Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 
 

Armstrong, Clarence Britten -

Clarence Armstrong, 93, a long time resident of the Lenox area, passed, away Sunday, August 31 at the Lenox Nursing Home where he had been a patient for

a short time.

Survivors include his wife, Eva, a son Harlan and a grandson, Larry of Diagonal.

Funeral services were conducted from the Christian Church in Lenox Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 2nd at 2 p. m., with Rev. Donald Briley, officiating,

assisted by Bev. Herbert Strobridge  of Creston.

Music was furnished by Sandra Barker and Irma Wilcox.

Bearers were George Barrans, Harold Beck, Donald Beck, Marvin Routh,  Howard Rogers and James McIntyre.

Burial was to Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa September 4, 1969

 

Armstrong, Clarence Britten -

Clarence Britten Armstrong, son of John and Mary Luton Armstrong was born in Ellsworth County, Kansas on Sept. 4, 1875 and passed away at Lenox, Iowa Aug. 31, 1969 at the age of 93 years, 11 months and 27 days.

He came with his parents to Iowa in a covered wagon in 1880.  His mother passed away when he was 5 years old and he later came to Lenox with his

father where they lived on a farm.

On October 9, 1907 he was united in marriage to Eva Mabel Boltinghouse at the country home of her parents in Grove township near Lenox. They celebrated

their Golden Wedding Anniversary and have had almost 62 happy years together.

In 1951 they retired to their present home in Lenox, He took much pride in his garden and flowers until the last few months.

To this union one son Harlan was born on September 13, 1913. He is survived by his wife Eva, son Harlan and his wife Louise, one grandson, Larry and his wife Sherri, and two great grandchildren, David and Evone, all of Diagonal, Iowa. One half sister Mary and a half brother Lloyd of Salina, Kansas, also survive.

He was preceeded in death by his father, mother, three brothers, Charles, Clark, George, and a half brother John.

He leaves to mourn his passing his immediate family besides many other, relatives and friends.  He was a kind husband and father and a good neighbor to all who knew him.

[Poem]

Funeral services were conducted from the Christian Church in Lenox Tuesday Sept. 2nd at 2 p. m. with Rev. Donald Briley and Rev. Herbert Strobridge

of Creston officiating.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 11, 1969

 

Becherer, William E -

William E Becherer, 71, died Saturday afternoon at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston.

Mr Becherer had lived on a farm west of Lenox for many years, but had recently been residing in Gravity.

Survivors include his widow, Gertrude, two daughters, Mrs Charles (Shirley) Lucas, Washington, Iowa, Mrs Jerry (Wilma) Cohrt, Spencer, and a son Gene of Omaha, Nebr., and a sister Mrs Esther Nelson of Creston.

Funeral services were conducted from the Christian Church Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m., with Rev. Donald Briley officiating.

Music was furnished by Mildred Walter and Ruth Boltinghouse.

Bearers were Cecil Reed, Glen Lock, Lester Posten, Horace Nickel, Kenneth Fudge and Doyle Robinson.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 31, 1969

 

Becherer, William E -

Funeral for William E. Becherer, 71, of Gravity, Iowa was  held at 2:00 p. m. Tuesday, July 29th from the Christian Church in Lenox, Iowa. Rev. Donald Briley officiated, with burial at Fairview Cemetery.

Bearers were Cecil Reed, Glenn Lock, Lester Posten, Horace Nickel, Kenneth Fudge and Doyle Robinson. Music was by Mildred Walter and Ruth Boltinghouse.

Mr. Becherer died Saturday noon at the Creston hospital. He was born Aug. 24, 1897, at Lenox. He farmed in Taylor County until he retired several years ago.

He was married to Alma Reed in 1920, who proceeded him in death in 1949. In 1962 he married Gertrude Posten, Gravity, who survives him. His survivors also

include one son, Gene of Omaha, Nebr., Mrs Charles (Shirley) Lucas, of Washington, Iowa and Mrs. Jurgen (Wilma) Cohrt of Spencer, Iowa, 6 grandchildren,

and one sister, Mrs. Frank (Esther) Nelson of Creston, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Bender Funeral Home in Lenox was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 7, 1969

 

Boyer, Edith Mae Preston -

Mrs Edith Boyer, 83, died Monday evening at Rosary Hospital in Corning.  She was the widow of Chester Boyer who died in 1958.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 2 p. m., at the Lenox Christian Church, the Rev. Donald Briley officiating with burial in the Lenox cemetery.

Surviving are two children, Mrs. Lea Crowelil and Dwain Boyer, both of Lenox, four grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Earl Gordon of Lenox, three brothers,

Will and Harry Preston of Lenox and George Preston of Creston.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 7, 1969

 

Boyer, Edith Mae Preston -

Edith Mae Preston, eldest child of Charles and Agnes Coulter Preston, was born Aug. 2, 1886, in Adams County near Lenox, Iowa, and passed away Aug. 4, 1969, at the Rosary Hospital at the age of 83 years and 2 days.

She attended school in Mercer Township and later the Corning Academy at Corning, Iowa.

On January 27, 1909, she was united in marriage to Chester A. Boyer. To this union were born a daughter Leta and a son Dwain. Their first home was near Sharpsburg. Later they moved to a farm near Lenox where they lived the  greater portion of their married life. In 1950 they moved to their home in Lenox.

In her youth she became a member of the Lenox Methodist Church. After her marriage, she placed her membership with the Blue Grove Christian Church. In 1919, she and her husband transferred their membership to the Lenox Christian Church where for these past 50 years she has been a faithful and devoted member.

Her husband preceded her in death in 1958. Also preceding her in death were her parents and one sister, Cora Herbst.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Leta and Lea Crowell, and her son and daughter-in-law, Dwain and Selma Boyer, four grandchildren, Linda and Danny Crowell, Nancy and Kay Boyer, one sister, Bertha Gordon, and three brothers, William, Harry, and George Preston, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held August 6, 1969, at the Lenox Christian Church with burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Rev. Donald Briley was in charge of the service. Music was furnished by Bill and Twyla Briley and Ruth Boltinghouse.

Pallbearers were Darold Gordon, Russell Gordon, George Boltinghouse, Teddy Boyer, Harry Coulter, and Leslie Coulter, nephews of the deceased.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 14, 1969

 

Henrich, Shannon -

Vernon (Matt) Dillon of Clearfield, Iowa received word of the death of his daughter, Shannon Henrich of Oregon, who was killed in an automobile accident early Sunday morning. 

Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 16, 1969

 

Heplee, Jolene -

Mr and Mrs Ora Tucker received word Monday of the death of their 6 month old granddaughter, Jolene, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joe Heplee of 811 South Breeenbrier St. Apt 4, Arlington, Virginia.

Mrs Heplee is the former Twyla Tucker.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 16, 1969

 

Johnson, LeRoy -

Le Roy Johnson of Gravity died Tuesday, Oct. 2lst at Northgate Manor Nursing Home at Corning.  Survivors include his wife Mary and children: Ivan, Clara Tribolet,

Irene Niebling, Edward, Russell, and Brice, also a number of grandchildren.

Funeral services are being held today (Thursday) at 2 o'clock at the Christian Church in Gravity.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 12, 1969

 

Key, Sarah Ellen Coe -

Mrs. Sarah Key, 95, died Monday evening at Rosary, hospital in Corning.

She was born in North Carolina Sept 3, 1873 and came to the Lenox area in 1900. She was the widow of A. S. Key, one of the last Civil War veterans from

Taylor county.

Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Bill Terry and Mrs. Eunice Eller of Lenox and Mrs. Lydia Reynolds and Mrs. A. M. Tackett, both of Clarinda. A son, Lloyd Key, of Blockton, also survives.

Funeral services were conducted from the Bender Funeral Home in Lenox Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Rev. David Shaeffer, former pastor of the

Lenox Christian Church and now of Maxwell, Iowa, officiating.

Music was furnished by Barbara Barker, with Mrs. Irma Wilcox, accompanist.

Bearers were Don Bubb, Ron Fulk, Fred Haynes, Stanley Weese, Lea Crowell and George Wurster.

Burial was in Blue Grove Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 24, 1969

 

Key, Sarah Ellen Coe -

Sarah Ellen Coe was born Sept. 3, 1873 near Siloam in Surry County, North Carolina, and passed away July 21, 1969 at the Rosary hospital in Coming, Ia.,

at the age of 95 years, 10 months and 18 days.

She was united in marriage on Sept. 22, 1901, to A. S. Key, and to this union eleven children were born.

In her early life, which was spent in North Carolina, she regularly attended the Baptist Church and after her marriage and moving to Iowa, she attended

the Christian Church when health permitted.

Her early life was spent in the Sharpsburg and Lenox communities where her husband farmed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband who died in 1930 and by four daughters, two sons and several step children.

She leaves to mourn her departure four daughters: Mrs. Bill (Mary) Terry and Mrs Eunice Eller of Lenox, Mrs. A. M. (Hattie) Tackett and Mrs. Lydia

Reynolds of Clarinda, and a son Lloyd of Blockton. Also surviving are 1 daughter-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, 26 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and two

great, great grandchildren, six nieces and two nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was a widow of a Civil War veteran and one of the oldest residents of Lenox [?] Key, as he was called by many people, was in failing health for some time, but always maintained a cheerful outlook and sense of humor which will be missed by those  knew her,

Burial was in Blue Grove cemetery,

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 31, 1969

 

Krohmer, Katherine (Katie) -

Mrs. Katherine (Katie) Krohmer, 73, of Lenox, died at the Corning rest home Wednesday evening, where she had been a patient for the past three years.

Mrs. Krohmer was born in Germany August 30, 1895 and came to this country forty-five  years ago, spending most of that time in the Lenox area.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Dale Cooper of Lenox and Mrs. Mary Smejdir of Corning, and five grandchildren.

Her husband, George, died in 1962.

Funeral services were conducted from the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox Saturday afternoon, August 16th at 2 p. m. with Rev. Howard Wells,

officiating.

Music was furnished by Roberta Lockhart. 

Bearers were Roy Beck, Don Beck, Lyle John, Harold Carey, Melvin Wurster and LaVaughn Howard.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 21, 1969

 

Manroe, Fred -

Fred Manroe, who would have been 80 in October, died at his home August 7th in San Diego, California after an illness of four years. 

Mr. Manroe was born Oct. 2, 1889 in Lenox and made this city his home until 1939. The family moved to California in 1946 and have made their home in the western state since that time. When a resident of Lenox, Mr. Manroe dug wells.

Survivors include his wife, Elfleda, three sons, Clark, Phillip and Bill all of San Diego, seven grandsons, one granddaughter and five great grandchildren.

Two sisters, Mrs. Jennie Consolver of Lenox and Mrs. Mae Munson of Ft. Dodge, la., also mourn his  passing.

Funeral services were held Thursday, August 14th from the Roland Funeral Home in Corning with Rev. Wells officiating..

Burial was in the Lenox cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 21, 1969

 

Nevill, John Adelbert (Bert) -

Bert Nevill, 92, of Clearfield died Friday at the Clearview Nursing home in that town.

Survivors include his wife, Rose, one son, Roth of Clearfield, two daughters, Mrs. Lola Knox of Lenox and Mrs. Reva Parkhurst of Adel, seven grandchildren

and 20 great grandchildren.  A sister, Mrs. Stella Hidley of Atlantic also survives.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Varner Funeral Home with Rev. Edward Tschetter officiating;

Burial was in the Clearfield cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 16, 1969

 

Salisbury, Lonnie -

Lonnie Salisbury, 79, of Lenox, died Thursday evening in a rest home at Bedford where he had been residing several months.

Mr Salisbury had spent most of his life as a resident of the Lenox area.

Survivors include his widow, Lou of Lenox, two children by a former marriage, Ray Salisbury  of California and Nellie Brown of Wyoming, also step-children,

Mrs. Dorothy Houk, Ottumwa, Mrs. Nellie Bowman, Algona, Mrs. Wilma Bowman, Lebanon, Mo., Mrs. Lucille Addison, Lebanon, Mrs. Louetta Combs, San

Diego, Cal., Forest Smith, Columbus, Ga., James W. Smith, Anchorage, Alaska.

Funeral services were conducted from the Bender Funeral Home in Lenox Monday afternoon, August 4th at 2 p. m. Rev. Harvey D. Steven of Algona officiated.

Bearers were Leo Miller, Edgar Weese, Duane Huber, Claude Hogue, Herman Haering and William Young.

Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 8, 1969

 

Schmit, Margareet Ann Callahan -

Mrs Charles Schmit, 26, of Omaha, Nebraska, died Tuesday morning at 9:30, in an Omaha hospital where she had been hospitalized for three weeks.  Death was due to cancer.

Survivors include her husband, Charles, one daughter, Regina, her parents, Mr and Mrs Callahan of Lenox, a brother, Mike of Newton, Alabama, another brother, Kevin, at home, two sisters, Mrs Dale Younger of Granger, and Stacy at home, grandparents, Mr and Mrs A L Gray of rural Lenox and her mother-in-law, Mrs Helen Schmit of Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be conducted at St. Richards Catholic Church at 43 rd and Fourth St., in Omaha Saturday morning at 10 o'clock.  A Rosary will be said Friday night at eight o'clock at the Roeder Mortuary at 50th and Ames in Omaha.  The family requests a Memorial for the American Cancer Society.

Burial will be in Calvary cemetery in Omaha.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 16, 1969

 

Smith, Earl William -

Earl William Smith was born at Trenton, Nebraska, June 28, 1891, the youngest child of Mary Frances Rutledge and William J. Smith, and died July 1, 1969 at

Panorama City, California, at the age of 78 years and thirty days.

He was married in 1915 to Ulden Irene Tharp, who survives him at the family home at 5601 Garden Grove Avenue, Tarzana, California. To this union were

born a son, Robert T. Smith now of Tokyo, Japan, and a daughter, June Shields of Los Angeles.

He graduated from high school at Trenton, Nebraska, in 1911 and attended Peru Normal College and the University of Nebraska, from which he received

BA and MA degrees. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa honorary scholastic fraternity.

Author of "A Superintendent's Handbook", he served as superintendent of schools in such Nebraska communities as Pierce, Wakefield, Hooper, Red Cloud

and Wayne. After moving to California in 1939 he was Dean of Men at Chapman College, Los Angeles, and later was a counselor with the United States Employment

Service for 20 years, from which he retired in 1961.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J Smith of Sharpsburg, Iowa and by two brothers: O Guy Smith of Trenton, Nebraska, and Raymond

R. Smith of Palisade, Nebraska.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a sister, Mrs H T. (Mabel) Kerns of McCook, Nebraska, and by four grandsons.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 17, 1969

 

Wilson, Helen B -

Mrs. Roscoe Wilson, sister-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Wilson of this city, died Friday morning at Van Wert, Iowa. Survivors include her husband,

Roscoe, a daughter. Mrs. Donald Morris of Bedford, one granddaughter, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at the Slade Funeral Home in Leon Sunday. Burial was at Van Wert.

Those attending the services from Lenox included Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Helm, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Oslecki and family and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pepper.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 21, 1969

 

Wurster, Charles -

Charles Wurster, 79, a long time resident of the Lenox area, died Friday, August 22nd at the Lenox Nursing Home.

Mr. Wurster was born April 2, 1890 on a farm southwest of Lenox and most of his life was spent on that farm except for the past five years.

He was united in marriage on Nov. 28, 1920 to Ida Louise Strey of Creston. To this union were born five children, Robert and Evelyn who died in infancy and

June Bernice, Alice Eileen and Ronald Edwin.

In addition to the children he is survived by two sisters, Mary and Kate Wurster of Creston, two sons-in-law, Ross Travis of Olympia, Washington and Sam,

Payton of Blue Creek, Washington, and one daughter-in-law, Wanda Wurster of Lenox. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Susan and, Marian Travis,

Debbie, Bonnie, Jeanne and Mike Payton and Sheryl, Elaine, and Lori Wurster.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ida.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the Bender Funeral Home in Lenox, with Rev. Floyd Newbrough, pastor of  the United Methodist

Church, officiating.

Music was furnished by Diana and Carole Stanger, with Mrs. Marcia Bender, accompanist.

Bearers were Don Tully, Francis Wiand, Frank Stanger, Raymond Dill, Melvin Williams and Clifford Wurster.

Burial was in Graceland Cemetery at Creston, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday August 21, 1969

 

Wynn, Harold L (Percy) -

Harold (Percy) Wynn, 60, a barber in this city for 39 years was found dead in his shop on Main street about midnight Saturday.

His wife and daughter found his body when they became alarmed because he had not returned home after going downtown after supper Saturday.

Mr. Wynn had been under treatment for a heart ailment but had been able to continue  work.

Harold L. Wynn was born to Edna Olive and Sherman Lot Wynn on a farm near Urbana, Kansas on the 17th day of January, 1909 and passed away an

the 20th day of September, 1969 at the age of 60 years, 8 months and 3 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son.

Harold moved with his family to Lenox in 1915 where he attended the Lenox Schools until he graduated from the Lenox High School in the Class of 1928.

After graduation he took training as a barber in Des Moines and entered the profession with his father in Lenox. His adult life was spent in this profession for 39 years except for the service in the armed forced in World War II when he was stationed in France.

Until his illness in 1965, much of his leisure time was spent bowling and fishing.

He entered into marriage with Louise Wurster on December 7th, 1935. To this union was born a son David who died in infancy and two daughters, Nancy and Linda.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Lenox and Parkinson Post No. 250 of the American Legion.

He had been rewarded by the friendship of all who knew him through the years and will be remembers for his comradeship and good will toward all.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Louise, two daughters, Nancy Bose and Linda Rice, two grandchildren Michael Bose and Belinda Bose, two sons-in-law, Eldon Bose and Jim Rice, all of Lenox except Jim who is serving in Vietnam.  Also three sisters, Dorothy Walter of Lenox, Inez Keever of Corning, Juanita Harper of San Jose, Calif. and one brother Jess Wynn of Council Bluffs, Iowa, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ben and Margaret Wurster, and a host of friends.

Funeral services were conducted front the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock with  Rev. Floyd Newbrough, pastor of the United Methodist Church, officiating.

Music was furnished by Norma Paymal.

Bearers were Edd Morey, Lary Refer, Jerry Keever, Dick Walter, Lowell Bush and Vincent Crouse. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery at Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 25, 1969