Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Schuster, Cecil Carl]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      June 15, 1967      p. 4

C. C. Schuster Rites In Blockton

Cecil Carl Schuster, 61, of Blockton died May 31 at a Mount Ayr, Iowa, hospital.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Marceline Jones of Athelstan, and Mrs. Maxine Baker of Waynesville, Mo.; eight brothers, Lee of Vancouver, Wash., Ralph of Blockton, Clarence of Rapid City, S. D., Clyde of Diagonal, Iowa, Forrest of Whitewood, S. D., Paul and Arthur, both of Garden Grove, Calif., and Homer, Montebello, Calif.

Services were held June 4 at the Blockton Christian Church. The Rev. Ward Campbell officiated and burial was at the Athelstan cemetery.

[Schuster, Charles Frederick “Fred”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 28, 1960      p. 5

OBITUARY - C. F. Schuster

Charles Frederick Schuster, son of John Martin and Elizabeth Ax Schuster, was born Dec. 11, 1877 near Grant City, Mo., and passed away in Bedford, July 18, 1960 at the age of 82 years, seven months, seven days.

He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Thompson Feb. 5, 1900. She preceded him in death in August 1945. To this union 11 sons were born, two having died in infancy.

He leaves to mourn his departure nine sons: Lee of Deadwood, So. Dak., Clarence of Rapid City, So. Dak., Forrest of Whitewood, So. Dak., Homer of Montebello, Calif., Paul and Arthur of Garden Grove, Calif., Clyde and Cecil of Maloy, Ralph of Clearfield; also four brothers, Herman and Jake of Simla, Colo., John of Omaha, Robert of Stanberry, Mo.; 31 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren.

[Schuster, Clyde Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      May 1, 1969      p. 5

Funeral services for Clyde Allen Schuster, 60, of Blockton, were held Tues., April 29 at the Blockton Christian Church conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell and Rev. George Swan. Mr. Schuster died April 25, 1969. Interment was at the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan.

[Schuster, Clyde Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      May 8, 1969     p. 7

Clyde Schuster Rites April 29

Funeral services for Clyde Allen Schuster, 60, of Blockton, held April 29 at the Blockton Christian Church, were conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell and Rev. George Swan. Mr. Schuster died April 25 at his home west of Maloy. Interment was at the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan.

Clyde Allen Schuster, son of Charles Frederick and Mary Ellen Thompson Schuster, was born August 14, 1908 in Worth County, Mo.

He was united in marriage to Letha Mae Woods in 1931. To this union five children were born.

He is survived by his wife Letha; five children, Wilbur Dean, Wilma Marie, Dorothy Fern, Donald Gene and Gary Lee all of Blockton; son-in-law, Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Keleta; nine grandchildren; seven brothers, Lee of Vancouver, Wash., Clarence of Rapid City. So Dak., Forest of White Wood, So Dak., Paul of Garden Grove, Calif., Homer of Downy, Calif., Arthur of Garden Grove, Calif ., and Ralph of Blockton, a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father and three brothers.

He was a kind and loving husband and father and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Lawrence, James Dean]                            [Schuster, Donald Gene] [see below]

Clearfield Chronicle

Thursday      September 11, 1969     p. 8

2 Blockton Men Killed In Crash

Two Blockton men were killed and a Liberty Center, Iowa man was injured as cars leaving the site of a construction project collided on a county road north of Pella, Iowa Tuesday night, Sept. 2nd.

James Dean Lawrence, 31 was dead on arrival at Pella Community Hospital and Donald Gene Schuster, 26, his passenger, died 25 minutes later of injuries at the hospital.

Driver of the other car, Elmo Hildreth, 37 of Liberty Center was taken to Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, where his condition was listed as fair with multiple injuries.

Lawrence and Schuster are both residents of Blockton, Iowa.

Lawrence is survived by his widow, Sharon; a son, Brian, 6 and five brothers, Doyle and Jerry of Blockton, Virgil of Bedford; Robert of Stuart and Donald of Onawa, Iowa.

Schuster is the son of Mrs. Clyde Schuster and the late Mr. Schuster, who passed away only a few weeks ago.

[Lawrence, James Dean]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 11, 1969      p. 2

James Lawrence Rites Sept. 5

Funeral services for James Dean Lawrence, 31, of Blockton, were held September 5 in the Blockton United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Clarence H. Landis assisted by Rev. George W. Swan. Mr. Lawrence was killed in an automobile accident September 2. Masonic services were conducted at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.

James Dean Lawrence, son of Ed and Katie [Smith] Lawrence was born at Blockton, Iowa, December 26, 1937. He attended the Blockton Public School and graduated from Blockton High in 1956.

On June 5, 1956 he enlisted in the United States Army and served three years, a year and one-half of this time was in Germany and was honorably discharged May 26, 1959.

He was united in marriage to Sharon Kay Johnson September 4, 1960 at the Blockton Methodist Church. On August 6, 1963 a son, Brian Dean, was born to bless this union. His little son was his pride and joy and Jim was a very devoted father.

During most of Jim and Sharon’s married life, Jim worked on road construction, moving to various places as his work demanded, until March of 1968 when they purchased a home in Blockton.

Jim in his early years attended the Blockton Methodist Sunday School. He was a member of the Masonic Bethany Lodge No. 329 of Blockton.

He was preceded in death by his father Ed in April 1968.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, son Brian Dean, his mother, Kate Lawrence, Blockton; five brothers, Doyle Lawrence and Jerry Lawrence, Blockton; Virgil Lawrence, Bedford; Donald Lawrence, Onawa, Iowa; Robert Lawrence, Stuart, Iowa; 11 nieces and eight nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Jim loved to hunt, fish, and go boating and swimming and spent many happy hours in the outdoors.

He was a wonderful husband and father and had a smile and greeting for everyone. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He will be deeply and sadly missed by his family and friends.

[Schuster, Donald Gene]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     September 11, 1969     p. 6

Donald Schuster Rites Sept. 6

Funeral services for Donald Gene Schuster, 26, of Blockton, were held at the Blockton Christian Church September 6, conducted by Rev. G. W. Swan and Rev. Ward Campbell. Mr. Schuster died September 2 in an automobile accident. The Blockton American Legion extended military honors at the Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Ia.

Donald Gene Schuster was born May 10, 1943 to Clyde [Allen] and Letha [Mae Woods] Schuster.

Gene attended Blockton School and lived in and around Blockton all his life. He was in the Armed Forces two years, one year of this spent in Korea.

He was preceded in death by his father Clyde, April 25, 1969.

He is survived by his mother Letha, two brothers, [Wilbur] Dean and Gary [Lee], two sisters, [Wilma] Marie and Dorothy [Fern], a brother-in-law, Lawrence; a sister-in-law, Keletta, four nieces, Debbie, Valerie, Belinda and Beatrice, five nephews, Rollie, Kevin, Darrell, Harry and Dennis.

He was known to all as a fine and good young man. Quiet and steadfast in his way, we shall all remember and love him.

[Schuster, Garland Maude Anderson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      March 4, 1982     p. 4

Garland Schuster Final Rites Were Held in Athelstan

Funeral services for Mrs. Cecil (Garland) Schuster, 72, of Athelstan, held February 25 in the Athelstan Community Church, were conducted by Rev. Ward Campbell. Mrs. Schuster died February 22, 1982. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Garland Maude Schuster daughter of Alfred [Ferdinand] and Cara [Cora King] Oderson [Anderson] was born at Athelstan, Iowa April 3, 1910.

She grew to maturity in Athelstan, where she attended the public schools and Holiness Church.

In 1927 she was united in marriage to Cecil Carl Schuster after which they lived at Blockton, Iowa. To this union two children were born: Maxine Alvarez and Marcelene Jones.

Garland was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children: Maxine Alvarez of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Marcelene Jones of Athelstan, Iowa; grandchildren: Linda Frampton, Carolyn Kay Malone, Brenda Alvarez, Kenneth Jones, Rosalie Harper; great grandchildren: Ricky Frampton, Crisyana Harper, Shane Malone, Stormy Malone.

She was a kind and considerate person and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Schuster, Letha May Woods]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     June 10, 1982      p. 4

Letha Schuster, 73 Last Rites Were Held June 3

Funeral services for Mrs. Clyde (Letha May) Schuster, 73, of Blockton, held June 3 in the Blockton Christian Church, were officiated by Rev. Ward Campbell and Rev. Mel Smith. Mrs. Schuster died June 1, 1982, in the Lenox Care Center, Lenox, Ia. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Letha May Woods Schuster was born October 21, 1908 in Taylor County to David [Nathaniel] and Cora [Emeline Downing] Woods. She grew to womanhood in Athelstan, Iowa.

She was united in marriage to Clyde [Allen] Schuster September 11, 1931. To this union five children were born: [Wilbur] Dean, [Wilma] Marie Jackson, Dorothy [Fern] Hobbs, [Donald] Gene and Gary [Lee].

They lived all their married life in Ringgold County until his death.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clyde, one son, [Donald] Gene, also a daughter, Dorothy; her mother and father; four brothers and one sister.

She is survived by her son, Dean, and wife, Mary, her daughter Marie, and husband, Lawrence, her son, Gary, and Diana; 11 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a brother, Floyd, a sister, Mary Howard; nieces; nephews; host of relatives and friends.

She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

[Schuster, Mary Ellen Thompson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 30, 1945      p. 4

BLOCKTON

Mrs. Fred Schuster Dies

Mrs. Fred Schuster [Mary Ellen Thompson], who has been seriously ill for several months, passed away at two o'clock Monday afternoon at her home here. The funeral and burial will be at Fletchall Grove near Grant City but definite plans await arrival of sons at a distance. Mrs. Schuster is survived by her husband and nine sons, four of whom are in the U S Army.

[Schuster, Mary Ellen Thompson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 6, 1945     p. 5

BLOCKTON

Obituary - Mrs. Fred Schuster

Mary Ellen Thompson was born Dec. 24, 1878 at Pattonsburg, Mo., and died at Blockton Monday, August 27.

She was married to Fred Schuster Feb. 7, 1900. To them eleven sons were born, nine of whom survive: Jesse Lee and Clarence Wayne of Deadwood, South Dakota; Ralph, Cecil and Clyde of Maloy; Forrest, Paul, Homer and Arthur of the United States armed forces. She is also survived by her husband, one sister, Mrs. Wm. Mittelsteder of Beulah, North Dakota, and twenty-one grandchildren.

She had been a faithful member of the Christian church at Grant City since she was eleven years old.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 30, conducted by Rev. Ralph Yaden at the Fletchall Church. Burial was in the Fletchall cemetery.

She was a kind and loving mother and will be greatly missed.

[Terry, Anna Elizabeth Smith Bowers]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    November 30, 1994    p. 5

ANNA ELIZABETH TERRY

Funeral services for Anna Elizabeth Terry were held November 26, 1994 at the Novinger Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Ted DeHass officiating. Burial was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Anna Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Adeline Smith was born on a farm near Athelstan, Iowa on September 15, 1894. She departed this life November 23, 1994 at Bedford Manor, Bedford, Iowa at the age of 100 years, two months, seven days.

She lived in the Athelstan, Iowa area and grew to maturity where she attended the public school system and local churches.

On February 8, 1914 she was united in marriage to Frank Elza Bowers of Farragut, Iowa. They remained in Farragut for a short time and later moved to Taylor County, working in both the farming and trucking industries.

After Elza's death, Anna moved to Bedford, Iowa in 1954. In Bedford she was employed by the Miller sisters for three and one-half years.

On November 20, 1957 she was united in marriage to Philip Azel Terry of Bedford, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Adeline Smith; first husband Elza Bowers; second husband, Phil Terry; and her only child, Carmen Bowers Deuel. Also preceding her in death were her brother, Herman Smith, and sisters, Amy Hubbard, Lois Fichter, Oma Trueblood, and half-sisters, May Sparking and Lola Nelson.

Left to cherish her memory are sister, Ruth Fichter of Tabor, Iowa; granddaughter, Mickie Christensen and husband Jens, great grandchildren Roberta Hinson and Sam Huggins and wife Kim, of Houston, Texas; and numerous other beloved relatives and friends who truly loved her.

Anna was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Anna was a kind, considerate and loving lady who will be missed by all who knew her.

[Wilson, Mahala Devinney]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday     August 2, 1894     p. 4

Died, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lafe Long, Bedford, Iowa, July 29, 1894, at 11 o’clock a. m. Mrs. Mahala [Devinney] Wilson, aged 66 years, 8 months and 27 days.

Funeral services were held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lafe Long in the southwest part of the city, Thursday, July 31, 1894, at 2 o’clock p. m. and were conducted by Rev. M. C. Waddell, assisted by Elder C. Grant McNeill. The remains were interred in the Bedford cemetery.

Mrs. Wilson and her husband, Benner Wilson, came to Taylor County from St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1856 and were consequently among the early settlers of the county. They were formerly residents of Rossville, Indiana, where they were married. Mr. Wilson died about 15 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were known and respected by all of the older settlers of Taylor and adjoining counties---nearly all of whom have at some time partaken of their hospitality.

Mrs. Wilson leaves two children to mourn her loss, Mrs. Lafe Long, of this city, and Wm. Wilson, of Holt Township. Lafe Long arrived from Cross, Oklahoma, Saturday and was present at the funeral.

[Wilson, William Henry]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      January 28, 1909      [p. 1]

Bedford Pioneer Dead

The remains of Mr. W. [illiam H. [enry] Wilson arrived in Bedford today, accompanied by relatives, and were at once taken to the Bedford cemetery where Rev. McMasters delivered a brief funeral service.

Mr. Wilson died Sunday evening at his home in Oklahoma City, Okl., at the age of 56 years and 8 months. He was born and raised in Bedford, and was one of the contractors who built the old brick schoolhouse here. He is a brother of Mrs. Lafe Long. He was married in early life to Miss Amanda [Almeda] Amerine, of Gravity, and he leaves a widow and several children, aside from his sister mentioned, to mourn his death. He was following his occupation as a contractor in his Oklahoma home. His father, Mr. Benner Wilson, was one of the earliest settlers of this county, and will be remembered by a host of old friends.

Sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives.

[Wilson, William Henry]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      January 28, 1909 [p. 1]

Faithful in Death

W. [illiam] H. [enry] Wilson, for many years a resident of Bedford, died Sunday evening at his home in Oklahoma City. His body will be brought to Bedford for interment, and will arrive here on the noon train today, (Thursday). The body will be at once taken to the cemetery, where after short services conducted by Rev. McMasters interment will be made.

Nearly all the life of the deceased was spent here and many friends reside in this vicinity.

He was born at Rossville, Indiana, in May 1852, but when only a child of 3 years his parents, moved to Minnesota. They remained there only about a year and then came to Bedford, which was the home of the deceased for more than 40 years. Eleven years ago he moved to Oklahoma, which was his home until the time of his death.

The particulars of his death are given in the following article taken from the Oklahoma City daily of Monday:

Ever since the beginning of time poets have eulogized the dog for his faithfulness to mankind, and many a pretty story has been written of how the dog has risked life to save his master—in short, the dog has been heralded as the most loyal, the most intelligent of all animals.

But here is a story that brings the horse into the limelight—

The story of how a horse carried his dead master home and how he whinnied until attention was attracted.

W. [illiam] H. [enry] Wilson a Capitol Hill contractor, died suddenly last night, somewhere between Oklahoma City and his home while driving in a buggy between the two places.

George Watts, a Capitol Hill resident on his way to church last evening, observed the Wilson horse drawing the buggy along the road, neighing pitifully and holding his head high in the air as though to summon help. On second glance, Watts observed that the occupant of the buggy sat rigid in the seat, and that his hands had no control over the reins. Yet the horse picked his way carefully over the road.

As Watts approached more closely the horse stopped and further inspection showed that Wilson was dead.

Wilson left his home early in the afternoon to make a call in Oklahoma City. He was to also stop at a meat market on his return trip and make a purchase. It is not known whether he stopped at the meat market, but about 7 o'clock his horse was observed just east of the intersection of D Avenue and Broadway Capitol Hill, only a few doors from the residence.

The family was notified who called Stret & Harper. The undertaker notified Justice Edward Dewes Oldfield, acting coroner, and had the body removed to the morgue. An inquest will be held at 3:30 o'clock this afternoon.

Frank Rutledge, an employee of the New State Sash & Door Company of Oklahoma City states that about 6:45 while he was returning from a social visit in the neighborhood, he saw the horse standing at the roadside. He believed the occupant of the buggy was drunk and paid no further attention.

Dr. Goocher positively stated that death was due to heart failure. It is probable, however, that Justice Oldfield will order a post mortem.

Wilson was 56 years old and came here from Iowa eleven years ago. He is survived by a wife and eight children, the youngest a boy of eight years.

I at first thought my husband had been drugged," said Mrs. Wilson last night, "but Dr. Goocher says there is positively no suggestion of that. It was due wholly to heart trouble, to which he has been subjected several years.

[Wolcott, Emery Franklin]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday     January 27, 1914     p. 7

Emery Wolcott.

Emery Wolcott, who has been in falling health for some time, died at the home of his daughter last Thursday morning. Funeral services were held at the Christian church Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock, conducted by Mart Gary Smith. Interment was in Bedford cemetery, the services at the grave being in charge of the Masonic fraternity.

Emery F. [ranklin] Wolcott was born at Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1834. Sept 13, 1857, he was married to Marion Woodruff and from this union five children were born, all of whom except Mrs. Butler are dead. Mrs. Wolcott died January 14, 1900.

Deceased served three years in the Civil war, being a member of the 14th Ohio Artillery.

He came to Bedford in 1866, where he has since resided.

[Wolcott, Emery Franklin]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      January 22, 1914      [p. 1]

EMERY WOlcott DIES

Funeral Services Will be Held at 4 O'clock Friday.

Emery [Franklin] Wolcott died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Butler. Funeral services will be held at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon at the First Church of Christ, conducted by Mart Gary Smith, the pastor.

[Wolcott, Marion Woodruff]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     January 18, 1900     [p. 1]

Obituary.

Marion Woodruff was born July 14, 1835, at Morgan, Ashtabula county, O., and died at her home in Bedford Sunday afternoon, January 14, 1900 at 3:30 o'clock, aged 64 years and 7 months. The funeral services were held in the Christian church Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Elder J. Will Walters, after which all that was mortal of one who was so much beloved was laid to rest in the Bedford cemetery. The funeral services were largely attended by sorrowing friends that evidenced the great respect and devotion in which the deceased was held. The members of the W. R. C. attended the funeral in a body, she being a highly honored member of that organization.

Deceased was married to Emory F. [ranklin] Wolcott September 13, 1857, and to this union was born five children, but all have died except one, Marcia P. [auline] Butler. She leaves a husband, daughter, grandson, three brothers, one sister and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Mrs. Wolcott gave her heart to God at the age of 18, and has ever since lived a consistent Christian life. She had been a member of the Christian church for thirty-four years. She was a devoted, faithful wife and mother, a kind, loyal and loving friend, and would make any personal sacrifice for a friend. She was always found ready and willing to cheerfully do any good work and speak a kind word. Her life abounded in deeds of charity and kindness. She has gone, but the holy life remains to brighten our lives.

[Wright, Maynard Jackson]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    August 29, 1916    [p. 1]

Maynard Wright.

The one-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee C. [harles] Wright [Rosa Hazlett] died at their home on the Frank Larison farm in Ross Township Wednesday, August 16, after a short illness.

Funeral services were held at the home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. W. Goodsell of the Methodist Episcopal church. Interment was in the Bedford cemetery.