Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Arnold, Sarah Elizabeth Martin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       December 14, 1939     p. 11

ATHELSTAN

Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Arnold

Sarah Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rice Martin, was born near Athelstan Sept. 4, 1851 and died at her home in Athelstan, Dec. 6, 1939, aged 88 years, 3 months and 2 days.

She was married to Jacob Arnold    August 21, 1885. To this    union five children were born.

She is survived by three     daughters, Mrs. Cora Andrews, Mrs. Emma Morris of Des    Moines and Mrs. Nellie Morris    of Athelstan; seven grandchildren    and four great grandchildren.    Her husband and two sons    preceded her in death: John    died in infancy and James at the    age of 16, and her husband in    1897. Three brothers and one    sister also preceded her.

She united with the Baptist     church in early life and remained    faithful till the end. Funeral    services were conducted by    Rev. Day of Pickering, Mo.

[Arnold, Sarah Elizabeth Martin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 14, 1939     p. 3

ATHELSTAN

Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Arnold

Sarah Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rice Martin [Rachel Jane Garrett], was born near Athelstan Sept. 4, 1851 and died at her home in Athelstan, Dec. 6, 1939, aged 88 years, 3 months and 2 days.

She was married to Jacob Arnold August 21, 1885. To this union five children were born.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Cora Andrews, Mrs. Emma Morris of Des Moines and Mrs. Nellie Morris of Athelstan; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her husband and two sons preceded her in death: John died in infancy and James [Roy] at the age of 16, and her husband in 1897. Three brothers and one sister also preceded her.

She united with the Baptist church in early life and remained faithful till the end. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Day of Pickering, Mo.

[Morris, Thelma Viola Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     September 26, 2001

THELMA VIOLA MORRIS

Funeral services for Thelma Morris, age 71 of Athelstan, who died Saturday, September 15, 2001 were held Tuesday, September 18, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford with Pastor Bill Farrens officiating. Interment was held in the Athelstan Cemetery in Athelstan. Memorials can be given in Thelma's name.

Thelma Viola Morris was born December 18, 1929 the daughter of John Edward Allen and Mary Catherine Booher Allen in Athelstan, Iowa. She grew up in the Blockton area attending rural schools and the Blockton High School. On February 15,1947 she was united in marriage to Gerald "Ray" Morris in Bedford.

Thelma helped Ray run the Pritchard Lumber and Supply in Athelstan for many years. In 1955 Ray was working construction and the family moved to Kansas City until 1979 when they returned to the Athelstan area. Thelma served as Treasurer and Clerk for the City of Athelstan and also for the Athelstan Cemetery for over twenty years. She loved catfishing and working in her garden where she canned the produce each year. She also enjoyed raising laying chickens and fryers. Thelma could always be found doing things for other people. She would often put their needs before her own, especially when it came to her children and grandchildren. Thelma was a wonderful cook who was well known for her chicken and noodles along with fresh baked bread and rolls.

Thelma is survived by her husband Ray of Athelstan; five sons, Gary Morris and wife Cheryl of Spring Hill, Kansas; Eddie Morris and wife Bliss of Hopkins, Missouri; Jerry Morris and wife Vicki of Kansas City, Missouri; and Casey Morris and wife Brenda of Belton, Missouri; Mike Morris and wife Jeanne of Oak Grove, Missouri; a daughter, Renee Reeter and husband Mike of Chillicothe, Missouri; a sister, Rosene Cook and husband Keith of Grant City, Missouri; a brother, Bobbie Allen and wife Ruth of Grant City, Missouri; twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Preceding Thelma in death are her parents John and Mary Allen, an infant child and a grandson Scotty.

[Murphin, Hannah Comer]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      May 28, 1925     p. 2

ATHELSTAN ITEMS

Mrs. Hannah [Comer] Murphin, for many years a resident of this place, died Friday morning at, the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. N. Barber at Grant City, Mo., where she has made her home for several years.      Mrs. Rose Fields of St. Joseph   who was visiting her daughter, Mrs. Roy Tamerius at Platteville, was called to Grant City Thursday evening by the death of her mother, Mrs. Hannah Murphin.

George Barber and Ben Weese attended the funeral of Mrs. Hannah Murphin Saturday at the Isadora cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Stout and Mrs. C. E. Stout also attended the services.

[Naill, Roy Lewis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 20, 1967     p. 7

Final Rites Held July 14 For Roy L. Naill

Funeral services for Roy L. Naill, 79, of Blockton, were held July 14 at the   Madison Street Shum-Novinger   Funeral Home with   Mr. Carl Cummings officiating.   Mr. Naill died at St.   Francis Hospital in Maryville   July 11. Interment was   at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Roy Lewis Naill, son of David and Frances Naill, was   born April 26, 1888 at Jewel   County, Kansas. When he   was a small child, he moved   with his parents to Missouri   and later to Iowa.

On Nov. 9, 1914 he was united in marriage to Roxie Fern Older of Blockton, and    to them were born two children, Lewis and Garland.

He was engaged in farming most of his life and he served Jefferson Township as assessor for many years.

Preceding him in death     were his parents; four brothers, William, Oscar, Samuel and Arthur Naill; two   sisters, Mrs. Nellie Wilson    and a sister who died in infancy.

He is survived by his wife, Roxie; one son, Lewis and    his wife Estelle of Blockton; one daughter, Garland, and    her husband, Delbert Surplus    of Blockton; two grandsons, Russell and Stanton Naill; one sister, Mrs. Fannie    Boyer of St. Joseph, Mo.; many nieces, nephews, other    relatives and friends.

Roy was a friend of all    that knew him and memory    of a good and faithful life    will long be remembered by    family and friends.

[Naill, Roxie Fern Older]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April

Roxie Naill, 75 Rites Held Tuesday

Funeral services for Roxie Fern Naill, 75, of Blockton, were held Tuesday at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in        Bedford with Carl Cummings        officiating. Roxie Naill        died April 8 at Ringgold        County Hospital in Mt. Ayr.        Interment was at Athelstan        Cemetery.

 [Naill, Roxie Fern Older]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 20, 1972     p. 7

Roxie Naill, 75 Rites Held April 11

Funeral services for Mrs. Roy Lewis (Roxie Fern) Naill, 75, of Blockton, were held April 11 at Shum-Novinger Funeral       Home with Carl Cummings officiating.       Mrs. Naill died April 8 at Ringgold County Hospital       in Mt. Ayr. Interment was at       Athelstan Cemetery.     

 Roxie Fern Naill, daughter  of Albert and Dora Older, was  born May 15, 1895 near Blockton, Iowa.

On November 9, 1914 she was       united in marriage to Roy Lewis       Naill of Blockton, Iowa, and to       them were born two children, Lewis and Garland.

She was preceded in death       by her parents, her husband, Roy L. Naill who died July 11, 1967, one brother, Roy Older, and a great grandson, Jared Naill, who died in infancy.

She is survived by one son, Lewis Naill, and his wife Estelle; one daughter, Garland, and her husband, Delbert Surplus, all of Blockton; two grandsons, Russell Naill and his wife, Amy, and Stanton Naill; one       great granddaughter, Angela       Naill; one sister, Nola McCalla       of Blockton; one brother, Guy       Older of Clearfield, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives       and many friends.

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

 

[Older, George William]

Blockton News

Thursday     November 12, 1925      [p. 1]

Obituary

George Wm. Older was born in New York, Oct. 18, 1841, and departed this life at his home in Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 6, 1925, aged 84 years [words unreadable] and 18 days.

He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jane Fursee August 16, 1867, [rest of sentence unreadable] eight children, as follows: John Older, who died in infancy; A.[lbert] F. [rederick] Older, Blockton; Ida May Frisbee, Fort Morgan, Colo.; Anna [Alice] King, Westphalia, Kansas; M. [elvin] F. [rancis] Older, Athelstan; Etta [Maude] Bownes, Tabor; Nellie Mabel, who died in infancy; Wm. J. Older, Conception, Mo. County, Mo. They moved from South Dakota to Worth County, Mo., in 1869, on Nov. 15.    From here they moved to Taylor County, Ia., March 4, 1879.

His companion preceded him in     death March 7, 1906. He was then    united in marriage to Mattie Freestone    Feb. 20, 1909. They moved    to Des Moines in 1922 where they    have since resided.

He leaves to mourn his departure, besides his companion and    the children already named, one brother, F.M. Older, of Athelstan one sister, Arilla Burcham, of Los Angeles, Calif., and the following step-children: Martin, Phil, Bud, and Dolly, all of Des Moines, and Goldie, of Brooks. Also 24 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

The remains were brought to the home of his son, M. [elvin] F. [rancis] Older at Athelstan Nov. 8, and the funeral services were conducted from the Athelstan Baptist church Nov. 9, by Challie E. Graham, after which the remains were interred in the cemetery at the same place There was a large concourse of friends and old neighbors present to pay their respects to the memory of the deceased. The floral offerings were many and beautiful, and the music by the Blockton quartette, and Mrs. Matie Miller presiding at the piano, was very appropriate and well rendered. Pallbearers were Frank Cavin, Elbert Adams, C. W. Childers, Chas. Rusco, Ab. Rusco, and Marion Jenkins.

The sympathy of the many friends is extended to the bereaved ones in this hour of their sorrow. May the richest blessing and the comforting grace of the kind Heavenly Father accompany them through life, and bring them home to Him at last.

[OLDER, GEORGE WILLIAM]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, November 12, 1925
The relatives attending the Wm. Older funeral from a distance were W. J. Older and family, of Conception, Mo.; Thos. Bownes and family of Tabor; Mrs. Roy Raper, of Cedar Rapids; Frank Biggerstaff and family, of Mt. Ayr; Mrs. Goldie Hancock, of Brooklyn; Martin Johnson and wife and Bert Wells, wife and son, Gerald, of Des Moines; Mrs. J. Johnson, of Kanawha.

[O’Neal, Melvin Millard]

Melvin Millard O'Neal was born on February 25, 1925. He was born on a farm near Bedford, Iowa to Millard Aden and Beulah Divia (Clark) O'Neal. On October 31, 1942 he married Geraldine Clayton. When Melvin passed away October 20, 2007 at Clarinda, Iowa, they were just ten days away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They had three sons together.

Melvin served in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II. He saw action on Saipan and was very proud of his time served. After the war he learned to fly on the GI Bill. He split his time between crop dusting in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and driving truck for Navajo in Nebraska and Iowa. He was a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion. He enjoyed cooking and his family enjoyed the rewards of his cooking.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Geraldine, of New Market, Iowa; his sons and daughters-in-law, Duane and Sandy O'Neal of Gretna, Nebraska, Mark and Nancy O'Neal of Sour Lake, Texas, and Larry and Patricia O'Neal of New Market, Iowa; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Ann of Benton City, Washington; grandchildren: Lee and Lisa O'Neal and Lori and Scott Wagner of Gretna, Nebraska, Justin O'Neal, Brandon O'Neal and Aaron and Maja O'Neal of Sour Lake, Texas, Michella and Shelly Lininger of New Market, Iowa; and twelve great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa with John F. Hardin American Legion Post 164 of Bedford providing military honors. Chaplain Rex Wyckoff officiated. Memorial Masonic services were held Tuesday, October 23, at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home. A memorial fund is established in Melvin's name. Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

[On-line obituary available from Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel http://www.efc.cc/_main/obituaries.asp]

[Osborn, Edith Rena Lilley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 15, 1971     p. 8

Edith Osborn Rites April 11

Funeral services for Mrs.   Elmer (Edith) Osborn [Edith Rena Lilley] of Athelstan were held April 11, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here. Mrs. Osborn died April 7 at her home in Athelstan. Interment was at the Athelstan Cemetery.

Her survivors Include her   husband, Elmer; three sons, Lester, Holdrege, Nebr., Raymond and Eldon of Chippewa Falls, Wisc.; sisters,  Bea Poldberg and Mrs.  D. C. Fox of Bedford.

[Osborn, Elmer Ray]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      April 8, 1982     p. 10

Elmer Ray Osborn Services Held April 4

Funeral services for Elmer Ray Osborn, 89, of Athelstan, held April 4 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Pastor Peter Dible. Mr. Osborn died in Mt. Ayr, Iowa April 2, 1982. Military honors were presented by Blockton American Legion Post with interment at Athelstan Cemetery at Athelstan, Ia.

Elmer Ray Osborn was born   August 12, 1892 at Mingo, Iowa. He was married January 24, 1921 to Edith R [ena] Lilley and to them were born three sons:  Eldon and Ray of Chippewa Falls, Wisc., and Lester of  Berrien Springs, Mich. Mr.  Osborn was a member of the  Seventh-day Adventist Church  and served in World War I.

He was preceded in death by   his wife, Edith, four brothers and four sisters.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Lester, Raymond, and Eldon, one sister, Zella McKennen of Dixon, Mo.; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.  An honest, hard working man, he will be missed by all who loved him.

[Parker, Edward Howard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 14, 1963      p. 7

Athelstan

Those from a distance attending the funeral services for Ed Parker were Bill Parker and daughters, Donna and Janet of Creston; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Parker and son of Graham, Mo.; Mrs. Burl Huff, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Farrell, Mr. and Mrs. James Farrell, all of Sheridan; Mrs. Maggie Morris of Parnell; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Boner of Albany; Mrs. Herman Wise and Vicki of Tabor, Ia.; Mrs. Floyd Smith of Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Orlo Reynolds all of Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Dugan of Creston; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Shackelford and daughter of Kansas City.

[Parker, Edward Howard]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 14, 1963      p. 8

Edward Parker Rites Feb. 7

Funeral services for Edward Howard Parker were held in the Athelstan Community church Feb 7 with Rev. Ward Campbell officiating. Interment was in Athelstan cemetery, Athelstan, Ia.

Included in the services was the following obituary:

Edward Howard Parker, son of Stephen [Marion] and [Sarah] Ann [Adams] Parker, was born March 28, 1903 near Parnell, Mo., and passed away in the hospital in St. Joseph, Mo., Feb. 5, 1963 at the age of 59 years, 10 months and 8 days.

He was united in marriage to Vivian H. Arnold Dec. 6, 1931. To this union six children were born: four daughters and two sons.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Vivian Parker of Athelstan; four daughters, Mrs. Fern Clark and Mrs. Ann Bryant of Parkville, Mo., Norma Ruth and Carol Sue Parker of Athelstan; two sons, Edward of Parkville, Missouri, and Daniel Lee of Athelstan; also six grandchildren, all of Parkville, Mo.

His father and mother, five    brothers and five sisters preceded    him in death.

He leaves two sisters, Mrs.    Maggie Morris of Parnell, Mo. and Mrs. Alma Wiggins    of Pontiac, Ill.; three brothers, Tom Parker of Athelstan, Steve Parker of Jackson, Mich., and Harvey Parker    of Burbank, Calif.; also a    host of other relatives and many friends.

[Parker, Homer James]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 7, 1946       [p. 1]

Homer Parker, 65, Athelstan, Hangs Self

Homer Parker, 65, took his own life by hanging at Athelstan, presumably last Saturday evening. The body was found late Monday afternoon in the hayloft the barn on the C. R. Sickles place, just across the road from the Parker home, when Mr. Sickles went to the barn to do his chores. Parker had used a halter rope belonging to Sickles, to do the deed.

Parker was unmarried and was caring for his father, who is in failing health.

The funeral services were held at the Community Church in Athelstan Wednesday afternoon conducted by Rev. and Mrs. T. J. Overholt. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Parker, Homer James]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 21, 1946     p. 2

Obituary – Homer James Parker

Homer James Parker was born near Sheridan, Missouri, August 13, 1882, and died in Athelstan, Iowa, November 2, 1946.

He was the second child in a family of 16 children, being 64 years, 2 months and 20 days of age at the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his mother, 3 sisters and 3 brothers. His entire life was spent near Parnell, Mo., and in Athelstan, Iowa. Since his mother passed away 12 years ago, he has cared for his aged father in their home in Athelstan.

Besides his father, he is survived by 3 sisters and 6 brothers: Mrs. Alma Miller of Maryville; Mrs. Ada Runyon and Mrs. Mag Morris of Sheridan; Harve of San Diego, Calif.; Steve of Jackson, Mich., Charlie of Albany, Mo., Ed of Kansas City, Mo.; Joe of Bedford; and Tom of Athelstan.

Funeral services were conducted in the Community Church of Athelstan, Iowa on the afternoon of November 6, 1946 by Rev. and Mrs. T. J. Overholt. Interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Parker, Martha Caroline Irvin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     September 6, 1923      p. 6

ATHELSTAN NEWS.

Word was received here Thursday   of the death of Mrs. Martha Parker at Marshalltown, Iowa. Mrs. Parker had been seriously ill for several months, and her death was not unexpected.

[Parker, Martha Caroline Irvin]

Blockton News

Thursday      September 6, 1923      [p. 1]

Obituary

Martha Caroline Irvin was born in Bates County, Mo., March 12, 1866, and moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where she had lived most of her life, in 1873.

She was married to John S. [cruggs] Parker   in May 1894. To this union   was born one child, John F. Parker.

She was a member of the Baptist   church.

She departed this life August   29, 1923, aged 57 years, 5 months   and 17 days.

She leaves to mourn her loss   her son and one granddaughter, and three brothers—O. S. Irvin and   E. E. E. Irvin, of Athelstan, and   W. P. Irvin, of St. Joseph, and   other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted   by W. M. Hunt at the Baptist   church at Athelstan on Saturday, September 1, and interment was   made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Note: The correct marriage date is May 11, 1895.]

[Parker, Stephen Marion]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday        August 7, 1947     p. 7

athelstan

S. M. Parker Dies

S. [tephen] M. [arion] Parker, 92, died at his home Thursday evening. He had been in failing health for several months. His son Tom had cared for him.

[Parker, Stephen Marion]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday        August 7, 1947      [p. 1]

Stephen M. Parker Dies At Athelstan

Stephen M. [arion] Parker died at his home in Athelstan, Thursday, July 31. The funeral services were held at the Community Church in Athelstan, Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. and Mrs. T. J. Overholt. Burial was in the Athelstan cemetery.

Stephen M. [arion] Parker was born April 8, 1854 in Taylor County, Iowa, being aged 93 years, 3 months and 23 days at the time of his death.

He was married to Sarah Ann Adams, April 21, 1878. To them were born 16 children.

He leaves to mourn his loss six sons and three daughters: Joe of Bedford, Tom of Athelstan, Ed of Kansas City, Charley of Albany, Mo., Steve of Jackson, Michigan, Harve of San Diego, Calif., Adaline Runyon of Sheridan, Alma Miller of Maryville, Maggie Morris of Sheridan; one half-brother, John Cordell of Nebraska City; two brothers, one half-sister, one half-brother, 53 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren.

His wife and seven children preceded him in death.

[Note: His gravestone gives his birth date as 1856. The most probable date is 1858 as his parents were married July 5, 1857.]

[Parker, Vivian Hortence Arnold Payton]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     November 1, 1995     p. 5

VIVIAN H. ARNOLD PARKER

Vivian H. [ortence] Arnold Parker, age 80, of Adrian, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 22, 1995 at the Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri.

She was born October 27, 1914 in Taylor County, Iowa.    Vivian was united in marriage to    Edward Howard Parker on    December 6, 1931 and to this    union six children were born.    Vivian enjoyed quilting and    gardening.

She was preceded in death by    her mother, husband, one brother, Rex Morris, two grandchildren and    one great grandchild.

Vivian is survived by her two    sons, Danny Parker of Adrian, Missouri and Bud Parker and wife    Glenda of Holly Springs, Mississippi; her four daughters, Fern Clark of Adrian, Missouri, Ann Bryant and husband Jim of    Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Sue    Ward and husband Richard of    Mound City, Missouri, and Norma    Ruth Wilson of Honoeye Falls, New York; one brother, Ray    Morris of Athelstan, Iowa; one    sister, Doris Shackelford of Indio, California; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and    several step-grandchildren and    step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held    Wednesday, October 25, 1995 at    the Novinger-Taylor Funeral    Home in Bedford, Iowa with    Reverend Paul Evans officiating.    Interment was in Athelstan cemetery.