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

[Wintermute, Hampton]

Blockton News

Thursday    November 19, 1914    p. 8

Death of a Pioneer

Hampton Wintermute, a resident of Taylor County since 1856, died at his home in Bedford Sunday morning at the age o f 91 years and 6 months. Funeral services were held at the residence in Bedford Tuesday. Interment was in Fairview cemetery.

A friend has contributed the following lines of the life of this Taylor county pioneer:

Hampton Wintermute was born at Newton, N. J., April 10, 1823, and died at Bedford, Iowa, Sunday morning, November 8, 1914. To him the entire growth and development of Taylor County has been an open book. A reality in which he had a large part. His was a strong character, honest and sincere; a man who was a constructive force, and ever active, and who was generous to friends and neighbors.

Hampton Wintermute was a son of Peter Wintermute and Rachel Shackelton and the last member of a family of eleven children. He moved with his parents to Terre Haute, Ind., in 1833, where he lived until 1850, when the gold fever carried him across the plains and desert to San Francisco, where he remained until 1853, engaged in gold mining. He then returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama to New York City and from there to Marshal, Ill., and on March 30, 1856, was married to Angeline Rosetta Trovolia. They moved to near Bedford the same spring, remaining on the same farm for 47 years, and in 1902 they moved to Bedford.

To this union were born ten children. One son died in infancy some 40 years ago, and the wife and a daughter preceded him four years ago. There remains to mourn his death four sons and four daughters, twelve grand children and five great grand children. In Bedford's early days he helped to build the Universalist church of which he was a member.

He had a slight stroke of apoplexy October 25,1913, from which he never fully recovered. The past several weeks he grew weaker, but could sit up part of the time each day until the last. Hampton Wintermute was one of the large landowners of Taylor County. He had an excellent memory and a mind of reminiscence about the prairies, the wild denizens of the timber along the streams. Deer in abundance were here when Hampton Wintermute located in this county. In later year he delighted to tell of the hardships and enjoyments of those days when everything was new. The pioneers of this county, those who had the large part in the making of the county history are rapidly joining the silent majority. Mr. Wintermute was one of the most loyal Iowans of all its earlier people. His death is a distant loss to all of the older generations. The writer has known Mr. Wintermute very intimately for many years and was one to take part in the last rites that were largely attended by the people who gathered to pay tribute to this sturdy old pioneer who had lived a good life and who goes to his grave honored by all the people who knew him.

[Wintermute, Hampton, 1823-1914]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday     November 10, 1914      p. 8

Hampton Wintermute Dead

Hampton Wintermute died at his home in east Bedford Sunday November 8, at 3:30 a. m., aged 91 years, 6 months and 29 days. Funeral services will be held today at the home, at 2:30, conducted by Rev. Joe Goodsell. Interment will take place in Fairview cemetery.

[WINTERMUTE, HAMPTON, 1823 – 1914]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, November 12, 1914
Hampton Wintermute, father of J. H. Wintermute of northwest of town, died at his home in Bedford Sunday morning November 8th, aged 91 years, 6 months and 29 days. The funeral was held at the home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Joe Goodsell, and interment took place in Fairview cemetery near Bedford.

[Simons, Nancy Ann Pope]

Blockton News

Thursday    September 3, 1925    [p. 1]

Obituary

Nancy A. [nn] Pope, daughter of J. [ohn] and Amanda Pope, was born at Knoxville, Ia., Aug. 28, 1871, and died at the Missouri Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 27, 1925, one day before her 54th birthday.

She was united in marriage with T. [homas] R. [iley] Simons May 3, 1892. To this union three children were born: Fred, who passed away when four years of age, Byrel, of Blockton, and Mrs. J. [ames] E. [llis] Roudebush [Nola], of Blockton.

Mrs. Simons lived in the vicinity of Blockton from early childhood until her death. She has been a member of the Blockton Christian church and the Ladies' Aid society for many years.

She will be remembered in the home and community as a true, pleasant wife and mother who performed her duties faithfully.

The entire family was present at her bedside when she passed away.

She leaves to mourn her loss, the husband, two children, four brothers—Wm. Pope, Thomas Pope and George Pope, all of Custer, S. D., and Sherman Pope, of Barnard, Mo.—and numerous other relatives and friends. One brother, D. Pope, preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Christian church Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by H. V. Reeves, pastor of the church, and interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Simons, Nancy Ann Pope]

Blockton News

Thursday    September 3, 1925    p. 4

Among those from a distance attending the funeral of Mrs. T. [homas] R. [iley] Simons [Nancy Ann Pope] Saturday afternoon were her brother, Sherman Pope, wife and daughter, Miss Amanda, of Barnard, Mo.; Ralph Pope, of Graham, Mo.; Marion Pope, of Parnell; Mr. McPeak and wife, of Conception; James M. Simons, Dr. Wilson and D. C. Simons and wives of Grant City.

[Hayes, Arthur ÒArtieÓ]

Blockton News                                                                                                                    

Thursday    January 7, 1915    p. 4

Arthur Hayes, the only son of Dan Hayes and wife, formerly of Athelstan but for the past three years residing on a farm near Roxbury, Kansas, died at Longmont, Colorado, the first of last week of typhoid pneumonia, and was brought back to Athelstan where the funeral was held on New Year's Day. Interment was made in the Platteville cemetery. The young man was about 20 years of age.

[Hayes, Arthur ÒArtieÓ]

Blockton News                                                                                                                    

Thursday    January 7, 1915    p. 5

Artie Hayes, son of Dan Hayes and wife, died at Longmont, Colorado, and was brought to Athelstan Wednesday. The funeral was held at the Holiness church Friday at 11 o'clock and the remains were laid to rest in the Platteville cemetery. The bereaved family have the sympathy of many friends.

[HAYES, ARTHUR JAMES “ARTIE”]

Blockton News, Thursday, January 14, 1915, [p. 1]

Obituary – Artie James Hayes was born in Taylor County, Iowa, July 18th, 1894 and died December 27th, 1914, at Longmont, Colorado, aged 20 years, 5 months and 9 days.

He leaves a father, mother, three sisters and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his death. Artie was a young man of good reputation and loved by all who knew him.

The funeral services were held at the Holiness church at Athelstan, conducted by Elder W. M. Hunt, Text, Psalms 39:4. Interment was made in the Platteville cemetery.

[HAYES, ARTHUR JAMES "ARTIE"]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, January 19, 1915
Artie J. Hayes died recently at Longmont, Colo., and the body was brought back to Athelstan for burial.

[Wildman, Ersel Bruce]

Blockton News

Thursday    January 7, 1915    p. 5

Obituary

Ersel Bruce Wildman, son of William and Irene [Cowell] Wildman, was born in Gay township, Taylor county, Iowa, July 5th, 1889, and died at the home of his parents in Blockton on Christmas day, December 25th, 1914, at about 2:20 in the afternoon, aged 25 years, 5 months and 20 days.

Mr. Wildman spent his boyhood days on a farm in Gay Township, near Gay Center. He was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Anna Schneider on September 5th, 1910. To this union one son was born—Kenneth—now three years of age. After his marriage he moved to Blockton and for a time engaged in the dray business. Later disposing of the business he went into the grocery business, with his brother, J. [air] S. Wildman. In 1912 he returned to Gay Township and farmed for one season, returning to Blockton in the spring of 1913, where the remainder of his days were spent.

He leaves to mourn his departure his father and mother, dear wife and little son, Kenneth; four brothers and two sisters—John H. [emphill] Wildman, who resides on the old farm in Gay township; Jair S. Wildman, of Blockton; Myrtle O. Wildman, who resides at home; Rollin W. Wildman, Jr., residing near Bedford; Lewis W. Wildman, of Blockton, and Mrs. Pearl Schneider, living west of town, and all were present at the funeral service except the father and mother and Lewis W. Wildman, who were unable to be present on account of sickness.

Surely that statement is verified which says that "In the midst of life we are in death." Still another by the Master himself, "In an hour that ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

The funeral services were held at the M. E. church Sunday afternoon, December 27th, at 2 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. William Mercer, assisted by Rev. Chas. D. Priest, of the Christian church. Interment took place in Rose Hill Cemetery.

[Wildman, Ersel Bruce]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    December 31, 1914    p. 3

BLOCKTON

Ersel [Bruce] Wildman died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Wildman [Irene Cowell], Friday.  Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Mr. Mercer.  Interment was made in the Rose Hill cemetery.  Ersel [Bruce] Wildman was born in Gay Township in July 1889, and was reared to manhood in the vicinity of Blockton.  He was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Snyder and to this union was born one child, a son.  Both wife and son survive.  He also leaves his parents, and four brothers, Jerry Wildman, Lou Wildman and John [Hemphill] Wildman of Blockton and Roll Wildman of near Bedford, and two sisters, Myrtle Wildman and Mrs. A. Snyder [Pearl].

[Carter, Jasper James Turner]

North Taylor Review (Sharpsburg, Iowa)

Thursday    April 6, 1916    [p. 1]

JAMES T. CARTER

It is with sincere regret we have to announce the passing away of Jas. T. Carter.

Jas T. [Jasper James Turner] Carter was born April 24, 1840, near Zanesville, Ohio. At the age of 19 in company with his brother William [he] came west to Henderson County, Ill. On the 12th day of March 1863, Mr. Carter was married to Miss S. [arah] F. [rances] Lovitt. To this union were born two sons and two daughters. One daughter, Alta May, passed away in infancy.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, two sons, one daughter, 5 grandchildren, many relatives and a host of friends.

He came to Taylor County, Ia., in 1879, where he has since resided until his death April 1st, 1916.

He was a charter member of the Blue Grove Christian Church and with a little band of 13 other members saw the great need of a church in this locality.

The building of a church at that time was a problem of considerable magnitude, owing to the country being new and sparsely settled but through strong faith and heroic effort they overcome all difficulties and finally established the present church. He was ever interested in this community and the welfare of this church, and was always in attendance in all services when his health permitted and it was a great joy to him to see others enlisting in the work which he loved so well.

The work has sustained a heavy loss in the death of this strong man who was ever ready with time and means to help every good work not only at home but elsewhere, and although he is gone, we rejoice in the great example he has left.

Rev. C Shaw, Pastor.

[CARTER, JAMES T.]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, April 4, 1916
Old Pioneer of Grove Township Succumbs
James T. Carter died at his home in Grove township about 2 o'clock Saturday morning. Funeral services were held at the Blue Grove church at 2 p. m. Sunday, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Shaw. Interment was in the Lenox cemetery. He was 76 years of age.
While Mr. Carter has been in poor health for many years, which has kept him from active labor, his death was a matter of surprise to his friends and relatives, as he had apparently been no worse than usual and Friday evening ate his supper as usual. He was taken ill after retiring for the night, expiring in a short time.

[Van Reenen, Robert Cornelius]

Blockton News

Thursday    August 6, 1925    p. 8

Robert [Cornelius] Van Reenan [Van Reenen], a former resident of northwest of town but who has resided in Bedford for several years, passed away at his home in Bedford Saturday morning. Mr Van Reenan had been in poor health for several months. Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2:30. Mrs. Joseph Avey [Rose] of northwest of town is a daughter of the deceased.

[Shay, Mary Emma Turner]

Blockton News

Thursday    August 6, 1925    p. 8

Among those from a distance attending the funeral of Mrs. J. [ohn] V. [alentine] Shay [Mary Emma Turner] last week were Mrs. C. E Finch and son, Hulan, of Shannon City; Lloyd Salzman and wife, of Mt. Ayr; Tom Sheil and family and Gladys Shay, of Des Moines; Joe England and family, of Tingley; John Stephenson, Mrs. Agnes Stephenson, Mrs. Etta Stephenson, Bert Huffman and wife, of Clearfield; Mrs. Victoria Severns, of Grant City; Emmitt Williams and wife, of Beldon, Nebraska; John Ostrander and wife, of Diagonal; Otto Mettinger and wife, Mrs. Oscar Harper and J. Watson, of St. Joseph; A. J. Roof and wife and Mrs. Selma Brashear, of Parnell.

 Numberless relatives and friends from Maloy and vicinity attended the funeral of Mrs. J. [ohn] V. [alentine] Shay, Maloy being her home from childhood or until she and her husband moved to Blockton thirty years ago.

They were permitted to celebrate their golden wedding April 4, 1922, at their pleasant and happy home, where their children, grandchildren and many other relatives as well as a host of friends helped to make the occasion a very pleasant one and long to be remembered by the four children—Roy, Ernest, Faye and Mary. Mrs. Shay was convalescing from a broken hip at this time. She was in poor health a number of years, having been a patient several times at the St. Joseph hospital, St. Joseph, Mo., and was so patient and cheerful through it all.

She was devoted to her church and took an active part in the church work as long as her health permitted. She was a deaconess for many years and served as president, vice president and secretary at different times in the Ladies' Aid. Mrs. Shay was always interested in the work of the Master and enjoyed the home department of the Sunday school and the many pleasant visits of Mrs. Angie Simpson and Mrs. Edgar Thompson, who were connected with the work.

She spoke many times of her appreciation of friends and relatives for their many pleasant visits, flowers and other kindness shown her during her last illness.

Mrs. Shay was a very devoted companion, mother and grandmother and loved her friends sincerely. She lived for others and was thoughtful of all, even unto the end. Many times during her last illness she expressed her desire to gain eternal rest in the heavenly home prepared for those who love the Lord, and was patiently waiting for the Heavenly Father's call which came very quietly at 7:15 Sunday evening, July 26. Her companion, children, and grandchildren spent the last week at her bedside and were permitted to minister unto her until God called her home. —Contributed.

[Shay, Mary Emma Turner]

Blockton News

Thursday    July 30, 1925    [p. 1]

Mrs. J. V Shay Dead

Mrs. J. [ohn] V. [alentine] Shay [Mary Emma Turner], who had been critically ill for several weeks, passed away Sunday evening. Funeral services were held at the Christian church Tuesday afternoon and were very largely attended.

[Shay, Mary Emma Turner]

Blockton News

Thursday    July 30, 1925    [p. 1]

Mary Emma Turner, daughter of Bazil and Mary [Dale] Turner, was born near Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa, June 23, 1854, and passed away at her home in Blockton Sunday evening, July 26, 1925, aged 71 years, 1 month, and 3 days. She came to Ringgold County with her parents in July following her birth.

She was united in marriage to John V. [alentine] Shay on April 4, 1872.  They went to housekeeping where [Dug? y] now lives, beginning housekeeping in a two-room log house.  They lived there two years and then built a four-room house where Chan Shay now lives. For seventeen years this was their home and where all of her children were born---Ralph L. [eo], Roy O. [laf], Luke E. [rnest], Faye and Mary [Margaret]. Ralph passed away September 29, 1904.  Roy resides in St. Joseph, Luke E. [rnest] in Atchison, Kansas, Mrs. Faye Roof in Blockton and Mrs. Mary [Margaret] Melton at Goodland, Kansas.   There are four grandchildren---Hulan, son of Ralph L. [eo] Shay, deceased, of Shannon City, Iowa; [Iowa] Faye, W. [ilford] S. [hay], children of Mrs. Melton and Haldane [Edward], son of Mrs. Roof.

Mrs. Shay was raised to womanhood in Maloy where her parents lived for 21 years on the Mrs. M. Nelson [?] farm.  It was on this farm she was married.

[From Maloy] Mrs. Shay moved to Blockton Feb. 28, 1896.

Mrs. Shay united with the Blockton Christian church in September 1899, under the ministry of Rev. E. E. Van Horn, and was received as a member of the Blockton [words missing] and was always active with these good women.  She has always loved her church and has been a consistent member.  She rejoiced in the fellowship in the devotional life and the practical work of the church.  She regretted to miss the common service of the church---it was a very dear service to her.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Christian church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 oÕclock, conducted by the pastor, H. V. Reeves and a former pastor, J. A. Dillinger, now pastor of the Wyatt Park Christian church in St. Joseph.  Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Shay, John Valentine]

Blockton News

Thursday    April 30, 1931    [p. 1]

J. V. Shay Dead

John Valentine Shay, an aged and highly respected citizen of Blockton, died at his home in Blockton Monday evening about 5 o'clock following a few weeks illness.

Mr. Shay was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Feb. 14, 1849,and was aged 82 years, 2 months and 13 days at the time of his death.

Funeral services were held at the Christian church yesterday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. J. A. Dillinger of Des Moines, a former pastor. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery, Blockton. Obituary next week.

[Shay, John Valentine]

Blockton News

Thursday    April 30, 1931    p. 4

Hulan Shay, of Creston, was called here the first of the week by the fatal illness of his grandfather, J. [ohn] V. [alentine] Shay.

[Shay, John Valentine]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    April 30, 1931    p. 5

Mr. John [Valentine] Shay of Blockton died the other day, and the funeral was held on Wednesday. He was a brother of Mrs. Joe England, and relatives from this community attended the funeral.

[Shay, John Valentine]

Blockton News

Thursday    May 7, 1931    p. 5

Obituary

John Valentine Shay was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Feb. 14, 1849, and died at his home in Blockton, April 27, 1931, aged 82 years, 2 months and 13 days.

He was born soon after his parents [Luke Shay and Julia Whelan] came to America from Ireland and was the eldest of a family of 9 children. He came with his parents to Clarke county, Iowa, in 1851, soon after moving to Union county and then to Ringgold county in 1854 where he lived for 40 years.

He was married to [Mary] Emma Turner April 4, 1872. To this union five children were born—Ralph L. [eo] deceased; Roy O. [laf], of St Joseph, Mo.; Dr. L. [uke] E.[rnest] Shay, of Atchison, Kansas; Faye Roof, of Blockton, and Mary [Margaret] Melton of Goodland, Kansas.

Besides his immediate family he leaves to mourn his death three brothers---T.[homas] S. [tephen], W. [illiam]  H. [enry] and M. [ichael] C. [hauncey] Shay of Maloy—and one sister—Margaret E. [llen] Hart of St. Louis—who was unable to be present on account of illness. He also leaves seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren besides a host of other relatives and friends. All of his children and two grandchildren were at his bedside when death called him away.

He was baptised in infancy in the Roman Catholic faith of which his parents were devoted members. He was a regular attendant at the Christian church with his wife and family and interested in all church affairs. He took especial interest in his hometown and community and was a member of town council for a number of years.

On Feb. 28, 1894, he moved to the family home in Blockton which he purchased and where he resided until his death. His wife preceded him in death July 26, 1925, after which his daughter, Faye Roof, and family moved into his home so he might spend his remaining years at the family home.

Mr. and Mrs. Shay celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary April 4, 1922, at their home, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and Mr. Shay's brothers and sister.

John, or J. V. as so many called him, was a livestock dealer of note in his younger life, being one of the largest livestock buyers and shippers of Ringgold and Taylor counties for a number of years.

Mr. Shay was a regular visitor at the Wilbur Walton barbershop every Saturday afternoon when weather permitted and enjoyed meeting so many of his older friends and visiting. He was interested in all the events of the day and his mind was alert until a few hours before death. His last illness was of seven weeks duration. His suffering was intense at times but he was always so patient and thoughtful of those caring for him.

He was a kind husband and loving father and a great lover of home, especially in his declining years. He was confined to his home a great deal of the time the past few years on account of his eyesight and being unable to get around without the use of his two canes. He was especially fond of little folks and a lover of all mankind.

Mr. Shay had arranged his funeral services as near as possible like those of his wife, using same songs, using same minister and assistant and the same singers, Mrs. Reeves singing "Face to Face" as a solo. He had also chosen his nephews as pallbearers.

Funeral services were held at the Christian church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. Arthur J. Dillinger of Des Moines and assisted by Rev. Harold Reeves of Albany, Mo. On account of his wide acquaintance a number were unable to get into the church. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Shay, John Valentine]

Blockton News

Thursday    May 7, 1931    p. 4

Mrs. Mary [Margaret] Melton and son Paul left Monday evening for their home at Goodland, Kansas, having been called here by the illness and death of her father, J. [ohn] V. [alentine] Shay.

[Shay, John Valentine]

Blockton News

Thursday    May 14, 1931    p. 4   

Among the relatives and friends from a distance, not previously mentioned, attending the J. [ohn] V. [alentine] Shay funeral over two weeks ago were Mrs. Tom Sheil and son, and Charley Shay, of Des Moines; Mrs. C.E. Finch, Shannon City; Oak and Mike Hart and Margaret and Leah Nolan, of St. Louis; Otto Madinger, J. L. Pesicka, J. B. Hayes and wives, and Mr. Harper of St. Joseph, and A. J. Roof and wife.

[Shay, Ralph Leo]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 6, 1904    p. 4

Death Claimed a Good Man.

Consumption has claimed another victim, and sorrow and tears are left where once were rejoicing and happiness. For a number of months Ralph [Leo] Shay, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John [Valentine] Shay [Mary Emma Turner], of Blockton, has been hovering between life and death, and finally, on Thursday of last week, breathed his last, and his spirit returned to the God who gave it. He leaves parents, brothers and sister, wife and baby to mourn his untimely death, he having been cut down in the strength of his young manhood. Many friends sympathize with the bereaved ones.

[Shay, Ralph Leo]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     October 6, 1904     p. 5

Another Victim of the White “Plague”

Ralph [Leo] Shay died at his home in Blockton Thursday morning of consumption. The funeral was held today at 11 o’clock. Ralph was a young man, just entering his prime. Apparently a more rugged, healthier, stronger man did not live in the county. But the “white plague” is no respecter of persons, and all is strength and vigor could not thwart it. For months he has been on the decline and it was known he could not recover, but to his young wife and baby, as well as parents and friends, the sorrow was no less great when the inevitable end came. A number of relatives of the deceased reside in the vicinity of Bedford, while many more live near Maloy.

[Shay, Ralph Leo]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     October 6, 1904     [p. 1]

Blockton Chips

Ralph [Leo] Shay died this morning about 9 ‘clock. Funeral Saturday morning at 11 and interment in Rose Hill cemetery.

Celebration of Life services for Mary (Bentley) Sheeks, age 83, of Nebraska, formerly of Blockton, who died Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Golden Living Home in Valley, Nebraska were held Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Blockton. Visitation were held one hour prior to services at the church. Interment were held at the Rosehill Cemetery in Blockton. Memorials can be given in Mary's name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

[Melton, Mary Margaret Shay]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 30, 1933    p. 5

MRS. MARY MELTON DIES

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs John Shay

Mrs Mary [Margaret] Melton, daughter of Mr and Mrs John [Valentine] Shay [Mary Emma Turner], and wife of Frank Melton of Goodland, Kans., died at a hospital in Denver, Colo., Thursday evening and was buried Sunday at Goodland, Kans. She was 46 years of age.

She leaves her husband, one daughter, Iowa Faye and two sons, a sister, Mrs. M.[ack] E. [dward] Roof [Faye] of Denver, Colo., two brothers, Roy [Olaf] of St. Joseph, Mo., and [Luke] Ernest of Atchison, Kans.

[Melton, Mary Margaret Shay]

Blockton News

Thursday    March 30, 1933    [p. 1]

Mrs. Frank Melton Dead

Mrs. Mary [Margaret] Shay Melton, of Goodland, Kansas, died at the Colorado General Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock following a surgical operation submitted to some ten days before. She was 46 years of age.

Besides her husband she leaves three children —Mrs Ivan Woodring [Iowa Faye] and Paul and W. [ilford] S. [hay] Melton; two brothers and a sister, R. [oy] O. [laf] Shay, of St. Joseph; L. [uke] E. [rnest] Shay of Atchison, and Mrs. M.[ack] E. [dward] Roof [Faye] of Denver, Colorado.

Funeral services were held at Goodland Sunday.

[Ash, Kenneth Eugene]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 6, 1904    [p. 1]

JOINED THE HEAVENLY CHOIR

The Immortal Spirit of Little Eugene Ash Has Been Called to Dwell In the Celestial City.

A week ago the little house that held the life, the light, the soul of beautiful, loving [Kenneth] Eugene Ash was lying racked with pain and burning with remorseless fever; the throbbing brow betokened the presence of suffering through which all that is earthly must pass.

Today heaven is made more joyous, the angels have been joined in their celestial, sweet songs by a new, glorified, redeemed spirit, while mortality—the body that held in prescribed bounds the real gem of immortality and life, lies peacefully sleeping in beautiful Clearfield cemetery to await the last triumphant call to become a reunited, glorified, changed individuality, fashioned after God's own likeness and transformed into a beacon of light and eternal life. Why weep, then, dear parents, over such a blessed, happy transition? Would you have your darling boy change his present home of joy and gladness and peace and eternal happiness for the one that all flesh is heir to? "Ah," but you say," we will miss him." True, but you have him today more truly and surely than you ever did before. You can go to him but he cannot come to you. He is awaiting your coming with beautiful, beckoning hands, and then no power of earth or sky can nor will, snatch him from you again in all eternity. You have a treasure in heaven that will through the eternal ages be a comfort, a joy and complete happiness. Then rest in the blessed promise that all tears shall be wiped away and there shall be no more tears nor suffering nor death.

Little Eugene had been ill with typhoid fever for several weeks, and for days had been lying at the point of death; part of the time in unconsciousness, but in his rational moments he sought to comfort his sorrowing parents.  He would repeat many precious verses learned in the Sunday school, and express his hope in his dear Savior. The end finally came at 1:30 Saturday morning, and the liberated spirit of the dear one was taken to its eternal rest.

The funeral services were conducted at the home Sunday morning at 9:30 by Rev. Barackman, assisted by Elder Furgeson, and were, as far as possible, a source of comfort to the grief stricken parents, who have for the second time within a short period been called upon to give up a beloved child. It was a sad mission indeed to follow the body of this only boy over the prairies and through shady dells and lay the casket away in Clearfield cemetery, but the Father of the fatherless, the widow and the orphan, has promised to bind up the broken heart and pour the oil of gladness over gaping wounds.

Little Eugene was eight years and four months of age, and was a lad beloved by classmates and teachers. He was a bright, happy, winsome lad, full of life and joy and happiness, and brought sunshine and cheer to all with whom he came in contact, and the early snuffing out of such a life leaves an aching void that cannot be filled. Human sympathy in all its fullness, but painfully inadequate in such times of trial, goes out to the sorrowing ones. May they look to a higher power for the strength and comfort they so much need.

[Ash, Kenneth Eugene]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 6, 1904    p. 7

John C. Beauchamp and family, who came down from Creston to attend the funeral of [Kenneth] Eugene Ash, returned Monday to their home.