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

Bentley, Mary Ellen Wood -

Services for Mary Ellen Bentley, 91, were held June 16, at Coen-Beaty Funeral Home, Lenox, Iowa officiated by Rev. Paul Grandon and Rev. Carl Cummings. Burial was at Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, Iowa. Mrs. Bentley died June 12, 1990 at Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa.

Mary Ellen Bentley, the youngest daughter of P.D. and Minnie Cochran Wood, was born November 15, 1898 in Taylor County, Iowa.

On November 28, 1917 she was united in marriage with A M (Mac) Bentley at Spencer, Iowa, They celebrated 63 years of wedded life and Mac preceded her in death on March 19, 1980. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Glenna Wyant and her husband Hugh, Elsie Wilson and her husband Paul, and two brothers, Banks and Donald Wood.

She took great pride in her flowers and garden as well as sewing for her nieces. As a young girl, she joined the Methodist Church at Clearfield, Iowa, transferring her membership from Atlanta, Ga. to Lenox in 1968.

From her original home in Clearfield, she and Mac resided in Clarinda, Des Moines, Owatonna, Minn., Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Ga., and Lenox, Iowa.

She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Velma Wood of Waverly and Muriel Wood of Bedford; three nieces, two nephews and several cousins.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 4, 1990

 

Cade, Edith Christensen -

Funeral service for Edith C. Cade was held July 7 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Don Fisher officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, Lenox, Iowa.

Edith Christiansen Cade, a lifelong resident of Taylor County, died July 4, 1990. She was born February 1, 1901, the oldest daughter of

Swedish immigrants John F. and Amanda Christiansen. She spent her childhood years on the family farm west of Sharpsburg and attended the nearby country grade school and the Sharpsburg and Bedford schools for her high school education.

She was a teacher in local public schools until her marriage to George H. Cade. They were married June 24, 1926 and began their life

together on his parent's farm north and west of Sharpsburg. In 1930 they moved to their farm three miles east of Sharpsburg where they spent the remainder of their lives.

They were the parents of two children, John and George and all were members of the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, George H. Cade and her oldest son, John M. Cade. She is survived by her son, George I. Cade of Corydon, Iowa and four grandchildren: John Mark Cade, the son of John and Margaret, and John, Laura and Maria Cade,

the children of George and Marilyn. She is also survived by her sisters, Adena Cnristianson Kinser of Davenport, Iowa and Ruth Christianson Peterson of Moline, Ill. and many friends, neighbors and relatives.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 11, 1990

 

Cheese, H Ray -

H. Ray Cheese, 71, died Thursday, June 28 of emphysema at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Neb. He was a retired Lenox grocer. Services were held Monday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lenox with Rev. Gerald Stessman officiating. Burial was at North Fairview

Cemetery in Lenox. [He died June 28, 1990]

Mr. Cheese was born June 30, 1918 in Lenox to Harry and Florence Cheese. He lived in Lenox all his life and graduated from Lenox High School. He served four years in the U.S. Army. He married Mildred Walker April 20, 1941 in Bethany, Mo.

Survivors include his wife Mildred of Lenox; three sons, David (wife Louetha) Cheese of Danville, Ky., Mike (wife Kay) Cheese of Lenox, and Bill "Greg" (wife Jane) Cheese of Omaha, Neb.; six grandchildren; a sister, Lola Martindale of Maryville, Mo.; and a brother, Hal Cheese of Fort Morgan, Colo.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 4, 1990

 

Cheese, H Ray -

H. Ray Cheese was born in Lenox, Iowa on June 20, 1918. He was the son of Harry Turley Cheese and Florence Rupf Cheese. His grandparents (Frank and Rose Rupf and Charles and Hattie Cheese) were early settlers in the Lenox community.

Ray graduated with the Lenox High School class of 1936 after attending all 12 years in the Lenox school system. He received early retail training during his school years by working in Bill Dey Ermand's clothing store and at Dougan's drug store. He was also employed at the Lenox Post Office.

After his high school graduation Ray was employed at the Lenox United Food Market until entering the U.S. Army on March 11, 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. He served his country in Hawaii and on the European Front during World War II. Ray received his honorable

discharge as a Master/Sgt. on November 28, 1945.

Ray was united in marriage with Mildred Walker on April 20, 1941. Mildred and Ray shared a wonderful marriage for over 49 years. To this union three sons were born: David Ray on May 21, 1944; Michael Harry on March 29, 1948; and William Gregory on May 17, 1951.

In 1946 Ray and Mildred started Cheese Food Market in Lenox. This continued a tradition in the Cheese family as Ray's great uncle George Cheese was in the grocery business in Lenox from 1895 until the 1930's Cheese's was first located in the building where Keast Accounting is now located. In 1959 Ray and Mildred opened one of the first privately owned super markets in southwest Iowa that was

located off the main business street. They operated a successful operation that is still in existence today under the ownership of their son Mike and his wife Kay. Ray gave good training to many high school students who worked at Cheese's during his 32 years of

ownership. One of these former employees, Duane Spicer, gave a wonderful eulogy at his funeral that expressed the feelings and appreciation of himself as well as the many other student employees. His pallbearers were former student employees who drove hundreds of miles to perform this final service for Ray.

Ray was active in his community. He served two terms on the Lenox Council and was a member of the Lenox Commercial Club. He

was an usher in his church for over 20 years. When his health no longer allowed him to contribute physically to his community he was always ready to contribute monetarily to industrial development and other causes.

Ray sold his business in 1978 and remained in the community that he loved. He often stated that he did not want to retire to an area where there are few children. His grandchildren were a great joy to him. He spent many hours with them and contributed greatly to their character formation.  During his retirement he was always there as a sounding board and to give advice to his sons and others in the community. While his health permitted he enjoyed traveling, but was always glad to get home to Lenox. Ray will be remembered for his smile and friendliness.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marion Shaw, and a brother-in-law Dale Martindale. Left to mourn are his wife Mlldred; son Dave, Dave's wife Louatha and children David and Trisha; son Mike, Mike's wife Kay and children Lisa and Brian; and son

Bill "Greg", Bill's wife Jane and children Annie and Jenna.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 12, 1990

 

Curphey, Kenneth M -

Kenneth M. Curphey, 71, died May 31, 1990 in Omaha, Neb.

He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Barbara and son Daniel.

He is survived by his wife Agnes, sons Michael, Ross, Lyle, and John; daughters Garland Huyrta and Carol Moore; seven grandchildren;

four great grandchildren; and brother Thurman.

Services were held at Larkin Funeral Home Chapel in Omaha at 2 p.m. June 4. Interment was at La Platte, Neb. Military honors were

conducted by VFW 2704.

Kenneth spent his boyhood in Lenox and worked at trucking. He lived for the past few years in Sharpsburg. He recently moved to Omaha.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 13, 1990

 

Horton, John William -

John William Horton, son of W.C. "Bill" and Grace Short Horton, was born October 25, 1938 at Clearfield, Iowa and departed this life July 7, 1990 at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 51 years, eight months and 13 days. He had been ill

for the past four years.

He attended Clearfield Community School and joined the Methodist Church at an early age. He was a past member of the Clearfield Lions Club.

He held various jobs throughout his life, working for many years for Heimke Construction and the past six years for Taygold cooperative.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are two sisters, Cleota Larson and husband Boyd of Clearfield and Kay Douglas and husband

Lanny of Lenox, Iowa; one brother, Vernie and wife Carol Lee of Clearfield; nine nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and a host of friends. He also leaves a very special friend, Sharon England, who has stood by his side throughout the years and during his long illness with cancer.

John was a friend to all who knew him. He was a great sports enthusiast and a loyal follower of the local athletes. He was especially honored when presented with the plaque and cap in February of this year. An extra highlight in his life was attending the Saturday

night stock car races.

He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bob.

Funeral services were held July 10 at the Methodist Church in Clearfield conducted by Rev. Al Rusk. Burial was at Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 25, 1990

 

Howard, Daryl R -

Daryl R. Howard, 68, of Redondo Beach, Calif., passed away May 18, 1990 of cancer. Memorial services were held May 22, 1990 at South Bay Christian Church, Redondo Beach, Calif.

Daryl was born January 22, 1922 to Jean and Opal (Belding) Howard.

Survivors are wife Florence (Carson) Howard, brothers Lavaughn, Lenox; Melvin, Creston; sister Norma Warrick, North Bend, Ore. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 6, 1990

 

Leaver, Lettie M -

Funeral services for Lettie M. Leaver were held Friday, June 29 at the Sharpsburg Methodist Church with Rev. Alan Rusk officiating. Interment was at West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 4, 1990

 

Long, Charles Paul -

Funeral services for C. Paul Long were held September 14, 1990 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox with Rev. Howard Fitzgerald officiating. Interment was at North Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Charles Paul Long was born in Montgomery County November 20, 1902 to Grover Long and Pearl Shepherd and died at Mesa, Arizona September 9, 1990.

He married Merle Devereaux January 25, 1931 at Villisca, Iowa.

He moved to Arizona in 1980. He farmed in the Lenox area for many years and worked at Hoover Ball Bearing in Lenox for 13 years, retiring at age 65.

Survivors include his wife Merle Long, Mesa, Ariz.; sons, Robert and wife Barbara Long, Concord, Ca., Carroll and wife Mary Long, Clinton, Mo., and William and wife Bonnie Long, Chillicothe, Mo.; brother, Max and wife Betty Craighead, Heraldsburg, Calif.; 21 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents, step-father Issac Craighead, son Jim and wife Shirley in 1986, sister Mary E. Fuller and infant brother.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 19, 1990

 

Pierce, Gary Lee -

Funeral services for Gary Lee Pierce were held Sunday, June 3, 1990 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Rev. Alan Rusk officiating. Interment was at West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox, Iowa.

Gary Lee Pierce, son of Treva Boltinghouse Pierce and the late Hal Howard Pierce, was born at Clearfield, Iowa on February 6, 1942. He passed away at Veteran's Hospital in Des Moines on May 31, 1990 at the age of 48 years, three months and 25 days.

His childhood was spent on the family farm near Clearfield, Iowa.

He attended the Clearfield schools where he graduated from high school in 1960. He attended the Methodist Church in Clearfield during his youth.

In the fall of 1960, he enlisted in the United States Navy for a period of three years. After his discharge from the Navy, he was married to Anne Smith. Two children were born to this union, Douglas Alan and Lisa LeeAnne. They were later divorced.

Gary has lived in the Des Moines area for the past several years, where he was employed by a moving firm.

Survivors include his two children, Doug and LeeAnne, his mother, one sister, JoAnne Durett and her husband Sam, one brother, Mick and his wife Kathy, and a friend Carol Rhoades and family; also four nieces, two nephews, and other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, a brother, Richard Haldean, grandparents, Walter and Mabel Boltinghouse and Howard and Bernice Pierce.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 13, 1990

 

Riley, Darline Mae -

Darline Mae Riley was born July 2, 1918 in Grant Township, Adams County, Iowa and passed away June 2, 1990 in Riverside, Calif., where she had resided for a number of years.

She grew up in this area and graduated from Lenox High School in 1937. She was the daughter of Ralph Riley and Faye Casey Riley Crouch.

She spent much time as a child with her aunt Verda, uncle Roy, and cousins Lola and Leroy. She loved horses and had traveled in many of the states of the United States. She was ill with cancer a couple months and passed away at her home.

Services were held at the Garden of Prayer Chapel June 5. Graveside services were held June 7, in Lenox at West Fairview

Cemetery, Lenox, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 13, 1990

 

Schaffer, Elsie P -

Funeral services for Elsie P. Schaffer were held May 30, 1990 at Larkin and Johnson Home for Funerals in Creston officiated by Dr. M. Wayne Clark, Pastor. Interment was at West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox, Iowa.

Elsie P. Schaffer, the daughter of Henry and Anna Rasche Westerbeck, was born on June 30, 1900 at Kent, Iowa and she entered into rest at the Crest Haven Care Center in Creston, Iowa on May 28, 1990 at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 28 days.

She attended the Kent School through the tenth grade.

On March 16, 1927 she was united in marriage to Elmer J. Schaffer at Ames, Iowa. There were no children born to this union.

Elsie and Elmer farmed in the Kent, Cromwell and Stringtown communities until Elmer's death in 1979. Elsie then moved into Creston and has made her home at the Crest Haven Care Center the past three and one-half years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer; one sister, Laura Bowman; and one brother, Ralph Westerbeck.

Surviving to honor her memory are one brother, Walter Westerbeck and his wife, Vera of Creston; and two nieces: Theda Dayton of Emporia, Kan.; and Sedalia (Mrs. Tom) Robbins of Milwaukee, Wis.

A memorial fund has been established in her memory to the First United Methodist Church in Creston.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 6, 1990

 

Shaw, Pearl A Stoaks -

Pearl A. Shaw, 94, daughter of Fred H. and Sarah Jane (Preston) Stoaks, was born December 3, 1895 at Lenox, Iowa, Taylor County, and died April 28, 1990 at her home in Spokane, Wash.

Pearl grew up in the Lenox community and attended rural schools in Adams County. She was united in marriage to Clem Shaw of the Blue Grove community. In 1934 they moved to Spokane, to this union one son Duane was born.

Pearl had worked for A.A.A. Construction Co. for 14 years and had been the base office manager of Galena Air Port in Spokane for several years.

She was a member of the Grace Baptist Church and Lingfield Circle of American's Baptist Women and also a 50 year member of Salome Chapter O.E.S. of Lenox.

She was preceded in death by her, husband, Clem in 1940 and son Duane who was killed in action. Also her parents, four brothers, George, Charley, Andrew and Fred A Stoaks and sister, Dora Caskey.

She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews in this community and others in surrounding areas.

Services were held May 2, 1990 at 2 p.m. at the church. Burial was in Spokane, Wash.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 27, 1990

 

Smoldt, Ruth Lucille Nevius -

Memorial services for Ruth Lucille Smoldt were held September 7, 1990 at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox with Rev. Don Fisher officiating.  Interment was at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa

Ruth Lucille Smoldt was the youngest daughter of Alta Monahan and William Jason Nevius. She was born in Taylor County on December 7, 1908 and died at Mercy Hospital in Corning on September 5, 1990, at the age of 81 years, six , months, and 28 days.

She attended school in Bedford, where she graduated in 1927. Ruth attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for two years and transferred to Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in 1933.

Ruth married Allen Smoldt in June 1933. She lived all of her married life in the Waterloo, Iowa area She was employed as an accountant for 25 years, retiring to take care of her husband during his illness. He died in 1969 and in 1972 Ruth moved to Lenox to be near her family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister Ferne Vincent. She is survived by her niece and husband, Helene and Ernie Campbell of Lenox, and their children: Susan Fuhrmeister and Bill Campbell and his daughter Erin.

Ruth was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 12, 1990

 

Tyler, Oscar Donald -

Funeral services for Oscar Donald Tyler were held September 5, 1990 at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox with Rev. Don Fisher officiating.  Interment was at North Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Oscar Donald Tyler, the son of Oscar DeWayne and Jennie Wilkin, was born February 15, 1904 in Lenox and died on September 3, 1990 at the age of 86 years, six months, and 16 days. He grew up in the Lenox community and graduated from Lenox High School in 1921. He attended Tarkio College for one year and graduated from the College of Pharmacy to work in his father's pharmacy and this year marks

the 110th anniversary of the business.

On April 2, 1927, he married Gladys W. Lamb at Glenwood, Iowa. They lived their entire married life in Lenox and the past 61 years in the house that Grandfather Tyler built. Three children were born to this marriage. The Tylers were influential in the continued

growth of Lenox. They were active members of the United Presbyterian Church and community affairs. Donald was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, former member of Creston Elks Lodge #605, life member of the Iowa Pharmaceutical Association,

member of the Lenox City Council, was a founder of the Lenox Development Corp. in 1950 and served as president for 29 years, served as church organist for 25 years, past president of the Lenox Golf Club and served on the committee that laid out the original golf course in 1929, past president of Lenox Rotary Club. His primary goal was that of seeking new industry for Lenox. He also enjoyed golf, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife Gladys of Lenox; two sons - E.W, "Win" Tyler and wife Bonnie of Lenox; Phillip J. Tyler and wife Judy of Creston; daughter Judy and husband Dale Eklund of Afton; nine grandchildren: Cheri Ellen Tyler of Denver, Colo.; Jennie Lynn Tyler of Des Moines; Rick Tyler and wife Maggie of Iowa City; Chris and husband Gary Walters of Iowa Falls; Peter Eklund and wife Teri of Cedar Rapids; Andy Eklund of Chicago, Ill.; Suzanne and husband Mike Sheeder of Des Moines; Devon and husband Dennis Leith of Creston; O.D. "Skip" Tyler III of Omaha, Neb.; four great grandchildren; a sister Helen Tyler George of Santa Ana, Calif.; sister-in-law Wilma Maynes of Lenox.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Geneva Tyler Drumm and Elizabeth Tyler; and a brother, Victor Hugh Tyler.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 12, 1990

 

Westlake, William -

Funeral services for William Westlake were held Tuesday, July 10 at Coen-Beaty Funeral Home in Corning with Rev. Don Strickler officiating.

William Westlake, son of Lucy Westlake was born April 15, 1905 north of Carbon, Iowa and entered into rest July 8, 1990 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home, Corning, Iowa at the age of 85 years, two months and 23 days.

He attended rural schools in Adams County and graduated from Corning High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1924.

On April 14, 1939 Bill was united in marriage with Alice Dora Hethcote at the Methodist Parsonage in Corning, Iowa. Three daughters were born to bless this union. They also raised two nieces as part of their family, and their home was always open to anyone.

He farmed a few years in Adams County before becoming involved with the Agricultural Adjustment Act where he served as Township Chairman, and also on the Adams County Board and the State Board. He traveled all of the State of Iowa in this capacity, working as an

appraiser. He left this job in 1945 to return to the farm near Lenox. In 1950 they bought a farm west of Lenox where they lived until Bill's retirement.

Both Bill and Alice also worked several years at the Adams County Care Facilities. They moved to Corning in 1975 and to Colonial Manor in 1983 after Alice suffered a heart attack.

He was an active member on the Rural Electrification Board of Adams County, belonged to a local Chess Club, enjoyed playing cards and loved music. He was an accomplished pianist and played for many dances in the area.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucy Westlake and two uncles, John and Jess Westlake.

Bill is survived by his wife Alice Westlake of Corning, Iowa, three daughters, Mary Alice Wilson of Des Moines, Iowa, Nancy Marie Stoaks and her husband Mick of Longmont, Colo., and Ada Jeanne Loving and her husband Bill Morrison of Colorado; eight

grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 18, 1990