[Anderson, Christina Mary Ahlstrom]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     January 6, 1898     p. 4

Mrs. Fred Anderson [Christina Mary Ahlstrom] died at her home just west of town Wednesday night. Funeral services were conducted at the house by Elder Devore at 11 o'clock Friday, after which the remains were interred in the cemetery east of town.

[Anderson, Frederick]

Blockton News

Thursday      March 29, 1917      p. 8

Obituary

Frederick Anderson was born in Fansater Ramsberg Soken Orebro Lan, Sweden, November 6, 1843 and died at his home at Athelstan, Iowa, March 23, 1917, aged 73 years, 4 months and 17 days.

He came from Sweden April 7 1872, to Tiskilwa, Bureau County, Illinois, and from there to Athelstan on March 5, 1880.

There were two sisters and four brothers of the family, all of whom have passed away, except the youngest, Lewis Anderson, of Baxter Springs, Kansas, who was unable to be present at the funeral.

The deceased was united in marriage to Christina Mary Ahlstrom May 20, 1871. To this union three children were born---Charles John, who died in October, 1880, and Alfred Anderson and Hilda Rusco, both of Athelstan, Iowa. His companion departed this life December 30, 1897.

The funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church at Athelstan March 25, by Challie E. Graham, after which the remains were interred in the cemetery at the same place.

We together with the friends of the family extend our sympathy to the bereaved ones, and wish for them that comfort help which comes from a well-grounded trust in the tender loving Saviour.

[Baity, George Fleming]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     December 26, 1917     p. 8

Obituary.

George F. [leming] Baity was born in Rush County, Indiana, March 19, 1838, and died at his home in Taylor County, Iowa, Dec. 14, 1917, aged 79 years 8 months and 25 days. He has lived with his sister in the present home.

He leaves to mourn his departure, three sisters, as follows: Mary Baity, of Taylor County, Iowa; Mrs. Wesley Adams, Taylor County, Iowa, and Mrs. Rachel Posten, of New Castle, Indiana.

The deceased was never married. He was a splendid citizen, and held the respect and esteem of everybody.

The funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church in Athelstan, Iowa, Dec. 16, 1917, by Challie E. Graham, pastor of the Isadora, Mo. Church of Christ assisted by W. M. Hunt, after which the remains were interred in the cemetery at the same place.

The bereaved ones have the sympathy of a wide host of friends, as was evidenced by the splendid audience in attendance at the services. May they look to the Christ who has said, " I will not leave you comfortless," and who has also promised that all " tears shall be wiped away from all eyes.”

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Times-Republican, December 27, 1917, page 4 and the Blockton News, December 20, 1917, page 1.]

[BAITY, GEORGE FLEMING]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, December 20, 1917
George Baity passed away at his home about two miles northwest of Athelstan Friday. As we understand it, Frank Cavin went to the Baity home to saw wood on that day and arrived there about 10 o'clock and finding no one about, commenced an investigation. He found the door locked and looking through the window discovered the house was full of smoke. Forcing the door, he found Mr. Beaty [Baity] dead, having been suffocated by the gas from a stove and his sister, Mary Baity, who made her home with him, in a critical condition.

[BAITY, GEORGE FLEMING]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, December 19, 1917
Attend George Bailie Funeral – Mr. and Mrs. Frank Adams returned to their home in Ellston, Ia. Monday. They came here to attend the funeral of George Bailie [Baity].

[Baity, Mary Ann]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 16, 1922     p. 5

ATHELSTAN NEWS

Word was received Monday that Miss Mary Baity who had been seriously ill at the home of her nephew Frank Adams at Ellston, passed away early Monday morning.

[Baity, Mary Ann]

Blockton News

Thursday    March 16, 1922    [p. 1]

Obituary

Mary Ann Baity, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Morgan Baity, was born in Rush County, Indiana, Dec. 22, 1844, and died at the home of her nephew, Frank Adams, at Ellston, Ringgold county, Iowa, March 6, 1922, aged 77 years, 2 months and 14 days.

She moved with her brothers and sisters to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1879, where she kept house for her two brothers until the time of their deaths. From then until the time of her death she lived with her nephews, John and Frank Adams, and sometimes with her niece, Mrs. Roy Weaver.

She was of a kind and loving disposition and a friend to all who knew her. She often expressed a wish for a better home. In her youth she was a member of the Christian church.

She leaves to mourn her departure two sisters, Mrs. Wesley Adams of Athelstan, and Mrs. Rachel Poston of New Castle, Indiana, and a host of other relatives and friends. Four brothers and one sister have preceded her in death.

Funeral services were conducted in the Baptist church at Athelstan Wednesday, March 8, by Elder T. M. Walton, pastor of the Sheridan Christian church.  Interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Baity, Moses Franklin]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     October 29, 1914     p. 6

OBituary

Moses F. Baity

Moses F. [ranklin] Baity was born in Rush County, Indiana, March 22, 1836. Died at his home in Taylor County, Iowa, October 24, 1914, aged 78 years, 7 months and 2 days. He has lived with his brother and sister in the present home for a number of years. He was a splendid citizen, and held the respect and esteem of everybody. He leaves to mourn his departure, one brother and three sisters, as follows: George Baity, Mary Baity and Mrs. Wesley Adams of Taylor County, Ia., and Mrs. Rachel Posten of New Castle, Ind. The deceased was never married. The funeral services were conducted from the Mt. Zion Baptist church, October 26, by Challie E. Graham, pastor of the Isadora, Mo., Christian church, after which the remains were interred in the Athelstan cemetery. A large concourse of people attended the funeral service.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Free Press, November 3, 1914, page 7]

[Balch, Grace Hays]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 20, 1962     p. 7

Mrs. Grace Balch Rites Dec. 15

Funeral services for Mrs. Grace Balch were held from the Community Church in Athelstan, December 15 with Rev. Ward Campbell of Mt. Ayr, Ia., officiating.

Grace, daughter of Isabelle and Andrew Hays, was born on a farm near Athelstan, Iowa, on January 6, 1885. She had been in failing health for the past year and died at the age of 77 years, 11 months, 6 days.

With the exception of a few years her entire life was spent in Taylor County.

She was united in marriage to Hartley W. [infield] Balch on January 11, 1919. He preceded her in death on September 17, 1928. Her father, mother, three brothers, one sister and one son-in-law also preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her passing one aged sister, Margaret Blake, of San Jose, Calif.; three children, Marguerite Graham of Orlando, Florida; Betty Houchin and son-in-law, Cleo, of Gravity and John A. [ndrew] Balch and daughter-in-law, Edna, of Corning.

She was a kind and loving mother deeply devoted to her family. One of her greatest interests in later life were her grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

[Balch, John Andrew]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 7, 1996    p. 6

John A. Balch

Funeral services for John Andrew Balch, Atlantic, were held August 1, 1996 at 10:30 a.m. with James Nichols of Cumberland officiating at the Roland Funeral Home. Interment was in the Athelstan Cemetery near Bedford, Iowa.

John A. [ndrew] Balch died July 26, 1996 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 71 years, 3 months and 19 days. John, son of Hartley Winfield and Grace Hays Balch, was born in Savannah, Missouri on April 10, 1925. He grew up in Athelstan, Iowa and the Cedar Rapids area. He enlisted in the Army June 21, 1943, and served in the infantry in the South Pacific until he was honorably discharged on February 11,1946.

On November 2, 1946 he was united in marriage to Edna Irene Weatherly in Troy, Kansas. To this union five children were born, Linda Kay, Margaret Ann, Nancy Lynn, John Michael and Randy Joe. John was a construction foreman for many years of his life. He loved his family and the out of doors.

Survivors include his wife, Edna of Atlantic; daughters, Linda and Nancy of Atlantic; Margaret and husband, Rick Norman of Stevensville, Montana; John Michael and wife, Jocey of Atlantic and Randy of Des Moines; grandchildren include, Toby, Andrew and Bethany Norman of Stevensville, Montana; Stephanie Balch of Comanche, Texas; Melissa and Shane Balch and Jason Humphrey of Atlantic; a sister, Betty Houchin of Gravity, Iowa and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Marie Graham.

[Note: His gravestone gives the death date as July 29, 1996.]

[Balch, Willie Leah Wood]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     June 19, 1918     p. 2

ATHELSTAn

Mrs. Hartley Balch [Willie Leah Wood] died Tuesday after a long illness and was buried Wednesday at Isadora, Mo.

[Balch, Willie Leah Wood]

Blockton News

Thursday     June 20, 1918     [p. 1]

Obituary

Willie Leah Wood was born at Parkville, Mo., July 8, 1854, and died in Athelstan, Mo. [Iowa], June 11, 1918, aged 63 years, 11 months and 3 days.

She was united in marriage to H. [artley] W. [infield] Balch at the home place near Isadora, Mo., Oct. 28, 1877. To this union one child was born, Anna Sophronia, who died in infancy. In addition to this, they raised an orphan boy, Archie Balch, who is at present at the Great Lakes, Chicago, Illinois, being in the service of his country.

With the exception of fifteen months, which were spent in California, they have resided in Worth county, Mo., ever since their marriage.

Mrs. Balch was a member of the Isadora Church of Christ, having united with the same in 1901. She told her pastor a few weeks before her departure that she did not fear death and was ready to go at any time.

Besides her companion, she leaves one sister, Mrs. Nancy Wall, of Grant City, and two brothers, Ed Wood, of Sheridan, and Joseph R. Wood, of Isadora, and a number of other relatives.

The funeral services were conducted at Isadora June 12 by her pastor, Challie E. Graham, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Isadora cemetery.

The sorrowing ones have the sympathy of a host of friends who unite in wishing for them that strength and comfort that cometh from on high.

[Barber, George Washington]

Blockton News

Thursday     January 21, 1926    p. 5

Athelstan News

Miss Margaret Barber, of Kansas City, and Miss Katharine Barber, of St. Joseph, and G. F. Brott and wife, North Platte, Nebr., are here, called by the sudden death of their father, Geo. Barber.

[Barber, George Washington]

Blockton News

Thursday     January 21, 1926    p. 5

Obituary

George W. [ashington] Barber was born in Wyoming, Bath County, Kentucky, April 16, 1848, and departed this life at his home at Athelstan Jan. 15, 1926 at the age of 77 years and 9 months.

Mr. Barber was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in the 53^rd Kentucky Infantry.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maude Barber; three daughters, Margeret [Margaret Josephine] Barber, [Nancy] Katherine Barber and Mrs. G. F. Brott; three grandchildren; two brothers, Wm. Barber and Samuel N. Barber; four sisters, Mrs. Malissia [Melissa] Nelson, Mrs. Kate Crawford, Mrs. F. [ernandez] C. [ortez] Holliday [Caroline], and Mrs. John Long [Martha].

Funeral services were held in the Athelstan Baptist church Sunday, the 17th, conducted by Rev. Harry Butler, and interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Barber, Nancy Katharine]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     September 20, 1989     p. 6

KATHERINE BARBER

Funeral services for [Nancy] Katherine [Katharine] Barber, 96, were held September 19, 1989 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home. Burial was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

[Nancy] Katherine [Katharine] Barber, daughter of George W. [ashington] and Maude (Martin) Barber was born at Athelstan, Taylor County, Iowa November 9,1892 and departed this life September 14, 1989, Mt. Ayr, Iowa at the age of 96.

She lived in Athelstan, Iowa and grew to maturity in Athelstan, Iowa where she attended the public school and later First Church of Christ Scientist, St. Joseph, Mo.

She was engaged in teaching 41 years in St. Joseph, Mo. and 11 years in Taylor County, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by parents, George W. [ashington] and Maude (Martin) Barber, two sisters Margaret [Josephine] Barber and Faye Barber Brott.

Left to cherish her memory are niece, Frances (Mrs. Hollis) Branting, North Platte, Neb.; two nephews, George W. Brott, Casper, Wyo. and Joseph W. Brott, Beaver Lake, Plattsmouth, Neb.; eight grandnieces and nephews and great grandnieces and nephews.

She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist, Mother Church at Boston, Mass.; Missouri State Teachers' Association; National Education Association; Pi Lambda Theta (Honorary Education Sorority).

She was a kind and considerate person (aunt, teacher, and friend) and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[McCall, Leota Jenkins]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      March 25, 1987    p. 4

LEOTA JENKINS MCCALL

Services for Leota Jenkins McCall, 86, were held Friday, March 20, 1987 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Burial was at Athelstan Cemetery. Mrs. McCall died at her home in Bedford on March 17, 1987.

Leota Jenkins McCall, daughter of Windfield [Winfield] S. [cott] Jenkins and Minerva Carter Jenkins, was born November 2, 1900 at Athelstan, Ia. She grew to maturity in the Athelstan area where she attended the public school.

On March 11, 1940 she was united in marriage to Frank McCall and they resided in St. Joseph, Mo. until moving to Bedford, over 40 years ago where she has continued to reside.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Frank who died in 1959; three brothers, Johnny, Marion and William and one sister Stella.

Left to cherish her memory are a brother, Calvin Jenkins and his wife Ruby of Athelstan, Ia.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Leota was a kind and cheerful person and will be missed by all who knew her.

[Note: The birth date on her gravestone is 1899.]

[McCall, Mathew Franklin “Frank”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      January 15, 1959      [p. 1]

FRANK MCALL, 68 KILLED IN WRECK

Frank McCall, 68, of Bedford, died as a result of injuries received when his car missed the highway just north of Hopkins, Mo., in a fog Tuesday evening about 8 o'clock. The accident happened just north of Hopkins, where he has operated a pool hall for the past several months.

It appears that his car veered to the right side of the pavement as it approached the small bridge just north of town, and hit a cement abutment. There is some speculation to the effect McCall may have died of a heart attack, as he started back to his home in this city.

Funeral services will be held at the Shum Funeral Home at two o'clock, Friday afternoon, January 16. Rev. Anthony Blankers will officiate. Burial in Athelstan cemetery.

[McCall, Mathew Franklin “Frank”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      January 22, 1959     p. 4

Frank McCall Rites Held Fri. Afternoon

Funeral services for Frank McCall of Bedford, who died Tuesday night, January 13, were held at Shum Funeral Home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Anthony Blankers. Burial in the Athelstan cemetery.

Mathew Franklin McCall, son of James [William] and Nancy [Jane Easton] McCall, was born in Harrison County, Missouri on February 27, 1886 and died at the age of 72 years, ten months, 16 days.

He was married to Leota Jenkins in St. Joseph, Mo., where they lived until they moved to Bedford 18 years ago.

Mourning his loss are his wife; a sister, Mrs. Lillie Fischer of Eagleville, Missouri; three nieces, two nephews and many friends. One sister, Molly Halstead preceded him in death.

[Martin, Charles Edward]

Blockton News

Thursday    August 21, 1934     p. 4

C. [harles] Ed. [ward] Martin died at his home northwest of Isadora June 7 at the age of 62 years, after an illness of two years.

[Martin, Charles Edward]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 14, 1934     p. 7

ATHELSTAN

C. E. Martin Dies

C. [harles] E. [dward] Martin died Thursday evening at his home near Isadora. The funeral services were held at Isadora Saturday with burial at the Athelstan cemetery.

[Martin, Charles Edward]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 21, 1934    p. 6

ATHELSTAN

C. E. MARTIN DIES

Conduct Services At Isadora Church of Christ

Funeral services for C. [harles] E. [dward] Martin, 62, who died at his home northeast of Sheridan Thursday, June 7, were held at the Isadora Christian church Saturday afternoon, June 9, conducted toy L. B. Day. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

He was born in Taylor County, Iowa, Feb. 19, 1872. Feb. [1] 9, 1895, he was married to Myrtle Sickles. To them were born four children, Ruby Walker of Redding, Bernice Wake of Isadora, Virgil Martin and Freda Martin of Sheridan. He moved to Missouri in 1899, residing on the farm where he died, for the past fifteen years. He was a member of the Christian church at Isadora, holding the office of Elder.

Surviving relatives are the wife, four children, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Dora Caudle of Sheridan and Mrs. Flo Benadon [Benadom] of Clearfield; and a half sister, Mrs. Mary Walston of Seattle, Wash.

[Note: Correct marriage date is February 19, 1895. Source: Iowa marriage certificate.]

[Martin, Emma Myrtle Sickels]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 22, 1957      p. 3

SHERIDAN NEWS

SHERIDAN — Mrs. [Emma] Myrtle [Sickels] Martin, 86, of Isadora, died Friday Aug. 8. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Martin was a life-long resident of Isadora.

[Smith, Curtis Preston “Bill”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 7, 1996    p. 6

Curtis Preston Smith

Curtis Preston Smith was the son of Frank [Francis Emery] and Effie Dye Smith. He was born on July 21, 1921 and departed this life on July 28, 1996 at the age of 75 years and seven days while at the Veterans Hospital in Omaha, NE.

Curtis was born on a farm north of Athelstan, Iowa and grew to adulthood in that general area. He attended school in the Athelstan school district and his church affiliation was the Holiness Church.

He entered the service of his country during World War II and as a member of the Army motor pool delivered ammunition to the West Coast to be shipped to our servicemen abroad. He was later stationed in Japan where he completed his tour of duty. His distinguished service record earned him the rank of Sargent.

Upon fulfillment of his obligation to his country, he returned home to exchange marriage vows with Mary Weatherly of Bedford, Iowa. To this union was born one son, Curtis Preston Smith II.

Curtis was employed at Glenwood State School for 20 years and retired due to ill health. He later worked at Hillcrest Country Club for several years.

Curtis was preceded in death by his father and mother, two sisters, Alta and Alma and two brothers, Emory and Cecil.

He is survived by his son, Curtis II, wife, Mary, two granddaughters, Ashley and Natasha, all of Lincoln, Nebraska, three sisters, Zelma Weese of Athelstan, Iowa, Reva Bownes and Blanchie Schipper of Clarinda, Iowa, 21 nieces and nephews and numerous relatives and friends.

Curtis will be missed very much by everyone who knew and loved him.

Funeral Services were held August 2, 1996 at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home in Bedford with Ward Campbell officiating. Burial at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.