Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu

 [Mohler, Lucinda Pletcher]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 21, 1897    p. 3

Pioneer Mother Dead

Mrs. Lucinda Mohler, Wife of the Late Leonard Mohler, Passes Quietly From Earth Life

Died, at the home of her son, D. [ouglas] C. [alvin] Mohler, east of Bedford, Thursday morning January 15, 1897, Mrs. Lucinda Mohler, aged 77 years, 11 months and 11 days.  Funeral services were conducted from the home by Rev. E. N. Ware of the First Presbyterian Church, at 2 oÕclock Sunday, January 19.

The remains were laid to rest in the Bedford Cemetery, while around the open grave were assembled a large concourse of relatives and friends, the latter including many of the pioneer settlers of Taylor County.

The deceased was the wife of the late Leonard Mohler, who died Feb. 21, 1896, not quite one year ago.  Miss Lucinda Pletcher and Leonard Mohler were united in marriage in Morgan County, Ohio, April 12, 1838, and came to Taylor County seventeen years later, in 1855.  Mr. Mohler preempted 360 acres of land, now comprising parts of the following farms belonging to C. [hristopher] C.[olumbus] Mohler, Samuel Martin, H. Montgomery, and a part of the Hartzler farm.  In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Mohler purchased and located on the farm one-half mile east of Bedford, where they both died.  To them were born twelve children, nine of whom are still living, all being present when the mother passed away.

Like a larger number of the pioneer settlers, Mr. and Mrs. Mohler early acquired habits of thrift and economy and in consequence they accumulated a large amount of property, which they shared liberally among their children.  They lived long and useful lives, and died as they had lived, universally respected by all who knew them.

[Mohler, George Silas]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    January 30, 1917    [p. 1]

George S. Mohler

George S. [ilas] Mohler died at his home a mile northeast of Bedford, Friday morning, January 26, 1917, aged 65 years, 7 months and 26 days.  The funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon at 1:30 oÕclock, conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie.  Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

George S. [ilas] Mohler was the son of [John] Leonard and Lucinda [Pletcher] Mohler and was born in Zanesville, Ohio, May 31, 1852.  He came with his parents to Taylor County, Iowa, when he was four years of age.  August 4, 1881, he was united in marriage to Matilda J. [ane] Brock.  To this union three children were born:  Walter Warren, who died in infancy; Bessie Mae, now Mrs. Charles A. [lvin] Allen; and Beulah Edna Mohler.  He united with the Baptist church at an early age.  Later in life he became a member of the Conway Presbyterian Church and when this organization discontinued its work, he transferred his membership to the Bedford Presbyterian church.

For a number of years, the deceased was associated with Cyrus Wolverton in the blacksmithing business in Bedford and in 1890 took up farming, which he continued to follow until his death.  He was located on the farm where he died for twenty or more years.  Mr. Mohler is survived by his wife and two daughters, six brothers and two sisters.  They are:  C. [hristopher] C. [olumbus] Mohler, Mrs. Thomas Greer [Lucinda May], Charles M. [arion] Mohler, John F.[ranklin] Mohler, William A. [lexander] Mohler, and D. [ouglas] C. [alvin] Mohler of Bedford; Mrs. R. [euben] W. Young [Sarah Ann] of Shenandoah and Henry Mohler of Kansas City, Mo.  The brothers acted as pallbearers, a nephew Frank Mohler, taking the place of the brother who could not be present.

[Mohler, Christopher Columbus]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 5, 1936    p. 4

Mohler Funeral Sunday Afternoon

Funeral services for C. [hristopher] C. [olumbus] Mohler, 95, who died at the Mrs. Besco hospital-home in Bedford Wednesday, Feb. 26, were held at the Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Robert Boshen.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Christopher C. [olumbus] Mohler, eldest son of [John] Leonard and Lucinda Pletcher Mohler, was born Nov. 5, 1840, near Zanesville, Ohio.

He moved with his parents to Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, in the spring of 1856 and settled on a farm two and a half miles east of Bedford, where he grew to manhood.

He enlisted as a volunteer in the Civil War in Co. D, 46th Iowa Infantry and was mustered out at the close of the war.  He was the last of the civil war veterans in Bedford.

Sept. 15, 1865 he was married to Martha E. [llen] John and soon after their marriage they settled on the farm east of Bedford which was their home until after the death of Mrs. Mohler in 1917, after which Mr. Mohler moved to Bedford.

To them were born six children, four girls and two boys.  They are Ettie [Etta] M.[ay] Gibson of Osceola, Frank [lin] J. [ohn] Mohler and Gertrude [Alice] Barr of Bedford.  Also Fannie, who died in infancy; Hattie J. Dowis and Homer Mohler, both of whom died in 1906.

Surviving with the three children are thirteen grandchildren, all of whom were present at the funeral services with one exception, Mrs. C. E. Prescott of Passaic, N. J., and eighteen great grandchildren.  Also three brothers, John F. [ranklin] Mohler, Wm. A. [lexander] Mohler, and Douglas C. [alvin] Mohler, all of Bedford.

Mr. Mohler united with the Presbyterian Church in Bedford in 1878 and served as a deacon for many years.

[Mohler, Harris Homer]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    April 12, 1906    p. 4

Homer C. Mohler

Homer C. Mohler [Harris Homer] was born in Taylor County, Iowa, twenty-seven years ago, making his home during this time on the farm with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. [hristopher] C. [olumbus] Mohler just east of town.  He died at the Union Station at Kansas City Sunday evening while enroute home.

Last winter it was realized that his system would not withstand this climate and about the first of the year he went to Orogrande, N. M. to try the effects of a higher and drier climate.  The realization of his hopeless condition was soon brought to him however and he wished to spend his last moments at home and accordingly started back.  His father went to Kansas City to meet him, not realizing how serious his condition was, but by a sad circumstance death arrived before the meeting.

The remains were brought to Bedford Tuesday and the funeral will be held at the home at 10 oÕclock this morning, conducted by Rev. R. L. Barackman.  Interment will be had in Fairview cemetery.

The Kansas City Journal of April 10 has the following to say regarding the sad death:

The father of Homer C. Mohler, the young man who died unidentified Sunday night at the Union depot, was asleep at the time of his sonÕs death in a hotel not a hundred feet from the spot where his boy breathed his last.

C. [hristopher] C. [olumbus] Mohler, the father, who had come to Kansas City to meet his son, to take him home to Bedford, Ia., did not hear of the boyÕs death until late yesterday afternoon, when the depot authorities learned that he was waiting at the station, and by calling his name attracted his attention to the bureau of information, where he was told that the boy, whom he had waited two days to meet, was dead.  The father is a well-to-do farmer, and a director of the Bedford National Bank.

Young Mohler, who was a passenger on the Rock Island Golden State Limited Sunday night, died at the depot from exhaustion, shortly after the train arrived at 10:30 oÕclock.  He was not identified until yesterday morning when his trunk was examined by the coroner at Eylar Bros.Õ undertaking rooms.   In the trunk letters were found establishing his identity and revealing the name of his father.  A telegram was sent at once to the father at Bedford, and late in the afternoon an answer was received here signed by the boyÕs mother, saying that the father was then waiting at the Union depot for the boy.  Depot Master Bell was then asked to find the elder Mohler, which he did by calling his name in the waiting room.  When told that his son, for whom he had been waiting since 4 oÕclock Sunday afternoon, was dead, Mohler became almost hysterical.

ÒDonÕt tell me that,Ó he exclaimed, Òwhen I had come to Kansas City for the very purpose of meeting him before he died.  He has been ill with consumption for some time and for the last year and a half he had been living in New Mexico.  Last week he decided to come home, as he was getting no better, for he wished to see his mother before he died.  I came this far to meet him, as I feared that he would not last through the long journey.  Now that has failed.  And to think that I was here when he died and did not know it.Ó

There were few dry eyes in the little crowd that gathered around the father as he told this story to the depot officials.  As soon as he became calm, he was taken to the undertaking rooms, where he identified his sonÕs body.  He will leave with the body this morning for Bedford, where interment will be made.

ÒI arrived in Kansas City about 4 oÕclock Sunday afternoon and had expected to meet my son on a Rock Island train that arrives here about 9 oÕclock,Ó said Mr. Mohler.  ÒI met this train, but Homer was not aboard, and, being told by a depot attachŽ that all the Rock Island trains from the west were in for the night, I went over to the Blossom house and went to bed.Ó  From what I have learned since I find that my son died right in the depot, not twenty minutes after I had left.  Yesterday morning I came over early and had been meeting all the Rock Island trains during the day that I thought might bring my boy.  At the time I was found by the depot master I was just getting ready to send a dispatch home to find if Homer had arrived there.

My boy has always been delicate and once before spent three years in Old Mexico for his health.  He came home then, and for some time we thought that he was cured, but becoming worse, two winters ago, we sent him West again.  This time he grew worse and was really on his way home to die.  He had often expressed a wish to pass his last moments on earth by the side of his mother, and he was coming home for that purpose.Ó

Young Mohler would have been 27 years old on his next birthday.  He is survived by his father and mother, three sisters and one brother.

[Gibson, Etta May Mohler]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 15, 1953    [p . 1]

Mrs. D. M. Gibson Dies In Osceola

Mrs. D. [aniel] M. [illard] Gibson [Etta May], a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. [hristopher] C. [olumbus] Mohler of Bedford, died last week and funeral services for her were held in Osceola Sunday.  Burial was also at Osceola.

Attending the last rites from Bedford were her brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mohler; her sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Barr [Gertrude Alice]; Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Bristow, Shirley and Norma; Mr. and Mrs. Max Lucas.

Also attending were Mrs. B. O. Eighmy of Rockford, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Carrol Briggs of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

[Barr, Gertrude Alice Mohler]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 19, 1965    p. 8

Mrs. Henry Barr Rites Aug. 16

Funeral services for Mrs. Henry (Gertrude) Barr, former Bedford resident, were held Aug. 16 at the Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda, conducted by Rev. John D. Kerr.  Mrs. Barr died at the Gillespie Nursing Home on Aug. 14, 1965.  Interment was at the Clarinda Cemetery.

Gertrude Alice Mohler Barr was born on a farm three miles east of Bedford on September 22, 1885.  She was the daughter of Martha {Ellen John] and [Christopher] Columbus Mohler.

She was the youngest of a family of six, all of whom have passed away.  Fannie died in infancy, Mrs. Hattie Dowis and Homer in 1906, Mrs. Etta Gibson in 1953, and Frank in 1964.

In 1900 she made public her faith in Jesus Christ and joined the Presbyterian Church of Bedford and was a member at the time of her death.  She attended regularly as long as her health permitted.  She was a very active member of the WomenÕs Association, having served as secretary-treasurer and later as president for quite some time.  She wrote a history of her church with the names of all the ministers up to that time and the pictures of many of them.  This history is now in the church parlor.

On December 24, 1913, she was united in marriage with Henry E. [lias] Barr of rural Clarinda in the same home in which she was born, by the late Rev. John A. Currie.

She was a kind and loving wife and never spoke an unkind word about anyone.

[Barr, Henry Elias]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 17, 1964    p. 3

 Henry E. Barr Rites Dec. 9

Funeral services for Henry E. [lias] Barr, formerly of Bedford, held Dec. 12 at Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda, were conducted by Rev. John D. Kerr.  Mr. Barr died Dec. 9 at his brotherÕs (Louis) home.  Interment was at the Clarinda cemetery.

Henry E. [lias] Barr was born Nov. 8, 1880 and died December 9, 1964, at the age of 84 years and one month.  He was the oldest son of Franklin P. [ierce] and Flora M. (Painter) Barr.  He spent his early life near Clarinda and attended the Clarinda Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1910. 

On Christmas Eve 1913, he was united in marriage with Gertrude A. [lice] Mohler, who survives him.  Their married life was spent at Bedford and Clarinda, where he engaged in farming until retirement.

At an early age he united with the Methodist Church in Clarinda but transferred his church affiliation to the Presbyterian Church at Bedford, where his wife held membership.  He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for several years.

Surviving are his wife, Gertrude, two brothers, Edwin and Louis and a sister, Lillian.

[Mohler, Franklin John ÒFrankÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 28, 1964    [p. 1]

Frank Mohler Rites Wednesday

Funeral services for Frank [lin] John Mohler, long time Taylor County resident, were held yesterday (Wednesday) at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, with Rev. John D. Kerr officiating.  Mr. Mohler died May 25 at Clarinda Municipal hospital.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa.

 

[Mohler, Franklin John ÒFrankÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 4, 1964    p. 3

Final Rites For Frank J. Mohler Held May 27

Funeral services for Frank [lin] John Mohler, 89, life time Taylor County resident, held May 27 at the Bedford Presbyterian church, were conducted by Rev. John D. Kerr.  Mr. Mohler died May 25 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Included in the services was the following obituary:

Frank [lin] John Mohler, son of C. [hristopher] C. [olumbus] and Martha [Ellen John] Mohler, was born on June 25, 1874 in Taylor County, Iowa.

On November 29, 1905, he was united in marriage to Carrie L. [uella] Williams of Bedford, Iowa.  The majority of their years were spent on the home farm, east of Bedford, until retiring from farming in 1947, at which time they moved to Bedford.

To this union were born six children:  Mrs. Lucille Eighmy of Rockford, Ill., Mrs. Marjorie Bristow, Bedford, Mrs. Dorothy Lucas, Bedford; Mrs. Virginia Briggs, Cedar Rapids; Paul Mohler, Luverne, Minn., and Howard Mohler of Carroll.

Mr. Mohler is survived by his wife, six children, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and one sister, Gertrude Barr, of Clarinda.

He united with the First Presbyterian church of Bedford, Iowa, in 1900, where he was a faithful member and attended regularly as long as his health permitted.

He loved his wife and family as he loved nature and out of doors.  He was upright and keen of mind until the end, and for this his family will be forever grateful.

Relatives from out of town attending services for Frank Mohler were Lucille Eighmy, Dick Eighmy and Martha Eighmy, Rockford, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Briggs, Dennis Briggs, and Robert Bristow, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mohler, Dave Mohler and Mike Mohler, Luverne, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mohler and Linda Mohler, Carroll; Mr. and Mrs. John Guenther and Lynn Guenther, Jefferson; Mr. and Mrs. Don Lucas, Ames; Larry Mohler, Clarinda, Frank Gibson, Don Gibson and Mrs. L. Foster, Osceola.

[Shay, Ellen Mullin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 11, 1941    [p. 1]

MaloyÕs Oldest Lady, Mrs. M. C. Shay, Dies

One of MaloyÕs oldest citizens, Mrs. M. [ichael] C. [hauncey] Shay, died Tuesday evening at her home in Maloy.  Mrs. Shay [Ellen Mullin], who was 79 years of age, had been in failing health for some time.

She is survived by her husband, one son, Dennis R.; one grandson, Dennis R. Jr.; three granddaughters, Mrs. Richard Monahan of Chicago; Mrs. Arnold Parks of Marshalltown, Miss Kathryn Jane Shay of Des Moines; and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday morning at 9:30 oÕclock in the Immaculate Conception Church in Maloy conducted by the Rev. M. J. Culhane.  Interment was in the Saint MaryÕs cemetery.---Mount Ayr Record-News.

[Clark, Eva]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 11, 1941    [p. 1]

Miss Eva Clark Dies

Miss Eva Clark, who has visited in Bedford on many occasions, died at her home in Clarinda Tuesday.  The funeral services were held in Clarinda today, Thursday.  Miss Clark was an aunt of Miss Vesta Clark and Mrs. Lester Thompson [Pearl Clark] of Bedford.

[Lacy, Velma Ann Killam]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 26, 1974    p. 2

Mrs. John Lacy Last Rites Held December 24

Funeral services for Mrs. John Lacy, 77, of Bedford, were held Tues., Dec. 24, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. C. Ray McCain officiating.  Mrs. Lacy [Velma Ann Killam] died at her home in Bedford December 22.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery here.

Included among her survivors are her husband, John; son, Darwin Lacy, of Bedford, and two daughters, Florene Potter of New Market, Doris Jeffers of Bedford and Darlene Killam of Hopkins.

[Lacy, Velma Ann Killam]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 2, 1975    p. 3

Last Rites Held December 24 For Mrs. John Lacy

Funeral services for Mrs. John (Velma) Lacy, 77, of Bedford, held December 24 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain.  Mrs. Lacy died in her home in Bedford December 22, 1974.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Velma Ann Lacy, daughter of Herbert Walter Killam and Clara Ann Shelman, was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, on May 5, 1897.  She grew to womanhood in the area where she was born.  She joined the Methodist Church at an early age, and transferred to the Bedford Christian Church after marriage, where she was a loyal member.

On February 15, 1920, she was united in marriage to John Lacy, and in 1970 they were privileged to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  To this union were born four children, Phyllis, Darwin, Doris, and Florene.  They lived on a farm south of Bedford until 1943 when they moved to town and where they have continued to reside.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Edythe Allison, and three brothers, Keith, Nelson and Will Killam.  Left to cherish her loving memories are her husband, John; Phyllis [Eileen] and husband, Buford Holman, of Independence, Mo.; Darwin and wife, Bernice [Blair] Lacy, of Bedford; Doris [Wanda] and husband, Dennis Jeffers, of Siam; and Florene and husband, Francis Potter, of New Market, Ia.; six grandchildren, Donna Kay Holman Weakley and husband, Tom, of Bates City, Mo.; Lyle Holman and wife, Linda, of Independence, Mo.; Wanda Jean Holman of Liberty, Mo.; Tana [Elaine] Lacy Ross and husband, Richard, of Kansas City, Mo.; Brenda Ann Lacy Ton, and husband, Paul, of Fresno, Calif.; and Debra Lynn Potter of New Market; four great grandchildren, Andy and Danny Weakley, and Carrie Jo and Jamie Lynn Ross; one sister, Mary Nicholson, of Maryville, Mo.; two brothers, Ross Killam of Hopkins, Mo., and Lloyd Killam of Tujunga, Calif.; a host of nephews and nieces.

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

[Lacy, John Cleveland]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 8, 1975    p. 4

Final Rites Held May 6 For John Lacy, 82

Funeral services for John Cleveland Lacy, 82, of Bedford, were held May 6 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain and Carl Cummings.  Mr. Lacy died in Rosary Hospital in Corning May 4, 1975.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

[McKinley, Francis Garrett ÒMacÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 26, 1974    p. 2

F. G. McKinley Dies In Calif.

Funeral services for Francis Garrett (Mac) McKinley, 70, of Sebastopol, Calif., former superintendent of schools in Conway and Dunkerton, Ia., were held November 27 at SebastopolÕs United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wallace Riches officiating.  Mr. McKinley died November 24.  Inurnment followed at Sebastopol Evergreen Lawn.

Mr. McKinley was a member of the Sebastopol City Council from 1964 to 1968 and served as mayor in 1966.  Recently he had been a trustee of Sebastopol Area Housing Corporation.  From 1952 to 1969 he was business manager of Annally Union High School District.

Mr. McKinley was secretary of SebastopolÕs Masonic Lodge 126 and a past patrol of SebastopolÕs Order of Eastern Star Chapter 161.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; a son, James, of San Rafael, and three grandchildren.

[Stingley, William Frank]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 26, 1974    p. 2

Last Rites Held December 22 For Frank Stingley

Funeral services for William Frank Stingley, 92, of Bedford, were held December 22 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Carl Cummings officiating. Mr. Stingley died December 19, 1974, at St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, Mo.  Interment was at Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, Ia.

 

[Stingley, William Frank]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 2, 1975    p. 3

Frank Stingley, 92, Last Rites Held December 22

Funeral services for William Frank Stingley, 92, of Bedford, were held December 22 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Carl Cummings officiating.  Mr. Stingley died December 19 at Saint Francis Hospital in Maryville, Mo.  Interment was at Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, Ia.

William Frank Stingley, son of Alfred and Amanda Owens Stingley, was born September 12, 1882, at Sheridan, Mo.

He grew to maturity in the community where he was reared and as a young man went to South Dakota, returning to take Nona Porter as his life partner January 18, 1910, being united in marriage at the home of the brideÕs parents at Clearfield, Iowa.

They lived in So. Dakota a few years, returning to the Clearfield area where they farmed until they purchased and moved to their farm in the East Mission neighborhood east of Bedford.  They lived here until retiring and moving to Bedford, where he has since continued to reside.

Three daughters were born to bless their home and to share their love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nona, who died December 6, 1967, and one granddaughter, who died in infancy.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters:  Ruth and her husband, Rue Nickle, of Clearfield, Ia.; Helen and her husband, Loyd Welch, of Kansas City, Mo.; and Leota and her husband, Tom Hunt, of Kansas City, Mo.; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one sister, Mable, who lives in Creston, Ia.; other relatives and many friends.

He was a member of the Bedford United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge.

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