Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Bailey, Alice Virginia Johns]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     February 2, 1928    p. 6

Obituary.

Alice Virginia Johns, the daughter of Chas A. and Catherine [Bishop] Johns, was born on March 3, 1855, in Washington County, Iowa, and departed this life on January 28, 1928, at her home, four miles west of Diagonal, Iowa, at the age of 72 years, 10 months and 25 days.

On March 3, 1873, she was united in marriage to John H. [orton] Bailey, also a resident of Washington County at that time. To this union were born three children, one daughter, Laura, died at the age of six years, and two sons, Chas A.[sa] and Robert L. [ee], both of Diagonal, Iowa. Besides these of the immediate family left to mourn the loss of this grand and noble wife and mother are the bereaved husband, John H. [orton] Bailey, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Etta Williams of Kalona, Iowa; Mrs. Emma Hawthorne and Mrs. Carrie Smith, both of Lone Tree, Iowa; two brothers, C.[harles] P. Johns of Creston, Iowa, and W. [illiam] E. Johns of Clearfield, Iowa; besides a host of other near relatives and loving friends.

When a young lady, Mrs. Bailey affiliated with the United Brethren church in Washington county, but on the removal to Ringgold county there was no church of that denomination therefore when the Diagonal Presbyterian church was established she became affiliated with this religious organization and proved a worthy and truly Christian woman and a help to anyone in need and helpful in every Christian way that was open to her. She possessed a truly wonderful Christian spirit.

After her marriage to Mr. Bailey they continued to make their home for four years in Washington County, after which they removed to Ringgold, Iowa, and settled on the farm where she passed away Saturday evening, having lived continuously on this homestead for more than fifty-one years. Sympathy of the entire community of friends where they have lived so long are extended to the bereaved husband and sons and other near relatives in their sorrow and they are commended for comfort and guidance to Him who "doeth all things well."

Mrs. Bailey was truly a pioneer for she and Mr. Bailey came to Ringgold county when it was sparsely settled and passed through these trying days bravely and was at all times satisfied with her surroundings. She was an every day Christian. The beautiful influences of a pure life were spread over her life and character as spotless and charming as was ever possessed by any of the noble women who have lived and died during the years that are gone. As such a life was a blessing and benefaction to all within the sphere of its influences, so is the death of such a one a public misfortune, as well as an irreparable loss to the home, relatives and friends who are made so desolate by her death. It is difficult to pay a fitting tribute to the memory of so noble a woman, one whose every day life was embellished by the most loveable and charming attributes of her sex. No one was more willing to aid the suffering, cheer the desponding, sustain the weak and throw over the frailties of her friends and neighbors the mantle of Christian charity.

When sickness and death came to Mrs. Bailey, as it comes to all, neighbors and friends vied with each other in acts of loving kindness and tender solicitude, and many were the willing hands and hearts ready to assist him upon whom rested the heavy burden of grief. Mrs. Bailey remained conscious almost to the last, and although fully aware that her life was near its close, she manifested no dread, but bravely awaited the termination of the struggle. Various members of her immediate family were with her almost constantly during the last few days, ministering to her wants and needs tenderly and affectionately. Her life was well spent and she enjoyed the fruits of a righteous life to its full extent.

Funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Silas R Overholser, pastor of the Hamburg Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. D. W. Thompson, pastor of the Diagonal Presbyterian church, Monday afternoon, January 30th, at 2 o'clock. Interment was made in Bethel Cemetery.

[Bailey, Alice Virginia Johns]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     February 2, 1928    p. 2

Mrs. John H. [orton] Bailey [Alice Virginia Johns], one of the old residents of the community, died Saturday evening at her home four miles east of Clearfield. She had been in a very critical condition for some weeks, and her death was therefore not unexpected. The funeral was held at the residence at 2:30 on Monday, with interment in the Bethel cemetery. Our readers will find the obituary in this issue of the Enterprise.

[Bailey, John Horton]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     December 12, 1946    [p. 1]

John Horton Bailey was born on a farm near Riverside, in Johnson County Iowa, on September 21, 1850, and departed this life December 6, 1946, at the age of Ninety-Six years, two months and fifteen days.

He was among the oldest of a family of twelve children, only one, Joseph S.  Bailey of Riverside, Iowa, surviving him. He grew to manhood in Johnson County, and on March 3, 1873, was united in marriage, with Alice Virginia Johns, who preceded him in death on January 28, 1928.

To this union were born three children: the oldest Laura died when a child; Charles A. [sa] on the home farm; and Robert L. [ee] of Diagonal, Iowa.

Besides the above two children he leaves five grandchildren, twelve great grand children, and two great-great grandchildren.

He and his wife came to Ringgold County and purchased the farm in 1877 where he lived continuously until his death.

The writer holds no brief on the life of this wonderful man; his life in this community for nearly seventy years speak much louder than any words I might utter.

To the immediate family, who knew him best, he so exactly typified the life of Apostle Paul when he said of himself. "For me to live is Christ; to die is gain".

Services were held Sunday Dec. 8th, 1946, at the Presbyterian Church in Diagonal, conducted by Rev. Hilty, pastor, with Rev. Silas Overholser of Earlham, Iowa, bringing the sermon. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery.

[Bailey, John Horton]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    December 12, 1946    [p. 1]

Oldest Resident Dies

John H. [orton] Bailey, one of the oldest men in southwest Iowa, died last Friday evening about 8:00 at his home half -way to Diagonal. He was the last of the five Bailey Brothers who came from down in Washington county to Ringgold, away back there before Clearfield was founded, or along there. George, William, Asa and Milton Z. have died, all well on in years. Joseph survives, but never has left Eastern Iowa.

Mr. Bailey was 96 years old on Sept. 21 & was the oldest of five generations living— in the line of Charles Bailey, Mrs. Opal Stutesman, Mrs. Margaretta Bell and her sons. The funeral was held on Sunday at 2:00 p. m., and the burial was in Bethel Cemetery.

[Bailey, John Horton]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    December 12, 1946    p. 3

from a distance

The following came from afar to attend the Sunday funeral of the late John H.[orton] Bailey:

Mrs. Gertie Bailey and Claire Bailey of Riverside, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs, Win Zager, Ainsworth, Iowa.

Guy Feldman, Mrs Ray Westria, Newt and Orton Kessler, of Kalona, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Grover Louther, and Robert, Prescott, Iowa.

Mr. C. P. Johns, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johns, Mr. Fred Kessler and Lola, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kessler, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kessler, Mr. Charles Kessler, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lightner, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Overholser— Creston.

Mr. and Mrs. Ross Bailey and Betty, Mrs. Jess Lundquist, of Thayer, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Merle Williams, Leon, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Reed , Osceola, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Archie Bailey—Norma Lea, Bessie, Gene & Jack—Redding, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Gale Bailey--Cromwell, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wiley, Clarinda, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stutesman, Blockton, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Logan Stutesman—Owatonna, Minn.

Mr. and Mrs. George Clark of Allendale, Mo.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Young, Greenfield, Iowa.

Mr. Emmett Johns, Des M.

[Beadle, Benjamin Franklin S.]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     January 19, 1928     p. 2

Lester and Ed Beadle were at the bedside of their father, Ben F. [ranklin] Beadle when the end came on Monday night.

Mrs. Wilma Thompson of Maitland, Missouri, came Tuesday noon to attend the funeral of her uncle, Ben Beadle.

[Beadle, Benjamin Franklin S.]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     January 19, 1928     [p. 1]

Another Veteran Passes.

On Monday evening at about 8:00 occurred the death of Ben F.  [ranklin] Beadle, aged 82 years, at his home in Clearfield. He had suffered for many months from a cancer, and this was the cause of his death. Mr. Beadle was a Civil War veteran, one of the few remaining in this community. His residence in the town dates from the very early days there of. The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Methodist church.

[Buchanan, Eudora “Dora” Darlington]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     April 19, 1928    [p. 1]

Obituary— Mrs. Dora Buchanan

[Eu] Dora Darlington Buchanan, daughter of James and Rebecca Darlington, was born in Marshall County, Iowa, Oct. 19, 1852, and died in Clearfield April 10, 1928, age 75 years, 5 months and 21 days. She moved with her parents to Cedar County in 1869 and then in 1875 they came to Taylor Co. in the vicinity of Clearfield where she has since resided. On Jan. 11, 1877, she was united in marriage to Theodore C. [alhoun] Buchanan. To this union were born Lois, Hugh, Edna Buchanan Brown, Edith Buchanan Carlton all of Clearfield, and Anna Buchanan Williams of Clarinda. On February 21, 1917 her husband preceded her in death. Three of her brothers Will Darlington of Clearfield, Henry Darlington of Ogden, Utah, and Frank Darlington of Ames with ten grandchildren, of whom she was very proud, with many friends, remain to mourn her going.

Mrs. Buchanan was born and raised in the Friends Church but early joined the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she was a member up to her death. She was a faithful attendant and was greatly interested in the success of the work of the kingdom. She lived an even, quiet, consistent Christian life, influencing her children for the right, and they rise up and call her blessed. She was tenderly and faithfully cared for by the united effort of her children during her illness, love doing everything that was possible to do. She will be greatly missed. We expect the blessed Master to say, "Well done".

Funeral services were held at the Clearfield Methodist Church at 2:30 on Thursday, April 12th. The house was filled with sympathetic friends and neighbors. The pastor, Rev. E. S. MacCartney, was in charge of the service. Interment followed in Clearfield Cemetery.

[Buchanan, Eudora “Dora” Darlington]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     April 19, 1928     p. 2

Mr. and Mrs. E. [arl] E. Williams [Anna Buchanan] and son Bobby of Clarinda, Ia., were in Clearfield last week Wednesday to attend the funeral of her mother, Mrs. Dora Buchanan.

[Dougan, Jennie May Houghtaling]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 13, 1957    p. 2

Mrs. Jennie Dougan Died Here Friday

Jennie May Houghtaling, daughter of John W. and Kate [Berger] Houghtaling, was born July 25,1869, at the family home in Platte Valley neighborhood of Nodaway county, Missouri and died the morning of May 31, 1957 at Bedford, at the age of 87 years, ten months, six days.

She attended the Platte Valley School and grew to young womanhood in the family home. At an early age she united with the Methodist church in Bolckow, Mo., where she still retained her membership. For many years she was active in church work, having taught a Sunday school class and done other numerous services for the church.

She was married to James O. [liver] Dougan at the family home the first day of December 1887. She went to Bolckow as a bride, where her husband was engaged in the drug business until his death January 14, 1940.

To them were born four sons, all surviving. They are H. [enry] Clifford of Bedford, Don C. [arroll] of Hamburg, J. [ay] Bennett of Albany, Mo., James W. of Rosendale, Mo. Vern Houghtaling of Huntington, Calif., a nephew, was taken into their home at birth and reared by them as their own son. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, father and mother, two brothers and one sister.

She was a charter member of Bolckow Chapter No. 147, Order of the Eastern Star, and received a 50-year membership certificate and pin in 1950. She served her chapter faithfully and well several times as Worthy Matron.

Mr. and Mrs. Dougan celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary at their home in Bolckow on Dec. 1, 1937.

She remained in Bolckow continuously until ill health made it necessary for her to come to Bedford. She was devoted to her family and was a good Christian mother all her life.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church in Bolckow, Mo., Sunday afternoon, June 2 conducted by Rev. E. F. Hagee. Burial in the Bolckow cemetery.

[French, Annette Louise Shaffer]

Clearfield Chronicle

Thursday     March 30, 1972     p. 4

Mrs. Louise French Dies

Mrs. Louise French of Bedford passed away over the weekend. Mrs. French has been in failing health for sometime.

Among survivors are her husband, Harvey, her children, and grandchildren: Mrs. R. E. Spurrier of Clearfield; Mrs. Merle Henderson of Lenox; Clyde Shaffer, Gilbert Shaffer, Delbert Shaffer and Pete Shaffer all of Boulder, Colorado, other relatives and a host of friends.

Final rites were Tuesday afternoon from the funeral home in Bedford.

[French, Annette Louise Shaffer]

Clearfield Chronicle

Thursday     March 30, 1972     p. 10

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Spurrier and family of Boulder, Colorado came Monday to visit with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Duey and Mr. and Mrs. R. [ichard] E. Spurrier [Fern Shaffer].

They had been called here by the death of his aunt, Mrs. Louise French.

[French, Annette Louise Shaffer]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     February 14, 1946    p. 2

Mr. Bruce French died Sunday evening at his home in Bedford. Mr. French is the father of Mr. Harvey French.

[French, Annette Louise Shaffer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 30, 1972    [p. 1]

Last Rites Held March 28 for Louise French

Funeral services for Mrs. Harvey (Louise) French, 57, of Bedford, were held Tuesday at Shum Novinger Funeral Home with Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. French died at her home March 26, 1972. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Her survivors include her husband and seven children.

[French, Annette Louise Shaffer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 6, 1972     p. 3

Last Rites Held March 28 for Louise French

Funeral services for Mrs. Harvey (Louise) French, 57, of Bedford were held March 28 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here with Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. French died at her home in Bedford March 26, 1972. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Annette Louise French, daughter of John D. [emas] and Myrtle Ethington Shaffer, was born June 20, 1914 in Taylor County Iowa. She grew to adulthood in the community near Clearfield where she attended the public school.

She was united in marriage to Harvey [Arlington] French May 26, 1931 at Clarinda, Iowa, and two daughters and five sons were born to bless their home and to share their love.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Harvey, and children: [Edith] Lavonne Weller and her husband, Howard; J. B. French and his wife, Elnora [Goff]; Edward French and his wife, Bethel [Thornton]; Billy [Lyle] French and his wife, [Lucille] Nadine [Armstrong]; Joanne Perdew and her husband, Robert; Roy French and his wife, Joyce [Marie Thomas]; Paul French and his wife, Fern [Kennedy]; 24 grandchildren; three sisters: Ferne Spurrier and her husband, R. [ichard] E.; Margaret Henderson and her husband, Merle; Opal McMichael and her husband, Ralph; four brothers: Clyde Shaffer and his wife, Erma; Donovan Shaffer and his wife, Betty; Delbert Shaffer and his wife, Audrey; Gilbert Shaffer and his wife, Charlene; two sisters-in-law: Mildred Sutherland and Bernadean [Bernadine Marie] Weimer; other relatives and many friends.

She became a member of the Methodist Church at Clearfield early in her youth.

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

[French, Bruce Alison]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     February 14, 1946    p. 2

Mr. Bruce [Alison] French died Sunday evening at his home in Bedford. Mr. French is the father of Mr. Harvey French.

[French, Bruce Alison]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 14, 1946    [p. 1]

Bruce A. French, 74, Dies At Home Here

Bruce A. [lison] French died at his home in Bedford Sunday, February 10, having been in failing health for several years.

The funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. A. Purdy. Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

Bruce A. [lison] French, son of George and Ruth French, was born in Brazil, Indiana, May 13, 1871, being aged 74 years, 8 months and 27 days, at the time of his death.

He, with his father, came to Iowa when he was nine years old, where he spent the rest of his life, except for eight years he lived in Nebraska.

He joined the Christian church at North Platte, Nebraska, and later at Gravity, where he served as both deacon and elder in the church.

He was married to Filena Akers December 6, 1905. To them were born five children, George and Harry preceding him in death.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, his son, Harvey [Arlington] French of Bedford, and two daughters, Mildred Sutherland of Shoshone, Idaho, and Bernadine [Marie] French of Washington, D. C. Also eight grandchildren.

[French, Harry A.]

New Market Herald

GRAVITY

Thursday    September 8, 1921    p. 3

The little one-year-old daughter [son] of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce French [Filena Akers] passed away Sunday evening after only a very short illness.

[French, Harry A.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     September 8, 1921     p. 6

GRAVITY ITEMS.

The little one-year-old daughter [son] of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce French [Filena Akers] died Sunday evening after only a few days illness.

[French, Harvey Arlington]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      January 27, 1999      p. 5

Harvey Arlington French

Harvey Arlington French was born to Bruce and Filena [Akers] French on May 26, 1908 in North Platte, Nebraska. The family lived in North Platte until Harvey was the age of 6 and they then moved to Gravity, Iowa. Harvey attended public school until 8th grade. He attended the Christian Church in Gravity also.

On May 25, 1931 he was united in marriage to Annette Louise Shaffer in Clarinda and they lived in Gravity.

Louise and Harvey were blessed with seven children, [Edith] Lavonne, J. B., Edward, Billy [Lyle], Joanne, Roy and Paul. Growing up, these children remember that they didn't have much, but they weren't lacking anything. They were a close family, life was full of hard work; they lived in an age where they respected their parents and no other way would be tolerated. The family and the farm were Harvey's life. He worked from daylight to dark to provide for his family. For this farmer every day was the same, the work needed to be done. Most of what the family ate they raised themselves on the farm.

Harvey and Louise moved to town for a while, but then Louise died in March of 1972. Harvey moved back to the farm until 1980 and has lived in town ever since.

Harvey could be described in the following words: stubborn, he said what he thought, stern, "no meant no", generous, set in his ways - his way or no way, hard worker, good father, own opinion about politics. Even though the family didn't have much, if there was something like a ball game that one of the kids wanted to go to, he was able to come up with the money.

In his lifetime many changes occurred - and he didn't like any of them! He felt that even though when he and his kids were growing up they didn't have anything, they also didn't have the problems with technology and all these changes created. It sounded like electricity might have been O.K. but anything after that was down hill.

Back in May the whole family came together all at the same time for the first time since 1972 and celebrated Harvey's 90th birthday. That time was filled with great memories. Harvey was still a hard worker up until fall of this past year when he got out and raked his own leaves.

Harvey departed this life on January 15, 1999 at the Bedford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where he had only been a resident for four days. He was 90 years, 7 months and 19 days old when he died.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother, one daughter in law, one grandson and two great grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Lavonne and husband Howard Weller of Shenandoah, Iowa; J.B. and wife Elnora [Goff] of Bedford, Iowa; Edward and wife Bethel [Thornton] of Bedford; Billy [Lyle] of Conway, Arkansas; Joanne and husband Robert Perdew of Gravity, Iowa; Roy and wife Joyce [Marie Thomas] of Bedford, Iowa; Paul and wife Fern [Kennedy] of Greenbriar, Arkansas; his dear loving friend Maxine Woods and family; 28 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; two sisters Mildred Sutherland of Glenwood, Iowa and Bernadine [Marie] Weimer of Riverside, California; and a host of relatives and friends.

Harvey was a kind, considerate and loving father and grandfather, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services were held Monday, January 18 at 2:00 at the Novinger Taylor Funeral Home with burial at the Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.

[Green, Harold E.]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    October 30, 1941    p. 4

35 Years Back

November 2, 1906

Frank and Mabel [Turner] Green lost a son, Harold E., aged 9 years.

[Green, Henry H.]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     August 7, 1941    p. 3

Deceased, Henry Green

We are unable to present here a fitting obituary of Mr. Green. One brief clipping from an Omaha daily [Omaha World Herald, July 29, 1941, p. 18] was given us, and even that we have managed to misplace and lose. He was one of three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Miles Green [Latitia Elzina Henkle], longtime residents of our town. One brother, Roy, died some years ago, and his widow and two daughters are in Calif.; the only living brother is Mayor Frank Green of Clearfield, and his children are near. Deceased leaves his wife, Mrs. Bertha Green, and four daughters—all married—and living in various places to the west.

[Green, Ida Mitchell]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    March 13, 1902    p. 5

Mrs. Ida Mitchell Green was born near Bedford, Iowa, in 1870 and died at her home near Clearfield February 25, 1902. —

[Green, Roy Garfield]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     January 19, 1928     [p. 1]

Roy Green Dead

Roy G. [arfield] Green, known to be in critical condition since a final breakdown last week, died at his home in town. His illness was of many years duration, and some years ago his life was despaired of, although he rallied later. He leaves a wife and two daughters, Thelma and Phyllis. The funeral was held at the residence at 1:00 p. on Wednesday the 18th.