Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Orth, Calvin Secrist]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    January 5, 1899    [p. 1]

THE DEATH OF C. S. ORTH.

Well Known in Bedford, Having Been in Business in This City a Number of Years.

Close upon the heels of the announcement of the illness of C. [alvin] S. [ecrist] Orth came the sad intelligence of his death at his home in Monmouth, Ill., which occurred last Sunday morning [January 1, 1899]. About eight weeks ago Mr. Orth returned to his home in the above city from Bedford. He seemed to be in his usual good health, but a short time after his arrival there he was stricken with paralysis, from which he never fully recovered, but grew gradually worse until the day of his death.

No man who ever did business in Bedford had more friends than Mr. Orth, the result of an exemplary life, strict business integrity and fair and honorable dealing. His death is sincerely mourned and deplored by a large circle of friends in this city. The funeral and interment occurred at Mr. Orth's old home in Keithsburg, Ill., yesterday.

C. [alvin] S. [ecrist] Orth was 63 years and 4 months old at the time of his death. He was born in Pennsylvania, and came west in 1856, locating at Iowa City. In 1858 he began business in Keithsburg. In August, 1876, he began his business career in Bedford with M. A. Weaver, and under the firm name of Orth & Weaver the business was conducted in this city for twenty-two years. Mr. Orth leaves a wife and nine children to mourn their irreparable loss.

[ORTH, CALVIN SECRIST]
Page County Democrat (Clarinda, Iowa), Thursday, January 5, 1899
John Orth was called to Monmouth, Ill., Sunday evening by the serious illness of his brother, C. S. Orth, who underwent a stroke of paralysis a few weeks ago and had been gradually growing worse since. He died Sunday night and was buried yesterday at Keithsburg.

[ORTH, CALVIN SECRIST]
Clarinda Journal (Clarinda, Iowa), Friday, January 6, 1899
On the sixth page of The Journal will be found an extended notice of the death at Monmouth, Ill., of C. S. Orth, a brother of John A. Orth of Clarinda. The latter was summoned to his brother on account of his illness, which proved fatal and remained to attend the funeral, which was held Wednesday at Keithsburg, Ill., at the Presbyterian church. Professor J. A. Woods, formerly of this city, was one of the pall bearers. The late Mr. Orth was in Clarinda about two months before his death and then appeared strong and healthy. He died from paralysis and his brother John thinks it resulted from an accident he received when a boy, that of getting his arm caught and hung in a large iron hook. Mrs. Fanny S. Orth, the mother of the deceased, is past 87 years of age and resides with a daughter at Gillman, Ill.

[ORTH, CALVIN SECRIST]
Clarinda Journal (Clarinda, Iowa), Friday, January 6, 1899
C. S. Orth Dead. Dies New Year's Day, 1899, At Monmouth, Ill.
Was a Brother of John A. Orth of Clarinda—Formerly in Business at Bedford, Ia.—Well Known in Two States—A Most Estimable Citizen.
Monmouth (Ill.) Gazette, Jan. 2—Yesterday afternoon at 1:10 o'clock occurred the death of Calvin S. Orth at the family residence, 519 East First avenue. Two months ago Mr. Orth returned from a business trip in the west and shortly afterwards he was taken sick, the immediate cause of his illness being a slight stroke of paralysis. For a month he was able to be up and around, but he received several more attacks of this dreadful disease and gradually became weaker. Last Wednesday he received a severe stroke from which he did not rally and after gradually becoming weaker he passed peacefully away yesterday afternoon.
Short funeral services will be held at the residence Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock and then the remains will be taken to Keithsburg, where the funeral will conducted in the Presbyterian church of that place.
Calvin S. Orth was born in Lebanon, Pa., March 20, 1835 and was the eldest of eight children born to Adam and Fanny Orth, his parents. In 1840 he moved from Lebanon to Mercersburg, Pa., where he spent his boyhood boys. While at this place he attended the Marshall & Franklin college, of which he was a graduate.
He then accepted as a position as clerk in a dry goods store and remained at this employment until the year 1856 when he came west and located at Iowa City, Ia., and embarked on the dry goods business. In 1858 Mr. Orth left Iowa City and went to Keithsburg, where he ran a store known as Orth & Co. and in a few years became proprietor of it. In 1869 Mr. Weaver of Keithsburg was taken into partnership by Mr. Orth and they moved their dry good store to Bedford, Ia., where until a year ago Mr. Orth was interested in business.
Mr. Orth and family moved to this city from Keithsburg in 1891 and this has been their home since that time. During the eight years Monmouth has been his home he has made many friends and was highly respected by the community at large. The name of C. S. Orth was familiar to many people in this part of Illinois, and he was extensively known in Iowa and elsewhere. In all business matters Mr. Orth was well versed and his good judgment and counsel were often sought by those who wished to make a business venture.
He was one of the originators of the First bank at Keithsburg and was its first cashier. This bank was started in 1870. When the Farmer's bank of Keithsburg closed its doors a year ago last spring he was appointed receiver. At the time of his death he was a director in the People's bank of this city.
In church circles he was quite active and while living in Keithsburg was a deacon in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Orth had traveled throughout the United States to a great extent and in his travels had made large investments in land, owning thousands of acres in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota and other states. He was connected with Drury, the largest land owner in the United States in some of his purchases. Mr. Orth was very much adverse to the making of a display of wealth and his business affairs were known to very few.
In 1863 he was married to Miss Fanny E. Sheriff of Keithsburg. Nine children, all of whom are living, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Orth. They are Dr. W. S., Court A. Orth of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Sallie D., Mary R., Claire Ss., Fred and Maude Orth of this city.
He has four brothers and three sisters living. They are J. A., Clarinda, Ia.; Cyrus J., Belle Plaine, Ia., Edward of Keithsburg, and Chas. A. Orth of Trenton, N. J.; Mrs. Emma E. Dietz, Gilman, Ill.; Mrs. Alice Siebert, Glenn Ridge, N. J., and Mrs. Myra Baker, Cherryvale, Kan.

 

[Orth, Clare Sowers]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 6, 1977    p. 8

Last Rites Held Here Sept. 29 for Clare S. Orth

Funeral services for Clare S. [owers] Orth, 64, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a native of Bedford, were held September 29 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford conducted by Rev. C. Ray McCain. Services were held in the Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque September 28. Mr. Orth died September 25, 1977, in Albuquerque. Taylor Lodge No. 156 A.F. & A.M. conducted Masonic graveside services at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Clare Sowers Orth, son of Clarence S. [heriff] Orth and Faye I. [rene Sowers] Orth, was born in Bedford, Ia., February 4, 1913. He lived in Bedford and grew to maturity in Bedford where he attended the public school and the Presbyterian Church.

A 1931 graduate of Bedford High School, Mr. Orth was graduated from Parsons College, Fairfield, Ia., in 1935.

On December 26,1938 he was united in marriage to Eleanor Louise Grief in Fairfield, Ia. and they lived in several cities.

To this union three daughters were born, Nancy Joe, Patsy Louise and Pamela Leigh.

Mr. Orth was engaged in insurance and real estate.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a 32 Degree Mason, a member of the Albuquerque Kiwanis and active in the church choir.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Don, and a daughter, Nancy Joe.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Eleanor; children Pamela Nelson, Patsy Duphorne and her husband, Marvin; a sister, Olive [Irene] Leonard; brother, Jack Orth; grandchild, Dante Duphorne; and sister-in-law, Harriott Christenson.

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

[Orth, Clarence Sheriff]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     September 9, 1943    [p. 1]

Clare S. Orth Dies At Home Monday

C. [larence] S. [heriff] Orth, a resident of Bedford for more than forty years, died at his home here early Monday morning, September 6, having been in ill health for several weeks.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Archie A. Ross. Burial was made in the Fairview cemetery this afternoon, the graveside service being conducted by Rev. G. L. Hufstader. The body was held for interment until the day following the service, waiting the arrival of the daughter, Mrs. George A. [llison] Leonard from California.

Clarence Sheriff Orth was born at Keithsburg, Illinois, on January 7, 1878. His parents were Calvin Secrist Orth and Mary Frances Sheriff.

At the age of fifteen the family moved to Monmouth, Illinois where he attended high school and Monmouth College. In 1900 he came to Bedford and worked one year in the Citizens State Bank. After ten years of farming he and his family moved to Bedford where he had since made his home.

April 20, 1909 he was married to Faye I. [rene] Sowers.

At an early age he joined the Presbyterian Church at Monmouth. His membership was later transferred to the Presbyterian church of Bedford where he had been a Deacon for several years. He took a great interest in the church, local activities, and in those things that pertained to the civic betterment of the community.

He is survived by his wife, Faye Sowers Orth; three children: Clare S. [owers] Orth of Chicago, Jack S.[owers] Orth, who is serving his country overseas, and Mrs. Olive [Irene] Leonard of Fresno, California; two sisters, Mrs. Sallie D. Vogt and Mrs. Mary F. Dains of Monmouth, Illinois; two brothers, Paul S. Orth of San Diego, California, and Fred S. Orth of San Francisco, California; and by two grandchildren.

[Orth, Court Abram]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    February 2, 1911    [p. 1]

Court Orth Passed Away.

Court A. [bram] Orth died Wednesday [February 1, 1911], about 11 o'clock a. m., at the hospital at Clarinda, where he had been for about two weeks for treatment. The disease from which he suffered was what is familiarly known as softening of the brain and "creeping paralysis." For the past several months he has been in Chicago with his family, where it was hoped that the disease could be treated and medical skill and science could overthrow it. At first the indications seemed favorable for successfully coping with it, but the last few weeks of his stay there it was seen that nothing could be done. So about two weeks ago he was brought back here and taken to the hospital at Clarinda for treatment. His brother, Dr. Wm. S. [heriff] Orth, and brother-in-law, Dr. Dains, accompanied him, as did also his brother, Fred from Chicago. While everything that was possible was done for him, he grew constantly worse and succumbed Wednesday forenoon.

Court A. [bram] Orth was born in Keithsburg, Ill., January 12, 1869, and consequently was 42 years and 20 days old at the time of his death. His father, C. [alvin] S. [ecrist] Orth, came to Bedford many years ago and entered the mercantile business with the late M. A. Weaver, the firm being Orth & Weaver, and were pioneers in the business here. Later Court came here from their home in Keithsburg, Ill., and entered the employ of the firm as a clerk. He continued with them until the firm retired from business about twenty years ago, when he soon after went into business for himself. He was in the mercantile business with W. B. Widner for several years, and then took up the management of his father's estate here when he died. He later entered the mercantile business again for himself, and eventually closed it out. Since then he has been attending to the business of the Orth estate until ill health compelled him to abandon that. He was a member of the city council for a term and was active and a hard worker in that capacity. He was a member of the local lodge of Masons, and was also a member of the Commandery at Creston. He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Six years ago last September he was united in marriage to Miss Vera Vickery, and they made Bedford their home ever since. To this union one child, Frances Faye, was born. The wife and little daughter, an aged mother, four brothers and three sisters remain to mourn his death. The brothers are Dr. W. [illiam] S. [heriff], and Fred, of Chicago; Paul S. [heriff], of San Diego, Calif., and Clarence S. [heriff], of this city. The sisters are Mrs. Sally [Sarah Drury] Voght, Mrs. Mary [Rozella] Daines and, Mrs. Maud [Alice] Field, all of Monmouth, Ill. Aside from the relatives he leaves many friends to mourn.

His brother, Clarence S. [heriff] went to Clarinda Wednesday and Mrs. Orth was already with the deceased at the time of his death.

Funeral arrangements have not been made at this writing.

[Orth, Court Abram]                                              [Cathcart, Andrew Jackson]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    February 2, 1911    [p. 1]

PROMINENT MEN of city DEAD

Two Connected With Old Mercantile Establishments Pass Away Within One Week

ORTH DIES AT CLARINDA

Jackson Cathcart Passes Away At Old Homestead in Bedford—Remains Taken Away

Court A. [bram] Orth, who was one of the progressive citizens of Bedford from the time he came here in his early manhood until affliction overcame him less than a year ago, died at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning at the hospital in Clarinda, to which place he was removed about a week before. Prior to that time he had been under the care of his brother, Dr. Orth, in Chicago.

Mr. Orth came here from Keithsburg, Ill., with his father's family and took a place in the store of Orth & Weaver, where he remained as long as the firm was in existence, and later he was associated with Capt. William Widner in the mercantile business, and after that conducted a business alone for a time.

Mr. Orth served several years on the city council, giving faithful service in every position he occupied. During the time the drilling of the deep well was in progress he gave much of his time to this work as a member of the council committee.

During the last year he became afflicted mentally and last summer he went to Chicago, there being hope at that time he would recover if relieved from the strain of business cares. He gradually became worse both mentally and physically until his death.

Mr. Orth was born January 12, 1869. He was married six years ago to Vera Vickery, and they are the parents of one daughter, Frances May. Besides the wife and daughter, there are surviving the mother, four brothers and three sisters.

___________________________________________________

Andrew Jackson Cathcart, who was in the mercantile business in this city for 42 years, died at his home in north Bedford Monday morning at the age of 80 years. During the last eleven years he had been living a retired life, and passed away in the home where he had resided for 53 years, with his brother, J. [oseph] S.[tewart] Cathcart.

Funeral services were held at his home Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. S. E. Henry, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, after which the body was taken on the noon train to White Pigeon, Mich., where burial will take place Friday. B. [ruce] B. Dentler of Council Bluffs, a nephew, accompanied the remains.

Here Since 1858.

Andrew Jackson Cathcart was born in North Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1825, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cathcart [Mary Burrows]. When he was 6 years of age his parents moved to Michigan and he grew to manhood at that place. In 1858 he, with his brother, J. [oseph] S.[tewart] Cathcart, and J. [oseph] M. Windsor moved to Bedford and started into the mercantile business. They remained in that occupation for 42 years, until 1900, when they retired.

Organize Church in Home.

In the Cathcart house, where the brothers have lived during their residence in Bedford, was organized the First Presbyterian church of Bedford, which has lived and thrived since that time.

Surviving Mr. Cathcart are his brother, J. [oseph] S. [tewart] Cathcart of Bedford, three nephews, B. [ruce] B. Dentler of Council Bluffs, Frank Dentler of Bloomsburg, Pa., James Dentler of Kansas City; two nieces, Miss Ida Cathcart of La Grange, Ind., Mrs. Frank Junod of Lamoure, S. D.

[Orth, Court Abram]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    February 9, 1911    [p. 1]

ORTH FUNERAL FRIDAY

Last Rites Over Remains of Prominent Bedford Man

Funeral services over the remains of Court A. [bram] Orth, who died in Clarinda, Wednesday of last week, were held Friday at the home in Bedford, conducted by Rev. S. E. Henry. Members of the Masonic order attended in a body. Interment was in Fairview cemetery. In attendance from out of the city were E. Fields, Mrs. C. S. Orth, Mrs. Irvin Dains, and Mrs. L. [ouis] Vogt of Monmouth, Ill; Mr. and Mrs. John Orth, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Orth, Miss Grace Orth, Frances [?]. George Graff, Charles Orth of Clarinda, Mr. and Mrs. R. Vickery of Gravity, Ray Vickery of Grand Junction, Colo., Dr. W. S. Orth of Chicago, Cyrus Orth of Keithsburg, Ill., Ed Orth of Seaton, Ill.

[Orth, Faye Irene Sowers]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 20, 1966    p. 8

Final Rites Held Here For Faye I. Orth

Funeral services for Mrs. Clarence S. (Faye) Orth, 90, lifetime Bedford resident, held October 16 at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, were conducted by Rev. John D. Kerr. Mrs. Orth died October 14, 1966, at Clarinda Municipal Hospital. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Included in the services was the following obituary.

Faye Irene Orth was born on July 23, 1876 to Andrew J. [ackson] and Olive I. [rene] Carson Sowers.

She united with the Presbyterian Church of Bedford on March 1, 1890 and had been an active member throughout her life.

She was united in marriage with Clarence S. [heriff] Orth on April 20, 1909, and to this union were born four children: Donald, who died in infancy; Clare Orth of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jack [Sowers] Orth of Bedford; and Olive [Irene] Leonard of Milwaukee, Wisc.

She spent her entire life in Bedford.

She was a member of PEO, Chapter CU for 63 years, Presbyterian Woman's Association, Thursday Club and the Red Cross.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; a brother, Donald J. [ackson] Sowers; and a son, Donald.

Left with memories are her three children; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a brother, [William] Leigh Sowers of Iowa City, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Edna Tinkham of Omaha, Nebr., and a host of friends.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

[Orth, Nancy Jo]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 11, 1946     [p. 1]

Nancy Jo Orth Dies In Des Moines

Nancy Jo Orth, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clare Orth of Des Moines, died early Sunday morning, April 7, following a short illness with double pneumonia. Short funeral services were held at the Dunn Funeral Home in Des Moines Monday afternoon.

Nancy Jo was born in Chicago September 30, 1940. Surviving with the parents is one sister, Patsy Louise.

Mrs. Faye Orth, the paternal grandmother, and Jack Orth of Bedford attended the last rites. Also Dr. and Mrs. George Leonard and two sons of Marengo.

[Willis, Charles Lewis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 25, 1944    p. 5

Charles L. Willis, 69, Former Resident Dies

Charles L. [ewis] Willis, 69, a former resident of Bedford, died at his home in Craig, Mo., Thursday, May 18. The last rites were held Saturday conducted by Rev. J. A. Curry of Tarkio, Mo., and burial was made there.

He is survived by his wife, the former Miss Margaret Dinges of Bedford. Also by one daughter, Lucile, who is now Mrs. J. [oseph] O. Schmitz of Kansas City, and one son, Capt. Lewis V. [ern] Willis, of Fort Knox, Ky.; two brothers, Guy A. Willis, of Lathrop, Mo., and Dudley L. Willis of Kansas City; one sister, Mrs. J. [oseph] H. [amilton] Riffe [Edith Willis] of Hastings, Nebr.

His son [Charles] Neil and the first Mrs. Willis  [Rilla Stewart] died several years ago.

Mr. Willis was in the hardware and furniture business in Bedford for several years.

[Willis, Charles Neil]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 9, 1938     [p. 1]

Neil Willis, 34, Dies At Craig, Mo.

[Charles] Neil Willis, 34, son of C. [harles] L. [ewis] Willis of Craig, Mo., died at the home Friday, June 3 following an illness of about eight days. The funeral services were held in Craig Sunday afternoon and burial was made in the Fairview cemetery at Bedford. The body was accompanied here by Mr. and Mrs. C. [harles] L. [ewis] Willis of Craig and their son and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Willis of Bethany, Mo. The Willis family formerly resided in Bedford.

[Willis, Margaret Dinges]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 18, 1951     p. 10

Services Are Held for Mrs. Willis

CRAIG, MO. — Mrs. Margaret Dinges Willis died at her home in Craig, Mo., Monday, Oct. 15, having been in falling health the past year.

Funeral services were held at Craig Wednesday afternoon and burial was made there. Mr. and Mrs. John Dinges of Bedford attended the services.

Mrs. Willis is a former resident of Bedford. She is survived by one son, Lewis [Vern] Willis of Maryville; one daughter, Mrs. Lucile Schmidt of Kansas City, and six grandchildren.

[Willis, Rilla Stewart]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    June 21, 1906    p. 2

Obituary

The last sad rites were performed over the remains of Mrs. C. [harles] L. [ewis] Willis, whose death was last week chronicled in these columns, on Saturday.

The funeral services were held from the residence at 10 o'clock Saturday forenoon and words of comfort and consolation were spoken by Rev. Barackman. The choir from the Presbyterian Church rendered some favorite hymns of the deceased in an excellent manner. The pallbearers were Messrs. F. Beard, R. H. Fuller, D. Gant, E. E. Brice, G. W. Hook and J. E. Moody.

Some very beautiful and appropriate floral designs were sent, among them being one from the Masonic lodge, one from the O. E. S., one from the Rebekahs and one from the Commercial Club.

The relatives from a distance in attendance were: J. Cade Stewart of Charleston, Mo.; Dr. R. Stewart, Powhattan, Kas., brothers of the deceased; Mr. and Mrs. C. [harles] N. [icholas] Willis, of St. Joseph, Mo., Mrs. C. [harles] F. Lucas [Laura Willis], Robinson, Kas.; Mrs. J. [oseph] H.[amilton] Riffe [Edith Willis], Craig, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. G. [uy] A. Willis and D. [udley] L. Willis, St. Joseph, Mo. Sickness prevented the attendance of one brother, Dr. P. S. Stewart, of Paducah, Ky.; and a sister, Mrs. I. B. Hendon, Marion, Ala.

Miss L. Rilla Stewart was born in Salem, Ky., October 29, 1876, and died June 13, 1906, of tuberculosis. She moved, when quite young, with her parents to Smithland, Ky., where on June 24, 1896 she was married to C. [harles] L. [ewis] Willis, when they immediately moved to Denton, Kas. After a residence there of about three years they moved to St. Joseph where they resided until moving to Bedford about three years ago.

This happy union was blessed by the arrival of two children, Lucile, aged 9 years and Neil, aged 2 years.

Interment was had in Fairview cemetery.

[Willis, Rilla Stewart]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    June 14, 1906    p. 8

Another Noble Mother Gone.

About 11 o'clock Wednesday night, June 13, the angel of death again visited a happy home in Bedford removing one of our most highly esteemed and talented young ladies, Mrs. C. [harles] L.[ewis] Willis [Rilla Stewart].

Mrs. Willis has been suffering for some time with that dread disease tuberculosis, and while everything was done that tender care and medical skill could do to stay the ravages of the disease, frail humanity had to give up the unequal struggle and the spirit left the tired and pain racked body as above stated.

Her native home was in Kentucky and a few years ago she was married to Mr. C. [harles] L.[ewis] Willis, of St. Joseph. They moved to Bedford about four years ago where Mr. Willis has since been engaged in the hardware business. Mrs. Willis was possessed of a beautiful nature kind, loving and affectionate disposition and was a jewel in the home. She was a beautiful singer and an accomplished musician and many have been entertained by her sweet voice and charming accomplishments. She was also an artist of rare ability and the many pictures that adorn their home are the result of her skill with the brush. But above all these accomplishments she was a womanly woman and in her home she was a queen. Her fondness for her children and husband were her strongest traits and their happiness was always uppermost in her mind. She was a good, true, pure, Christian woman and with those words said no higher praise can be bestowed upon any one.

Two children came to brighten their home, a little daughter, aged about ten years and a little son aged two years With these motherless little ones and heart broken husband the community at large is today mingling their tears of sympathy, and may He who doeth ail things well throw His protecting mantle about them and lighten the burden of their sorrow.

The funeral services, while not definitely arranged will probably be held Saturday afternoon from the residence and interment in the Bedford cemetery.

[Note:  Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa.   Source:  Taylor County burials]

[Willis, Rilla Stewart]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    June 14, 1906    [p. 1]

WIFE AND MOTHER CALLED.

Mrs. C. L. Willis Passes Away at 11:15 Last Night.

Mrs. Rella [Rilla] Willis, nee Stewart, wife of C. [harles] L. [ewis] Willis, died at her home in West Bedford Wednesday night at 11:15.

The dread White Plague, which each year demands more sacrifices in fair America than ever did cruel Juggernaut of the East, has claimed yet another victim, and, as is always true, one that can least be spared. From those who have passed the meridian of life and are nearing the last milestone, the fatal coils of this monster are withheld; those without whom the world would be better, he passes by in scorn, only to enmesh and crush in his deadly embrace, the fairest, the best, the most useful. It is from among these he takes his myriads of victims, and takes them always just in the prime and beauty of man and womanhood.

This time it is a wife and mother, leaving a home circle desolate, a husband bereft, and innocent little ones to vainly yearn for a mother's love, care and caresses.

Rella [Rilla] Stewart was born October 26, 1876 in Smithland, Kentucky, and there she spent all the years of her maidenhood. It was there she was wooed and won by him who today stands desolate and lonely beside her bier.

The marriage occurred in 1895, and immediately thereafter the young couple left for the husband's Missouri home. In that state they resided for four years, moving from there to Kansas.

Three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Willis moved to Bedford, and this has since been their home.

Two children have come to bless their home, Lucile, age nine, and little two-year-old Neal.

Of the immediate relatives of the deceased, besides those mentioned, there are two brothers, who reside in Kentucky, and one sister whose home is in Alabama.

During the time Mrs. Willis has made this her home, she has made many friends. For more than a year her health has been failing, and she was thus prevented from mingling much in society, but all with whom she came in contact became her friends sincere and true. She was a neighbor, kind and accommodating, a loving wife, a devoted mother.

The funeral will be held at the home at 10 a. m., Saturday, conducted by Rev. Barackman. Interment at Fairview.

[Willis, Rilla Stewart]

Bedford Times-Republican

Tuesday    June 19, 1906    p. 4

Laid to Rest.

The funeral of Mrs. C. [harles] L. [ewis] Willis [Rilla Stewart] was held from the home in West Bedford at 10 a. m. Saturday, Rev. Barackman delivering the funeral address. The attendance was extremely large and the floral offerings beautiful beyond description.

The deceased was a member of both the Rebekah and Eastern Star lodges, and while the ceremonies were not conducted according to the lodge rituals, nearly all the members of both orders in Bedford and vicinity were present and assisted in performing the last sad rites over the body of their departed sister.

Among relatives from a distance who were present were: Dr. R. Stewart of Powhattan, Kansas, and J. Cade Stewart of Charleston, Mo., both brothers of Mrs. Willis; Mr. and Mrs. C. [harles] N. [icholas] Willis of St. Joseph, parents of Mr. Willis; D. [udley] L. Willis and G. [uy] A. Willis (the latter accompanied by his wife), Mr. Willis' brothers; Mrs. C. [harles] F. Lucas [Laura Willis] of Robinson, Kansas, and Mrs. J. [oseph] H. [amilton] Riffe [Edith Willis] of Craig, Mo., sisters of Mr. Willis.