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

Calvin, Paul Raymond -

Funeral services for Paul Calvin, age 87, of Lenox, who died Wednesday, July 2,

 08 at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital, Corning, Iowa were held Saturday, July 5,

2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Lenox. Interment with

military rites will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials may be

given in Paul's name. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at

www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted

to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Paul Raymond Calvin was born on February 23, 1921 in Chadwick, Missouri. He

passed away on July 2, 2008, at the age of 87. His parents, Arthur and Laura

(Lowe) Calvin, and his brothers, Hudson "Hud", James "Speck" and Jack and

sisters, Opal and Helen, son, Roger and wife DeAnna preceded him in death.

Surviving him are his loving wife of sixty five years, Vada of Lenox, Iowa; his

brother Willard "Gabby" of Jasper, Missouri and his sister Juanita of Lenox,

Iowa; his daughter, Sheila and her husband Dave Bovee of Dawson, Minnesota;

Sheila's family, Shannon and Ron Leggett and their children, Keeley, Kylie and

Ted, all of Fairplay, Colorado; Sean McCall of Fairplay, Colorado; and Lisa and

Doug Allison and their children, Lauren and Ryan of Corning, Iowa; Ray and

Stacey Blair and their children Alexis and Ian of Sioux Falls, South Dakota;

Anne and Bill Dimmler and their children, Billy and Sydney of Corning, Iowa.

The Calvin family moved to Lenox from the Missouri Ozarks when Paul was

three years old. He lived all of his life in Lenox. Paul attended several rural

schools in the area.

Vada and Paul were married on March 25, 1943. Paul also entered the U.S.

Army in 1943. He served as a medic the last few months of his military

career riding the hospital trains from coast to coast. Paul made forty two

trips across the United States. He was in all but two of the continental

states delivering the wounded to the nearest V. A. Hospital close to their

home.

Paul was a member of the American Legion and received a sixty year

membership certificate. Following his military service, Paul owned and

operated a portable feed mill. He then went to work for Davis Elevator

and operated their portable mill. Sheila made many trips with her Dad

in the mills going to the farm sites.

Paul also was an active member of the Lenox Stock and Saddle Club

serving as its secretary.

In the fall of 1970, Paul and Vada purchased a business and named it

Calvin's Corral. They operated Calvin's Corral for nine years before

retiring.

During their retirement, Paul and Vada spent twenty three years

during the winter months in San Juan, Texas. While there, they met

people from around the country and made many lifelong friends.

Neither Paul nor Vada had winter coats during these years and had

movie star tans year round.

Paul was known as the family maintenance man. He was always willing

to assist family members and anyone else who needed assistance

with a mechanical problem. It was always the immediate family's

saying about what "Eli" was building now out in his garage. Almost

all of his inventions worked and served a purpose. Many people of

the community are going to miss seeing Paul riding his little red

Yamaha scooter around town.

Paul was a very kind, gentle man. He was almost like a magnet to

children. How he cherished spending time with his grandchildren.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 9, 2008

 

Handorf, Eileen Mae McNees -

Eileen Mae Handorf was born October 31, 1924, in Vida, Montana, to John

Franklin and Ada Mae (Knauts) McNees. She attended McCone County,

Montana rural school for six years, one year at Richey, Montana, and

graduated 8th grade from Hazel Dell School, Dallas Township, Iowa.

She graduated from New Market High School and received her

teaching certificate from Northwest Missouri State College.

She taught rural schools in Taylor and Page counties for six years.

Eileen was married to Floyd Handorf on December 11, 1943. She

was employed as Administrative Assistant to Page County Superintendent

of Schools, then as secretary in Clarinda and Shenandoah Loess

Hills Area Education Agency offices for twenty-one years. Eileen

retired July 31, 1989. She remained active in the community with her

volunteer activities including Meals-On-Wheels and monitoring the

exhibit buildings at the Page County Fair. She was very fond of the

birds she watched and fed and of the Bridge games that she enjoyed.

Eileen was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Omaha.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, and

brother, John Dean McNees.

Eileen is survived by her son, Don Handorf of Ames, IA; grandson,

Andrew Handorf of Madison, WI; sisters-in-law Erma Wood and

Vaneta McNees, both of New Market, 1A; several nieces, nephews

and many close friends.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Memory

Cemetery, New Market, IA. Memorials are suggested to Veterans

Memorial, at Memory Cemetery or Nodaway Valley Historical Museum

in Clarinda. Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel of Clarinda is in charge of

arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2008

 

Hinshaw, Ethel Mae Lane -

Funeral services for Ethel Mae Hinshaw, age 92, of Clearfield, who died Tuesday,

June 17, 2008 at the Clearview Home in Clearfield will be held Friday, June 20,

2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Visitation will be held

one hour prior to services. Interment will be held in the West Fairview Cemetery

in Lenox. Memorials can be directed to Breast Cancer Awareness. Memories

can be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchieruneralhome.com under

Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Ethel Mae (Lane) Hinshaw was born March 29, 1916, in Creston, Iowa the daughter

of Andrew Roscoe Lane and Mary Agnes (Bohlen) Lane. She grew up attending school,

graduating with the Class of 1934 from the Creston High School. On February 26,

1938 she was united in marriage to Loren Franklin Hinshaw in Greenfield, Iowa.

Four children were born to bless their lives, Gary, Kenneth, Norman and

Faye Jean.

Loren and Ethel spent over fifty years farming the same land southeast of Lenox.

They truly enjoyed raising their family on the farm and the lifestyle it provided.

Together they enjoyed Loren's motorcycle . . . often checking cattle on it. In the

later years, the grandchildren were able to enjoy this same sport by going on many

pleasure rides. In 1978, the couple moved into Lenox where they resided until

moving to Clearfield in 1998. Loren passed away on January 25, 1999.

Ethel was a 'true homemaker' who enjoyed gardening, especially her strawberries,

canning the produce and raising chickens.

She loved working side-by-side with her husband on the farm, raising their family and

sharing their lives together. She was a tremendous baker and cook, and was never

afraid to try a new recipe. She enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball and,

after her retirement, she started raising flowers. Ethel's grandchildren were always

very special to her and she looked forward to time spent with them. She was a

long-time member of the Lenox Christian Church.

Left to cherish Ethel's memory are two children, Gary Hinshaw and wife Cathy of

Mesa, Arizona; and Faye Jean Hinshaw of Clearfield; ten grandchildren, Brenda Oaxaca,

Brent Hinshaw, Becky Stone Brandon Hinshaw, Taylor Hinshaw, Karolyn Poquette,

Stoney Hinshaw, Teresa Campbell, Melanie Ruby and Michael Perdew; seventeen

great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and a community

of friends.

Preceding Ethel in death are her parents; her husband Loren; two sons, Norman

Hinshaw and Kenneth Hinshaw; four brothers, Rex Lane; Orlo Lane; Donald Lane

and Junior Lane; and four sisters, Marie Howie; Irene Reed; Margariet Truman;

and Pauline Chapman.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 25, 2008

 

Huntsman, Leonard Lee -

Funeral services for  Leonard Huntsman age 91 of New Market, Iowa, who died

Monday, June 2, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, Iowa were held Saturday,

June 7, 2008 at 11:00.a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with

Reverend Dan Wiebesiek officiating. Visitation with the family was held one hour

prior to the service. Burial was in the Memory Cemetery, New Market, Iowa.

Memorials may be made in Leonard's name. Memories and condolences may be

shared with the family on our web page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under

Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Service of

Clarinda, Iowa.

Leonard Lee Huntsman was born July 29, 1916, the oldest son of Ora and Ruth

(Hopkins) Huntsman. He was born near Siam, Iowa but moved with his

parents north of Bedford where he attended country school. He graduated

from Bedford High School with the class of 1934.

During the depression, jobs were hard to come by. In 1936 his parents decided

to go west where they did many things from picking up potatoes and picking

fruit to cording wood. Then they heard about the gold fields. Leonard worked

in the mines until they closed for lack of finding enough gold.

He started panning for gold along the American River. When he felt he could support

a wife he came back to Iowa and married the girl he left behind, Inez Robinson, on

January 25, 1939, Gravity, Iowa. They visited with friends and relatives a few

weeks then returned to California and the gold panning. He later got another

mining job that lasted until World War II caused them to shutdown, and not long

after, Uncle Sam called. Leonard was in several eastern states before being sent

to Guam.

When he returned home, Leonard did several things before deciding to go into

logging. In the meantime, his three brothers, Lloyd, Donald and Dick were out

of service so they formed Huntsman Brothers Logging, where they worked for

Michigan-California Lumber for twenty five years. After years of logging, they

each chose something different.

Leonard came back to Iowa to help his aging parents and started gardening;

raising melons and vegetables for sale with his wife working beside him until his

health failed him.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Inez Huntsman of New Market; daughter, Janet

Ramos and husband, Reve of South Lake Tahoe, California; grandchildren, Jason

Huntsman and wife Danielle, Nathan Huntsman, Heidi Graham and husband Timothy,

Travis Ramos and Amber Ramos; great grandchildren, Daniel and Brian Mullen,

Alyson and Grace Graham, Jessica Huntsman and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Leonard in death were his parents; son, Dale Huntsman; sister, Eula

and her husband Ozza Crew; brothers, Donald Huntsman, Lloyd Huntsman and

his wife Madylene, Dick Huntsman; brother-in-law, Edwin Robinson and great

grandson, Timothy Graham.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 18, 2008

 

Irvin, Helen -

Funeral services for Helen Irvin, age 88 of Bedford, who died Sunday, June 22, 2008 at

the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was held in the Elmwood Cemetery in

Coin with military rites by the John F. Harding American Legion Post No. 164. Memorials

can be given in Helen's name. Memories can be shared with the family on our website at

www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the

Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Helen Irvin, daughter of Robert A. and Edna Vawter Irvin, was born October 31, 1919,

in Elmo, Missouri. She passed from this life on June 22, 2008, at the Bedford Nursing

and Rehab Center in Bedford, Iowa, at 88 years of age.

Helen moved with her family to a farm between Blanchard and Coin, in Page County,

Iowa, in 1920. Helen attended Coin Consolidated School in Coin, Iowa, graduating in 1937.

Helen worked as a waitress in Shenandoah, Iowa, and also in a variety store. In 1943

she joined the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of boot training in New York she

completed her tour of duty as a Navy mail clerk in San Francisco, California.

Returning to Bedford, Iowa, in 1946 she spent a short time on the family farm

before becoming secretary and bookkeeper for the Thompson Wholesale Company

in Clarinda, Iowa. She became the company manager upon the death of her employer

and then moved from Clarinda to St. Joseph, Missouri, when ownership of

the company was purchased by St. Joseph Tobacco and Candy. She

remained with the company until her retirement in 1985. Helen

then purchased her home in Bedford to live close to family.

Helen loved sports of all kinds, was a member of the Coin High School girls'

basketball team. In the Navy she was on the USA Wave Softball team in San

Francisco. She enjoyed bowling and was on two teams while living in Clarinda

and bowled on a team while living in St. Joseph. When she moved to Bedford

following retirement, she rejoined her Clarinda teammates and bowled until

her health failed.

Helen was fond of horses from childhood and later purchased a show horse

she rode in many parades.

Helen was a member of the Bedford United Methodist Church

and the Bedford American Legion.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lois Williams and

Annalea Gilbert, and brothers Leonard and Jim Irvin.

Helen leaves to mourn her passing, sisters Dorothy Myers

of Canton, South Dakota, Velma (Harold) Shepherd of Gowrie,

Iowa, and Jacqueline (James) Jacobs of Hawarden, Iowa, brother-in-

law Harold Gilbert of Bedford and sister-in-law June Irvin of

Bedford, and many nieces and nephews and a host of relatives

and friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 2, 2008

 

Jones, Gerald Dean (Garry)  -

Funeral services for Garry Jones, age 71 of Bedford, who died Sunday, June 1,

2008 at the Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines were held Saturday, June 7,

2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was

held in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be directed to the

Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines. Memories can be shared with the family

on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements

were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Let us so live that when we die, even the undertaker will be sorry. Thus was

the life of Gerald Dean Jones. Garry was born at home in Taylor County on April

19, 1937, the son of Leland Roe Jones and Beulah Rose Phillips Jones. He died

June 1, 2008, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa.

Garry lived most of his life in Taylor County. He attended country school until

his parents moved to Conway in 1949, where he graduated from Conway High

School in 1955. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northwest Missouri

State University in 1959. His first teaching assignment was in Ravenwood,

Missouri. He taught music there for one year and then went to Wiota and Anita,

Iowa, and taught there for a couple of years. From there, he went to Bloomfield,

Iowa, where he taught for approximately ten years. He attained his Masters

Degree in 1972 from Northwest Missouri State University and then went

to Ladysmith, Wisconsin where he taught for two years at Mount Senario College.

During this time he met and married Janet Marie Fandel Carrell on July 1,

1977. Janet had a daughter Lisa and although he never formally adopted her,

Garry raised her and loved her unconditionally.

Shortly after they were married, Garry and Janet moved back to Bedford where

Garry taught for twenty years before retiring.

They bought the Skylark Cafe in 1981, which they still own and operate.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Jones.

Garry is survived by his wife, Janet Jones; daughter, Lisa Gould and husband,

Troy of Johnston, Iowa; and two grandchildren, Jordan and Alexis; brother,

Robert Jones and wife Phyllis of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Barbara A. Walston,

of Bedford; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. Garry was

an excellent musician, teacher, father, grandfather, brother and husband.

He was a mentor and friend to many students and customers. He touched

the lives of all who knew him.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2008

 

Martin, LeRoy Hugh -

LeRoy H. Martin, age 96, of Lenox passed away on Thursday, June 19, at the

Clearview Home. Memorial services were held on June 23rd at the Lenox

Christian Church. Interment was held at the Brooks Cemetery. Memorials

can be given in Roy's name. Memories can be shared with the family on our

website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements

were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

LeRoy Hugh Martin was born November 6, 1911, in Carson, North Dakota to

Otto and Winnifred (Owens) Martin. He attended country school in Carson,

North Dakota. He came to Iowa at the age of twenty-one to find work,

with all of 50 cents in his pocket! The first person he met was Boyd Roland

of Corning. Boyd bought him a meal and gave him a job.

Roy was set up on a blind date with Reva Ann Freshour by her brother.

Two years later, on December 7, 1934, the, couple was united in marriage

in Corning, Iowa. Roy and Reva adopted two brothers, Perry and Dennis.

The couple farmed in the Sharpsburg and Lenox areas for over fifty years.

He later went to work for Tote Systems in Lenox, a position he held for

ten years, retiring from Totes in 1974. After his retirement he did a lot

of handyman work for Denny and Judy Bunch at Bunch Hardware, and others

around town. Roy was an avid gardener, and would often share his harvest.

Roy had been a long-time member of the Lenox Christian Church.

Left to cherish Roy's memory are his son, Dennis Martin of Oskaloosa, Iowa;

three grandchildren, Terri Stevens and husband Troy, Michael Martin and wife

Teri, Daniel Martin and fiance Emily Haugsand; eight greatgrandchildren,

Joshua Rhedin, Dustin Rhedin, Amanda Rhedin, Chelsea Bolinger, Grace

Stevens, Jacob Martin, Tanner Martin, Stephanie Landes; an ex daughter-in-law,

Marilyn Miles, and many friends.

Preceding Roy in death are his parents; his loving wife Reva in 1997; a son,

Perry Bruce; a daughter-in-law, Rhonda; two brothers, Billie and one

at infancy; and five sisters, Mayme, Nellie, Frances, Nora and Luella.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 25, 2008

 

Mernin, Thomas Lee -

Funeral services for Thomas Mernin, age 68, of Bedford who died Thursday

June 26, 2008 at the Heartland Regional Medical Center were held

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 10:00  a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford.

interment with military rites accorded by the John F. Hardin American

Legion Post No. 164 were held at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity.

Memorials can be directed to the Bedford Ambulance or the Bedford

American Legion. Memories can be shared with the family at www.

ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the

Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Thomas Lee Mernin was born February 23, 1940, in Storm Lake, Iowa

the son of Clarence Mernin and Kathryn Gertrude (Sennett) Mernin.

He grew up living on a farm, moving into town when he was ten years old.

He graduated from St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake with the

Class of 1958. After graduation, Tom entered the United States Navy.

Tom was united in marriage to Judith Anne Noll in April of 1963, and

to this union two sons were born, Tracy and Daniel. On April 24, 1970,

he was united in marriage to Dee Lesher in Yankton, South Dakota,

and to this union a daughter, Maria was born, which made the family 

complete with the addition of Dee's daughter, Deanna. Tom retired from

the United States Navy in 1981, after serving as a Chief Petty

Officer. The family moved to Clarinda where Tom was employed

as a Correctional Officer at the Clarinda Correctional Facility. In

1996, he was transferred to the North Central Correctional Facility

in Rockwell City. Upon his retirement on August 16, 2001, Tom

and his family returned to Bedford.

Tom was an active man who enjoyed bowling and shooting pool,

however, golf was his passion. He was an active people person who

always enjoyed telling a good story or joke and was

even known to 'pull a prank' every now and then! Tom and Dee

enjoyed traveling. Upon his retirement they took a fifteen state

trip with their travel trailer, having wintered for numerous years

in Kingsville, Texas. Always a big sports fan, Tom was a true

supporter of the Green Bay Packers.

Left to cherish Tom's memory are his loving wife of thirty eight

years, Dee Mernin of Bedford; a son, Daniel Mernin of

Spokane, Washington; two daughters, Deanna Jackson and special

friend, Ted Henry of Flippin, Arkansas; and Maria Daly and

special friend, Todd Rowland of Afton; a brother Jack Mernin

and wife Dorothy of Newell, Iowa; a sister, Cecilia Foust and

husband Leo of East Moline, Illinois; a sister-in-law, Corky

Mernin of Yankton, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, Dustin,

Devin, Derek, Jordan, Mackenzie, Madison, Jaden, Jennifer and

Kim; three great-grandchildren, D.J., Levi and Hailey; along with

many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Tom in death were his parents, Clarence and Kathryn

Mernin; his son and daughter-in-law, Tracy and Laura Mernin;

and two brothers, Jerry and Joe Mernin.

Tom will be missed by his entire family and all of his friends.

He truly possessed an energy and spirit that drew people to him!

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 2, 2008

 

Nash, Dorothy Charlotte Snyder -

Funeral services for Dorothy Nash, age 97 of Sheridan, Missouri, who died Monday,

June 2, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Missouri were held Saturday, June 7,

2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa. Interment was held in the

Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Sheridan, Missouri

Ambulance. Memories can be shared with the family, on our site at

www.ritchiefuneralhom&Lcom under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the

Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Dorothy Charlotte Snyder Nash was born the second of seven children to Carl A. and

Florence (Keith) Snyder on January 18, 1911 in Bedford, Iowa. She left her loving

family at the age of 97, on June 2, 2008.

Dorothy grew up attending Bedford School. This is where she met her lifelong friend

and future husband, Archie LeRoy (Roy) Nash. They married on August 4, 1927, and

were blessed with two children; Mary Ann in 1931 and Richard Allen in 1934.

Living in the Bedford and Conway areas, the young couple settled into rural life.

Although raised as a 'town girl', Dorothy loved the farm life. She would walk a mile

and a half to town carrying eggs and cream and return with the staples that she

would purchase. She worked along side Roy in the fields and with the livestock as

they grew their farming operation. In 1939, they moved to Parnell, Missouri

where they purchased the farm that they would call home. They continued farming

until the 1970's when they retired and moved to Sheridan, Missouri.

Dorothy saw many changes in her lifetime - from farming with a special mule named

Tom to purchasing a new Ford tractor and watching the world become computer

operated. Although she had a cell phone, she decided she had learned enough and

did not need to learn to 'text' the great grandchildren!

Dorothy raised a big garden and spent hours keeping the weeds hoed out. In the

spring, she would pick strawberries to sell in town for 35 cents a quart.

And it wasn't just a regular quart - she always heaped it up so that if one berry was

bad there would be a few extra to replace it.

The grandkids remember many hours spent playing Pinochle, three card pitch and

Yahtzee. The dice were kept in an old Rx bottle lined with masking tape; it was

quieter that way.

Dorothy and Roy did many things together, They bowled in Bedford and fished

whenever they could. Dorothy was an avid fisherman - but didn't care too much

to eat them - instead, it was the thrill of the catch! After retirement, their

travel trailer took them many places including Branson, Lake of the Ozarks,

'up to Bedford or Clarinda', and an especially memorable trip to the west coast.

They enjoyed visiting with people and making new friends. In 2006, Dorothy

returned to Branson for a visit, and could hardly believe all the changes that

had been made.

Dorothy was able to live independently for nearly all of her life. There was little

that she couldn't do if she set her mind to it. She mowed her yard with

a push mower until she was 92 years old. When she didn't need the big vegetable

garden, she proved she had a green thumb for flowers as well. She attended lots

of her grandchildren and great grandchildren's ballgames, and could always be

found with one tuned in on the TV or the radio. Baseball and basketball were her

favorites.

In later years, Dorothy could often be found at the Legion Hall in Bedford or

Lenox playing BINGO. It became her passion and she was often a winner - seldom

ever-missing a number that was called.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Roy, in 1989; her parents, Sisters Doris

Croy and Aneth Lucksinger; Brothers, Lex, Carl, Jr., arid Donald (Ed);

Son-in-law, Edward (Skip) Cassavaugh, Daughter-in-law, Donna Nash and Grand

daughter, Rose Marie Cassavaugh Kottas.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Mary Ann Cassavaugh of Hopkins,

Missouri; and Richard Nash of Ardmore, Oklahoma; a brother, Jay Snyder (Irene)

of Diagonal, Iowa; two sister-in-laws, Vida Snyder of Winterset, Iowa; and

Myrtle Snyder of Diagonal, Iowa; six grandchildren, Allen (Valerie) Cassavaugh

of Hopkins, Missouri; Glenda (Steve) Stockwell of Bedford; Cheryl (Louis)

Birkenholz of Hopkins, Missouri; Vickie (Kevin) Fox of Alvarado, Texas; Roy Lee

Nash of Morrisville, North Carolina; and Todd (Felicia) Nash of Austin, Texas;

eleven great-grand children; ten great-great-grandchildren; along with many

nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2008

 

Palmer, Michelle Kern Scott Gies -

Funeral services for Michelle Palmer, age 47, of Corning, who died Sunday, June 1, 2008,

at the Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning, will be held Thursday, June 5, 2008 at

10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Corning. Visitation will be Wednesday at the

Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home in Corning from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends

from 5 to 7. Interment will be held in the Prairie Rose Cemetery with military rites

accorded by the Ourcq Post No. 117 of the Corning American Legion. Memorials can be

given in Michelle's name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchie-

funeralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home

of Corning.

Michelle Kern Palmer, 47, was born on March 13, 1961, in Corning, Iowa. She entered

into rest on June 1, 2008, at the age of 47.

"Chelle" attended Corning High School and graduated with the Class of 1979. After

graduation she enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served for four years

as a Personnelist. She worked as a firefighter during her first duty station in Adak,

Alaska, after which she was transferred to San Diego, California, where she met and

married her first husband, the late Daryl Elliot Gies, To this union came her first child,

Kemery Lea Gies, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1985.

After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, Michelle and Kemery

moved to back Corning, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, Michelle began attending Southwestern

Community College to receive a degree in Nursing, while simultaneously fulfilling her

obligation with the Iowa National Guard Unit out of Red Oak, Iowa. She graduated

as a Registered Nurse from SWCC in 1988, and moved with Kemery to Missouri to work

as an RN at the Veterans' Hospital of Leavenworth, Kansas.

In 1989, she once again moved back to Corning, working as the Director of Nursing at

both Corning and Clarinda nursing homes, and as an Administrator at the Lenox Care

Center.

In April 1996, Michelle married Marvin Clyde Palmer of Corning, Iowa, and had two

beautiful children, Marie Kemery (11) and Scott Clifford (9). Marv and Michelle

celebrated their twelfth wedding anniversary this past April.

Michelle was an avid reader, talented card player, and a diehard San Diego Chargers

fan.

She was a selfless wife, sister, mother, and friend, and will be missed by all who

knew her.

Michelle is survived by her loving husband, Marvin Clyde Palmer of Corning, Iowa, and

three children, Kemery Lea Gies of San Angelo, Texas, and Marie Kemery and Scott

Clifford Palmer, both of Corning, Iowa; two brothers, Raymond Scott and wife Cheryl

of Lenexa, Kansas and their son, Ryan; and Michelle's twin brother, Michael Scott and

wife Rachael of Oakland, Iowa and their son, Adam; and her best friend since kinder-

garten, Brenda McElwain and husband John, of Corning; along with her Godchild, Rachel

McElwain also of Corning.

Preceding Michelle in death are her parents, Orville Glenn and Lois Marie (Kemery) Scott,

both of Corning, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2008

 

Perdew, Otis (Odie) -

Funeral services for Otis Perdew, age 67 of Conway, who died Monday, June 23,

2008 at his home were held Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the New Life

Missionary Church in Bedford. Interment was held in the Washington Cemetery in

Gravity. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given in his name.

Memories can be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com 

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Otis "Odie" was born July 6, 1940 to Leonard and Marie (Jackson) Perdew in Gravity,

Iowa. The second child of six, he lived in and attended school throughout southwest

Iowa, graduating in 1959 from the last graduating class at Conway High School. As

the oldest boy of the brood, Odie's childhood is riddled with stories of mischief

and orneriness and many times, he was the ringleader. A favorite childhood story

always told on Odie was when he and his siblings nearly burned down the barn by

burning away cobwebs inside the hay tunnels - rest assured, yet another spanking

was had by all.

After graduation, he went off to work, and in his travels met his future bride,

L. Jeanette Small, in northeast Missouri. They married September 22, 1963 and

began a family that spanned five children over 21 years. To this loving couple,

a brood was born, Chris Annette, Curtis Lee, Lana Renee, Torrie Tee and Amber

Colette. His biggest accomplishment as a father was raising five independent

free thinkers that followed his example by working hard, doing the right thing,

and standing up for what they believe in.

Odie worked his entire career as a heavy equipment operator primarily as a

bulldozer driver. He spent several years in different parts of the country

working, but returned to Iowa to settle his family. He worked for several

years for United Construction in Missouri building roadways, where he

acquired numerous lifelong friends. In 1978, he began working for Perdew

Construction, owned by his younger brother, Dennis where they worked

side by side for 13 years. In 1991, he went to work with his son, Curtis,

at Con-Struct in Ames, Iowa where Curtis continues to work to this day.

Odie was very proud of the skill that Curtis developed operating heavy

 equipment and was not afraid to brag about his accomplishments doing so.

Odie worked there until a heart attack forced his retirement in 2002.

Outside of work, Odie was an avid hunter and fisherman. His

family regularly feasted on pheasant, quail, deer, and catfish. Everyone

would have to admit, that turkeys were his favorite. He

loved to ice fish and other winter activities included coyote hunting

with his brothers, kids and friends. Otis and Jeanette liked hunting

together, so one morning they went out to hunt, with only two

shells left. Otis said, "that will get us three pheasants!" You can

guess what Jeanette said . . . well, guess what, they came home

with three pheasants!

Odie loved old cars and John Deere tractors, however, he

probably most prized his Harley Davidson, and road a lot of miles

with his brothers and buddies on the open road. Years later, he

spent many hours getting his Harley back into riding shape with

his girls, Torrie and Amber, at his side.

Odie appreciated a fine western movie and was probably most

fond of John Wayne. He also enjoyed spending time with Jeanette

especially their evenings spent playing Bingo. He wouldn't ever

admit his soft spot for animals, but his three dogs were with him

up until his very last moments.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Marie

Perdew and  two brother-in-laws, Dale Beemer and Dennis O.

Small, Jr.

Left to treasure his memory is his wife of 44 years, L. Jeanette

Perdew of Conway, Iowa; daughter Chris Norton and fiance John

Monahan of Gladstone, Missouri; son Curtis Perdew and wife

Lori of State Center, Iowa; daughter Lana Rickabaugh and fiance

Gene Cease of Maryville, Missouri; daughter Torrie Booher and

husband Darrell of Gladstone, Missouri; daughter Amber Reed

and husband Cole of Lenox; seven grandchildren, Laicey Norton,

Remmington Monahan, Allison and Mackenzie Perdew, Seth and

Tanner Rickabaugh, and Tayen Booher; two sisters, Norma Finnell

and husband Walter of Conway and Zonette Beemer of Conway;

three brothers, Olin "Stub" Perdew of Clearfield, Dennis Perdew

of Conway, and Terry Perdew and friend Lolinda Campbell of

Creston; an uncle Robert Perdew and wife Joann of Bedford; many

nieces, nephews, cousins and a countryside full of friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 2, 2008

 

Sprague, Floyd Lee Jr (Bud) -

Funeral services for Bud Sprague, age 80 of Bedford, who died Monday, June 2,

2008 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Thursday; June 5, 2008

at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was held in the

Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Taylor County

4-H or the Taylor County Soil & Water Association District. Memories can be

shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under

Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of

Bedford.

Floyd Lee Sprague, Jr., was born April 26, 1928, on a farm in Taylor County,

Iowa the son of Floyd Lee Sprague and Edna Pearl (Daley) Sprague. He grew

up attending rural Siam Country School, graduating with the Class of 1946

from the New Market High School. On June 25, 1950 he was united in

marriage to his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Maley. To this loving family

two sons were born, Terry Lee and Richard Allen.

Bud was a lifetime farmer and steward of the land in Taylor County. He

started farming south of Siam shortly after his marriage to Betty, moving

to a farm in Benton Township in 1959, where they lived until 1997 when they

moved into Bedford. The couple truly enjoyed farming and the lifestyle it

provided their family. Tilling the soil, practicing conservation and being a

true steward of the land always provided them with great satisfaction as

they watched their farming operation grow through their children and

grandchildren. Bud was a farmer through and through. It was who he was.

He was always passionate about his family and grandkids. He enjoyed raising

his kids and being active with them in all aspects of their lives. On the side,

Bud worked at the Clarinda Livestock Auction, weighing the livestock for

auctions for many years. After his retirement, he and Betty enjoyed

spending their winters in Arizona. He was a 50 year member of the

Masonic Lodge, being inducted in 1951.

He was also a member of the Taylor County Farm Bureau, the Bedford Saddle

Club and the Church of Christ, having been baptized on December 21, 1939.

Left to cherish Bud's memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Betty Sprague of

Bedford; two sons, Dr. Terry Lee Sprague and wife Mary Jane of Audubon, Iowa;

and Rick Sprague and wife Pam of Bedford; four grandchildren, Bruce Sprague

and wife Jill of Syracuse, Nebraska; Kristen Lucas and husband Jon of Rock

Port, Missouri; Steven Sprague of Audubon, Iowa; and Justin Sprague, stationed

with the United States Army in Afghanistan; five great-grandchildren, Colton

and Mayson Sprague; and Ethan, Caleb and Ryan Lucas; a sister, Kathleen Teeters

and husband Dean of New Market; a sister-in-law, Lois Marie Marino and

husband Rol of Brea, California; along with many other nieces, nephews, family

members and a community of friends.

Preceding Bud in death were his parents, Floyd and Edna Sprague; a grandson,

Bradley Allen Sprague; and a brother, Larry Daniel Sprague.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2008

 

Stephens, Jesse Louis -

Jesse Louis Stephens was born July 11, 1918 near New Market, Iowa on the

Stephens farm to Earl Jesse and May (Brannon) Stephens. He graduated Barton

Country School with the distinction of missing no days. At age 16 he started

working for Bill Geer for two years. He worked for Ralph Porter at Clearfield

on the thrashing machine and worked on a farm until 1939 then he went to

Wyoming on Gray Bull Valley Basin area ranch for four years. He was called to

serve in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. Jesse was a sniper with Gen. Patton.

He received a Purple Heart and Clusters. Jesse married Doris Mattson in 1946

in Colorado while working on a ranch near Carbondale, Colorado. The couple

moved back to Clarinda and Jesse was on the County Road Maintenance for

ten years, Page 'N Hill Construction for twelve years and he retired from

Lisle Corp in 1982 after working there for nine years. Jesse and Doris

purchased their home in Hepburn from Russell Kent in 1959 and he has lived

there on the highway since then only to go to Villisca Good Samaritan in the

spring of 2008 where he passed away on a stormy spring night June 5, 2008.

Jesse was familiar with the hills and timbers of the area finding Indian artifacts,

bow and arrow hunting, hunting with a muzzle loader, and harvesting the

bountiful wild fruits and berries of southwest Iowa. All those who knew Jesse

will truly miss his outdoorsman wisdom and friendship.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Doris;  and siblings Richard,

Robert and Viola. He is survived by his daughter, Judy Lynette Bears of

Blanchard, Iowa; grandchildren Jessa Bears of Blanchard and Travis Bears

of Hepburn.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 7, 2008 at Eickemeyer Funeral

Chapel with Pastor Brian Bontrager officiating.

Interment was at Gus Cemetery, Gus, Iowa. Memorials are suggested

to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 Fifth Ave. Suite 444, Des

Moines, IA 50309-2321

Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 11, 2008

 

Walter, Lois Elizabeth Nelson -

Funeral services for Lois Walter, age 81 of Lenox, who died May 29, 2008, at the

Corning Nursing Home will be held Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie

Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation will be Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until

service time. Interment will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery at

Westboro, Missouri. Memorials can be given in Lois's name to the Taylor County

Historical Museum or the Bedford American Legion. Memories can be shared with

the family on our web page www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Lois Elizabeth (Nelson) Walter was born February 2, 1927, near Farragut,

Iowa the daughter of Anna (Kemper) and Edward Nelson. Lois grew up in the

Farragut area and attended  school there. She met Delbert Henry Walter

and the couple was united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church on

April 25, 1948. They had two daughters, Delonna and Delia. They lived and

farmed in the Farragut area until 1961, when they moved to Taylor County

and lived on a farm there for almost 30 years before moving into Bedford

where they lived until 2004, when they moved to assisted living at Vintage Park

in Lenox. They moved to the Corning Nursing Home in May of 2008.

Lois enjoyed family and neighborhood get-togethers. She always had something

to say and liked to keep the conversation going. Her sense of humor was very

good and enjoyed telling jokes and hearing jokes, along with goodhearted teasing

of her loved ones. She was proud of her daughters and always made it a point

that everyone knew who her daughters were.

She enjoyed taking care of her family and always looked forward to nieces, nephews

and grandchildren visiting her. She was always baking cookies, cinnamon rolls, pies

and bread for the family to enjoy along with growing and canning vegetables.

She also enjoyed embroidering pillowcases and quilts for family members.

She always thought her most important duty was taking care of and looking

after her husband and family.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Delbert Walter of Corning, Iowa;

daughters Delonna Hamilton and husband Edward of Lenox, Iowa; Delia

Amdor and husband Ben of Osceola, Iowa; grandchildren Amy and husband Mike

McClintock of Indianola, Iowa; Mark Hamilton of Shenandoah, Iowa, Luke Amdor

and significant other Kate Allard of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Nick Amdor of

Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her two greatgrandchildren Hannah and Noah McClintock

of Indianola, Iowa. Along with her brothers Enos (Wife Marge) Nelson of Council

Bluffs, Iowa; Delbert (wife Dee) Nelson of Overland Park, Kansas; Sisters - Betty

(Husband Lyle) Van Ness of Shenandoah, Iowa; Agnes Hopkins of Tennessee; Shirley

(Husband Bill) Farrell of Shenandoah, Iowa; Sister-in-law Nora Nelson of Farragut

and Brother-in-law Don (wife Mary) Walter of Creston along with many nieces and

nephews.

Preceding Lois in death were her parents, her in-laws and a brother Stanley Nelson

and a brother-in-law Laverne Hopkins.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 4, 2008

 

Weir, Shirley Jean Pickering -

Shirley Jean Weir was born March 27, 1927 in Bedford, Iowa, the daughter of Delno

and Edith (Larison) Pickering. She was born in Bedford and spent her first seven years

of her life in Orvin, Iowa and spent the rest in Bedford. Shirley grew up on the farm

and lived six miles south of Bedford. She spent her growing up years helping in the

fields and with farm and household duties with her dad and mother. She went to

school for just 8 years at Eagle School in Ross Township. Her high school years she

lived with seven other girls at Mrs. Ward Roberts going home on weekends.

After graduation Shirley taught one year at Liberty School and met J.T. Weir and

they were married on December 24, 1946. She taught one year in Jackson Township.

They lived south of Bedford for seven years then moved into Bedford and lived at

the same home for forty-three years. Shirley and J.T. were married fifty three

years when J.T. passed away in 1999. In 2002 she moved to Bedford Nursing and Rehab

center. She loved her home at Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center. In June 2006 Shirley

moved to Goldenrod Manor in Clarinda which she dearly loved the staff and residents

and made Goldenrod her home.

She was a member of New Life Church and enjoyed attending Church . She loved to serve

the Lord Jesus Christ. While at the Goldenrod care center she enjoyed folding washed

clothes and passing clothes protectors to the tables. She enjoyed her many friends

and was blessed every day to know them.

Shirley passed away Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda,

Iowa.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother Mark C. Pickering and

his wife Ruth.

She is survived by son Milton Weir; daughter, Patricia Suitor, Omaha, NE; grandchildren:

Wesley Miller and Michelle and their children Sarah Miller, Olivia Miller and Maggie Riley

all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Cindi Fry and Ryan and their children Brooke Brophy and Alexis

Brophy all of Omaha, Nebraska; and Sandi Knowski and Mike and their children Jordyn

Motsinger, Trever Motsinger, and Mikey Jr Knowski all of Omaha, Nebraska; and many

other dear friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel

in Bedford with Pastor Bob Thompson officiating. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery,

Bedford. Memorials are suggested to New Life Missionary Church or Goldenrod Manor.

Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel of Bedford was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 18, 2008