyder and Ruth Cheshire and two brothers, Glade Keith and Theron Keith preceded her in death; also a grandson, [John] Bruce Allen, in January 1973.

On September 21, 1960, she was married to Ray Journey who died September 9, 1962.

She also leaves four step children and their families:  Thelma Wallace and husband, Jim and family of Lakewood, Calif.; Donald Journey and wife, Henrietta and family of Claremont, Calif.; Gwendolyn Morton and husband, Paul and family of Safford, Arizona and Neil Journey of St. Joseph, Mo., also nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

She had been a member of the Christian Church (now United Christian-Presbyterian) since she was 13 years old.

She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for more than 50 years and was given her 50-year jewel in 1972.  She received the "Decoration of Chivalry" in 1975.

She was Taylor County Recorder for eight years----1949-1956.

She was a kind and loving mother and will be missed by all who knew her.

[Nelle Burrows Davis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 16, 1976    p. 4

Nelle B. Davis, 86, Last Rites Held September 13

Funeral services for Mrs. Leroy C. (Nelle) Davis, 86, a native of Conway, were held September 13 in the Gravity United Methodist church with Rev. Dwayne Madsen officiating.  Mrs. Davis died September 10, 1976, in Bedford Manor Nursing Home.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Nelle B. Davis, the daughter of Theodore and Belle Burrows was born on March 22, 1890, at Conway, Iowa.

Her early years were spent at Conway where she finished high school and attended a college course at Highland Park College, then taught primary grades in Conway School.

In the year 1917 she was married to LeRoy C. Davis of Bedford and they farmed east of Bedford until the early death of her husband.  Later she moved to Conway where she lived with her mother and was postmaster there for 13 years.

Since her retirement there she has resided in Gravity and Bedford.

Preceding her in death were the father and mother, a brother, Clyde L. Burrows, a brother, Glenn K. Burrows, a nephew, Max E. Smith.

Survivors are a sister, Sue B. Smith; a great niece, Cheryl L. Murray, and a great great nephew, Sean Steven Murray.

Nelle was a person who had great love for children; she was a very unselfish person, a loyal sister and also a great friend.

She will be sadly missed by a host of friends and by her loved ones.

[Opal Marie Brumfield Baxter]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 16, 1976    p. 4

Mrs. Homer Baxter Last Rites Held September 4

Services for Mrs. Homer Baxter, 53, well known Britt, Ia. resident, formerly of Blockton, were held September 3 afternoon at 5:00 in the United Methodist Church and another service was held at 1:30 September 4 afternoon in the Christian Church at Blockton.  The Rev. Bernard Olson brought words of comfort to the family and many friends.  At Blockton the Rev. Glen E. Mitchell brought comfort to the family and friends.  Both services were largely attended.  Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery at Blockton.  She died September 2 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital; her illness had extended from the past November.

Opal Marie Brumfield, daughter of Vern and Myrel (Hiatt) Brumfield, was born July 4, 1923, at Sheridan, Missouri.  She was baptized in infancy and confirmed in the Christian Church.

She was a graduate of the Blockton, Iowa High School and grew to womanhood in that community.

On May 4, 1941, she was united in marriage to Homer Baxter, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Baxter.  Their wedding took place at Troy, Kansas.  The couple established their first home in Des Moines and later resided in Yakima, Washington.  Following Mr. Baxter's military service the couple resided in several Iowa towns, including Blockton, Grand Junction, Crystal Lake and Britt.

Their home was blessed with two sons, Robert A. and Ronald D.  Her life always centered with her family.  They attended the Methodist Church in Britt and she was a member of the WomenÕs Church Society.  She enjoyed outdoor life, especially fishing, golfing, flowers; also bridge and knitting.

Mrs. Baxter is survived by her husband, Homer, Britt; sons, Robert and his wife, Belva, their children, Debbie and Sheila, Wyoming, Ia.; Ronald and his wife, Paulette, of Cedar Falls, Ia., their children, Scott and Michelle; her father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Baxter, Bedford; several aunts, uncles, cousins; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

[Gail Lewis Paige Parker]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   September 1, 1977    p. 6

Last Rites Held In Bedford For Gail Paige Parker

Funeral services for Mrs. Ross (Gail) Parker, 85, of Hagerman, Idaho, a native of Bedford, were held August 24 in the United Christian-Presbyterian Church in Bedford, conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain.  Mrs. Parker died August 20, 1977, in Gooding, Idaho.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Gail M. Lewis, daughter of Frank and Coral Lewis, was born at Bedford, Iowa, September 13, 1891.

She grew to maturity in Bedford where she attended grade school and high school.  She attended the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and later received a music degree from Drake University.

July 19, 1918, she was united in marriage to Wayne Paige at her parents' home in Bedford and they lived most of their married life here.

Gail taught music in the Bedford Schools and later she worked in the State Savings Bank in Bedford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Wayne, one sister and one brother.

In August 1958 she married Ross Parker of Hagerman, Idaho, and they lived there until her death.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ross Parker; one brother, Mahlon Lewis of Bedford; one niece, Doris (Mrs. Delmar) Fuller; three nephews, Forrest Lewis, William Lewis and Donald Lewis.

Gail was a member of the Presbyterian Church for 77 years; a member of the P. E. O. Sisterhood for 58 years and the Order of the Eastern Star for 50 years.

She was a kind and considerate wife and sister, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Merle Robert Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 1, 1977    p. 6

Merle Allen, 83, Last Rites Held August 30

Funeral services for Merle Robert Allen, 83, of Bedford were held Tues., Aug. 30, in the First Baptist Church in Bedford, conducted by Rev. Robert Allen, Rev. Carter W. Smith and Mr. Carl Cummings.  Mr. Allen died August 28 in Rosary Hospital, Corning.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

[ALLEN, MERLE ROBERT]

Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), Thursday, September 15, 1977,.

Merle Robert Allen, son of Robert R. and Clara Miriam Allen, was born in Howard Co., Cresco, Iowa, April 10, 1894, and passed away at the Rosary Hospital August 28, 1977, at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 19 days.

In 1904 Merle came with his parents to Taylor County and settled on a farm northwest of Gravity, Iowa. In 1915 Merle went to Grimes, Iowa to assist his sister Minnie and husband Fred Wilson, with their farm work.

On January 22, 1916, he was united in marriage to Mina May Wilson, who was born and reared near Grimes, Iowa. February 22, 1924, a son Dean Calvin was welcomed into the home.

Merle lived most of his life in Taylor County, in the Oak Hill vicinity, and was a member of the Oak Hill Christian church. In the fall of 1943 the Allens purchased a farm east of Rushville, where he lived for 22 years.

He was a hard working, home loving person and greatly enjoyed his family. The Allens were privileged to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in their home in 1966 and have added 11 more years together.

His health began to fail, and on February 1, 1968, he and his wife, Mina, moved to Bedford, Iowa and became members of the Baptist Church. He was a faithful member as long as his health permitted.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and two sisters, Mrs. Maude Thompson, Creston, Iowa, and Mrs. Grace Posey, Helena, Montana; two brothers, Harry Allen, Clarinda, Iowa and Forest Cecil Allen, Osceola, Iowa, and his only grandchild, John Dean, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Allen of Omaha, Nebraska who passed away in 1956 at the age of 7 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mina; his son Dean and wife, Mary Margaret of Omaha, Nebr.; also, three sisters, Theodosia Allen, Dallas Center, Iowa, Mrs. Minnie Wilson, Boone, Iowa, Mrs. Darlene Betz, Des Moines, Iowa, and other relatives and many friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held the First Baptist Church in Bedford Aug. 30 at 2:00 p. m. Interment was in the Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.

 [Angeline Elizabeth "Angie" Keith Valentine]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 1, 1977    p. 6

Angie Valentine, 88, Final Rites Held August 25

Funeral services for Mrs. Harry G. (Angie) Valentine, 88, of Gravity, were held August 27 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Dwayne Madsen officiating.  Mrs. Valentine died August 25, 1977, in Bethesda Care Center in Clarinda.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

[Angeline] Angie Elizabeth Valentine, daughter of George and [Mary] Etta Keith, was born at Bedford, Iowa, on July 14, 1889.

She lived west of Bedford and grew to maturity in Taylor County where she attended public school and Gilead Church.

On February 10, 1909, she was united in marriage to Harry G. [eorge] Valentine at the home of her parents and they lived on a farm all of her married life until 1953 when they moved to Gravity.

To this union four sons were born:  Eldon R. [ex] of Burbank, California, and Gerald M. [ax] of Gravity.  Two sons died in infancy.

She was preceded in death by the two infant sons, her parents, her husband, brothers: Clarence, Howard, Ollie, John, Herman and Ralph.

Left to cherish her memory are sons Eldon and his wife, Wilda, Gerald and his wife, Wilma; five grandchildren, Gene, Janice and Lee of California, Ronald of Olathe, Kansas, and Donna of Darmstadt, Germany; and six great grandchildren.

She was a member of Gravity United Methodist Church.

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