Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com

[Meredith, Howard Woodrow]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    June 16 1993    p. 5

Howard Meredith

Funeral services for Howard Woodrow Meredith were held Thursday, June 10, 1993, at Novinger-Taylor Funeral Home with Chal and St. Claire Wilberg officiating.   Military honors were conducted by Bedford American Legion Post 164.  Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Howard was born October 16, 1917, at Gravity, Iowa.  He passed away June 6, 1993 at Corning, Iowa.

He was the second child born to Clarence Edwin Meredith and Mary Emily Roberts.  His brother Harvey Edwin Meredith preceded him in death on December 3, 1974.  He has one sister living, St. Claire Erekson Wilberg.

Howard married Clarice Pauline Osburn on February 10, 1950.  To them were born Linda Sue Miers, Stephen Howard Meredith, Richard Dean Meredith, and Claudia Ann Burns.

Howard delivered bread for Omar Baking Co. and the rest of his life he was a dairy and an agricultural farmer located east of Bedford, Iowa.  Fourteen years ago (in 1979) Howard and Clarice moved from the farm into Bedford, and his son Dick took over the dairy and agricultural farm.  Howard loved the farm so much, he was there most every day.

Howard leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Clarice, four children, and seven grandchildren:  Amy, Angie, and Aaron Miers, Jason and Kerri Meredith and Mark Karg, and Adam Hebing, daughter-in-law Sandy Meredith, and son-in-law, Melvin Miers, and fiance Todd Hebing, and sister St. Claire Wilberg and her husband Chal Wilberg.

 [Payton, Isaac Allen]             [Payton, Lillian Arwilda Guthrie Wickersham]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   December 19, 1940    [p. 1]

Obituary

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Payton

Lillian and Isaac Payton, together in life for more than forty years, were united in death Wednesday evening.  Mr. Payton, retired farmer and businessman, died Tuesday morning at the home.  Mrs. Payton, who had not been ill, died Wednesday evening at the dinner table.  Friends thought the shock of her husband's death was in all probability the cause of Mrs. Payton's death.  Neither had been ill and Monday both were busy working in the yard at their home.

Double funeral services were held the following Friday afternoon, the day of Mr. and Mrs. Payton's forty-first wedding anniversary.

Lillian A. [rwilda] Guthrie was born August 3, 1862 in Springfield, Cedar County, Iowa.

Isaac Allen Payton was born near Woodhull, Henry County, Ill., March 2, 1860 and moved to Taylor County, Iowa, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob [Harvey] Payton in the spring of 1873.  He grew to manhood here.

Mr. and Mrs. Payton were married at Bedford, Iowa, Nov. 22, 1899.  She was 78 years of age at the time of her death and he was 80.  They had been residents of Chanute, Kans., the past eleven years, residing on a farm near Elsmore, Kans., prior to that time.

They are survived by a son, Albert Payton of Sterling, Kans.  Mrs. Payton has a brother, E. [sanor] Guthrie of Woodston, Kans.  Mr. Payton has three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Butts of Bedford, Mrs. [Lois] Celinda Moore of Des Moines and Mrs. Elma Overstreet, who resides in Florida.

Editor's Note----The above obituary was received this week by relatives here.  The account of the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Payton appeared in the Times-Press several weeks ago.

[Butts, Malinda Vesper "Linnie"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   August 8, 1968   p. 7

Final Rites Held August 2 For Linnie Butts

Funeral services for [Malinda] Linnie Vesper Butts, 83, long time Bedford resident, held August 2 at the Bedford Methodist Church were conducted by Rev. Richard Viney.  Miss Butts died unexpectedly at her home in Bedford July 30.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

[Malinda] Linnie Vesper Butts, daughter of James Walker Butts and Sarah Isabel Payton Butts, was born near Bedford, July 18, 1885.

She became a Christian at the age of 14, joining the Maple Grove Church near her home in the year 1899.  Through the years she was very active in the different churches in the communities in which she lived.  She spent much time and energy in the activities of the Women's Society of Christian Service and held a district office for a period of several years.

She was a member of and enjoyed the activities of the Rebekah Lodge, 19th Century Club and Triangle Club.

Early in life, Linnie wanted to be a public school teacher.  She received her rural school diploma, a Junior College diploma and later her Bachelor of Arts degree at Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls.  She later took graduate work at Colorado State University at Boulder, Colorado and received her Master's Degree from Columbia University, New York City.

She taught several years in the rural schools of Taylor County, at the North Dakota State Teachers College, Valley City, N. Dakota, Wartburg College at Waverly, Iowa, and in the high schools at Port Byron, Ill., and in Oelwein, Iowa, completing 28 years at the last named school.  She enjoyed her teaching and her students, and their welfare was uppermost in her life. In her teaching of history she thought it important that she be personally familiar with the places about which she taught.  To give herself a good background for this she spent much of her available time and resources traveling in her earlier years.

Having reached the age of retirement in 1950, she returned to Bedford where she had since continued to maintain her home.  She never ceased to maintain her enthusiasm for the progress of her church and community and for the welfare of her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Pearl Butts, Alice Thummel, Ora Hughes; one brother, Ray Butts, and one nephew, Olin Thummel.

She is survived by a brother, Glenn Butts, Bedford; three nephews, Harold Hughes of Omaha, Glenn Thummel of Harlan, Duane Thummel of Clarinda and their families.

[Payton, Gertrude Hattie]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    April 28, 1914

Obituary

Hattie Gertrude Payton

Last Wednesday, Hattie Gertrude Payton [Gertrude Hattie] died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. [illiam] F. [indley] Payton [Nannie Shafer], a mile north of town.  Miss Payton has suffered for the past eight years with organic heart trouble, her condition growing gradually worse, so that her death was not unexpected.  Within the last year the family has been called upon to mourn the death of their daughter, Minnie, and their only son, Jesse, who died but a few weeks ago.

Gertrude was born in this county, April 29, 1877, and has resided here all her life.  In 1899 she united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gilead and has taken as active a part in the church work as her health would permit.  She is survived by her parents and three sisters, who have the sympathy of all in this, their last and sad bereavement.

Funeral services were held at the home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Joe W. Goodsell.  Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery. Jesse Payton, a brother, died last winter.

[Payton, Gertrude Hattie]

Times-Republican

Thursday    April 23, 1914

Obituary

Gertrude H. Payton

Miss Gertrude H. [attie] Payton died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William [Findley] Payton [Nannie Shafer], one mile north of Bedford, Wednesday morning.  The funeral services will be held at the home Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. Goodsell.  Interment will be made in the Fairview Cemetery.  Miss Payton leaves to mourn her death, her parents, and three sisters, Misses Laura, Lena and Fannie Payton, besides a host of relatives and friends.

[PAYTON, GERTRUDE HATTIE]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, April 30, 1914
Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Payton of Galesburg, Ill., attended the funeral of Miss Gertrude Payton here last week.
Miss Orpha Payton of Yorktown attended the funeral of Miss Gertrude Payton here Friday.

[Payton, Fannie May]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 16, 1965    p. 5

Fannie Payton Rites Dec. 14

Funeral services for Fannie Payton, 76, long time Taylor County resident, were held December 14 at the east Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. J. Milton Kinney, Methodist minister, officiating.  Miss Payton died December 11, 1965 at Court Street Rest Home here.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

[Payton, Fannie May]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 23, 1965    p. 8

Fannie Payton Rites December 14

Funeral services for Fannie Payton, 76, long time Taylor County resident, were held December 14 at the east Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. J. Milton Kinney, Methodist Minister, officiating.  Miss Payton died December 11, 1965, at Court Street Rest Home here.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Fannie May Payton was the daughter of William [Findley] and Nannie Shafer Payton, born May 1, 1889, in Taylor County.  She resided in the rural area of Taylor County until 1904 when the family moved to Bedford.  Fannie was the youngest of a family of 6 girls and 1 boy.

Fannie loved to work with flowers and play the piano.  She spent many enjoyable hours with her music, lawns and garden.

For many years, as long as she was able, she was a faithful attendant at church school and church services.  She attended Gilead and Bedford ME churches.  She was a member of the Bedford church.  She was a charter member of the Triangle Club.

A sister, Lena, survives.  Her parents, 4 sisters, Minnie, Laura, Gertrude and an infant sister and 1 brother, Jesse, preceded her in death.

She is also survived by several Iowa cousins.

[Hunter, Perthena Ann "Tena" Payton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   January 22, 1959

Mrs. Paul Hunter died In Bedford Sunday

Mrs. Paul (Tena) Hunter, a long time resident of Bedford and community, died in Bedford Sunday, January 18.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Anthony Blankers of the Bedford Methodist church officiating.  Burial in Fairview Cemetery.

Perthena Ann Hunter, daughter of John [Lewis] and Hattie [Townsend Burgess] Payton, was born in Champaign County, Illinois on December 17, 1870 and died at the age of 88 years, one month, one day.

She came to Page County, Iowa at the age of six months and in 1877 moved to Taylor County with her parents.

She was united in marriage to Paul Hunter on September 13, 1891.  To this union, four children were born: two daughters, Eula and Opal and two sons, Jasper and John.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, her husband, both sons and one daughter, Eula Longfellow.

Her entire married life was spent in and near Bedford.  Since the death of her husband in 1928, she maintained her own home in Bedford with the exception of one and one-half years spent in Grand Island, Nebraska with her son, John.

She leaves to mourn her passing one daughter, Mrs. Opal Osburn of Bedford; seven grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren.

[Osburn, William Paul]

Quad City Times, Clinton, Iowa

Tuesday    May 24, 2005

William "Paul" Osburn, 90, of Clinton, died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Eagle Point Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Clinton.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig-Dennis A. Lemke Funeral Homes and Crematory with Rev. Ron Loft officiating.  Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Owen, LeRoy Andresen, Bill Fatchett, Lowell Weir, Dennis Meiers, and Casey Brodersen.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

William "Paul" Osburn was born on November 18, 1914 in Bedford, Iowa, the son of Emmett and Opal (Hunter) Osburn.  He married Esther Tholen on June 28, 1947 in Clinton, Iowa.

He was a 1932 graduate of Bedford High School, Bedford, Iowa.  He started farming in 1936 near Low Moor, Iowa.  He and his wife farmed until 1970 when they retired from their farm in DeWitt, Iowa.  After retiring from farming he was employed at the Wendling Quarry near Follets until retiring in 1982.

He was a member of First Baptist Church and a former member of the Clinton Moose Lodge #363.  In his younger years he was an all-star baseball player in the Industrial League in the 1930's and 40's, and had an opportunity to play ball with Babe Ruth.

He is survived by his wife: Esther of Clinton; two daughters: Paula (Paul) Herron of Fallbrook, California, and Shirley (Dennis) Meiers of Port Byron, Illinois; one son: Eugene Osburn of Reedsport, Oregon; five grandchildren: Stephanie (Geoff) Norman, Jason Osburn, Krista Brodersen, Casey Brodersen, and Vicki (Tom) Brennen; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Louise Weir, of Bedford, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one sister.

[Osburn, Esther J. Tholen]

Clinton Herald, Clinton, Iowa

Monday     January 30, 2006

In Loving Memory, 1915-2006

Esther J. Osburn, 90, of Clinton, IA, died Saturday at Eagle Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Clinton, IA.  Services will be held at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.  Visitation will be at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Gene Osburn, Casey Brodersen, Ivan Wilson, LeRoy Andresen, Jim Owens, and Bill Fatchett.  She was born on June 9, 1915, in Anamosa, IA, the daughter of John Theodore and Eliese (Onken) Tholen.  She was a 1932 Clinton High School graduate.  She married William "Paul" Osburn on June 28, 1947 in Clinton, Iowa; he died May 21, 2005.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Women of the Moose.  Esther had farmed with her husband in DeWitt for many years before retiring from farming in 1970.  She had also been employed at the Clinton Garment Factory for 13 years, retiring in 1976.  Survivors include her daughters, Shirley (Dennis) Meiers of Port Byron, IL; and Paula (Paul) Herron of Fallbrook, CA; son, Eugene Osburn of Reedsport, OR; 5 grandchildren, Stephanie (Geoff) Norman, Jason Osburn, Rayanne Osburn, Krista Brodersen, Casey Brodersen and Vicki (Tom) Brennen, 2 great grandchildren; her sister, Bernice (Ronnie) Guidebeck of Clinton, IA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

[Russell, James Alexander]

 Bedford Free Press

Thursday    December 25, 1902    [p. 1]

A Sudden Summons

Tuesday morning a few moments before 9 o'clock, James Russell was picking corn in the Paul Hunter field.  He remarked to his 16 year old son, "We will have to hurry, or Paul will catch us," meaning that Mr. Hunter would catch up with them in corn picking.  These were his last words.  In a moment more he was lying on the ground a corpse, having suddenly expired of heart failure.  He had no warning of death, and had always been well and strong, having only complained slightly several days before of a pain.  The body was brought to his home in Bedford.  The funeral exercises were held yesterday at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. Ream.  Interment in Fairview.  Deceased was 44 years,           1 month and 2 days old at the time of his death.  He leaves six small children and a widow in almost destitute circumstances.  He who has promised to be "a father to the fatherless and a husband to the widow" will care for them.  May His grace be sufficient for them in their hour of affliction.

[Russell, James Alexander]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      December 25, 1902     [p. 1]

Mortuary

From Wednesday’s Daily

Jas. [Alexander] Russell, who died suddenly yesterday morning, was interred today in the Fairview cemetery. The funeral services were held at the residence today at 2 o’clock p. m., Rev. T. J. Ream officiating.

Deceased and little son went out in the field yesterday morning to gather corn on the Paul Hunter farm and while husking he fell dead. He was taken to the Paul Hunter home and Dr. Archer was sent for and he pronounced it heart failure, and no inquest was held.

He leaves a wife and six children to suffer a heavy loss. He was an industrious and honest man, a devoted husband and loving father, though his earnest efforts had not succeeded in establishing the future of the ample family, and they are left, not only to mourn a tenderhearted father and husband, but also to fight the bitter battle of life.

The family has the deep sympathy of the entire community.

[Russell, James Alexander]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      December 25, 1902     5

A Very Sudden Death

James Russell Drops Dead This Morning While In the Act of Husking Corn on The Paul Hunter Farm

From Monday’s Daily Republican

Jas. [Alexander] Russell, well known in this city, dropped dead early this morning while husking corn for Paul Hunter on his farm south of this city, and the body was taken to the Paul Hunter home. It was a shock to the family when notified. The family resides in this city, and Mr. Russell was working for Paul Hunter. He went to his work this morning apparently as well as usual and there seemed no premonition of the sudden summons so near at hand.

He leaves a large family to the mercies of the world. At this writing there have been no definite arrangements made for the funeral.

[Osburn, Francis Irvin "Irve"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 1, 1962    p. 4

Irve Osburn, 80, Dies In Auburn

Irve  [Francis Irvin] Osburn, 80, a resident of Bedford before moving to Auburn, Iowa, about 40 years ago, died there Thursday, Feb. 22.  He had been in ill health the past two years with a heart condition.  Last rites and burial were at Auburn Monday afternoon.

He is survived by his wife [Mary Emaline Spater]; one daughter, Ruth, Mrs. Everett Garnatz of Auburn; two sons, both veterinarians, Dr. Melvin Osburn at Kansas State College, Manhattan, and Dr. Donald Osburn, with the Dept. of Agriculture at Austin, Minn.; one sister, Mrs. Ralph (Minnie) Hazel of Bedford; two brothers, E.[mmett] L. [loyd] Osburn and Walter [Leslie] Osburn of Bedford.  There are five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

[Durr, Carrie Belle]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 1, 1962    p. 4

Carrie Durr Dies At Conway

Carrie Belle Durr, 86, died at the Taylor County Home Thursday, Feb. 22.

Funeral services were held at two p.m. Monday at the Bender funeral home at Lenox. Rev. A. J. Clements officiated.  Burial was in Blue Grove cemetery near Lenox.

Miss Durr is survived by a brother and sister in Canada; a niece, Mrs. George Wurster, and a nephew, George Cade, both of Lenox.

Miss Durr was born in Wisconsin.

[Besco, Henry]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 1, 1962    p. 4

Henry Besco, 86, Dies At Lenox

Henry Besco, 86, a retired farmer of the Bedford community, died at the Lenox rest home Monday, Feb. 26.

Funeral services were held at the Bender funeral home in Lenox at two p.m. Tuesday.  Rev. David Shaeffer officiated. 

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Nadine Becherer of Lenox, Mrs. Orville Stephens of Bedford.  There are several grandchildren.

[Parsons, James]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 1, 1962    p. 4

Former Resident Dies At Glenwood

James Parsons, 89, a resident of Bedford a number of years ago, died at a rest home in Glenwood, Iowa, Sunday, Feb. 25.  The body was brought to Bedford and funeral services were held at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home on State Street Wednesday afternoon.  Burial was in the Bedford Cemetery.

[Longfellow, Frank Tennyson]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    Jun 18, 1986   

Services Held Monday For Frank Longfellow

Funeral services were held for Frank Tennyson Longfellow on June 16 at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home.  Burial was at Fairview Cemetery.  Reverend Carl Cummings officiated.

Frank Longfellow, youngest son of Joseph P. [urcell] Longfellow and Mary Elder Longfellow, was born March 16, 1892 in Gay Township in Taylor County, Iowa, and departed this life June 13, 1986 at Bedford, Iowa at the age of 94 years, two months and 28 days.

He grew to maturity in the Platteville area where he attended the public school and joined the Methodist Church.

In 1914 he was united in marriage to Eula Hunter and to this union three children were born:  [Perthena] Ann, who died in infancy; Jean F. [rances] and Donald J. [ay] Longfellow.  His wife Eula died in 1934.

In 1948 he was united in marriage to Aileen Gillette and they have resided at 309 State Street in Bedford, Iowa.

He was employed as a farmer, contractor, [and] surveyor and served as custodian of the Taylor County Courthouse until he retired in 1963.

Frank was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister and five brothers:  Lemuel, Charles, Henry, Joseph and Thomas.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Aileen of the home; his daughter, Jean F.[rances] Stewart of Bedford, Iowa and his son, Donald J. [ay] Longfellow of Powder Springs, Ga.; five grandchildren, Joyce Slate of Bedford, Tx.; Carol Novak of Cincinnati, Ohio; Kay Spain of Memphis, Tenn.; Kathy Vickers of Jackson, Miss.; and Jay Longfellow of Powder Springs, Ga.; seven great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

He was a kind and considerate person and he will be sadly missed by his family and loved ones as his whole life was dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

[Irwin, Margaret Ann Hargin]

Bedford Free Press

March 19, 1925    p. 3

Obituary - Mrs. Irwin

Mrs. Margaret Ann Irwin was born in Bruce County, Canada, February 18, 1848, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. [ames [G. [ilbert] Posten [Mary Jane] in Gravity, Iowa, on March 7, 1925, aged 77 years, and 17 days.  She was united in marriage to Thomas Irwin, November 19, 1864 and to this union were born ten children, three of whom preceded her in death.  Her husband passed out of this life April 10, 1912.

She leaves to mourn their loss, seven children: Mrs. W. [infield] R. [iley] Richardson [Susan Emily], Mrs. J. [ames [G. [ilbert] Posten [Mary Jane], Mrs. E. [ugene] J. [oseph] Posten [Ida], and Will Irwin of Gravity; George [Thomas] Irwin and Jim [James Howard] Irwin of Bedford; Rob Irwin of Akron, Colorado; 24 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, also one brother, Noble Hargin of Conway, Iowa, one sister, Mrs. Eliza Stewart of Bedford, together with a host of friends and neighbors.

She united with the Fairview Christian church a number of years ago, and later, moving to Gravity, she placed her membership with the Church of Christ here, where she has been a loyal, consecrated follower of her Master.  Her faithful Christian spirit has been an inspiration to many.

She was a member of Rebekah Lodge, Gravity, where she was held in high regard among the fraternity.

Her children were all at her bedside during her illness and all that loving hands could do to relieve her suffering, but to no avail.  She called all her children, and grandchildren and brother and sister, and their children, to her bedside, and talked to each one separately, and requested them to live such a life, that would enable them to meet her in heaven.------Gravity Independent

[Butts, Ray Prentiss]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    February 15, 1912    p. 4

Obituary

Ray P. [rentiss] Butts was born in southern Taylor County, Iowa, July 1, 1887, and died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. [James] Walker Butts [Sarah Isabel Payton], February 8, 1912.

For more than a year he had been in failing health, having contracted that dread disease, pulmonary tuberculosis.  Every human effort was made to save him to his friends and loved ones, but to no avail.  Throughout his long illness he was ever patient, cheerful and hopeful.  He seemed to avoid any tendency to complain and while the body grew weak, he yet maintained a courageous spirit.  In December 1909 he united with the Maple Grove Methodist Episcopal church and has been a beautiful example of the spirit of Christ.  A near neighbor declared, "No better boy ever lived."  To a friend who told him that he feared he might not recover, he replied, "O, yes, I hope to get well.  But if I do not, it is all right.  I am ready."

The funeral was held at the home of his parents, Saturday, February 10.  The sermon was preached by the Rev. Wm. B. Thompson of Bedford, the Rev. McSmith of Sheridan, Mo., assisting in the service.  Interment was in Fairview cemetery.