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

[Irwin, Fannie Katurah Seymour]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 25, 1970    p. 9

Last Rites Held Tuesday For Fannie Irwin

Funeral services for Mrs. James (Fannie) Irwin, 92, long time Taylor County resident, were held Tue., June 23, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford.  Mrs. Irwin died at Pearl Terrace Manor on June 19, 1970.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Fannie Katurah Seymour was born July 14, 1877 in Allison County, Illinois, and moved with her parents when seven years old to Taylor County, Iowa.  Her family lived in the community near Ladoga and here she grew to womanhood, being part of the home school and community activities.

On August 8, 1906, she was united in marriage to James Howard Irwin and to them were born four children.

They lived on various farms in the area, later moving to Bedford for a few years and then to the farm where Mr. Irwin passed away March 14, 1943.  She continued to reside on the farm with her son until ill health and hospitalization caused extended care at the Pearl Terrace Manor in Bedford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six sisters and three brothers.

Surviving her are the four children:

LaVerne Irwin of Seattle, Wash.; Lucile Irwin Rollins of Shawnee Mission, Kans.; Howard H. [adley] Irwin of Bedford and Pauline Irwin Huss of Ventura, Calif.; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was a member of the Christian Church and the Rebekah Lodge.

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

[Irwin, James Howard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 18, 1943

J. H. Irwin, 68, Found Dead At Home

J. [ames] H. [oward] Irwin, 68, was found dead at his home northwest of Bedford about noon Sunday, March 14.  He had been away from the house all forenoon, leaving in the morning to do his chores and regular farming duties.  When he did not come to the house after several hours, Mrs. Irwin became alarmed and called a neighbor, who found him lying in a stall in the barn.  He had been dead about two hours when found, it is thought.

He is survived by his wife and four children:  Laverne Irwin of Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands; Lucile, who is now Mrs. Paul R. Montgomery of Kansas City; Howard Irwin, S2c of the Coast Guard, stationed at Grayton Beach, Point Washington, Florida; and Pauline Irwin of Bedford.  Also by the son-in-law, Paul R. Montgomery, who is stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.

The funeral services were held at the Church of Christ in Bedford at 2 oÕclock this afternoon, conducted by a former pastor, Rev. Fred Coley of Council Bluffs.  Rev. P. H. Peterson of the local church assisted.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery, the I. O. O. F. lodge of Bedford giving their burial service at the grave.

[Irwin, James Howard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 25, 1943    p. 8

Obituary - J. H. Irwin

James Howard Irwin, son of Thomas and Margaret Ann [Hargin] Irwin, was born August 25, 1874 in Holt Township, [Taylor County] Iowa, being aged 68 years, 6 months, 17 days at the time of his death.

He lived his entire life in Taylor County, spending most of his life in farming with the exception of 14 years during which time he lived in Bedford.

On August 8, 1906 he was married to Fannie K. [aturah] Seymour in Bedford.  They started their home life on a farm northeast of Conway.  At this home four children were born, one son, Howard, three daughters, LaVerne, Lucile and Pauline.  After living there for 14 years, in February 1920, he moved his family to a home in Bedford, in order to better educate his children.  In March 1934, he moved to his farm northwest of Bedford, where he and his son Howard, were engaged in farming until Howard enlisted in the service of his country; then he carried on alone until the time of his sudden death at his home Sunday, March 14, 1943.

He was a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge, having held all the offices in Bedford Lodge No. 91.  He was active in attending their meetings and conventions.  He was also a member of the Bedford Encampment No. 71 and the Rebekah Lodge No. 134.

He was a kind and loving husband and father and had many friends.  He will be greatly missed by his relatives and all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife and four children: Howard H. [adley] Irwin, Seaman Second Class in U. S. Coast Guard stationed at Grayton Beach, Point Washington, Florida; LaVerne Irwin, of Honolulu, Hawaii, who cabled her mother that it was impossible for her to be present; Lucile Montgomery of Kansas City, Mo., Pauline Irwin of Bedford; and son-in-law, Staff Sergeant Paul R. Montgomery stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Susan [Emily] Richardson and Mrs. Ida Posten of Gravity; two brothers, Will of Clarinda and George of Bedford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Rob, and one sister, Mrs. [Mary] Jane Posten.

[Irwin, George Thomas]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 23, 1958    p. 6

Obituary - George Irwin

George Thomas Irwin, son of Margaret Ann [Hargin] and Thomas Irwin, was born September 9, 1873 in Taylor County and died October 15, 1958 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Mo.

He was married to Cecelia Marlow, February 22, 1903.  She passed away June 9, 1954.  There were no children.  Several nephews lived with them and attended school.

He spent most of his life in and around Gravity.  For a time he was in the meat-market there with his sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Posten [Ida] and later lived on his farm near Gravity.  He then purchased a farm near Bedford, where he engaged in farming and was also FarmerÕs Union office manager.  About 20 years ago he moved to the home in Bedford, which he recently sold.

He was of a family of five brothers and three sisters, one brother surviving, William Noble Irwin of Clarinda.  There are several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home, Friday afternoon, October 17, conducted by the pastor of the Christian church, Rev. Elmer Baker.  Interment was in the mausoleum in Fairview cemetery.

[Irwin, William Noble ÒWillÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 16, 1964    p. 5

Glen IrwinÕs Father Dies

William Noble Irwin, 87, father of Glen Irwin of this city, died at the Clarinda Municipal Hospital at 8:05 p. m. Wed., April 1, 1964, after having suffered a severe stroke at his home on Easter Sunday.  Funeral services were held April 4 in Clarinda.

Will was well known in this vicinity, being born and raised near Gravity.  He was the last of the family of Thomas and Margaret [Ann Hargin] Irwin, being preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, George, James and Robert Irwin, his three sisters, Mrs. W. [infield] R. [iley] Richardson (Susie), Mrs. Gene Posten (Ida) and Mrs. Gib [James Gilbert] Posten (Jane).

He was married on Feb. 14, 1900 to Arlena Mae Seymour, who was called from her little family in death, on June 24, 1908.  Many years were spent farming near Gravity.  He later married Dora Wilfong who survives him.  They moved to Clarinda in 1927 where he served as hatchery man for the Berry Poultry Farm for 33 years, always being very devoted to do his work. 

He was a lifelong member of the Christian church, being a charter member of the Oak Hill Church north of Gravity, which he helped to build.

He is survived also by his children, Arthur Irwin of Toppenish, Washington, Glen Irwin of Bedford, Beulah Irwin Ramey of Mitchell, Ind., Otis Irwin of Des Moines and Erma Lou Irwin Henneman of Clarinda, all of whom were present with their families for the last rites, except Arthur who was stranded in the snow storm at Rawlins, Wyo.; 18 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.  Two granddaughters, Jo Ann and Marilyn Henneman, preceded him in death in August 1963.

[Richardson, Susan Emily Irwin]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    September 14, 1944     [p. 1]

Rites Held for Mrs. Richardson

Mrs. Rile [Winfield Riley] Richardson [Susan Emily Irwin], 78, of Gravity died suddenly while visiting at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tom Roberts, southwest of Bedford, Saturday, September 9.  Funeral services will be held at the Christian church in Gravity Friday afternoon at 1:00 oÕclock, conducted by Rev. C. M. Eppard of Clarinda.

Interment will be held in the Gravity cemetery.

[Richardson, James Estel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    Oct. 19, 1972    p. 7

Jas. Richardson Rites Held October 12

Funeral services for James Estel Richardson, 70, of Bedford, lifetime Taylor County resident, were held October 12 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Ollie Odle officiating.  Mr. Richardson died at Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Ia. October 9, 1972.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Ia.

James Richardson, son of Winfield Riley and Susan [Emily Irwin] Richardson, was born in their farm home north of Gravity, in Taylor County, Iowa, November 19, 1901.

On October 23, 1927 he was united in marriage to Leta Burch in her parentÕs home in Bedford and to this union eight sons were born, three of whom died in infancy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Leta, in 1949 and one sister.

He married Nellie Alford on April 19, 1951. 

He is survived by his wife, Nellie, of the home, 1108 Bent St., Bedford; five sons, Lowell, of Ames, Iowa; Duane, Lake Oswego, Oregon; Cecil of McLain, Virginia; Merwyn, Omaha, Nebraska and James of Bloomfield, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. Tom Roberts, Bedford, and Mrs. Elnora Hunt, Yellville, Arkansas; 12 grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Richardson was a member of the Christian Church at Gravity.  The Lord blessed him with a good sense of humor, which he maintained until the end.

Mr. Richardson spent his entire life in and around Taylor County.  He was a very generous, warm-hearted man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

 [Coon, Virgil Raymond]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    September 14, 1944    [p. 1]

Virgil Coon Died Here September 12

Virgil [Raymond] Coon, 43, well known Taylor County farmer died at his home east of Bedford Wednesday evening, following a lingering illness.   Surviving are his wife, Emma Mitchell Coon, his mother, Mrs. Minnie [John] Coon, a brother, Howard, all of near Bedford and a sister, Mrs. Roy Reith [Esther] of Kimball, Nebr.  Last rites will be held from the Berea church Friday afternoon at 3:00 oÕclock with the Rev. R. C. Yadon of Blockton in charge.  Interment will be in Fairview cemetery.

 [Posten, Mary Jane Irwin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 16, 1941    p. 5

Mrs. Jane Posten Of Gravity Dies

Mrs. Jane Posten, a resident of Taylor County practically all of her life, died at her home in Gravity on Saturday, Jan. 11.  The funeral services were held at the Church of Christ in Gravity on Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. M. Eppard of Clarinda and assisted by Rev. Ben W. Sinderson of Bedford.  Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

Mary Jane Irwin, daughter of Thomas and Margaret [Ann Hargin] Irwin, was born in Warren County, Ill., Sept. 9, 1868, being aged 72 years, 4 months and 2 days at the time of her death.  When three months of age the parents moved to Holt Township in Taylor County and she had resided in this county continuously since.  She was one of a family of seven children.

She was married to James Gilbert Posten on Feb. 12, 1891.  The family circle includes a son, Oliver Posten of Gravity and two daughters, Miss Zona Posten of Gravity and Mrs. Bernadine Bender of Grant.  Mr. Posten died Dec. 30, 1932.

Surviving with the children are two sisters and three brothers:  Mrs. Susan [Emily] Richardson and Mrs. Ida Posten of Gravity, Will Irwin of Clarinda, George Irwin and James H. [oward] Irwin of Bedford.  There are also two grandchildren: Mrs. Dorothy Gallagher of Des Moines and Maurice Bender of Grant.

In early life, Mrs. Posten united with the Christian church and has been actively engaged in church work throughout her life.  At the time of her death she was a member and deaconess in the Gravity Church of Christ.  She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star and of the Royal Neighbors.  Although in poor health the greater part of her life, Mrs. Posten was a good homemaker and attended every call of sickness and distress in the community.

[Lambley, Elton Beal]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 14, 1944    [p. 1]

Pfc. Elton B. [eal] Lambley of Conway was killed in action in France on August 24, according to word received by his wife, who resides in Lenox.  His parents are Mr. and Mrs. [William] Fern Lambley [Edna Beal] of Conway.  Elton fought in Italy under General Patton and was then sent with the 1st army to England for the invasion.

[Drake, Owen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 14, 1944    [p. 1]

Relatives have learned of the death of Corp. Owen Drake July 30 in France.  He landed in England June 23 and was sent to France in July.  He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Art Drake, formerly of Blockton.

[Drake, Arthur Owen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 11, 1960    p. 4

Arthur Drake Died In Texas

Arthur [Owen] Drake, a former resident of Blockton, died in Friona, Texas, January 31.  Last rites and burial were there.  He was a brother of Elbert Drake of Blockton and of Mrs. Florence Hughes of New Market.  He is also survived by his wife and four children.

[Shum, George]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 16, 1941    p. 5

Obituary - Geo. Shum

Geo. Shum was born Sept. 11, 1855 and died at his home in Gravity Jan. 12, 1941 at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 1 day.  He had been confined to his home for several months.

He was married to Ada M. Bickford Feb. 3, 1878.  To them were born nine children:  Bert, Alonzo, and Paul preceded their parents in death.  His wife died in 1922.

May 21, 1923 he was married to Della Shipley.

Mr. Shum spent the most of his life in Taylor County, residing on a farm for a number of years and retiring to Gravity in the year 1916.  In the year 1892 he was converted and united with the Free Methodist church the same year and remained a faithful member until his death.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife and children, Claud Shum of Diagonal, Pete Shum of Bedford and Emma of New Market, John Shum of Hood River, Oregon, Frank Shum of Wessington Springs, So. Dak. and Mae of Bingen, Wash.; 24 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one brother, Jim Shum of Clarinda.

[Beck, Carrie Hays]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   March 25, 1943    p. 8

Obituary - Mrs. J. W. Beck

Mrs. J. W. Beck died at a hospital in Boulder, Colorado, Tuesday, March 16.  The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Walker & Shum Funeral Home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. G. L. Hufstader.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Carrie Hays, daughter of Thomas Lupher and Emily Hammond Hays, was born January 22, 1869 at Canal, Pennsylvania, being aged 74 years, 1 month and 25 days at the time of her death.

Her parents moved to the Siam, Iowa community, when she was one year old.  After the death of her father, the family moved to Bedford.

She was married to John W. [esley] Beck at Kansas City, Missouri, in June 1916.  They remained in Kansas City until the next spring when they moved to Boulder, Colorado, where they continued to make their home.  Mr. Beck died in April, 1935.

Mrs. Beck was a successful schoolteacher for a number of years, and always retained her interest in and affection for children and young people, seeking their welfare wherever she made her home.  She united with the Methodist church at Siam and was always active in the work of the church.

She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Minnie H. Bebout of Bedford; two brothers, Everet E. [ldon] Hays of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Irvin H. [ammond] Hays of Boulder, Colo.; and a nephew, George F. Hays of Sterling, Colorado.

Mrs. Bebout went to Boulder last week on account of her sisterÕs illness, and with the brother, Irvin, accompanied the body to Bedford.  Funeral services were held in Boulder on Thursday afternoon.

[Beck, John Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 11, 1935    [p. 1]

John Beck, 92, Dies At Boulder

John [Wesley] Beck, 92, a former resident of Bedford, died at his home in Boulder, Colo., Monday, April 8.  The body will be brought to Bedford and funeral services held at the Walker and Shum Funeral Home at 2:30 oÕclock Friday afternoon, April 12, conducted by Rev. J. Stanley Decker.  Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.  Mrs. Beck will accompany the body to Bedford.

[Beck, John Wesley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 18, 1935    p. 8

Funeral Services For Beck Held Friday

Funeral services for John W. Beck, 92, Civil War veteran, who died at his home in Boulder, Colo., Monday, April 8, after a short illness, were held at the Walker and Shum Funeral Home in Bedford Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. Stanley Decker.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

John Wesley Beck, son of Vivian and Sarah Price Beck, was born on a farm in Washington County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1843.  When he was 7 years old he moved with his parents to a farm near Spencer in Owen County, Ind.  When he was 19 years of age he enlisted in the Civil War in Co. F, 6th Indiana cavalry, Aug. 6, 1862, and served to the close of the war, after which he returned to his fatherÕs farm.

He was married to Rachel Amelia Runyon Aug. 25, 1866, and moved to a farm near his parents.  In 1869 he and his wife and parents, with other relatives, moved to Taylor County, Iowa.  In 1890 Mr. Beck and his wife left the farm and moved to Bedford.  He served as county recorder of Taylor County for four years.

Mr. and Mrs. Beck moved to Boulder, Colo. in January 1909, where she died March 8, 1914.

June 25, 1916, Mr. Beck was married to Miss Carrie Hays in Kansas City, Mo., and they had since made their home in Boulder.

He had been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic for many years and had served as chaplain of the Nathaniel Lyon Post in Boulder for many years.  He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

He is survived by his wife, also two sisters, Mrs. Sarah J. Treadway of Nickerson, Kans., and Mrs. Margaret V. Snell of Redondo Beach, Calif., and a brother, Aaron [Thomas] Beck of Nickerson, Kans.

[Streitenberger, John August]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 11, 1960    p. 4

Streitenberger Rites Held Here Wed.

J. A. Streitenberger died at his home near Blockton, Sunday, January 31.  Funeral services were held at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Service on Madison Street, Wednesday afternoon, February 3.  Rev. Lowell Hall of Blockton officiated.  Burial in Bedford cemetery.

John August Streitenberger was born October 13, 1881at Waverly, Ohio, to Hiram R. and Henrietta Beitzel Streitenberger and died at the age of 78 years, three months and 18 days.  He was one of seven children, all of whom preceded him in death except one brother, Henry, who lives in Ohio.  He moved to Iowa in February 1903 and to Taylor County in 1919.

He married Maud Durfey on January 9, 1919.  To this union four children were born:  Boyd, Doris, John and a son James Ellsworth, who died in infancy.  Mrs. Streitenberger died several years ago.  For the past 16 years he had resided on a farm south of Blockton.

Surviving him are his three children; five grandchildren, Debera, Jimmie, Evelyn, Priscilla and Everett.

[Buckman, Edna Mae Sleep Delaney]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   June 25, 1970    p. 9

Edna Buckman Rites June 19 In Hopkins

Funeral services for Mrs. Alfred (Edna Mae) Buckman, 68, of San Francisco, Calif., former Taylor County resident, were held June 19 at the United Methodist Church in Hopkins, Mo.  Mrs. Buckman died June 15, 1970 at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco.  Interment was at the Siam cemetery.

Edna Mae Buckman, daughter of James F. [rancis] and Eva Proffitt Sleep, was born Nov. 9, 1901 in Taylor County near Siam.

At an early age she united with the Methodist Church at Siam.  She spent most of her life in Taylor County, going to California in 1942.

In October 1919 she was united in marriage to James Delaney of Nodaway, Ia.  To this union two children were born, Clark Delaney of Indianapolis and Mrs. Bill (Doris) Oreson of Houston, Texas.

On March 9, 1964 she [was] united in marriage to Alfred Buckman of San Francisco.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred; one son, Clark; and daughter, Doris; a grandson, Ronnie Oreson of Houston; four brothers, Troy of Shenandoah, Clarence and Harley of Bedford, Harmon of New Market; two sisters, Mrs. Dona Fine, Bedford, and Mrs. Goldie Narber, Hopkins.

Preceding her in death were her parents, a brother, Frank, of Bedford, and a grandson Duane Delaney of Indianapolis.

[Sleep, Eva Clement Proffitt]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 26, 1959    p. 4

Mrs. Eva Sleep Rites In Bedford Monday

Funeral services for Mrs. Eva Sleep, who died at her home southwest of Bedford Friday, February 20, 1959, were held at the Bedford Methodist Church, Monday afternoon.  Rev. Anthony Blankers, pastor of the church, officiated.  Burial in Siam cemetery.

Eva Clement, daughter of Elbert [Sever] and Lydia [Melvin] Proffitt, was born September 10, 1871 at Marion, Illinois and died at the age of 87 years, five months, ten days.

She spent her entire life in Taylor County, Iowa, with the exception of nine years in Illinois.

On April 8, 1894, she was married to James [Francis] Sleep, who preceded her in death in 1949.

To them ten children were born.  Two children died in infancy, and a son, Frank, passed away in September 1954.  Living to mourn her loss are Mrs. Edna Delaney, San Francisco, California; Troy, Clarence, Harley, Harmon, and Mrs. Dona Fine, all of Bedford; Mrs. Goldie Narber of Hopkins, Missouri.  There are 15 grandchildren; one grandson, Floyd Sleep, died in 1949.  There are ten great grandchildren.  Also surviving is a half-brother, Millard Proffitt of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mrs. Sleep was a member of the Methodist church in Hopkins.  She was a kind and loving mother and liked by all who knew her.

[Sleep, Clarence Delbert]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 30, 1981    p. 6

Final Rites Held July 26 For Clarence Sleep, 76

Funeral services for Clarence Delbert Sleep, 76, of Bedford, held July 26 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings.  Mr. Sleep died July 22, 1981 in Bedford Manor, Bedford, Iowa.  Interment was at Siam cemetery, Siam, Iowa.

Clarence Delbert Sleep, son of James Francis Sleep and Eva Proffitt Sleep, was born in Taylor County, Iowa near Siam, November 12, 1904.

He grew to maturity in the area where he was born and attended the public school and was a part of the community activities.

On January 30, 1929 he was united in marriage to Avis Lucille Parker at Bedford and they lived on farms in the Siam community until ill health caused retirement and they moved to Bedford in 1978.

One son, Bruce Edwin, was born to bless their home and to share their love.

He was a member of the United Christian Presbyterian Church of Bedford, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Frank Sleep, and a sister, Edna Buckman.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Avis of the home; son, Bruce Edwin Sleep, and his wife, Barbara Reed Sleep; two grandsons:  Gregory Paul Sleep and Randel Bruce Sleep; two sisters, Dona Fine and Goldie Narber; three brothers:  Troy Sleep, Harley Sleep and Harmon Sleep; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

His family and friends will remember him as a kind and considerate loved one, and he will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him.