Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Deardorff, Fredrick Daniel]

Clearfield Chronicle

Wednesday    November 22, 1995    p. 2

FREDRICK D. DEARDORFF

Funeral services for Fredrick D. [aniel] Deardorff were held Nov. 11 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sac City, with Rev. David Dornack officiating.

Interment was in Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa, on Nov. 13, with Rev. Al Rusk officiating. Military graveside rites were provided by Woodside American Legion Post 97, Clearfield.

Fredrick D. [aniel] Deardorff was born August 4, 1953, in Iowa City to Virgil Deardorff Jr. and Ada LaVaun Rundell. He attended primary school in Clearfield and graduated from Saint Louis High School in December 1977.

Fred served his country for seven years in the United States Army. On May 21,1980, he was married to Okcha Lee in California. They resided in Sac City, where they operated Sac City Motel.

Fred and Okcha have a son, Daniel, who is a sixth grader in the Sac Community School District.

On Nov. 9, he passed away at his home in Sac City at the age of 42.

He is survived by his wife Okcha and son Daniel of Sac City; his mother, Ada Deardorff of Mt. Ayr; sisters Virgia Green of Corning and Lisa Hannover of Estherville; and brother Randall Deardorff of Clearfield.

He was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Deardorff, Jr.

[Note:  California marriage index gives the date as May 21, 1979 in Monterey County.]

[Deardorff, Lee B.]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday      May 4, 1989

Lee Deardorff

Graveside services for Lee B. Deardorff, 71, formerly of the Clarinda area, will be at 11 a. m. Saturday at the Athelstan cemetery, Athelstan, Ia, with Rev. Eddie Fidler officiating.

Deardorff died Tuesday evening at Veterans Hospital in Omaha where he had been since April 21.

He was born Oct. 2, 1917 at Sheridan, Mo, the son of Mr. and Mrs. [Benjamin] Harrison Deardorff [Maggie Rusco].

In 1946 he married Emma Stewart, who preceded him in death in 1987.

Deardorff was a farm laborer before retirement.

He had been in the care center at Corning and Villisca after leaving his home in Clarinda.

He is survived by two children, Betty Hunt of Clarinda and Bobby Hunt of St. Joseph, Mo. there are two grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Walker-Merrick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

[Deardorff, Leslie Kay Ayers]

Parnell - Leslie Kay Deardorff, 62, of Parnell, passed from this life on Monday, May 5, 2008 at the Northwest Medical Center, Albany.

Born on October 19, 1945 in San Diego, CA she was the daughter of Leslie Grant Ayers and Verda Kathlene (Fetty) Day.

She was a homemaker, loving wife, daughter, mother and grandmother.

In addition to her mother she is survived by her devoted husband, Phillip Joe Deardorff, whom she married on November 4, 1961, loving children, Sharon Deardorff, Parnell, MO, Kevin Deardorff wife Tiffany, Ravenwood, MO, Tom Deardorff and wife Stormy, Parnell, MO, Stacey Deardorff and wife Barbara, Parnell, MO, sister, Tarecia Hilmer and husband Walter, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and many nieces & nephews and eleven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Leslie Grant Ayers and stepfather, Tom Day.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 9, 2008 at the Danfelt Funeral Home, 951 S. Main Street, Maryville, MO 64468. Final Resting Place will be in the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney or Diabetes Associations or the Maryville Food Pantry.

Online obituary available from: www.danfeltfuneralhome.com

[Deardorff, Maggie Rusco]

Blockton News

Thursday    June 16, 1921      [p. 1]

Obituary

Maggie Rusco was born in Taylor County, Iowa, April 25, 1889.  She spent her childhood in Taylor County, and at the age of 19 years she was united in marriage to [Benjamin] Harrison Deardorff of Sheridan, Mo. To this union three children were born as follows: Virgil, Avis and Lee. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Oklahoma where they made their home until a few weeks ago when they returned to Sheridan on account of her health and where she passed away June 8,1921. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, 3 children, a father, stepmother, 7 sisters and a host of other relatives and friends. She was a kind, loving mother to her children and faithful companion to her husband. She will be greatly missed by her husband and family and all who knew her.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church at Athelstan Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by W. M. Hunt, assisted by Bro. Clark, pastor of the Christian church at Sheridan, and interment was made in the Athelstan cemetery.

[Deardorff, Marion Keith]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      January 6, 1988      p. 6

MARION K. DEARDORFF

Services for Marion K. [eith] Deardorff, 53, Colorado Springs, Co., were held in Colorado. Mr. Deardorff died December 20 in Colorado Springs. Burial was in Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver.

He was a member of the Central Texas College battalion logistics management team.

Mr. Deardorff served in the Army from 1955 to 1985 and retired with the rank of chief warrant officer four. His military honors included the Bronze Star with one Oak leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Fourth Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver and two Bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the Legion of Merit.

Mr. Deardorff was born November 8, 1934, in Worth County, Mo. He is survived by his mother, Pearl M. (Bower) Deardorff of Clearfield, Ia. Mr. Deardorff was preceded in death by his father, Virgil A. [lonzo] Deardorff Sr. He had lived in Colorado Springs since 1965. Mr. Deardorff was a member of the Army Warrant Officer Association.

He was married February 11, 1958, in Beverly, Mass. to Joan Arsenault, who survives.

In addition to his wife and mother, Mr. Deardorff is survived by four sons, P. Scott of Anaheim, Ca., John K. of Virginia Beach, Va., Andrew D. of Cherry Point, N.C., and Thomas E. of Camp Pendleton, Ca.; a daughter, Mary K. of Colorado Springs; two brothers, Virgil F. [rederick] of Clearfield and Phillip J. of Raven wood, Mo.; and four grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Deardorff and Bonnie M. Fletchall, both of Clearfield, Ia.; Verna Fletchall of Grant City, Mo., and Connie Asher of Worth, Mo.

Mr. Deardorff also was a member of American Legion Post 5.

[Deardorff, Minnie Bell Dye]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 20, 1956     p. 6

sheridan

SHERIDAN — Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Methodist church for Mrs. Minnie Bell Deardorff, 88, Rev. John Cole, local minister officiating. She is survived by five sons, [Phillip] Sheridan and [Benjamin] Harrison of Sheridan, William, Alfred and Leslie in California; one daughter, Mrs. Opal Freemyer of Maloy. Her husband and one son, Weslie [Wesley], preceded her in death. Burial was in the Bethel cemetery southwest of Grant City.

[Deardorff, Minnie Bell Dye]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     December 27, 1956     p. 8

SHERIDAN

Obituary – Minnie Deardorff

Minnie Bell Deardorff was born July 23, 1868 in Worth County, Mo. in the Bethel community and departed this life December 7, 1956 at a nursing home in Grant City, Mo., at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 14 days.

She was the daughter of Capt. Jackson Dye and Susannah Dye and one of a family of eight children. She spent all of her life in Worth county.

She was a member of the Methodist church in Sheridan, Mo. She was a kind loving mother and grandmother and was ready to help anyone who came to her. She suffered a long illness, was an Invalid for 15 years and bedfast for 2 years. She had strength from above to endure her sickness and will be greatly missed by her loved ones and friends.

She was united in marriage to James Deardorf [f] in 1886. He preceded her in death in 1927; also one daughter Agnes and one son Wesley preceded her in death. Surviving are six children: [Phillip] Sheridan and [Benjamin] Harrison, both of Sheridan, Mo., William of Harrison Idaho, Alford [Alfred] of Los Angeles, Calif, Leslie of Hemet, Calif., and Mrs. Opal Freemyer of Maloy; also one sister, Mrs. Daisy Loomis, Minco, Okalahoma; 23 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

[Deardorff, Virgil Alonzo]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday     July 29, 1987    p. 3

VIRGIL DEAKDORFF

Services for Virgil Deardorff, 77, were held July 13 at First Christian Church in Clearfield with Rev. Shirley Lockhard officiating. Mr. Deardorff died July 11, 1987 at his home in Clearfield, Ia. Burial was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Ia.

Virgil Alonzo Deardorff, son of [Benjamin] Harrison and Maggie Deardorff was born January 28, 1910 near Sheridan, Mo. He was united in marriage to Pearl May Bower at Clarinda, Ia. August 17, 1927 and to this union 10 children were born. Three preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Pearl, children Virgil Deardorff Jr. and wife LaVaun of Clearfield, Barbara Deardorff of Clearfield, Marion K. [eith] Deardorff and wife Joan of Security, Co., Verna Fletchall and husband Marvin of Grant City, Mo., Bonnie Fletchall and husband Jerry of Clearfield, Connie Asher of Worth, Mo. and Phillip Deardorff and wife Kay of Parnell, Mo.

Twenty grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, a brother, Lee Deardorff of Clarinda, two aunts, Opal Freemyer of Clearfield and Florence Deardorff of St. Joseph, Mo.; other relatives and many friends who were numbered by acquaintance.

 He was preceded in death by three children, his parents, one sister, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

[Durfey, Harold Guston “Tuff”]

Harold Guston (Tuff) Durfey was born August 19, 1929, near Bedford, Iowa, to Harold Durfey and Cordis Cordell. He attended Clearfield High School. Tuff was raised by his grandparents until the death of his grandmother and was then raised by his aunt and uncle: Cecil and Minnie Cordell until he entered the service. Tuff served his country in the United States Army. After his service in the Army he operated heavy equipment at Cape Canaveral for many years. During retirement he was a truck driver and transported livestock.

Preceding Tuff in death were his parents, grandparents, and half brother Billy Newby. Survivors include his brother Wilbur Durfey of Clarinda, half brothers Willis Newby and his wife Lois of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Marvin Newby and his wife Judy of Adair, Iowa, half sisters Wilma Newby of Clarinda, Rosemary Kirchner of Trenton, Missouri, Janet Sheldon of Indianola, Iowa, nieces and nephews.

Tuff, age 73, of DeLand, Florida, formerly of the Bedford, Iowa, area died Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at Florida Hospital, DeLand, Florida. Graveside services were held Sunday, Feb 2, 2003 at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa with Rev. Dwight Crosby officiating.

Online obituary available from http://www.efc.cc/_main/obituaries.asp

[Landon, Ora “Orey”]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      July 2, 1903     p. 4

Obituary.

Orey Landon was born May 31, 1820, and died June 22, 1903, at his home near Siam, Iowa, aged 83 years and 21 days. He was married to Mary A. Barnes, December 14, 1844; married almost fifty-nine years. He was a faithful member of the church for twenty-two years. Three of the sons and their families and the faithful wife were at the funeral; the other children could not attend. The funeral services were held at the Christian church in Siam, conducted by Elder M. S. Jameson, pastor of the church. The text used was II Timothy, fourth chapter, sixth to eighth verses—"I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto them also that love His appearing." A large concourse of friends followed him to his last resting place in Siam cemetery.

___________________

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.

Died, Orey Landon, at his home in Mason township, Taylor county, Iowa, June 22, 1903 and was buried in the Siam cemetery June 23d, by Plumb lodge No. 285, A. F. and A. M., assisted by members of sister lodges, in the usual form and ceremonies of the craft, of which he was an honored member. The following resolutions of respect have been passed by Plumb lodge No. 285, A. F. and A. M.:

Whereas, it has pleased the supreme ruler of the universe to remove by death from among us our beloved brother, Orey Landon.

Whereas, the ties that have bound us together on this earth for so many years as brothers are now severed, and we shall see him no more this side of the grave. Therefore, be it

Resolved, That we bow in humble submission to His divine and holy will, knowing that He afflicts only that He may comfort, and that He wounds only that He may heal, and that He doeth all things

well. Be it

Resolved, That we extend to his aged companion our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of deepest sorrow.

Resolved, That his removal from among us may make us all more zealous in the cause he loved so well and labored so faithfully for many years to uphold. He was ever ready to respond to the wants of those who were in need, and to whisper good counsel in the ear of an erring brother.

Resolved, That our lodge room be draped in mourning for thirty days as a mark of respect for our deceased brother.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the widow of our deceased brother, and also be spread upon the lodge record; and a copy sent to the Free Press, Times-Republican, Hopkins Journal, Clarinda Journal and New Market Herald for publication.

W. T. ALLEN,

C. M. HOSMAN,} Com.

B. S. Collins

[Landon, Ora “Orey”]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      July 9, 1903     p. 4

DEATH OF AN AGED CITIZEN

Orey Landon Leaves an Interesting Sketch of a Long and Useful Life, Written by Himself.

OBITUARY

Orey Landon [Ora Landen] was born May 31, 1829, and died June 22, 1903, at his home near Siam, Iowa, aged 83 years and 21 days. He was married to Mary [Maria] A. Barnes, December 14, 1844; married almost fifty-nine years. He was a faithful member of the church for twenty-two years. Three of the sons and their families and the faithful wife were at the funeral; the other children could not attend. The funeral services were held at the Christian church in Siam, conducted by Elder M. S. Jameson pastor of the church. The text used was II Timothy, fourth chapter, sixth to eighth verges—"I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto them also that love His appearing."

[At the request of Mrs. E. D. Smith, almost a year ago, the deceased wrote a short sketch of his life, which we append.]

OCTOBER 1, 1902. WRITTEN BY O. LANDON.

A short sketch of my father's family, from what I heard my father and mother say many years ago, to my best recollection.

My father, Zebulon Landon, was born in York state about the year 1786. My mother, Elizabeth Rogers, was born in New Jersey about the year 1788. They were married in York state about the year 1808. They had five children born to them in that state—Maria, Adaline, John, Jane and Sarah. My father served in the war of 1812. And about the year 1819 my uncle, George Johnson, and my father constructed a flat boat to emigrate to Ohio. When they had nearly completed their journey, their boat struck a boulder and was wrecked, and they lost nearly all they had, and thought they had lost their little girl, Sarah, about two and a half years old, as they saw her going down the river on a part of the boat. My father started to hunt her the next morning. He came to where some men were building a raft, and there he found little Sarah in their tent wrapped in a blanket, and they were cracking hickory nuts for her. In a few days they arrived in Butler County, Ohio, where they had started for. They had three children born to them in Butler County—Ora, Rebecca and Amy. In the year 1828, when I was eight years old, they moved to Preble County, Ohio, to a Dunkard settlement. There they had one son born, Oliver C., who died when about three years old. I was then thirteen. My father being in moderate circumstances, I worked for a man by the name of Jonas Flory, when he had work for a boy to do, About the year 1835 Mr. Flory moved to Carroll county, Indiana, 150 miles away. By father's consent I went with them and stayed there until the fall of 1839. That fall my father moved from Ohio to Montgomery county, Indiana, and he came up to Carroll county to hunt me the same fall, and he found me in a corn field husking corn. He wanted me to go back to Montgomery County with him. As my mother and two sisters were in a little town in Montgomery county called Alamo, and my sister Sarah had married after I left Ohio to a man by the name of Silas Dooley, and had moved to Indiana and lived in Park county, that state, about ten miles from my father's. So he and I started out, both riding shank's ponies, as there was no other way to travel. We traveled about eighty miles and got to his place, I think, the second night, in the night. We staid with them the next day and the next night. The next morning I was going over to my sister’s, in Park county. My youngest sister, Amy, about fifteen years old, wanted me to wait until the next morning, as she wanted to go with me to her sister's. I waited, and on the next morning she and I started out. At that time there were but few roads in that country, and we traveled through heavy timber over big and little logs, waded Sugar creek, and about noon we got to Silas Dooley's, where we found all well except my sister, who took bad sick that night. They sent me over to a neighbor's to stay all night. The next morning I went back to my sister's and found a brand new nephew, their second boy. That day I went back to my father's, staid with them two nights, then started for Carroll county, on foot and alone, with very strong promise I would be back some time in the winter. And in February I started on foot and alone for Montgomery County. As I took a little lame, I did not make it in two days. Staid at my father's two nights, then went over to my brother-in-law's. He owned 160 acres of timberland with but little improvements. They both seemed anxious to see me, and wanted me to make my home with them, and I did so for four years, and I have never forgot how good they were to me. I was twenty the thirty-first day of May. After I went to make my home with them a man by the name of Joseph Barnes, who joined farms with my brother-in-law, Dooley, and who raised quite a family. They had a son two years older than me (William) and two sons younger than myself—Joseph and Granville. I would be over at their house sometimes of Sundays. They had had a sister — Maria — younger than they were, and when she got to be about fifteen, I paid but little attention to the boys, and on the fourteenth day of December, 1844, we were married by Jacob Kirkendall, at Maria's home. We had four children born to us—Sarah, Amy, Joseph and William. Joseph died before he was a year and a half old. In 1853 we moved to Mahaska county, Iowa, where we had two children born to us—Samuel and Silas. In 1853 we moved to Taylor county, Iowa, where we had five children born to us—James, Francis, Thomas, Barton and Cora. Thomas died when two years old. We moved to Osborne County, Kansas, in 1878. In Kansas we trusted and in Kansas we busted. In 1888 we moved back to Taylor county, Iowa, and now we are here, dependent on our children for the most of our support, and they are so good to us we have no right to complain. And we are so glad we have children with such open hearts. Maria is stout for one of her age—73 years—while I am and have been laboring under heart and stomach trouble for four months. Am now eighty-two years old.

[Landen, William H.]

New Market Herald

Thursday      December 23, 1920     p. 2

SIAM NEWS

The many friends here of Wm. Landon [Landen] were very much grieved to hear of his death a t 10:30, Friday night, Dec. 17, at his home in Kent, Iowa. Mr. Landon [Landen] spent the greater part of his life in this community and New Market, where he enjoyed the friendship and respect of all who knew him. He leaves a wife and four brothers and two sisters. We extend our sincere sympathy.

[Landen, William H.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     December 23, 1920     p. 3

Obituary

William H. Landon [Landen] was born in Park County, Indiana, April 13th, 1851, and peacefully passed away at his home in Kent, Iowa, at ten o’clock Friday evening, Dec. 17th. He was 69 years, 8 months and 4 days old. Whan but a child of about two years, he moved with his parents to Iowa, settling first in Mahaska County and about six years later moved to Taylor Co., Iowa. In 1878, the deceased moved to Osborne County, Kansas. While there he was married to Julia Hill [Julia Ann Hardesty], on September 6th, 1881. In 1890 he moved with his wife and adopted daughter, back to Taylor county, Iowa near Siam, where he lived about twelve years, then moving to New Market where he continued to live until about six years ago when he moved to Kent, Iowa, at which place he continued to reside until his death.

He leaves to mourn besides the wife, an adopted daughter, Mrs. Jennie Simmons, of Mansfield, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. J. R. Bryan of Mutual, Okla., and Mrs. W. [illiam] H. Elkins [Cora], of Kent, Iowa; four brothers, Samuel of Arlington, Oregon, Silas, of Bedford, Iowa, James of Sheridan, Wyo., and Barton of near Hopkins, Mo.

Mr. Landon was engaged in farming a good part of his life. While in New Market and Kent he was engaged in the harness business. He united with the Christian church in Osborn County, Kansas, later transferring his membership to Siam, then to New Market and later to the Kent congregation. He was a good man, and one greatly loved by all who knew him. He was always true to his convictions. Faithful to the higher and better things of life. His work was not of the kind that would be published in the headlines, but in that quiet, unassuming way of his, he went about doing good, scattering sunshine and cheer, making the world a little brighter.

The funeral services were held from the Christian church in Kent, Iowa, on Monday, December 20th, at 2 p. m. and were conducted by the Rev. R. E. Snodgrass of Maryville, Mo., and assisted by the Rev. R. C. Snodgrass of Clarinda, Iowa. Mr. Landon was a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Kent, which organization had charge of the burial service. Interment was in the cemetery three miles south of Kent.

The sympathy of a host of friends is extended to the stricken wife and relatives.

[Mothershead, Doris Terrell Young]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      January 21, 1987      p. 6

DORIS MOTHERSHEAD

Doris Young Mothershead, 71, of Bedford, died January 15, 1967, at the Bishop-Clarkson Memorial Hospital in Omaha, Ne., following a lengthy illness.

She was born January 25, 1916, in Bedford, the daughter of Charles and Olive Terrell. On September 9, 1935, she was married to Wilbur (Dutch) Young. To this union, two children were born. Dutch preceded her in death on December 17, 1963. For over 35 years, she and Dutch operated the Hardin Theater in Bedford.

On September 13, 1966, she married Ollen Mothershead. She and Ollen continued to operate the theater and also continued his work on the farm. Following their retirement, they moved to Melbourne, Ark., where they lived for a short time prior to returning to Bedford.

Doris was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the First Baptist Church of Bedford. She loved to visit and especially enjoyed having friends and family into her home.

Left to mourn her passing are her husband, Ollen; daughter, Susan Danner of Maryville, Mo.; son, Jim Young and wife Carolyn of Clarinda; step-children, Oliver Mothershead and wife Mary of Leon, Mrs. Evelyn Lyles and husband Ken of Deer Park, Wa.; Dwight Mothershead and wife Marilyn of Rogers, Ark.; a brother, Ivan Terrell of Indianola; sisters, Mrs. Jean Horton of Lincoln, Ne., and Mrs. Raymond (Mildred) Trafton of Seattle, Wa.; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Mabel Terrell of Bedford; two brothers-in-law, Harold Mothershead of Maryville, Mo., and Noble Mothershead of Bedford; nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dutch Young; a brother, Kendall Terrell; and two sisters, Mrs. Mayre Harland and Alice Terrell.

Doris will be remembered for her love of others and for her many years of service in the Hardin Theater. She enjoyed gardening and especially enjoyed making jelly for her grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday, January 18, 1987, at 2 p.m. at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with burial at the Lexington Cemetery near Bedford. Rev. Ted DeHass of Bedford and Rev. Paul Carrier of Clarinda officiated at the services.

Memorials may be directed to the Bedford Ambulance Service.