Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
[Gillette, Dean Lemar]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     March 1, 2000    p. 5

Dean Gillette

Funeral services for Dean Gillette age 76 of Danville, formerly of Bedford, who died Sunday, February 20, 2000 at the Burlington Medical Center were held Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Pastor Al Rusk officiating. Interment was held at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be given in his name. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Dean Lemar Gillette was born August 8, 1923 in Gravity, Iowa, the son of George [Mars] Gillette and Ada Loretta Cree Gillette. Dean grew up in the Gravity/Sharpsburg/Conway/Lenox area and on January 1, 1950 he was united in marriage to Doris [Erlene] Longfellow in Gravity. To this loving union four children were born, Dee [Deloris Ann], Dale, Jon, and James.

Dean worked for his father in the blacksmith shop and driving truck. In 1955 he and his family moved to Davenport. He worked for the Davenport Ice Company and then went to work for the City of Davenport in the Street Department as Payload Operator for over thirty years. This was a job he really enjoyed, and had only missed one day of work during that time. He retired in 1987. Dean and Doris returned to Bedford living here for nine years until returning to Davenport for a few years, finally moving to Danville.

Dean was a people person, never having met a stranger. He would talk to and help anyone he could. His family was most important, especially his grandchildren, in which he took great delight in teasing by saying, "I'm going to beat you up," or, "I'm going to give you a black eye," in which the children would respond by telling him the same thing! Dean had several hobbies and interests; he enjoyed rodeos, especially the clowns. He spent a lot of time doing word search, and crossword puzzles. He enjoyed country music, with the Statler Brothers being one of his favorites. In later years he planned his days so he wouldn't be busy at 4:00 p.m., because that's when "The Dukes of Hazard" television show was on. He was known to consume a bowl of homemade ice cream or two, and he was known to whistle. Dean had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and enjoyed Christmas, the lights, and all the festivities associated with it.

Dean is survived by his wife Doris of Danville; his mother Ada Gillette of Lenox; a daughter, Dee [Deloris Ann] Jackson and husband Richard [Jacob] of Danville; three sons, Dale Gillette and wife Jo of Bettendorf; Jon Gillette of North Hollywood, California and James Gillette and wife Sonya of Parkview; a sister, Darlene Taylor of Woodland, Texas; twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his father George, a brother Ivan and a sister, Lois Ferris.

[Gillette, Gailen Duane]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    May 26, 1993    p. 8

SHARPSBURG

Retta Gillette and daughter Darlene Taylor attended the funeral Friday of [Gailen] Duane Gillette in Council Bluffs. He was 68. Duane was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Glen Gillette.

[Gillette, Gailen Duane]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    May 26, 1993    p. 3

Gailen ‘Duane' Gillette

Gailen “Duane" Gillette, 66, of Sun City, Ariz., died Monday in Avoca.

Mr. Gillette was born in Bedford and lived in Council Bluffs from 1953 to 1986, when he moved to Arizona.

He worked for Iowa Power and Light for 33 years, retiring in 1986. He was a World War II veteran.

He and his wife, Roberta [McGarvan], were married 44 years.

Survivors besides his wife include one daughter, Denise [Laura] Sulhoff of Avoca; one son, Dennis [Lynn], of Council Bluffs; one sister, Barbara [Jean] Acker of Greenfield; four grandchildren; nieces: and nephews.

Service was at 11 a.m. Friday at Meyer Funeral Home with the Rev. Dee Jay Reiff officiating. Burial was at Ridgewood Mausoleum.

Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Society.

[Gillette, Robert James]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    September 19, 1990    p. 10

ROBERT J. GILLETTE

Funeral services for Robert J. [ames] Gillette, 57, were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings Friday, Sept. 14,1990 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa. Mr. Gillette died September 11, 1990 at Greenfield, Iowa.

Robert James Gillette, son of Glenn [Lorene] Gillette and Anzel [Celeste] Tointon Gillette was born in rural Taylor County near Bedford, Iowa on May 24, 1933.

He grew to maturity in the Bedford community where he attended the public school and was graduated from Bedford High School in 1953.

He was employed for a short time as an automobile mechanic prior to being inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States on August 25, 1953. He attended U.S. Army Engineer School and was an artillery survey specialist. He was honored with the National Defense Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany). He received his Honorary Discharge on

June 9, 1955.

Upon returning home he engaged employment as an automobile mechanic with Emert Motor Company. He later moved to California and worked for the Rucker Valve Company until he returned to Iowa in 1987. He was united in marriage to Joyce [Elaine] Williams.

Robert was preceded in death by his mother, a brother Charles and a sister, Marjorie Cook.

Left to cherish his memory are his father, Glenn Gillette of Bedford Manor; a brother, [Gailen] Duane Gillette and his wife Roberta [McGarvan] of Sun City, Ariz. and a sister, Barbara and her husband Vere Acker of Greenfield, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was a member of the American Legion.

Robert will be remembered by his family and friends as a friendly and loyal person and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Griffith, Belle Ford]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 26, 1946    [p. 1]

Mrs. D. W. Griffith Dies

Funeral services were held at Rash Chapel at Hamburg, September 8, for Mrs. Belle Ford Griffith. Mrs. Griffith was the wife of the late Rev. D. [aniel] W. Griffith, one time pastor of the Bedford Baptist church.  She had been ill for some time.   She was 85 years old.  The body was taken to Omaha for cremation and the ashes were interred at a rural cemetery near Hamburg.

[Griffith, Cleota Sharp Vanskyock]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 2, 1986    p. 4

Cleota Griffith death reported

Funeral services were held December 19 at Redding, Iowa for Cleota (Mrs. James) Griffith, 74, who died unexpectedly at her home near Redding Dec. 17.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sharp and grew up on a farm near Blockton. She married Doyle Vanskyock in 1929 and they had one son John Arthur. Doyle died in 1931. She married James Griffith of Redding in 1935. They had one daughter Marilyn Jo. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary on March 1985.

She is survived by her husband James, son John A. [rthur] Vanskyock of Des Moines, daughter Marilyn Whitenack and husband Weldon of Des Moines and three grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Zelda Vanskyock of Sheridan, Mo. and Vivian (Mrs. Frank) Haidsiak of Bedford.

[Griffith, Daniel W.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 7, 1934    p. 8

Former Bedford Minister Is Dead

Rev. D. [aniel] W. Griffith, 84, a former Bedford minister, died at his home in Hamburg, Iowa, Monday morning, after having been in failing health for several years.

Short funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon and the body was then taken to a country church, High Creek, near Hamburg, where services were held and burial made. The services were conducted by Rev. Wayne Clark and Rev. Mr. Tandy.

Rev. Griffith was pastor of the First Baptist church in Bedford for several years, the present church building having been erected under his pastorate.

He was the father of four children, Mrs. Anna Hechler of State College, Penn., Mrs. Mabel Kish of Rockport, Mo., Dr. Ben Griffith of Pennsylvania, all of whom were present for the funeral services, and Walter Griffith of Seattle, Wash. The wife and mother [Mary Catherine Evans] died many years ago. The second Mrs. Griffith [Belle Ford] survives and resides in Hamburg.

[Griffith, Daniel W.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 7, 1934    p. 5

Miss Helen Hardenbrook, Mrs. C. A. Hall and W. D. McMaster attended the funeral services for Rev. D. [aniel] W. Griffith at Hamburg, Iowa, Wednesday afternoon.

[Griffith, Earl]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 24, 1976    p. 4

EARL GRIFFITH DIES IN ARKANSAS

Word was received by Pearl Griffith of Blockton of the June 10 death of Earl Griffith of Eureka Springs, Ark., former resident of Bedford and Conway.

He was a double cousin of Pearl Griffith.

[Griffith, George N.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 7, 1937    [p. 1]

George N. Griffith, 25, Bedford CCC camp enrollee, who had been unconscious at the Shenandoah hospital for several days, died Thursday evening. He was injured in an accident west of New Market on Dec. 23.

The body was taken to Walnut, Iowa, where funeral services were held.

Griffith was on his way home to spend the Christmas holidays, and had solicited a ride in an oil truck when the accident occurred. The truck is said to have kidded on the icy pavement and overturned, tossing Griffith half out of the cab. His skull was crushed against the steel framework of the truck as it rolled over several times.

[Griffith, George N.]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    January 7, 1937    [p. 1]

C.C.C. Enrollee Dies Thursday

George Griffith Rites at Walnut Sunday.

George Griffith, 25-year-old Bedford C. C. C. Camp cook, injured in a truck accident near New Market two weeks ago, died Thursday night at 11:30 in Hand hospital, Shenandoah, without gaining complete consciousness.

He leaves his parents, a brother and two sisters.

Rites were Sunday afternoon at two o'clock from the Reike Mortuary in Walnut. Interment was in the Walnut cemetery.

[Griffith, Glade Leslie]

Blockton News

Thursday   April 21, 1927    [p. 1]

Glade L. Griffith Dead

Glade [Leslie] Griffith, who has been in poor health for several months, became critically ill Tuesday of last week and was taken to a Des Moines hospital Saturday morning. He was accompanied by his father, M. [arcus] A. [lbert] Griffith, and Dr. C. V. King.

The young man passed away Monday evening. The body was brought back to Blockton on train No. 1 Tuesday morning.

When we went to press Wednesday noon complete arrangements for the funeral had not been made.

[Griffith, Glade Leslie]

Blockton News

Thursday    April 28, 1927    [p. 1]

Glade Leslie, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. [arcus] A. [lbert] Griffith, was born near Conway, Iowa, Dec. 10, 1893, and passed away at the Lutheran hospital, Des Moines, April 18, 1927, aged 38 years, 4 months, and 8 days.

When a boy of 12 years he moved from the farm to Blockton with his parents and here grew to manhood.

He was converted and united with the Blockton Christian church in boyhood, under the ministry of Rev. Pritcher.

He enlisted in Des Moines Aug. 28,1917, serving one year and 9 months in the World war, 18 months being spent overseas. Having a creditable military record he was mustered out, honorably discharged and returned home June 12, 1919. Since that time he has been in poor health, gradually growing worse the last two years, but bearing his suffering with much patience.

He is survived by his parents and two sisters and a brother, Mrs. J. H. Standley [Esper] of Sheridan, Mo., and [Catherine] Pearl and [Marcus] Gordon of Blockton, besides many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Christian church Friday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. H. V. Reeves. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery where the body was given military burial by his comrades of '17 to '19.

Here is the sorrow and sighing,

Here are the cloud and the night,

Here are the sickness and dying,

There are the life and the light.

[Griffith, Glade Leslie]

Blockton News

Thursday    April 28, 1927    p. 4

Mrs. Emma Griffith, of Bentonville, Arkansas, who was visiting at Bedford and Conway, came last week to attend the funeral of her nephew, Glade L. [eslie] Griffith.

[Griffith, Jessie Connett]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 1, 1968    p. 2

Jessie Griffith Rites in Blockton

Funeral services for Mrs. Marcus Albert (Jessie Connett) Griffith, 94, were held January 25 at the Blockton Christian Church with Rev. George W. Swan officiating. Mrs. Griffith died January 22 in Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

Jessie Connett Griffith, daughter of Henry Teel and Mary Ann Martin, was born at Old Lexington near Lake of Three Fires, Bedford, January 19, 1874. She was the youngest of seven daughters.

At an early age she became a Christian, baptized in [the] Christian Church, Bedford, later uniting with the church at Blockton, under Van Horn, where she was a faithful member; served as president of Ladies' Aid and custodian's duties, while men were away at war. Ten years ago ill health compelled her to remain home.

In 1892 at her parent's home In Lexington she was united in marriage to Marcus Albert Griffith. To them were born four children: Glade [Leslie], [Lela] Esper, [Catherine] Pearl and Marcus Gordon.

On leaving the farm near Conway in 1905 they moved to the Blockton community where her husband became engaged in an active auctioneer business.

Jessie was a devoted mother, loved her family dearly, a loyal friend, a dedicated Christian woman, kind and thoughtful neighbor, ready to help anyone who was ill. Patience was her virtue. Her courage through sorrow will be a light for those left. Her mental alertness and determination kept till her last illness.

Some 40 years ago her husband Marcus, or "Mark" to all, preceded her in death.  He was a well-known auctioneer and friend. A son, Glade [Leslie], died in 1927 as [the] result of experiences in World War I. Also six sisters preceded her in death.

Those surviving are: daughters, Mrs. [Lela] Esper Trimble of Maryville, Mo.; [Catherine] Pearl, of the home; one son, Marcus Gordon, of Scottsbluff, Neb; two granddaughters, Johann Neigh, Sheridan, Mo.; and Karol Talbert of Littleton, Colo.; five great grandchildren, Stephen Freel, Omaha, Nebr.; Mrs. John (Linda) Noellsch, Maryville, Mo.; Mrs. Carl (Barbara) Baldwin, Maryville, Mo.; Edwin Neigh, serving in [the] Air Force in Vietnam, and husbands and wives; one great, great granddaughter, Lisa Gail Baldwin; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

[Griffith, Marcus Albert “Mark”]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    January 3, 1929    p. 2

M. [arcus] A. [lbert] Griffith of Blockton, an auctioneer well known in this community, died very suddenly on last Thursday, while in opening talk at a sale at the A. L. Wintermute farm southwest of Clearfield. He had lately had the Flu, and while telling the crowd that he was not able to go strong or in good voice, he suddenly collapsed and was dead almost instantly.

[Sharp, George Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 21, 1992    p. 5

GEORGE H. SHARP

Funeral service for George H. [enry] Sharp was held Friday, Oct. 9, 1992 at Hackett Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa with Rev. Bob D. Davis and Rev. John Hostetler officiating. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Iowa.

George Henry Sharp, son of Alexander A. [llen] and Sally Ann (Graybill) Sharp, was born July 30, 1902 in Parnell, Mo. At the age of nine years he moved with his family to Taylor County in the Bedford, Iowa area.

On October 13, 1926, George was united in marriage with Ida Mae Stewart at Grant City, Mo., and to this union two daughters, Elinor and Marlyn, were born. Following their marriage they farmed in Taylor County. In 1958 George retired from farming and moved to Shenandoah where he worked for Mt. Arbor for several years.

He was a member of the Shenandoah First United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Ernest, Roy, Luther [Allen] and Edward Sharp; four sisters, Mary Wright, Addie Million, Lillie Burks, and Mabel Mahan; and his wife Ida on July 3, 1972.

He is survived by two daughters, Elinor Sharp, and Marlyn and her husband Wayne Perry; two granddaughters, Elaine and husband Ron Weston, Lorna and husband Steve Wood; and three great grandchildren, Julie, Emily and Michael Weston all of Shenandoah. Also surviving are one brother, Oscar Sharp and one sister, Susie Souder, both of Bedford; numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

George died early Wednesday morning, Oct. 7, 1992 at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. He was 90 years of age.

[Sharp, Glenn Iven]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 21, 1992    p. 5

GLENN I. SHARP

Funeral service for Glenn I. [ven] Sharp was held Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1992 at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Graveside services were held October 13 at Edwards and Hoffman Cemetery, Eagleville, Mo.

Glenn Iven Sharp, son of Benjamin [Berry] Sharp and Ida [Anne] Jones Sharp was born at Eagleville, Mo. August 27, 1902 and departed this life October 10, 1992 at Bedford Manor in Bedford, Iowa at the age of 90 years, one month and 13 days.

He spent his childhood on a farm northeast of Eagleville where he grew to maturity in that community attending the rural grade school and was graduated from Eagleville High School.

On November 4, 1923 he was united in marriage to Ruby [Leota] Mathes in Albany, Mo. and they lived in Eagleville, Mo. for five years when they moved to Bedford, Iowa where he has resided the rest of his lifetime.

To this union one son was born, Everett L. [awrence] Sharp.

He owned and operated a cleaning and pressing business in Bedford for several years until he sold the business and worked for Lucas Products Company until he retired.

He was preceded in death his parents; three brothers, Flavius, Grover and Oscar, and a sister, Ruby.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Ruby of the home; son, Everett L.[awrence] Sharp and his wife Elaine of Liverpool, N.Y., a stepdaughter, Ruth Cochran; several step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was a member of and attended the rural Hobb's Church at Eagleville, Mo.

His family and friends will long remember him as a kind and considerate loved one and friend.

[Sharp, Grace Myrtle Parmenter Nelson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 16, 1972    p. 5

Mrs. Glenn Sharp Rites Held Here March 13

Funeral services for Mrs. Glenn (Grace) Sharp, 74, of Bedford were held Monday at Shum - Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford conducted by Carl Cummings. Mrs. Sharp died unexpectedly at her home March 10. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

Grace Myrtle Parmenter, daughter of Orland and Phebe A. [rletta] Cannon Parmenter, was born November 8, 1897 in Bedford, Iowa.

She lived her entire life time in Bedford where she grew to adulthood and attended the Bedford Public Schools.

She was united in marriage to Lee B. [urnard] Nelson in 1917 and to them two daughters were born. Mr. Nelson served his country during World War I and died following the war from the effects of being gassed while in the service.

She was united in marriage to Glenn I. [ven] Sharp March 4 1934 at Maryville, Missouri and together they shared a common hobby in making various items of beauty to enjoy and appreciate.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Dorothy, who died in infancy, one sister and two brothers.

Left to cherish memories are her husband, Glenn Sharp; a daughter, Ruth Nelson Cochran, and her husband, Marvin, of Jacksonville, Ore.; a stepson Everett [Lawrence] Sharp of Dewitt, New York and Elza Parmenter of Bedford; five grand and great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins; other relatives and many friends.

Early in her youth she joined the Christian Church.

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

[Tamerius, Luvern J.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 21, 1992    p. 5

LUVERN J. TAMERIUS

The funeral for Luvern J. Tamerius, 78, Durbin, N.D., was held Saturday, Oct. 17 in St. Leo's Catholic Church, Casselton, N.D. with burial in St. Leo's Cemetery. He died Monday, Oct. 12, 1992 in a Fargo hospital.

Mr. Tamerius was born March 28, 1914 at Blockton, Iowa where he grew up and attended schools. He worked in the Blockton area until entering the Army in 1942. He served in North Africa and North Italy before being discharged in 1945.

He married Genevieve Rode November 10,1947. They lived in Amenia, N.D. before moving to Durbin, N.D. in 1949 where they farmed.

Survivors include his wife Genevieve, Durbin, N.D.; one son, Joseph, Fargo, N.D.; four daughters: JoAnne Sad, Fargo, N.D., Cecilia Tamerius, San Antonio, Texas, Theresa Tamerius, Fargo, N.D., Jane (Mrs. Don) Walston, Jacksonville, Texas; and a niece, Virginia Romans of Valley City, N.D., who they raised; one brother, Andrew, Iowa City, Iowa; one sister, Josephine (Mrs. John) Duttlinger, Iowa City, Iowa; one grandchild; six step grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren.