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

[Sheley, Floyd Ralph]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 25, 1936    [p. 1]

Floyd Sheley Dies In St. Joseph Hospital

Floyd Sheley, 41, who had been ill for the past ten weeks, and who had been isolated in the Sunnyslope Hospital in St. Joseph the past three weeks with spinal meningitis, died Saturday afternoon.

The body was taken to Hopkins, where private funeral services were held at the Hopkins cemetery Sunday afternoon at 2:30 oÕclock, conducted by Rev. C. M. Kennaugh, pastor of the Hopkins Methodist church, of which he had been a member since he was 14 years of age.  Burial was in Hopkins cemetery.

Floyd Ralph Sheley, son of Mel [ford] J. [acob] and Emsy [Christina Bordner] Sheley, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, Oct. 26, 1894.

On Jan. 1, 1915 he was married to Miss Avis Foreman of Bedford.  To them was born one son, Harley, who with his wife survives.  He also leaves his father, M.[elford] J. [acob] Sheley of Hopkins, Mrs. Roy Horning [Annice Sheley]  and Fay [Leonard] Sheley of Bedford.

[Bellis, Benjamin "Ben"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 25, 1936    [p. 1]

Conway Garage Man Dies In Hospital

Ben Bellis, a garage man of Conway, died at the University Hospital in Iowa City early Monday morning, June 23.  The funeral services will be held at Red Oak.

Mr. Bellis was severely burned from a gasoline explosion, when he was working on a stalled truck in the road two miles west of Conway on Friday, March 13.  His partner in the garage business, Johnnie Norton, and Dale Younkin, on whose truck the men were working, were with him at the time of the accident.

Mr. Bellis was taken to a Creston hospital after the accident, where he was under medical care for several weeks, and was then taken to Iowa City.

[Richardson, Delilah Reynolds]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 16, 1936    p. 5

Mrs. RichardsonÕs Rites Held Wed.

Funeral services for Mrs. B. [enjamin] F. [ranklin] Richardson, 86, who died at her home in Gravity, Wednesday, July 1, were held at the home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. Max Buck.  Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

[De] Lilah Reynolds, daughter of James and Mary Reynolds, was born in Keokuk County May 14, 1850.  She was one of a family of three children and all have preceded her in death.

She was married Jan. 10, 1867 to Benjamin F. [ranklin] Richardson in Keokuk County, near Sigourney, Iowa.  In January 1936, this couple celebrated their sixty-eighth wedding anniversary.

To them were born four daughters, all of whom were with her during her last illness.  They are: Mary C. Johnston and Effie G. Konecne of Gravity; Ella Mae Laird and Iva Belle Irwin of Westminster, Colo.   There are 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Mrs. Richardson grew to womanhood and lived at Keokuk until 1882 when the family moved to a farm in Taylor County near Corning.  They moved to Corning in 1903 but later went back to the farm.  In 1907 they left the farm, moving to Gravity, to make their home.

In 1885 she and her husband joined with the Presbyterian Church at Prairie Chapel.  After moving to Gravity they attended the Christian church as long as their health permitted.

She was one of the dearest mothers, thinking always of her daughters.  Her companion, who survives her, was never neglected, as she was always there to comfort him and make his life easier.

The daughters were constantly at her bedside doing everything that human hands could do to soothe and comfort her in her last suffering.

[Richardson, Leta Myrl Burch]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 21, 1949    [p. 1]

Mrs. Richardson Dies Here Monday

Mrs. James Richardson died at her home south of Bedford early Monday morning, July 18, after a long illness.

The funeral services were held at the Christian church in Gravity Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles of the Bedford Baptist Church.  Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

Leta Myrl Burch, daughter of Loyal [Gregg] and Alta [May Barnes] Burch, was born February 22, 1909 at Sharpsburg, Iowa, being aged 40 years, 4 months and 24 days at the time of her death.

On October 23, 1927 she was married to James [Estel] Richardson.  To them were born eight sons, five of whom survive with their father.  They are Lowell, Dwane, Cecil, Merwyn and James Allen, all of the home.

She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loyal Burch of Gravity; one sister, Mrs. Arvilla Hargin of Shenandoah; two brothers, Lawrence Burch of Shenandoah and Glenn [Leroy] Burch of Los Angeles.  Three sons preceded her in death.

Mrs. Richardson accepted Christ as her Saviour as a young girl, and united with the First Baptist church of Bedford, Iowa.  Later she moved her membership to the Christian Church of Gravity, where it has remained until her death.  She was a fine mother and devoted to her family.

[Power, Sarah Busby]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 30, 1936    [p. 1]

Mrs. JaredÕs Sister Dies In Creston

Mrs. J. [ohn] C. Power [Sarah M. Busby], a sister of Mrs. Delbert Jared [Lena Busby] of Bedford, died at her home in Creston Tuesday, July 14.

The funeral services were held the following Friday and burial was made in the family lot in Prairie Lawn cemetery at Spaulding.

Mrs. Power was the wife of the late Dr. J. [ohn] C. Power and had been a resident of Creston and Union County for many years.  She is survived by one daughter, one brother, and five sisters.

[Fitts, Mary ÒMamieÓ Walker]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 30, 1936    [p. 1]

Former Resident Dies

Mrs. Mamie [Mary E.] Walker Fitts, youngest daughter of the late F. [rancis] E.[ells] Walker of Bedford, died at a hospital in Seattle, Wash., Sunday, July 19, following an operation performed the day before.  She is survived by one sister and a brother.  They are Mrs. Bird Combs [Persis M.] of Seattle and Will D. [ale] Walker of Glendora, Calif.  Mrs. Fitts is a former resident of Bedford.

[Walker, Francis Eells]

Times-Republican

Thursday    November 18, 1926    [p. 1]

Old Bedford Pioneer Died At Seattle, Wash.

Francis E. Walker Had Big Part In Growth of Bedford

Francis E. [ells] Walker, an old settler of Taylor County, and well known to many in and around Bedford, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mamie [Mary] E. Fith [Fitts], at Seattle, Wash., on Nov. 13th.  The body left Seattle on Monday and will arrive here today.  Interment will be made in Fairview cemetery Friday afternoon, Nov. 19.  Funeral services will be held at the home of his brother, W. [illiam] F. Walker, conducted by Rev. Paul G.  Luce.  A complete obituary will be published in next weekÕs paper.

[Walker, Francis Eells]

Times-Republican

Thursday    November 25, 1926    p. 7

Francis Eells Walker was born at Bellville, Richland County, O., Jan. 17, 1841, and died at his daughterÕs home in Seattle, Wash., on Saturday evening, Nov. 13th, 1926, being 85 years, 8 months and 20 days old.  He is survived by a brother, W. [illiam] F. Walker, residing in Bedford, Ia.; his widow, Mary E. Walker residing in Long Beach, Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. J. [ames] B. Combs [Persis] and Mrs. F. [ay] M. Fitts [Mamie], both residing in Seattle, Washington, and a son, William D. [ale] Walker residing in Boston, Mass.  Mr. Walker arrived here in the spring of 1858 when Bedford then had a population of less than fifty people.  He was a young man seventeen years of age.  There are but very few who are now living who were here at that time, perhaps not more than a half dozen.  Mr. Walker married Jennie Elizabeth Dale, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Dale in August 1862, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the 29th Iowa Infantry volunteers and served three years and 1 day in the Civil War.  From this union there were born three children, all of whom are living.  The wife, Jennie Elizabeth Walker, died Aug. 17, 1881.  All of these years Mr. Walker made his home in Bedford, and later was married to Mary E. Clark of Denver, Colo.  Mr. Walker was very active in business in Bedford, and will be remembered by the older settlers as being identified in the Pioneer Real Estate Business, later he engaged in the lumber business and afterwards in the hardware business.  In the seventies he was interested in banking for a time.  In 1898 when the Bedford National Bank was organized he became one of its incorporators and held the office of vice president until he retired.  W. [illiam] F. Walker, brother of F.[rancis] E. [ells] Walker, is the only surviving member of the family.  Mrs. Cordelia E. Turner, an older sister, passed away a few years ago.  Her husband, Captain Joseph H. Turner, made his first appearance in Bedford prior to 1858, before the days of train service, and he walked from Des Moines, Iowa, to Bedford, and established here the Iowa Southwest newspaper, which was the first newspaper of Taylor County.  Mr. Turner set the type and printed the paper with a hand press, and in the beginning carried on all of the work himself, and it was he who was BedfordÕs first mayor, and at later dates both W. [illiam] F. Walker and F. [rancis] E. [ells] Walker held that office.  Mr. Walker was one of the first to foresee BedfordÕs need of a new cemetery and together with John Graff, A. J. Sowers, W. [illiam] F. [ranklin] Evans and J. W. Combs, purchased the ground now known as Fairview cemetery and was largely responsible for its development.

Funeral services were held at the home of W. [illiam] F. Walker on last Friday afternoon, in charge of Rev. Paul Luce.  Burial was made in Fairview cemetery.

[McBrien, James Morgan]

Times-Republican

Thursday    November 25, 1926    p. 7

James M. McBrien

James Morgan McBrien was born April 1st, 1859, in Andrew County, Mo., and departed this life Thursday, Nov. 18, 1926, after a lingering illness of some six years during which time he was confined to the house for about the last two years.  When a young man he identified himself with the Church of Christ, uniting with that organization and later transferring his membership to the Presbyterian Church.  On July 4, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Howard, and to them were born two sons and two daughters, Ira of Burlington, Ia., Charles of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Laura Tinkham of Creston, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Beebe of Manhattan, Kansas, all of whom, with their mother, survive the husband and father.   Of the immediate family there also remains to mourn his demise, three sisters, four brothers, Mrs. M. C. Bothwell of Marysville, Kans., Mrs. Frank Wetzler of Laramie, Wyo., Mrs. Geo. Bigham of Topeka, Kans., Samuel of Smith Center, Kans., Charles of Globe, Arizona, Warner of Marysville, Kans.; and 12 grandchildren, all of whom survive to mourn the loss of a loving brother and kind grandfather.  As a friend and neighbor he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need and was loved by all who knew him.  He was a railroad foreman and could always be depended upon to do his duty until his health failed him six years ago, but during all this time he was a patient sufferer, never complaining but withstood it all to the end.  Everything that loving hands could do was done by his wife who left nothing undone that would ease and comfort him.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 20, 1926, Rev. Paul G. Luce of the local Presbyterian Church officiating.  Interment was made in the old Bedford cemetery.

[Schuyler, Carrie Walker]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   June 10, 1965    p. 2

Mrs. C. Schuyler Dies In Colo.

Funeral services for Mrs. Carrie W. Schuyler, 98, of Colorado Springs, Colo., a former Bedford resident, were held April 19 at the Law Mortuary with the Rev. Marie Carol Guental of Unity Church officiating, followed by cremation.  Mrs. Schuyler died April 19 in a Colorado Springs hospital.

Born July 21, 1871, to W. [illiam] Frank Walker and Hannah B. (Snow) Walker in Bedford, Mrs. Schuyler is survived by her daughter, Ruth Erwin, Gazette Telegraph librarian.

Mrs. Schuyler lived with her daughter since 1959 when she moved to Colorado Springs.  Mrs. Schuyler has lived there since 1950 with the exception of 3 1/2 years in Denver. 

She taught music for more than 20 years.  Mrs. Schuyler was a past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mrs. ErwinÕs address is 631 N. Cedar St.

[Guthrie, Anna Riling]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   June 10, 1965    p. 2

Mrs. T. Guthrie Rites May 29

Funeral services for Mrs. Thomas (Annie) Guthrie, 90, long time Redding, Iowa resident, held May 29 at Redding Methodist Church, were conducted by Rev. James Ferris of Blockton.  Mrs. Guthrie died May 26, 1965 at Boulder, Colo.  Interment was at Redding cemetery.

Anna Guthrie, daughter of Barney and Tracy Riling, was born May 8, 1875, in Redding, Iowa.

She was united in marriage to Thomas W. Guthrie in 1898.   He died in March 1940.

To this union were born four children: Clarence W. Guthrie of Valley, Nebr.; Lydia Mable Peltier, Velva Lorraine, and Howard Harold who preceded her in death.

She was converted and joined the Methodist Church in Redding about 1915 and was a member of the Royal Neighbors.   She was a kind and loving mother and grandmother, a good and generous neighbor and a friend to all who knew her.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law, as well as a host of friends and neighbors.

[Beach, Bill Lee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 7, 1983    p. 4

Lenox Rites For Bill Beach, 57, Held March 29

Funeral services for Bill Lee Beach, 57, of Sharpsburg, held March 29 in the Lenox United Methodist Church, were officiated by Rev. Lester Hesseltine.  Mr. Beach died March 25, 1983, in Rosary Hospital, Corning, Ia.   Interment was at East Fairview Cemetery, Lenox, Ia.

Bill Lee Beach, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Spencer Beach, was born on July 19, 1925, in Taylor County, Iowa.  Bill attended rural school in Grove Township and was graduated from Lenox High School with the class of 1942.

He was united in marriage to Patricia McLaury in 1945 and to this union were born nine children, one of whom, Jerry Dale, died in infancy.

Bill operated the family farm in Grove Township in his early life; then the family moved to their present home in Sharpsburg, Iowa.  He operated a grocery store and locker plant for several years and started a T. V. Antenna and Sales business, which he operated the rest of his life.  He served the U. S. Postal Service as Postmaster in Sharpsburg in 1961, transferring to a rural letter carrier out of Lenox in 1965.  He received the Iowa Outstanding Carrier Award in 1980.

Bill was a member of the Sharpsburg United Methodist Church; the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star of Lenox, and was presently serving as an officer in each of these two organizations; and was also a member of the rural Letter Carriers Association.  He was serving as city clerk of Sharpsburg, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and has always helped in many capacities in the community.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Eula Page Beach, one sister, Luella Chandler, and four brothers, Robert, Haldene, Donald and Dale Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Patty; eight children:  Robert of Houston, Texas, Linda and husband, Fred Woolley, of Lenox, Kathy and husband, Harold Kruzan, of San Diego, Calif., Raelene and husband, Denis Best, Indianola, Susan Beach of Independence, Missouri, James Beach and wife, Karen, of Lincoln, Illinois, Jan and husband, Craig Bryant, of Sharpsburg, and Tim Beach, a student at NWMSU in Maryville, Missouri, a brother, Walter Beach, and wife Dorothy, of Dallas, Texas; three sisters:  Josephine and husband, Julian Walter, of Lenox, and Marjorie and husband, Walt Steinke of Spokane, Wash.; 14 grandchildren: Renee and Mandy Beach, Michelle, Mike and Kim Woolley, Michael and Matthew Best, Randy, Jennifer, Lisa and Sherry Kruzan, Jill Beach, and Brandy and Christopher Bryant, his mother-in-law, Ruth McLaury, of Lenox; many nieces; nephews; other relatives; as well as a host of friends.

Bill took great pride in his family and was always ready and willing to help anyone in need.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Spencer, Rebecca Lou Wolverton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   June 10, 1965    p. 2

Final Rites Held Here For Mrs. Ed Spencer

Funeral services for Mrs. A. Edward (Rebecca) Spencer, lifetime Taylor County resident, held June 5 at Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Mr. Carl Cummings.  Mrs. Spencer died June 2, 1965 at the Clarinda Municipal Hospital, at the age of 86 years, six months and three days.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Rebecca Lou, daughter of Andrew J. and Mary Catherine Jacobs Wolverton, was born in Polk Township, Taylor County, Iowa, November 29, 1878.  She grew to adulthood in the Valley community where she attended the public school and took an active part in the various community activities.

On February 14, 1900 she was united in marriage to A. Edward Spencer and to them were born eight children, Ernest [Paul], Marie, Galen, Glen, Albert, Julia, Edward, Jr. and David Wade.

She and her husband moved to the farm in Ross Township where they were to reside all of their married life and where she continued to live until 1960 when she moved to Bedford where she has since resided.

Early in her life she united with the Berea Church and has continued in the faith of her Lord.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward, died in 1947; a son David Wade, died at the age of about one and a son, Ernest [Paul], who died in 1963.  She was the last member of her own family as her two sisters and five brothers had preceded her in death.

Left to cherish memories are two daughters, [Helen] Marie and her husband, James [Minnis] Allen, and Julia Bedell of Bedford; Glen [Arlin] and his wife Ruth of Buffalo, New York; Albert [Earl] and his wife Dile and Edward, Jr. and his wife, Anna Marie, of Bedford; Mrs. Elaine Spencer Mozier of Maryville, a granddaughter, had made her home with her grandmother, who extended to her the same love and care as for her own children.  There are 17 grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was a kind and loving wife and mother, friend and neighbor and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

[Spencer, David Wade]

Bedford Free Press

February 4, 1909    [p. 1]

David Wade Spencer

Died, Jan. 31, 1909, little David Wade Spencer, infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Ed[ward Addison] Spencer [Rebecca Wolverton] of Ross Township, of whooping cough, aged 1 year, all but 2 days.  The disease did not seem serious until the last when his suffering was great.  Yesterday we heard his merry little voice; today he is transplanted to the paradise where no sickness or sorrow ever enters, to Him who said, ÒSuffer little children to come unto me.Ó  Our darling has gone before, with beckoning hands, to dwell with angels.  He was a bright sweet baby and will be greatly missed.  The funeral was conducted by Rev. Wm. Cobb at the family residence, after which interment was in Fairview cemetery, to await resurrection morn.

The family wishes to thank the neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted in their sad hour of trouble.

[Spencer, Edward, Jr.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 2, 1968    [p. 1]

Bedford Man Killed In Truck Accident

Edward Spencer, Jr., 43, of Bedford was killed instantly Saturday night when the pickup truck he was driving left the road six and one-half miles south of here on highway 148.

Sheriff Leonard Ratliff, called to the scene at 9:45 p. m., found Spencer just north of his pickup, which apparently had rolled over three or four times.  Medical deputy examiner Dr. R. W. Jones was called and pronounced Spencer dead at the scene, which was approximately one and one-half miles south of his farm home.

Spencer was alone in his pickup which officials report was northbound.

Among survivors are his wife, Anna Lee; four children, Vicki, 16, twins Eddie and Patricia, 14 and Ricky, 8; two sisters, [Helen] Marie Allen and Julia Foster of Bedford; and three brothers, Galen and Albert of Bedford and Glen of Buffalo, N. Y.

Funeral services for Edward Spencer, Jr., were held Tuesday at the Bedford Christian church conducted by Mr. Carl Cummings.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

[Spencer, Edward, Jr.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 9, 1968    p. 3

Final Rites Held April 30 For Junior Spencer

Funeral services for Edward Spencer, Jr., 43, lifetime Taylor County resident held April 30 at the Bedford Christian Church, were conducted by Carl Cummings.  Mr. Spencer died April 27, 1968 when his car left highway No. 148 south of Bedford.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Edward Spencer, Jr., son of Edward [Addison] and Rebecca Wolverton Spencer, was born August 25, 1924 at Bedford, Iowa.  He grew to manhood in the Bedford community where he attended high school, graduating with the class of 1941.

On February 6, 1949, he was united in marriage to Anna Lee Tucker at the home of the brideÕs parents in Bedford, with Rev. Ben Sinderson officiating.  To them were born two daughters and two sons.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, [David] Wade, who passed away when one year old and Ernest [Paul], who lived in Denver, Colorado.

Left to cherish memories are his wife, Anna Lee; daughters, Vicki Lee and Patricia Lynn and sons, William Edward and Ricky David; two sisters, [Helen] Marie Allen and Julia Bedell Foster of Bedford; three brothers, Galen and Albert Spencer of Bedford and Glen Spencer of Buffalo, N. Y.; other relatives and many friends.

He had lived in Taylor County Iowa all his life.  He was engaged in farming and two years ago Junior and Anna Lee had purchased the home farm, realizing one of his lifelong dreams.  For the past several months he had also been employed by the Bedford Gas Company.

He was baptized and united with the Christian Church of Bedford in 1949.

Edward Junior was a kind and considerate person, and he will be missed by his family and his many friends.