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

[Asquith, James]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    March 3, 1927    p. 5

Mrs. H. [iram] E. [arl] Churchill [Harriet Asquith] of this city left for Galesburg, Ill. Sunday after receiving a telegram telling of the death of her brother, James Asquith.

[Note:  James Asquith died February 26, 1927 in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois.  Source: Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950]

[Asquith, John]

Bedford Times-Republican

April 22, 1920    p. 2

Mr. and Mrs. H. [iram] E. [arl] Churchill [Harriet Asquith] left Tuesday for Galesburg, Ill., called by the death of her father, John Asquith.

[Note:   John Asquith died April 20, 1920 in Union Township, Fulton County, Illinois.  Source:  Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950]

[Blake, Frances Irene Phillips]

Bedford Free-Press

Thursday    December 17, 1981    p. 4

Irene Blake Dies Wednesday, Dec. 9

Frances Irene Blake, the daughter of John and Ida Maude Phillips, was born in Illinois January 14, 1901. She died at the Care Center in Lenox, Iowa Wednesday, December 9 at the age of eighty years, ten months and twenty-five days.

As a child, Irene traveled by covered wagon into Nebraska. She was raised in an orphanage in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On February 22, 1920, she was united in marriage with George [Finn] Blake and spent all her married life in Taylor County. The Blakes farmed until their retirement when they moved into Sharpsburg.

She was a loving wife and mother, making her family her life.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, George, a grandson, Allen Doyle Blake, five brothers, and three sisters.

Survivors include her children, James and wife, Martha of Lorimor, Dorothy Coulthard of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Marian Howes and husband, Dallas of Eagleville, Missouri, Howard and wife, Lillie of Lenox, Ava Wearmouth and husband, Dale of Lorimor, and Allen and wife, Norma of Charleston Heights, South Carolina; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, and one sister, Margaret Hanline of Tennessee.

Services were held Sunday, December 13 at 2 p.m. at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa. Reverend James Nelson officiated.

Taped organ selections were played.

Casket bearers were Bill Blake, Bob Blake, Randy Flaherty, Evan Bartelet, Dennis Howes, Craig Cox, and Gaylen Bridgeman.

Interment was in the Lexington Cemetery north of Bedford.

[Blake, George Finn]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 22, 1964    p. 12

George F. Blake Rites Sunday

Funeral services for George F. [inn] Blake, lifetime Taylor county resident, held Oct. 18 at 708 Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Rev. James Sheckler. Mr. Blake died at the Veteran's Hospital in Omaha Oct. 14, 1964, at the age of 74 years, eight months and 16 days.

George F. [inn] Blake, son of Jacob and Lydia Peck Blake, was born Jan. 28, 1890, at Bedford, where he spent his youth.

On June 4, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a Pvt. 1st Class In Co. K. 168th Rainbow Division. He left the United States for the European theatre on November 14, 1917, and arrived back in the United States on May 24, 1919.

While in Europe he was in the A.E.P. at St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. He was wounded July 6, 1918, at Champagne. On June 4, 1919, he received his honorable discharge.

On February 28, 1920, he was united in marriage to Frances Irene Phillips in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, at the Methodist parsonage. To this union three sons and three daughters were born. They are James, Howard, Allen, Dorothy, Marian and Ava.

His entire life was spent in Taylor county He was third from the youngest in a family of 11 children.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, three sisters, and six brothers. He is survived by his wife, Irene; Mr. and Mrs. James Blake and six children of Okinawa; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Coulthard (Dorothy) and daughter of Grimes, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Howes Jr. (Marian) and six children of Eagleville, Mo.; Mr. Howard (Mick) Blake of Sharpsburg; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Wearmouth (Ava) and three daughters of Macksburg, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Allen Blake and two children of Orangeburg, S. C.; one brother, Leslie C. of New Market; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

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

[Blake, Lydia Peck]

Bedford Times-Republican

February 21, 1929    p. 4

Lydia Peck Blake

Lydia Peck, daughter of Isaac D. [ela] and Patience B. [Wood] Peck, was born in Ontario county, New York June 13, 1855, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. [ourtland] E. [rnest] Bowman [Lena] Feb. 11, 1929, aged 73 years, 7 months and 28 days. In 1868 she came to Bedford, Iowa, with her parents, and has since resided here. She was married Aug. 8, 1875, to Jacob Blake, who preceded her in death Jan. 30, 1920. To this union eleven children were born, 8 sons and 3 daughters. One son and one daughter died in infancy. She is survived by the remaining 9 children, 24 granchildren and one brother, Scott Peck. She was a good woman, a good wife and a good mother, and was liked by all who knew her. She united with the Church of Christ Feb. 4, 1900, was baptised in the Christian Faith, Feb. 24, and was a faithful worker in the church, attending regularly unless prevented by illness.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 2: 00 p. m., conducted by Leslie R. Cobb, assisted by Rev. J. C. Harris.

Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[Churchill, Floyd Harold]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 26, 1963    p. 4

Floyd Churchill Taken in Death

Funeral service for Floyd Harold Churchill, long-time Bedford resident, were held December 21 at Madison street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. John D. Kerr, local Presbyterian minister, officiating.  Mr. Churchill died December 21 at Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, Iowa.  Interment was at Fairview cemetery, Bedford.

Included in the services was the following obituary:

Floyd Harold Churchill was born November 12, 1897 near Galesburg, Ill., to Harriette [Asquith] and [Hiram] Earl Churchill.

He came to Iowa with his parents at the age of four and has lived in and near Bedford all his life.  He attended Bedford High School, graduating in 1916.

On September 4, 1921, he was united in marriage with Louise Uttley of Dubuque, Iowa.

He was a member of Taylor Lodge No. 156, A. F. and A. M., and Triangle Chapter No. 68 R. A. M.

Mr. Churchill was preceded in death by his father and mother and a brother, Ray M. Churchill.

Left with memories are two sisters, Myrtle Wogan of Bedford and Vada [Marie] Churchill of Des Moines; a nephew, Paul Wogan; a niece, Dorothy Wogan; one great nephew, Ronald Wogan and one great niece, Patricia Wogan; other relatives and a host of friends.

[Churchill, Harriet "Hattie" Asquith]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 11, 1952    [p. 1]

Mrs. Hattie Churchill Dies In Des Moines

Mrs. Hattie Churchill, 83, longtime resident of Bedford and community, but more recently of Des Moines, died in a hospital there Tuesday evening, Dec. 9. Mrs. Churchill had been seriously ill the past couple of weeks and her children had been with her. The body was brought to Bedford for the last rites.

She is survived by two daughters and a son: Miss Vada [Marie] Churchill of Des Moines, Mrs. John Wogan [Myrtle] and Floyd [Harold] Churchill of Bedford; and by one grandson, Paul Wogan of Bedford.

Funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday, December 12.

Burial will be in Fairview cemetery.

[Churchill, Harriet "Hattie" Asquith]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 18, 1952    [p. 1]

Relatives Here For Churchill Rites

Relatives from out-of-town, attending the last rites for Mrs. Hattie Churchill in Bedford Friday, included Mr. and Mrs. Fred Asquith, Galesburg, Ill.; Edgar [Wright] Asquith, Farmington, Ill.; Ben Asquith, Corning, Iowa; Mrs. Fred Lachey, Madrid, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Churchill and Mrs. Frank Gross, Brookfield, Mo.; Mrs. Dallas Churchill, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Barks, Sheridan, Mo.

Glenn Brown, F. Harold Andrew, Don Dyer, Wm. B. Clarke, Justin Dee, Karl Canright, Miriam Manson, Fern Struve, Mary Lou Binning, LaVone Dean, Dorothy Custer, Margaret Pinck, Margaret Fitzgerald, Elaine Waycoff, Eliza Wiuff, Florence Van Meter, all of Des Moines.

[Churchill, Harriet "Hattie" Asquith]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 18, 1952 p. 5

Obituary - Mrs. Hattie Churchill

Harriett Asquith, third of a family of ten children of John and Leah [Wright] Asquith, was born Dec. 10, 1869 at Methley Yorkshire, England, and died Dec. 9, 1952 at Methodist hospital, Des Moines, Iowa. Had she lived seven hours longer she would have been 83 years old.

At the age of eight she came with her parents, brothers and sisters to the United States and settled at Cuba, Illinois.

On Dec. 19, 1889 she was married to [Hiram] Earl Churchill of Galesburg, Ill. To them four children were born: Ray M., who died in infancy, Myrtle B., Floyd H.[arold] and Vada M [arie]. She lived many years at the farm home south of Bedford and went to Des Moines 16 years ago to make her home with her daughter.

In her youth she confessed Christ as her Saviour and united with the Christian church at Coldbrook, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her husband and infant son, her parents, seven brothers and sisters.

She leaves to mourn her loss her three children, Mrs. Myrtle B. Wogan and Floyd H. [arold] Churchill of Bedford, Vada M. [arie] Churchill of Des Moines; one grandson, Paul J. Wogan of Bedford; two brothers, Fred Asquith of Galesburg, Ill., and Edgar [Wright] Asquith of Farmington, Ill.; one son-in-law, John A.[dolph] Wogan; one daughter-in-law, Louise Churchill.

[Churchill, Hiram Earl]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    April 5, 1928    p. 4

Long Time Resident Answers Last Call

H. [iram] E. [arl] Churchill, long time resident of Bedford and vicinity, passed away at his home in Bedford at 7:15 o'clock on Wednesday morning, at the age of 73 years. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 at the Christian Church. Interment will be made in Fairview cemetery.  A complete obituary will be published next week.

[Churchill, Hiram Earl]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    April 12, 1928    p. 2

Hiram Earl Churchill

Hiram Earl Churchill, son of C. [alvin] W. [ebster] and Mary E. [Marietta Strader] Churchill, was born Dec. 7, 1854, at Booneville, Oneida County, New York, and died at his home in Bedford, Ia., April 4, 1928, at the age of 73 years, 3 months and 28 days. At the age of 7 years he came with his parents to Warren County, Illinois, near Galesburg, where he lived for 40 years. On Dec. 19th, 1889, he was united in marriage to Harriett [Ackworth] Asquith of Avon, Ill. To this union were born four children, Ray M., who died at the age of 6 months; Myrtle B., now Mrs. J. [ohn] A. [dolph] Wogan of this city; Floyd H. [arold], who lives on the home place, and Vada Marie at home. In 1902 he moved with his family to the farm 5 miles south of Bedford, where he lived until 5 years ago when he gave up active work and moved to Bedford. All his life he engaged in farming and stock raising. He also served as postmaster at Coldbrook, Ill., for four years. Besides the wife and three children who are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband and father, he leaves a baby grandson, Paul J. Wogan of whom he was very fond, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, one brother, L. [eland] S. Churchill of Brookfield, Mo., two sisters, Mrs. C. H. Rockwell, and Mrs. A. H. Lewis of Galesburg, Ill., several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Fred Asquith of Bushnell, Ill.; Mrs. A. H. Lewis, Mrs. C. H. Rockwell, Mrs. Louise Strader and daughter Nellie of Galesburg, Ill.; L. [eland] S. Churchill, Roy L. Churchill and Mrs. Frank Gress of Brookfield, Mo.; Harry A. Churchill of Hannibal, Mo.; Mrs. Geo. McGinness of Wathena, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson and Ben Asquith of Corning, Ia.: Myrtle Barks of Clarinda, Ia.

[Churchill, Vada Marie]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 19, 1973    p. 4

VADA CHURCHILL, 71, LAST RITES HELD HERE JULY 14

 Graveside services for Vada Churchill, 71, of Des Moines, formerly of Bedford, were held at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford July 14 at 4 pm. Earlier services were held at Dunn's Funeral Home in Des Moines. Miss Churchill died July 12, 1973 in Mercy Hospital Des Moines after a lengthy illness.

Vada Marie Churchill was born July 27, 1901 at Galesburg, Illinois. She was the youngest of four children born to H. [iram] Earl and Harriette [Asquith] Churchill. All have preceded her in death including a nephew, Paul J. Wogan, whom she dearly loved. At the age of six months she came to Iowa with her parents and spent the remainder of her life in the state.

She graduated from the Bedford High School in the class of 1920. She was an employee of Iowa Power and Light Company in Bedford for many years.

In January 1937 she moved to Des Moines, Iowa and was an auditor in the state office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After twenty-nine years in this position she retired in December 1965.

 She was a member of the University Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa and T.T.T.  Surviving are a niece, Mrs. Dorothy Wogan, a great niece, Patty Wogan and a great nephew Ronald Wogan, all of Clarinda, Iowa.

[Guenther, Albert "Allie"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 1, 1955    [p. 1]

Allie Guenther Of Clarinda Dies

[Albert] Allie Guenther, 74, lifetime Page county farmer, died August 24 at St. Francis hospital in Maryville, where he had been under medical care three weeks.

His wife and four children are among the survivors, including two daughters, Mrs. Ralph Borden of New Market and Mrs. Milton Cooper of Clarinda; two sons, Harold Guenther of Bedford and Glenn Guenther of Clarinda. Also by two brothers, Clarence Guenther of East Grand Forks, Minn., and George Guenther of Shambaugh.

Funeral services were held Friday at 2 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda with burial in Clarinda cemetery.

[Guenther, Anna May McNees]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 15, 1973    p. 2

Mrs. Anna Guenther Rites Held March 12

Funeral services for Mrs. Albert (Anna M.) Guenther, 87, of New Market, were held March 12 at Walker Funeral Home in Clarinda. Mrs. Guenther died March 9, 1973 at the home of her daughter, Gladys, and son-in-law, Ralph Borden, near New Market. Interment was at the Clarinda cemetery.

Anna May McNees Guenther was born in Greenville, Tennessee to John C. and Mary Frances McNees on May 11, 1885.

On January 4, 1903 she was married to Allie [Albert] Guenther and they lived all of their married life in Page Co. Iowa. This union was blessed with four children.

Her husband and son, Glenn E. Guenther, preceded her in death.

She leaves three children; Mrs. Ralph (Gladys) Borden, New Market; Harold A. Guenther, Bedford and Mrs. Dorothy Cooper, Clarinda; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Lillie Hughes of Clarinda; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by her loved ones and her many friends.

[Guenther, Glenn E.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 22, 1964    p. 12

Glenn Guenther Dies In Clarinda

Funeral services for Glenn Guenther, 57, of Clarinda were held Tues., Oct. 20, at Williams Memorial Chapel in Clarinda with Dr J. D. Almes, pastor of the Trinity United Presbyterian Church officiating. Mr. Guenther died at the Clarinda Municipal Hospital October 16, 1964, at the age of 57 years.  Interment was at Clarinda Cemetery.

Included in the services was the following obituary.

Glenn K. [E.] Guenther, son of the late Allie [Albert] and Anna [May McNeese] Guenther, was born near Shambaugh, Iowa, on July 13, 1907.

Glenn spent his boyhood with his parents on the farm in Page County, also attending Page county schools and graduating from the Clarinda High School. He has been able to pursue his farming interests until his health failed. During his severe illness he has been a most patient sufferer.

On October 12, 1944, he was married to Clara Carkhuff who survives him. He is also survived by their three children: Glenn Junior, Sheila Dianne and Edward Lynn, all of the home address; his mother, Mrs. Anna Guenther of Clarinda; two sisters, Gladys (Mrs. Ralph Borden) of New Market and Dorothy (Mrs. Milton Cooper) of Clarinda; one brother, Harold Guenther of Bedford; one niece, Mrs. Deloris Evans of Clarinda; two nephews, John E. Guenther of Jefferson, Iowa and Gregg Guenther of Kansas City.

Glenn's family and his friends have been his life's interests. He is survived by many relatives and friends and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

[Wogan, John Adolph]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 29, 1960    [p. 1]

John Wogan Rites Held Monday P. M.

John [Adolph] Wogan, 67, a business man in Bedford for many years, died at Municipal hospital, Clarinda, Saturday, December 24 after an illness of several years.

Funeral services were held at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home on Madison Street Monday afternoon. Rev. Adam S. Reisz officiated. Burial in Fairview cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of the home; by his son, Paul Wogan and family of Bedford; and by two sisters.

[Wogan, John Adolph]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 5, 1961    p. 4

OBITUARY John A. Wogan

John A. [dolph] Wogan, son of John W. and Josephine Brumm Wogan, was born Oct. 26, 1893 a t Easton, Mo., and departed this life Dec. 24, 1960 at Municipal hospital, Clarinda, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at the Shum-Novinger Funera1 Home, Monday, Dec. 26 at two p.m., Father Reisz of Lenox officiating. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

John was the fourth child in a family of six children. His parents and two brothers preceded him in death.

He grew to manhood in the vicinity of St. Joseph and in August of 1918 he was married to Lucy Reardon of St. Joseph. To this union one daughter, Mary, was born. In March 1921 the wife and mother passed away.

In May of 1924 he entered the cafe business in Bedford, later adding electric appliances to his business. He remained active in this work until fire destroyed it in April 1955. His health had then started to fail and he decided to stay out of active business.

Oct. 27, 1926 he was married to Miss Myrtle Churchill of Bedford. To this union one son, Paul, was born. During World War II he went to Hastings, Nebr., and worked in defense work. He was a member of the Catholic Church at Bedford, a 10-year member of the Bedford Fire Department, and a charter member of the first Lions club in Bedford.

He is survived by his wife, Myrtle; son, Paul J.; daughter-in-law, Dorothy L.; two grandchildren, Patricia Ann and Ronald Paul Wogan, all of Bedford. Also the daughter Mary in California; three sisters, Mrs. Edwin Conner and Mrs. Anne Barry of St. Joseph, Mrs. Clyde Harvey of Tulsa, Okla.; several nieces and nephews.

[Note:  His World War I draft registration card gives his birth date as October 27, 1893.]

[Wogan, Myrtle Churchill]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 22, 1964    p. 12

Final Rites Held Here For Myrtle Wogan

Funeral services for Mrs. John (Myrtle) Wogan, held Oct. 17 at 708 Madison St. Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Rev. Ivo Randels. Mrs. Wogan died at Municipal Hospital in Clarinda Oct. 14 at the age of 70 years, seven months and nine days. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Included in the services was the following obituary.

Myrtle B. Churchill, daughter of [Hiram] Earl and Harriett [Asquith] Churchill, was born March 3, 1894 near Galesburg, Ill.

She was about seven years of age when her parents brought her to Iowa and she resided here the rest of her life. She attended and was graduated from Bedford High School, class of 1913.

She was married to John A. [dolph] Wogan and to them one son was born, Paul J. of Bedford.

She was baptized into the Christian faith in her early youth and became a member of the Christian Church of Bedford.

Those of her family who preceded her in death were her husband, John; her father and mother; two brothers, Ray M. and Floyd H. [arold].

Those who survive in addition to the above named son are one sister, Miss Vada Churchill of Des Moines, Ia., one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Dorothy Wogan, two grandchildren, Patricia and Ronald, other relatives and a host of friends.

She made and kept a whole host of friends by being a friend always standing ready to help any person in need.  She labored as a cook and restaurant worker for a span of 40 years until a few short weeks before her death.  Her place in the hearts of her family and friends was and is secure and her departure leaves a lonesome void.

[Wogan, Paul J.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 12, 1969    [p. 1]

Paul Wogan, 41, Dies In Clarinda

Paul [J.] Wogan, 41, Clarinda insurance man and native of Bedford, died suddenly the evening of June 4.  He had been at Waubonsie State Park with a group of Lutheran youths, and was able to drive to the Clarinda Municipal Hospital when he felt ill, after he had taken the youngsters home.  Death was attributed to a heart attack.

Funeral services were held Sat. June 7, at St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Alfred Bertke officiating.  Burial was at Clarinda Cemetery.

Paul was born August 11, 1927 to Mr. and Mrs. John [Adolph] Wogan [Myrtle Churchill], the parents preceding him in death.  He attended Bedford schools, being graduated in 1945.  He served for 18 months in the Air Force and was graduated from Drake University in 1951. He owned and operated the Wagonwheel in Bedford several years prior to entering the insurance business.

His wife is the former Dorothy Bartels, to whom he was married May 24, 1953.  The couple lived at Bedford until 1965, Paul being then employed in an insurance company until going to Clarinda in January 1968.  He was associated with Loranz & Co. at time of his death.  The Wogans recently moved into their newly built home in Clarinda.

He was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, the Clarinda Lions Club and the American Legion post at Bedford.

He is survived by his wife and two children, Patti [Patricia Ann] and Ronald.