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

[Kemery, Hamilton La Monte “Mont”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 8, 1955     [p. 1

Mont Kemery Services Tuesday

Mont Kemery, 77, long-time resident of Taylor County, died at Missouri Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, Saturday, December 3. Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Robert M. Peters. Burial in Hopkins cemetery.

Hamilton La Monte Kemery, son of Kittie Leighton and William Kemery, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, July 19, 1878, being aged 77 years, four months, 14 days at the time of his death.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two sisters and one brother.

On October 25, 1905, he was married to Miss Pearl Lowry. To them were born two children.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, (Cordyce) Mrs. George Dougherty of Bedford, (Mildred) Mrs. Charles Patch of St. Joseph; one granddaughter; one great grandson; one sister, Mrs. Frank Trumbo; two brothers, Lynn Kemery and Laye Kemery.

 

 

[Kemery, Myrtle Violet Dunmire]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 12, 1931      p. 5

Mrs. Francis Kemery

Mrs. Francis Kemery passed away at the Missouri Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph at 7:30 o’clock Tuesday morning [March 10th], where she had been taken on Monday afternoon for mastoid trouble. The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church at 1:30 o’clock this (Thursday) afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. F. McMican. Short services were also held at the Coin cemetery, where interment was made.

Myrtle V. [iolet] Dunmire was born October 28, 1889, at Coin, Iowa. When she was quite young she united with the United Presbyterian church of Coin, later transferring her membership to the United Presbyterian Church of Des Moines, then later to the Presbyterian Church at Bedford, Iowa, where she remained a member until her death. After she had finished the Coin school, she went to Des Moines, where she completed a College course. Later she attended the State Normal at Peru, Nebr. She then took a short business course at Denver, Colo., afterward teaching school. She was a member of the faculty of the Bedford Public Schools for a number of years. On May 31, 1918, she was united in marriage to J.[ames] F. [rancis] Kemery of Bedford, and to this union one son was born, John Barton. She leaves to mourn her demise, her husband and little son, her aged parents, one brother Edd of Coin, and one sister, Mrs. E. E. Hunt of Maryville, besides many other relatives and friends.

[Kemery, Pearl Lowry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      November 2, 1978     p. 8

Last Rites Held October 26 for Pearl Kemery, 93

Funeral services for Mrs. Lamont (Pearl) Kemery, 93, of St. Joseph, Mo., formerly of Bedford, Hopkins and Sheridan areas, were held October 28 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford officiated by Rev. Dwayne Madsen. Mrs. Kemery died October 26, 1978 in the Saxton Nursing Home in St. Joseph, Mo. Interment was at the Hopkins Cemetery, Hopkins, Mo.

Pearl Kemery, daughter of Laura Cowen Lowry and George Hamilton Lowry, was born at Hopkins, Missouri January 6, 1885.

She lived in the Hopkins and Sheridan area, attended the Hopkins Public School and attended the Maple Grove Methodist Church. Later she moved into Iowa.

On October 25, 1905, she was united in marriage to Lamont (Monte) Kemery at Hopkins. To this union two daughters were born: Cordyce Dougherty and Mildred Patch.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Monte, her parents, and one daughter, Cordyce Dougherty, September 25, 1972.

Left to cherish her memory are one daughter, Mildred Patch of St. Joseph, Missouri; one granddaughter, Billie Barker of St. Joseph, Missouri; two great grandsons; three great great grandchildren; one sister, Phoebe Mitchell, Hopkins; one brother, George R. Lowry; several nieces and nephews.

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

 

[Lathum, Nadine Marie  “Nadie” Bartles]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      May 2, 1990

NADIE BARTLES LATHUM

Graveside services were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings     for    Nadie [Nadine] Bartles Lathum Sunday, April 29,1990 with inurnment in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Shum-Novinger Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Nadie   Bartles   Lathum, daughter of Claude [Lavere] and Mildred [Marie Dowlin] Bartles was born in Iowa City, Iowa on June 30, 1935 and departed this life March 15, 1990 at Westminster, Colo, at the age of 54 years, eight months and 15 days.

She grew to maturity in Iowa and Missouri where she attended the public school.

She was united in marriage to Ellis J. Lathum and they resided overseas in Germany and Italy during the time he served with the military forces.

She was preceded in death by her father Claude Bartles and a brother.

Left to cherish her memory are her mother; a son Gary; three    brothers; one   granddaughter; other relatives and friends.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the   V.F.W. Auxiliary.

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

[Powell, Clifford Dallas]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 9, 1967     p. 8

Clifford Powell Rites Here

Graveside services for Clifford D. [allas] Powell, 89, of Omaha, were conducted February 3 by Carl Cummings at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Mr. Powell was a brother-in-law of the late Ed Ahrens, druggist.

Clifford Dallas Powell, son of Robert M. [assie] and Elizabeth Jane [Chiles] Powell, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, near Bedford on August 7, 1877 and departed this life February 1, 1967 at Omaha, Nebraska.

He was married to Hannah Ahrens at Atlantic, Ia., in the early 1920’s and they moved to Omaha, Nebr., where they lived for some time before moving to St. Petersburg, Fla, where he was employed as cashier for the Atlantic Coastal Lines Railroad.

They returned to Omaha, Nebr., in 1930 where they have continued to reside. Ill health had caused Mr. Powell to spend his last years in the Lutheran Old Peoples Home in Omaha, Nebr.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clint Powell, his twin brother and Bert Powell; one sister, Mrs. Holly Powell Blake.

Left to cherish memories are his beloved wife, Hannah Ahrens Powell; one nephew, Earl Powell, of Fort Bragg, Calif.; two nieces, Mrs. Bessie Ford of Gray, Saskatchewan, Canada and Miss Lucile Blake of Bedford.

Mr. Powell was a kind and considerate husband, neighbor and friend and he will be missed by all who knew him.

[Powell, Hanna Louise Ahrens]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      November 2, 1967     p. 3

Rites Held Here For Mrs. Powell

Graveside services for Mrs. C. D. (Hannah Ahrens) Powell, 85, of Omaha, Nebr., were held Sat. Oct. 28 at Fairview Cemetery here conducted by Carl Cummings. Mrs. Powell died October 25, 1967 at the Lutheran Hospital in Omaha, Nebr.

Hannah [Hanna Louise] Ahrens, daughter of Ulrich [Christian] and Adele Jansen [Adelia Amanda Johnson] Ahrens, was born December 24, 1881 near Cumberland, Iowa.

She operated a millinery store in Atlantic, Iowa, for a number of years prior to her marriage.

Early in the 1920’s she was united in marriage to C. [lifford] D. [allas] Powell and they lived in Florida and California before returning to Omaha, Nebraska, to make their home. Mr. Powell died in January 1967.

Preceding her in death were her parents; three brothers, Dr. Harvey Ahrens, Ed Ahrens and Dr. Lewis Ahrens; and one sister Mrs. Frank (Pauline) Michaels.

She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Anna Shalburg of Omaha, Nebr.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Out of town relatives and friends attending the services here were Mrs. Anna Shalburg and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Landstrom of Omaha and Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Hays of Diagonal.

[Purcell, George Webster]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      January 16, 1919     [p. 1]

George W. Purcell

George W. [ebster] Purcell was born in Ft. Defiance, Ohio, January 12, 1838, passing away at his home in northeast Bedford on his birthday Sunday morning at 2 o’clock, January 12, 1919, having just reached his 86th year.

He enlisted in the 45th Ohio, Co. H, in 1863, but was discharged after three months service for disability. He had left his place of birth when but a child and lived in Muscatine, Iowa, until he grew to manhood. Later he went back to Ohio and in 1869 [1868] was united in marriage to Mary Amney [Ann] Eighme of Indianapolis, who preceded him to the beyond in 1886. To this union four children were born, all of whom now live but one daughter, Mrs. Vena Amos McHenry. Those surviving are Mr. Lemuel Eldridge and George W. [ebster], Jr., of Bedford, and Mrs. Carrie Bell, Cody, Wyo. Nine grandchildren, a number of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, survive to mourn his death.

After going back to Ohio he engaged in the dry goods business in Columbus and Cincinnati, and also in Indianapolis, Ind. He came to Taylor county, Iowa, about 44 years ago, settling first on a farm east of Bedford. About ten years later he moved to Bedford and this has since been his home. He worked as a younger man in clerical work and for some time was engaged in one of the lumberyards here. In 1907 he became a member of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., remaining in their membership in good standing to the time of his death.

Deceased was rugged in life and his father attained the age of 90 years. In November last he became ill with Bright’s disease, which terminated in heart trouble and dropsy.

Thus goes an old citizen of Bedford; an old soldier, a good citizen and faithful father.

The funeral was held at the home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. C. Hatcher. The G. A. R. attended the services in a body, and the pallbearers were from the Post. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
[Note: Indiana, Marriages 1811-1959 gives the marriage date and place as December 13, 1868 in Marion County, Indiana.]

[Russell, Anita Yvonne Osburn]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     December 13, 2000

ANITA RUSSELL

Funeral services for Anita Russell, age 84 of Bedford, who died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 in .Des Moines, were held Saturday, Dec, 9, 2000 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bedford with Pastor Ruth Melick officiating. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Bedford Ambulance Service. Services were conducted by Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford.

Anita Yvonne Russell was born April 22, 1916 in Taylor County, Iowa, the second child of Emmett Loyd Osburn and Opal Marie Hunter Osburn. She grew up attending country school in Clayton Township and graduated form the Bedford High School in 1932. Anita went to work as a clerk at the Vogt Produce and Grocery Store and was later employed as a secretary for the Taylor County Corn-Hog Program that was a combined effort through the Farm Bureau and Taylor County Extension Service. Anita married HK Russell on December 27, 1935 in Hiawatha, Kans. The couple later moved to the Russell farm in Jackson Township where they farmed until 1972.

Angus cattle played an important in their farming career. "Russell's Angus Acres" was well known. Anita enjoyed being an active farm wife and mother, together she and HK were active in their church and in community affairs, taking part in Extension programs, Farm Bureau, 4-H, and the P.T.A. along with many other organizations. Anita was always ready to help with the farm chores, she would drive a tractor, help in the fields, work in the large garden or tend to the flock of chickens they had. She was proficient at canning, freezing the produce along with being a wonderful-seamstress and homemaker. She also enjoyed many crafts such as china painting and restoring antiques. HK and Anita moved to Bedford in 1973 and enjoyed wintering in Texas for many years. HK passed away in 1997.

Note from the kids: As many of you know, Mother was very active in both her church and community, and to list them all here would take several more pages. But she was particularly proud to be selected as Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 1969 and was a candidate for Iowa Mother of the Year in 1972. She also enjoyed her   participation in the Republican Party, the Angus Auxiliary, the Shenandoah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Order of Eastern Star.

Anita is survived by her four children, Opal Russell of Granger; Evelyn Fisher and husband Tom of Booneville; Kay Lucas and husband Dr. Jim Lucas of Bedford; and Henry Russell and wife Marcia of Massena; two brothers and a sister, Paul Osburn and wife Esther of Clinton; Louise Weir and husband Guy of Bedford; Loyd Osburn and wife Joanne of Bedford; 10 grandchildren, Deanna, Sheryl, Jamie, Matthew, Shelly, Joseph, Tricia, Jennifer, Deborah and Robyn; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Anita in death are her husband HK Russell in 1997; a son, Richard Karl Russell in 1945; her parents, Emmett and Opal; a brother, Horace Osburn; and a grandson, Daniel Lucas.

[Russell, Clyde Carnahan]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 14, 1950    [p. 1]

Services Held For Clyde Russell, 79

Clyde C. [arnahan] Russell, a long-time resident of Bedford and community, died Saturday, Sept. 9, following an illness of several years.

Funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Robert M. Peters. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery with Masonic service at the grave.

Clyde Carnahan Russell, son of James S. and Mary B. Russell, was born in Aledo, Ill., March 8, 1871. He died at the age of 73 years, 5 months and 27 days.

While still a small boy he moved with his parents to a farm north of Bedford, where he grew to manhood.

On Sept. 12, 1907 he was married to Miss Mabel Kemery. Most of their life together was spent on the farm. They moved to Bedford when his health began to fail a few years ago.

He was the youngest of seven children, his three sisters and three brothers preceding him in death. Surviving are his wife of Bedford; four nephews, Anson Hughes of Bedford, Earl Hughes of Omaha, Ralph Hughes of San Jose, Calif., John Hughes of Greeley, Colo.

Mr. Russell had been a member of the Masonic lodge for 42 years, and a member of the Presbyterian Church since his boyhood days.

[Russell, HK William]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     April 2, 1997

HK Russell

HK William Russell, 80, of Bedford       died       of      cancer complications on March 29, 1997 at Kavanagh House on Grand in West Des Moines.  Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on April 1, 1997 at the United   Methodist   Church    in Bedford. Visitation was held at the church on March 31, 1997 from 7-8:00 p.m. with Masonic Services conducted at 8:00 p.m. by Taylor Lodge No.   156 A.F.   &  A.M. Burial at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford with Rev. Paul Evans officiating.      Arrangements   by Novinger Taylor Funeral Home of Bedford.   

HK was born March 16, 1917 at Maryville, Missouri and was a life long farmer in Taylor County, Iowa. He was a member of the United Methodist Church serving as Sunday School Superintendent for two years. Other activities include American, Iowa, Page County Angus Associations, Sheridan Lions Club, Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge, and Rainbow Dad. He served as President of the Taylor County Insurance Company for 29 years, three years as Secretary Fieldman of the Angus Association and five years as a member of the State ASCS Committee. He was a 50-year member of Farm Bureau. HK and his wife wintered in Texas for 18 years at Morningside RV Park and Alamo Rose Trailer Park where HK was instrumental as Chairman of the Church Committee for five years.

He is survived by wife, Anita; one son, Henry of Massena, IA; three daughters, Opal Russell of Lenox, Evelyn Fisher of Booneville, IA and Kay Lucas of Bedford. His death was preceded by a son Karl and a grandson, Daniel Lucas. He is survived by 10 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one cousin, Ruth Pratt of Clarinda, who was raised with him. Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of Bedford, Bedford Ambulance Service and Alamo Rose Church.

[Russell, Richard Karl]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 24, 1948     [p. 1]

Russel Child Dies In Kansas

Karl Russell, 4 ½ -year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. HK Russell of southeast of Bedford, who had been ill with leukemia the past several weeks, died at Hiawatha, Kansas Tuesday afternoon.

The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services will be held at the Methodist Church at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Russell G. Nye. Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.

[Russell, Richard Karl]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 1, 1948      [p. 1]

Russell Funeral Held Friday P. M.

Karl, son of HK and Anita Osburn Russell, was born July [2] 9, 1943, in Clarinda. About six weeks ago, he was seized with an illness that was diagnosed as acute lymphatic leukemia and on May 25 was taken to the Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo. On May 27 he was taken by plane to the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minn., and June 1 to Hiawatha, Kansas for additional treatment. But loving care and the best of medical skill could not bring about his recovery and he passed away on June 22 at the age of 4 years, 10 months, 23 days.

On September 8, 1946, the little life was dedicated to God by Christian Baptism. He delighted in, and was a regular attendant at Sunday school. During the illness he often spoke of his Sunday school class and was disappointed in not being able to attend.

Among the survivors are his parents: Mr. and Mrs. HK Russell, three sisters, Evelyn, Kay and Opal; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Russell of Essex, Iowa; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Osburn of Bedford; two great grandmothers, Mrs. P. A. Hunter of Bedford and Mrs. Louise Adams of Kansas City.

The funeral services were held at the Bedford Methodist Church Friday afternoon conducted by Rev. Russell G. Nye. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.
[Note: Correct birth date is July 29, 1942. Source: Bedford Times-Press, July 29, 1943 and headstone.]

[Russell, Mabel Kemery]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 3, 1954     p. 6

Mrs. Clyde Russell, Former Resident, Dies

Mrs. Clyde Russell, a resident of Taylor County almost all of her life, died May 26 at the home of Mrs. Iona Heninger in Gravity, where she had gone for a short visit. Although Mrs. Russell had been in ill health for some time, her death came unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon.

Funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Friday afternoon conducted by Rev. Clement D. Loehr. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Mabel, daughter of William and Kathryn Monte Kemery, was born in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Iowa, Dec. 9, 1879. She lived most of her life in Taylor County with the exception of a few years spent in Chariton.

On Sept. 12, 1907, she was married to Clyde C. Russell of Bedford. She was a member of the Methodist Church, of the Order of the Eastern Star, and of the Rebekah lodge. Her husband preceded her in death on Sept. 9, 1950. Three brothers and three sisters also preceded her in death. They were Frank L. Kemery, Fred Kemery, Albert Kemery, Mrs. Ed McCormick, Mrs. Fannie Bownes, Mrs. Rosa Hopkins.

Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Frank Trumbo of Bedford; three brothers, Mont L. Kemery of Bedford, Lynn W. and Lay Kemery of Sheridan, Mo.

[Russell, Opal Margaret]

Opal Russell

Graveside funeral services for Opal Russell, age 66 of Bedford, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, were held Tuesday, May 29, 2003 at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford with Pastor Ted DeHass officiating. Memorials can be directed to the Fairview Cemetery Road Fund or the Angus Scholarship.

Opal Margaret Russell was born October 11, 1936 in Bedford, Iowa, the daughter of HK and Anita Russell. Opal's childhood was spent on a farm in Jackson Township where she attended Liberty Country School. She had fond memories of playing with her sisters, brothers and pets. She enjoyed gathering eggs, shelling peas, stemming strawberries and helping with the daily chores inside and outside the house.

After attending Bedford High School, she resided in several residences including Glenwood State School, Taylor Ridge Estates, Bedford Nursing & Rehab, and Clearview Home in Mt. Ayr. Opal especially enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with her many nieces and nephews. Beautiful embroidered quilts were made for each wedding and new baby. Other hobbies included collecting stuffed animals, copying favorite recipes, letter writing and watching TV. Opal enjoyed keeping in touch with her aunts, uncles, classmates and friends. She was a fifty plus year member of the United Methodist Church in Bedford and will be dearly missed by all.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents, HK and Anita Russell brother Karl Russell and nephew, Daniel Lucas. Left to cherish her memory are sisters, Evelyn Fisher and her [husband] Tom of Booneville and Kay Lucas and her husband Jim of Bedford, Iowa; brother Henry Russell and his wife Marcia of Massena, Iowa along with many nieces, nephews and other friends.
[Online obituary courtesy of Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, http://www.efc.cc/_main/obituaries.asp]

[Thummel, Alice Elma Butts]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 19, 1956     [p. 1]

Mrs. Frank Thummel Rites Were Saturday

Mrs. Frank C. [harles] Thummel of Bedford died at St. Francis hospital in Maryville, Thursday, April 12, where she had been a patient several weeks.

Funeral services were held at the Bedford Methodist church, Saturday afternoon, conducted by a former pastor and friend of the family, Rev. Edward Carrow of Richmond, Mo., assisted by Rev. Clement D. Loehr of the Bedford Presbyterian church. Burial in Fairview cemetery.

Alice Elma Butts was born in Taylor County, Iowa, January 31, 1883 and died at the age of 73 years, two months, 11 days. She was the second child of the six children of Walker and Sarah Payton Butts. She grew to womanhood on the farm south of Bedford where she resided for a number of years in later life. For several years, she gave music lessons and taught school in Taylor County.

On March 13, 1913 she was married to Frank C. [harles] Thummel and three sons were born to them: Glenn of Audubon, Olin and Duane of Bedford.

In 1901 she joined the Maple Grove church near her home, and continuously thereafter was a member of this church or the Methodist churches of Bedford and Gravity, wherever she lived. For many years she served as superintendent or teacher in the church school. At the time of her death she was a member of the Willing Workers Sunday school class of the Bedford Methodist church, the Women’s Society of Christian Service and the Triangle club.

She is survived by her husband, the three sons and their wives. Also by six grandchildren: Stephen, Margaret and Keane Thummel of Bedford, Craig, Ann and Kristin Thummel of Audubon. Other surviving relatives are a sister, Miss Linnie Butts of Bedford; a brother, Glenn Butts and his wife of Bedford; a nephew, Harold E. Hughes of Omaha; several cousins and an aunt, Mrs. Elmer Overstreet of Kissimmee, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Pearl Butts and Mrs. Ora Hughes; and a brother, Ray Butts.