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

 [Nash, Leona Mae Guessford]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 30, 1970    p. 4

Mrs. R. Jay Nash Rites In Grinnell

Mrs. R. [alph] Jay Nash (Leona G.) [Mae Guessford] Nash, 50, of R. R. 4, Grinnell, Iowa, died April 14 at University Hospitals, Iowa City, following heart surgery.  She was the daughter-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Nash [Bethel Smalley] of Bedford.

Mrs. Nash was born in Des Moines where she attended school at Drake University and had lived in Elyria and Grafton, Ohio.

While in Elyria she was a member of the Washington Avenue Christian Church, active in the organ guild and was organist at the Lake Avenue United Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband, R. [alph] Jay and daughter, [Sara] Coleen, a student at the University of Northern Iowa.

Services were held in Grinnell, Iowa at the Congregational Church, April 17.  The Rev. Newell Davis of the Congregational Church officiated.

The family requested that contributions be made to the Heart Association in lieu of flowers.  Interment was in Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell.

[Nash, Ralph Jay]

Bedford Times-Press

September 2004

R. Jay Nash

R. [alph] Jay Nash, 86, of Kearney, MO, formerly of Camanche, IA, died Sunday, September 12, 2004 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, MO.

A Memorial service was held at 10 A.M. on Saturday, October 16, 2004 at the Camanche Chapel Snell-Zonig-Dennis A. Lemke Funeral Home & Crematory.

R. [alph] Jay Nash was born on Friday, March 8, 1918, in Bedford, IA, the son of [Marion] Brooks and Bethel (Smalley) Nash.  He graduated from Bedford High School, with honors.  He attended Drake University in Des Moines for 6 semesters.   He married Leona Guessford in 1943; she died after almost 27 years of marriage.  He then married Jane Kennedy Thummel December 19, 1970; she died November 4, 1995.

R. [alph] Jay was employed as a radio newscaster and DJ at KRNY, KSO and KIOA in Des Moines until 1958, when be became a manufacturerÕs rep in the state of Ohio for Grinnell Glove Company of Grinnell, IA.  In 1962 he was promoted to National Sales Manager of the Grinnell Glove Company, which became De Long Sportswear.  He retired from De Long Sportswear in 1981 and moved to Camanche in 1982.

In Camanche he was active in the Camanche Historical Society, serving one year as president.  He was a long time Camanche Kiwanis member and a past president of the Kiwanis.

Survivors include:  his adopted daughter, Sara [Coleen] Nash of Englewood, CO; his step-son Steve Thummel of Lawson, Mo.; his step-daughter Margie Stillwagon of Vero Beach, Fl; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

[Nash, Arthur D.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   October 19, 1939    p. 4

Arthur D. Nash, 72, Succumbs Monday

Arthur D. Nash, a resident of Taylor County practically all of his life, died at the Methodist hospital in St. Joseph Monday, Oct. 16.  He had been in ill health for several years and was taken to the hospital Sunday.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Arthur D. Nash, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver S. [mith] Nash [America Glendora Aldrich], was born in Taylor County, Iowa Sept. 4, 1867, being aged 72 years, 1 month and 12 days at the time of his death.

He grew to manhood here and attended the Bedford schools, after which he taught school in Missouri for several years.  He united with the Pentecost Church in Bedford.

His survivors are two sisters and one brother, Mrs. D. [ouglas] C.  [alvin] Mohler [Cora], Mrs. Frank Kemery [Daisy], and Arch Nash, all of the Bedford community.

[Nash, Willard Franklin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 15, 1956    [p. 1]

Willard Nash Dies Unexpectedly Nov. 9

Willard [Franklin] Nash, 63, a former resident of Bedford, died unexpectedly Friday, November 9, following a heart attack at Milo, Iowa.  Last rites and burial were at Indianola on Sunday.

Mr. Nash was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sam Nash of the Bedford community and is survived by his wife and four children.  Also by three sisters and three brothers: Mrs. Henry (Alta) Longfellow of Bedford, Mrs. Ethel Mason of Cheyenne, Wyo., Mrs. Cordia Marple of San Leandro, Calif., M. [arion] B.(Brooks) Nash of Bedford, Ralph Nash of Indianola, John Nash of Murray, Iowa.

Attending the funeral services from Bedford were Mr. and Mrs. M. [arion] B.[rooks] Nash, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Longfellow, Mrs. Mary Hunter.  Also, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Longfellow of Clearfield; Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Longfellow, Carl Longfellow and daughters, Linda, Julia and Alice of Lenox.

[Nash, Lon ÒLonnieÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 1, 1943    p. 8

Lon Nash Dies; A Former Resident

Lon Nash, 56, a former resident of Bedford, died at his home at Hillsdale, Wyoming, on Wednesday, March 31.  Burial will be made there.

He is survived by his wife, son Harold and daughter, Audrey, both of whom are married.  Also by four brothers and three sisters:  Brooks Nash and Mrs. Henry Longfellow [Alta] of Bedford; Willard Nash and John Nash of Liberty Center, Iowa; Ralph Nash of Indianola; Mrs. Elmer Mason [Ethel] of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Mrs. Clare Marple [Cordia May] of the state of Washington.

[Mohler, Bryan Douglas]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 26, 1974    p. 2

Bryan D. Mohler Last Rites To Be Held Thursday

Funeral services for Bryan D. [ouglas] Mohler of Bedford will be held Thursday, December 26, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Carl Cummings officiating.  Mr. Mohler died Monday at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery here.

Among his survivors are his wife, Ruth.

[Mohler, Bryan Douglas]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 2, 1975    p. 3

Bryan D. Mohler, 78, Final Rites Held December 26

Funeral services for Bryan Douglas Mohler, 78, of Bedford, well-known retired farmer, held December 26 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Carl Cummings.  Mr. Mohler died enroute to St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Mo., December 23, 1974.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Bryan D. [ouglas] Mohler, son of Douglas C. [alvin] and Cora Nash Mohler, was born on the home farm in Bedford Township, Bedford, Iowa, on October 12, 1896.

He attended the Bedford Public Schools where he won honors in declamatory and graduated with the Class of 1916 from the Bedford High School.

He served his county with Company I, 2nd Inf., during World War I.  Upon his return home he followed the occupation of a farmer, being interested in the challenge of improved methods of production.

He served as township trustee many years; he was a member of the Bedford United Methodist Church, being a great grandson of one of the charter members, Mr. & Mrs. Oliver [Smith] Nash [America Glendora Aldrich].  He was a member of World War I Barracks, the American Legion and Taylor Lodge No. 156 A. F. & A. M.

On October 12, 1922 he was united in marriage to Ruth Ferren Barr at the Presbyterian Church in Clarinda, Iowa and they were privileged to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1972.  Bedford has been their home during all these happily married years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruth of the home; a brother, Francis E.[dgar] Mohler, of Bedford; other relatives and many friends.

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

[Mohler, Cora Nash]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 28, 1946    [p. 1]

Mrs. Mohler Dies After Long Illness

Mrs. D. [ouglas] C. [alvin] Mohler [Cora Nash], 76, died at her home east of Bedford late Wednesday afternoon, following a long illness.  She is survived by two sons, Francis Mohler, Bryan D. [ouglas] Mohler and his wife.

The funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 oÕclock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gordon F. MacLean.  Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.

[Mohler, Cora Nash]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 7, 1946    p. 4

Obituary - Mrs. Cora Mohler

Cora L. Nash, daughter of Oliver S. [mith] and America [Glendora Aldrich] Nash, was born in Bedford Township, August 15, 1869 and died at her home east of Bedford February 27, 1946, aged 76 years, 6 months and 12 days, after failing health for ten years.

On December 12, 1893 she was married to Douglas C. [alvin] Mohler, who preceded her in death Dec. 7, 1941.  To them were born two sons, Francis E.[dgar] and Bryan D. [ouglas].

She was president and teacher of the Sorosis Sunday school and an active member until failing health prevented her attendance.  She was a charter member of H. M. P. Club.  Her entire life was spent in Bedford Township.

Surviving are the two sons, one daughter-in-law, one sister, Daisy A. [manda] Kemery of Bedford, and one brother, Archie B. [ertram] of Parnell, Mo.  All will miss her sunny smile and cheery words that even her suffering failed to quell.

Attend Mohler Rites

Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the funeral of Mrs. Cora Nash Mohler, were A. [rchie] B. [ertram] Nash, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nash of Parnell, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Winemiller [Bonnie Nash], C. P. Dowis, N. R. Aldrich and Mrs. Leland Brown of Sheridan; Mrs. Herbert Weese [Alice Nash] of St. Joseph; Mr. and Mrs. A. [rchie] A. Burton [Florence Nash] of Clarinda; Mr. and Mrs. Harley Nash of Atlantic; Mrs. Robert G. Barr of Lenox.

[Mohler, Douglas Calvin ÒDougÓ]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    December 11, 1941    [p. 1]

Death Comes To D. C. Mohler, 78

D. C. (Doug) Mohler, a life-long resident of Taylor County, a civic worker and farm leader, died suddenly at his home Sunday evening.  Although he had been ill for more than four years, his sudden death was attributed to a heart attack.

Surviving are his widow; two sons, Francis E. [dgar] and Bryan D. [ouglas], both of Bedford, and two brothers, John F. [ranklin] and William A. [lexander], also of Bedford.   He was the youngest of a family of thirteen children.

Funeral services were Tuesday afternoon from the Wetmore Funeral Home with the Rev. Stanley Schlick in charge of the rites.  Interment was in the Fairview cemetery.

[Mohler, Douglas Calvin ÒDougÓ]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    December 18, 1941    p. 2

Obituary

D. C. Mohler

Douglas C. [alvin], youngest son of Leonard and Lucinda Fletcher [Pletcher] Mohler, was born near Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa on January 23, 1863 and died suddenly at his home Sunday evening, December 7, 1941, after a lingering illness of over four years.

On December 12, 1893 he was married to Cora L. Nash.  To them were born two sons, Francis E. [dgar] and Bryan D. [ouglas], both residents of Bedford.

D. C. was the youngest of a family of thirteen, all of whom have preceded him in death except two brothers, John F. [ranklin] and William A. [lexander], both of near Bedford.

Mr. Mohler was always a leader in public affairs, a good neighbor and citizen.

He leaves besides the wife, sons and brothers, a daughter-in-law, many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were Tuesday, December 9, from the Wetmore Funeral Home, with the Rev. Stanley Schlick in charge.  Interment was in Fairview cemetery, Bedford, Ia.

[Mohler, Douglas Calvin ÒDougÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 11, 1941    [p. 1]

D. C. Mohler Dies After Long Illness

D. C. Mohler, better known as ÒDougÓ, died at his home east of Bedford Sunday evening, December 7, 1941, after an illness of more than four years.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Mr. Mohler was well known in Taylor County, having been a member of the Taylor County Fair Association for many years and prominent in all agricultural circles.  He was a chicken fancier and was at one time head of the Taylor County Poultry Association, when it was an active organization years ago.

Douglas C. [alvin] Mohler, youngest son of Leonard and Lucinda Fletcher [Pletcher] Mohler, was born near Bedford, Iowa, January 23, 1863, being aged 78 years, 10 months and 15 days at the time of his death.

On December 12, 1893, he was married to Miss Cora L. Nash.  To them were born two sons, Francis E. [dgar] Mohler and Bryan D. [ouglas] Mohler, both of Bedford.  He was the youngest of a family of thirteen, all of whom have preceded him in death with the exception of two brothers, John F. [ranklin] Mohler and William A. [lexander] Mohler, both of Bedford.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter-in-law, two brothers, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

[Brand, Everett Clifton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    Jan 24, 1957    [p. 1]

Everett Brand Dies At Diagonal

Everett Clifton Brand, son of William [Austin] and Hattie Belle McFarland Brand, was born April 28, 1896, on a farm southeast of Bedford, and died Jan. 2, 1957, at the age of 60 years, eight months, five days at his farm home near Diagonal.  He had been ill several years with heart trouble.

His entire life was spent in and around his present home with the exception of 1-½ years in Wyoming.

He was married on Jan. 4, 1918 to Jennie May Johnson.

He is survived by his widow; two brothers, Elmer Brand of Bedford, Roy Brand of Shannon City; one sister, Mrs. Iva Akers of Gravity.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, three sisters, [and] four brothers.

Funeral services were held at Clearfield Methodist church on Jan. 4, Rev. Ball officiating.  Burial was in Fairview Cemetery at Lenox.

[Weir, Sarah Elizabeth Meloy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 5, 1942    p. 8

Mrs. Sarah Weir Dies In Iowa City

Mrs. Sarah Weir of Bedford, who injured her hip in a fall a few weeks ago, died at the University Hospital in Iowa City Friday afternoon, October 30.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery.

Sarah Elizabeth Meloy, daughter of Mary [Elizabeth] Phillips and Allen Meloy was born Sept. 9, 1865, in Clark County near Martinsville, Illinois, being aged 77 years, 1 month and 21 days at the time of her death.

Her early life was spent in Clark County, Ill., where she was married to John Thomas Weir Feb. 27, 1882, who preceded her in Feb. 20, 1919.

Four children were born to them.  The family resided in Illinois ten years and later moved to Taylor County, Iowa fifty years ago, where they had since made their home.

When a young woman she united with the Baptist Church and remained a faithful member.  She was generous and kind and was sympathetic and considerate to all with whom she came in contact.  She was a patient and loving wife and mother.

She is survived by the four children:  Samuel A. [lbert] Weir of Bedford, Mrs. Maude Dorr of New Market, Clarence M. [orton] Weir of Cedar Falls and Mrs. Leona Smalley of Conway; seventeen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; one sister, Miss [Mary] Belle Meloy of Bedford; two brothers, Max Meloy of Kansas City, Mo., and Archie Meloy of Des Moines.

[Fanning, John Hilton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 10, 1958    [p. 1]

John Fanning Rites Here Friday P. M.

John [Hilton] Fanning, 44, a native of the Bedford community, died in a Chicago hospital April 7 after a long illness.

The body was brought to Bedford and funeral services will be held at the Shum Funeral Home at two oÕclock Friday afternoon, April 11.  Rev. Anthony Blankers of the Bedford Methodist Church will officiate.  Burial will be in Lexington cemetery. 

He is survived by his parents.  Also by two brothers, Bob of Waterloo and Loren of Janesville, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. Glen Fickess [Flossie] and Mrs. Russell Enlow, both of Waterloo.

[Fanning, Addison Dow]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 27, 1958    p. 7

A. D. Fanning Buried At Lexington

Addison [Dow] Fanning, 80, formerly of Taylor County, died Wednesday, Nov. 19 at a hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, after a long illness.

Mr. Fanning was born May 3, 1878 at Maryville, the son of the late John D. [avis] and Martha [Ellen Stonehocker] Fanning.  He was married to Anna [May] Sinison, who survives.

The survivors include his widow, of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Glen Fickess [Flossie], Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Russell Winslow [Enlow], Waterloo; two sons, Robert and Loren Fanning, Waterloo; three sisters, Mrs. Guy Griffith [Charlotte Orlena], Maryville; Mrs. Howard Fanning, Tacoma, Wash., and Mrs. Gertie Decker, Seattle, Wash., and several grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Waterloo Saturday afternoon and the body was brought to Lexington cemetery Sunday afternoon, where graveside services were held at two oÕclock.  Rev. Anthony Blankers of the Bedford Methodist Church officiated.

[Fanning, Anna May Sinison]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   September 25, 1975    p. 6

Graveside Services At Lexington for Anna Fanning, 99

Graveside services for Mrs. Addison (Anna May) Fanning, 99, of New Hartford, Iowa, former Conway resident, were held at Lexington Cemetery near Bedford, September 20, conducted by Rev. Dwayne Madsen.  Services were held September 19 at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in New Hartford, with Rev. Tony Mahalovich officiating.  Mrs. Fanning died September 17 at the Allison Manor Nursing Home in Allison, Iowa, where she had been a resident for the past two years.

Anna Sinison was born on September 14, 1876, in Tarkio, Mo., the daughter of Richard and Sally (Alay) Sinison.  She attended country school in Missouri and then on February 1, 1899, she was married in Maryville, Mo., to Addison Fanning.

They farmed near Maryville until the early 1900Õs when they moved to Iowa, where they farmed until AddisonÕs death in 1958.

In 1965 Anna went to Bettendorf to live with her daughter and in 1970 came to live with her other daughter in New Hartford where she remained until going to the nursing home two years ago.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, John, a daughter, Bessie, three brothers, Henry, John and Charles, and by one great grandson.

She is survived by two sons:  Loren [Richard] Fanning of Yuma, Ariz., and Lenna [Lennie Charles] Fanning of Lodi, Calif., and by two daughters, Mrs. J. R. (Lillie) Enlow of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Mrs. Glen (Flossie) Fickess of New Hartford, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter.

[Fanning, Loren Richard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 9, 1983    p. 7

Last Rites For Loren R. Fanning Held June 3

Funeral services for Loren Richard Fanning, 79 of Gravity, Iowa, held June 3 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Ross Keyt.  Mr. Fanning died May 31, 1983 in Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Loren Richard Fanning, son of Addison Fanning and Anne Sinison Fanning, was born in Pickering, Missouri, June 26, 1903.  He lived in Missouri and Wisconsin and grew to maturity in Taylor County where he attended public school.

On December 23, 1929, he was united in marriage to H. Berniece Worrell in Shenandoah, Iowa.  They lived in different places in Iowa.  To this union two children were born:  Richard Dean Fanning and Lois Ann (Fanning) Hurtado.

Mr. Fanning was employed by Blue Line Transfer and later engaged in farming until his retirement.  He was a member of the Gravity Nazarene Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson and one great granddaughter, a brother, John, and a sister, Bessie.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Berniece, of the home; son Richard Dean; Daughter, Lois Ann; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Flossie Fickess and Lillie Enlow; one brother, L. [ennie] C. [harles] Fanning.

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

[Owens, Clyde M.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 24, 1957    [p. 1]

C. M. Owens, 64, Dies In Cheyenne

From Cheyenne, Wyo., Jan. 17

Funeral arrangements were not yet complete at noon today for Clyde M. Owens, 64, veteran Cheyenne school teacher, who died suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday afternoon at his home at 308 E. 4th Ave., after returning there from classes.

School officials said Owens, a chemistry instructor, planned to retire at the end of the current term.  He was the senior member of the faculty in point of service.

Owens was born in Bedford, Iowa, had lived in Cheyenne since 1917 and came here from Palisade, Colo.  He was a member of the Calvary Baptist church and of the American Legion.

He was graduated from Colorado State College of Education.  He had taught school for two years at Palisade, Colo., before coming here.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Alice, a son Richard F. Owens, of Cheyenne, and a brother, George Owens, of Keola, Colo.  One grandchild survives.

[Evans, Harry Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 24, 1957    [p. 1]

Harry L. Evans Dies In Oklahoma

Harry L. [ee] Evans, a resident of Bedford for many years, died at his home in Miami, Okla., Sunday, January 20, after a long illness. Last rites and burial were at Miami Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Evans is survived by his wife, the former Miss Edna Fowler of Bedford; one son, an officer in the U. S. Army; a step-daughter; four brothers, Phillip and Mike Evans of Joplin, Mo., Bob Evans of Des Moines, John Evans of Storm Lake, Iowa.

[Bates, Adelle ÒDellaÓ Parrish]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 21, 1956    [p. 1]

Mrs. Adelle Bates Died At Osceola

Mrs. Adelle [ÒDellaÓ] Bates, 78, a former resident of Bedford, died in Osceola Monday afternoon and burial [was] there.

Mrs. Bates is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Mary Sue Ballard of Des Moines; two granddaughters, Mrs. Dardia Marlowe of Charlotte, Iowa and Martha Ballard of Des Moines; two great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Inez Payton and one brother, William Parrish, both of Bedford.

Mrs. Payton, William Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Park, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Buchanan, attended the funeral services in Osceola Monday.