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

[Barker, Florence Isabelle “Belle” Weller]

Clearfield Chronicle

November 26, 1986      p. 3

Belle Barker

Belle Norton Barker [Florence Isabelle], 88, passed away, Tuesday, November 11, 1986 at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 8 days.

She passed away at Bedford Manor, Bedford, Iowa where she had been only a few days.

Belle was the daughter of Samuel D. [aniel] Weller and Carrie Belle Prickett Weller and was born at Ogden, Utah.

At 6 weeks of age, she and her father came to Taylor County, Iowa by covered wagon. Her mother had passed away.

Belle made her home with her aunt and uncle and she grew to maturity in Taylor County, attended the Public Schools here.

She was a member of the Methodist Church.

December 20, 1917, she was united in marriage to Arval [Wood] Norton and resided in Conway, Iowa. To this union six children were born, Mildred, Paul, Elva, Jeannette, Robert and Mary Lou.

Mr. Norton passed away in 1959 and on December 20th, 1964 she was united in marriage to Ernest Barker and they resided in Corning and Conway, Iowa.

For many years she was the telephone operator in Conway and she was employed by the Mental Health Institution in Clarinda, Iowa and she had worked in the Nursing Homes of Corning, Lenox and Clearfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Arval Norton; her daughter Jeannette; three brothers and three sisters, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ernest Barker of the home; Mildred Beason and husband, Eldon of Mearls Inlet, South Carolina; Paul Norton and wife, Bess of Grand Junction, Colorado; Elva Petersen of Atlantic, Iowa, Robert Norton and wife, Mildred of Lenox, Iowa; Mary Lou and her husband, Alvin Barker, of Conway; a stepson, Dean Barker of Creston, Iowa; a step daughter, June Goins of Casar, North Carolina; and a son-in-law, Delano Hayworth of Lenox, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Helen Glover of Red Oak, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren and seven great, great grandchildren; other relatives & many friends.

Her family and friends will remember her as a kind and loving person and she will be missed by all who knew & loved her.

Services were held November 14, 1986 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa with burial in the Conway cemetery, Rev. Carl Cummings officiating.

[Nixon, George Linford]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      January 25, 1962      p. 2

G. L. Nixon Dies At Leon

G. [eorge] L. [inford] Nixon, 66, depot agent at Leon for the C. B. & Q. Railroad Company, and a former resident of Conway, died of a heart attack in the office of R. B. Hawkins, attorney, at 5:10 p. m. Monday, Jan. 8. He was talking with Mr. Hawkins regarding the sale of his property when he died instantly.

He had been with the railroad company since 1914. Mr. Nixon had been the agent in Leon the past 28 years.

Funeral services were held in Leon Thursday, Jan. 11 with interment in the Conway cemetery.

Besides his wife, Cordice, he leaves four children, Mrs. James Reeder of Neodesha, Kans., Jack and Ted of Tarkio, Mo., Darrell of Fresno, Calif.

He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ella Lininger of Lawndale, Calif., Mrs. Rolla Phillips of The Dalles, Ore.; an aunt, Mrs. Sarah Starkey of Conway who has lived in the Nixon home and is now at the Tripp nursing home in Leon.

[Nixon, Ruth Gertrude Hemmersbach]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      November 3, 1949      p. 3

CONWAY

Attend Nixon Funeral

Those attending the last rites for Mrs. Ruth Nixon were nephews, John and Pete Ryan of Peoria, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Leon Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schrivener of Leon.

[Nixon, Ruth Gertrude Hemmersbach]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      November 3, 1949      p. 3

Obituary – Mrs. Ruth Nixon

Ruth Gertrude Nixon, daughter of Adam Hemmersbach and Elizabeth Zimmerman, was born in Henry County, Illinois, January 21, 1874, and died at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, October 26, at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 4 days.

She was married to George W. [illiam] Nixon at Creston, December 28, 1893. To them three children were born: George [Linford] Nixon of Leon, Mrs. Ella Lininger of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Goldia Phillips of The Dalles, Oregon.

Mrs. Nixon was preceded in death by her husband on April 15, 1915. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah Starkey of Conway; one son and two daughters; 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

[Norton, Paul Samuel]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      July 12, 1995

PAUL SAMUEL NORTON

Paul Samuel Norton, 75, Grand Junction, Colorado, was born on October 24, 1919 in Conway, Iowa to Arvil [Arval] Norton and Belle (Weller). He died on July 5, 1995 at St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center.

He spent his childhood in Conway, and graduated from Conway High School. Places of residence include Iowa, California and Colorado. He was married twice, most recently to Bessie Weaver Michels and previously to Marjorie Brockelsby, both deceased.

Paul was a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and a Life Member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He enjoyed golfing.

Surviving are his daughter, Carolyn Eighmy of Sidney, Iowa; stepson Leo Michels of Denver, Colorado; stepdaughter Karen Hatfield, Montrose, Colorado; a brother, Robert Norton of Conway, Iowa; two sisters; niece and husband, Betty and Bob Kretschman of Grand Junction Colorado; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first and second wives, and two sisters.

Callahan-Edfast Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Services will be held in Bedford, Iowa.

[Norton, Robert Edwin]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday August 7, 2002

ROBERT EDWIN NORTON

Funeral services for Robert Norton, age 76 of Jameson, Missouri, formerly of Conway, who died Wednesday, July 31, 2002 were held Saturday, August 3, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford with Pastor Bob Thompson officiating. Interment was held in the Conway Cemetery.   Memorials can be given in Robert's name. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Robert Edwin Norton was born January 11, 1926 in Conway, Iowa. He was the son of Arval (Bud) Wood Norton and Belle Weller Norton. Robert grew up attending school in Conway, graduating in 1945. On June 3,1953 he was united in marriage to Mildred Rusco at the United Methodist Parsonage in Bedford.   To this loving union two children were born, Paul and Jackie.

Robert worked for Taylor County for thirty-five years, following in his father's footsteps, running the maintainer in Conway and Lenox. Upon Robert's retirement from Taylor County, he assisted Mildred at the Taylor County Care Facility. Together they enjoyed caring for many Taylor County residents for several years. In 1990 they moved to Jameson, Missouri to live closer to Mildred's mother.

Robert enjoyed nature. Whether he was outdoors feeding the birds, gardening, woodworking, or looking for turkeys or deer, he seemed to connect with all that was around him. He was known for his quick wit and tremendous sense of humor. Robert and Mildred attended the Baptist Church in Jameson where he recently accepted Christ as his personal savior

Left to cherish Robert's memory are his loving wife Mildred of Jameson, Missouri; a daughter, Jackie McMillen and husband Dennis of Conway; a son, Paul Norton and wife Chris of Conway; a sister, Mary Lou Barker and husband Alvin (Red) of Bedford; two grandchildren, Ann McMillen and Lacey Norton; two brothers-in-law, Jack Rusco arid wife Nancy; and Delno Hayworth; three sisters-in-law, Beverly Gould; Peggy Jincks and husband James; and Bea Rusco; and a mother-in-law, Bessie Stitt; four step-grandchildren, Joe McMillen and wife Sherry; Jeff McMillen and fiancée Merideth; Jerry McMillen and wife Nancy; and John McMillen; and three step-great-grandchildren; along with many, many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceding Robert in death are his parents Bud and Belle; three sisters, Jeannette Hayworth, Mildred Beason and Elva Petersen; a brother, Paul Norton; four brothers-in-law, Eldon Beason, Roy Petersen, Eldon Gould and Royal Rusco; and a sister-in-law, Bess Norton.

[Owens, James W.]

Blockton News 

Thursday      October 13, 1938     [p. 1]

Jas. W. Owens Dead

Word was received here Tuesday evening from Salem, Arkansas, that James W. Owens died at his home there that afternoon. No particulars have been received. While it was known that Mr. Owens did not enjoy the best of health at all times, his afflictions were not considered of a serious nature. Mr. Owens disposed of his farm and personal property here about two weeks ago and left a week ago Saturday, accompanied by his wife and son, Richard, and his son-in-law, Allan Sharp, and family for Salem, Arkansas, where he had purchased land.

The body will be brought back here for burial.

[Owens, James W.]

Blockton News 

Thursday      October 20, 1938      p. 5

Those from a distance attending the funeral of J. [ames] W. Owens here Friday afternoon were A. J. Ramsey, of Geneseo, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Ramsey, of Wichita, Kansas, cousin and nephew of the late Mr. Owens; Mrs. Wes Adair and Jennie Warden of Des Moines; Fred Adair, of Indianola; Tom Warden, wife and son, of Grant City; Earl Hoover and wife, of Mount Ayr; Wes Adair and Earl Adair and wife, of Redding, and J. N. King and wife, of Bronson.

[Owens, James W.]

Blockton News 

Thursday      October 20, 1938      p. 5

Obituary

James W. Owens, son of Silas and Martha A. Leathers, was born in Geneseo, Kansas, August 14, 1877, and departed this life at his home near Salem, Arkansas, Oct. 11, 1938, aged 61 years, 1 month and 27 days.

His early life was spent in and around Columbia, Missouri. He came to Blockton, Iowa, in 1902, and was united in marriage to Lizzie Blanche Loutzenhiser, daughter of Richard L. and Carrie B. [lance] Loutzenhiser, on Nov. 27, 1907. To this union two children were born---Richard Loutzenhiser Owens and Viola Maye Sharp both of Salem, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Owens spent their entire life in Ringgold and Taylor counties with the exception of about 7 years spent in Cloverton, Minnesota, and 9 years in Des Moines, leaving Blockton Oct. 1, 1938, for their new home near Salem, Arkansas, spending just a week in this location.

He was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather, doing all in his power to make their life easier and more pleasant. He leaves to mourn his departure besides his wife and children, one sister, Mildred Armstrong, of California; two grandsons, Tommy and Jimmy Sharp; several cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives. He will be sadly and deeply missed by his family and his many friends and old neighbors.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Methodist church Friday afternoon, at 2:30, conducted by Rev. W. H. Warrior. The pallbearers were Jay Skinner, J. B. Strobel, Roy Lepley, Pearl Burgher, Glen Quick, and Elbert Drake. Interment in Rose Hill cemetery, Blockton.

[Pennebaker, Doris Samuel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 23, 1961     p. 4

D. S. Pennebaker Dies Monday

D. [oris] S. [amuel] Pennebaker, 93, of Lenox, died Monday a. m., at the Creston hospital where he had been a patient a few days. He was born in Pennsylvania and came to Iowa in 1894. He and his wife retired from their farm in Sharpsburg eight years ago when they moved to Lenox. She preceded him in death.

Surviving are 5 sons, Dell, of Clearfield, Harry of Sharpsburg, Charlie of Ottawa, Ill., Dr. J. [ames] C. of Corning, Dr. E. [verett] R. of Lenox; one daughter, Mrs. Faye Heller of Lenox; 13 grandchildren (including Dr. G. R. Pennebaker of Creston); 36 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

Rev. James Eddy officiated at the funeral services held at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg at 2 Wed. Burial in the Conway cemetery.

[Pennebaker, Doris Samuel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 7, 1961   p. 6

D. S. Pennebaker

Doris Samuel Pennebaker, son of S. [amuel] S. and Mary [Brubaker] Pennebaker, was born at Walnut, Juniata County, Penn., Feb. 18, 1868 and died at the Greater Community hospital in Creston, Nov. 20, at the age of 93 years, nine months, two days.

He was united in marriage to Lida Isabella Souder Jan. 16, 1889 at Peoria, Ill. To this union eight children were born: A. [delbert] L. [eroy] of Clearfield, S.[amuel] H. [arry] of Sharpsburg, C.[harles] J. [acob] of Ottawa, Ill., John (deceased), Dr. J. [ames] C. of Corning, Dr. E.[verett] R. of Lenox, Roy [Ray] of Kansas, Mrs. Fay [e] Heller of Lenox.

He and his wife moved to a farm in Page County in 1894 and from there to a farm near Sharpsburg in Taylor county in 1899, where they resided until they moved to their home in Lenox in November 1953.

He united with the church as a young man, and at the time of his death was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg.

His wife preceded him in death Sept. 19, 1954.

He is survived by his seven children, five daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; 13 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Nov. 22 at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian church, Rev. James Eddy of Lenox officiating. Burial was in Conway cemetery.

[Pennebaker, John “Johnnie”]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     July 11, 1912     p. 3

Killed By Train At Sharpsburg

Gravity, Ia., July 6. ----Johnnie Pennebaker, the 14-year-old son of D. [oris] S.[amuel] Pennebaker, a farmer living one-half mile southwest of Sharpsburg, was fatally injured by falling under the excursion special about 10 o’clock Thursday night and died about five minutes after reaching the hospital at Clarinda.

The boy came to Gravity and spent the day celebrating here. He boarded the excursion train here about 9:45, and the next seen of him was when his lifeless body was hauled from under the train as it stopped at the Sharpsburg depot. The Pennebaker home is near the railroad, about one-half mile southwest of town, and it is supposed that the boy tried to jump from the moving train as it passed his home to save the walk back from town and was thrown under the car.

It is not thought by the doctors who examined him that the car wheels passed over any part of his body, but that the injuries were received from being dragged along under the moving train. When the car was brought to a stop at the east end of Sharpsburg depot platform, the boy’s body was found on the rails pressing against the wheels and appeared to have been shoved along in front of the moving wheel for some distance. One of the legs was broken in two places and the right hand was entirely torn off at the wrist, while there was found a long fracture of the skull on one side of the head.

But few bruises were found on the body. The boy was conscious and talked freely, but could give absolutely no account of the accident.

The engine and one coach of the special were used to take the boy and his parents to Clarinda. As soon as the accident was discovered, Dr. L. T. Reed of Gravity, railroad physician, was telephoned for and made the trip to Sharpsburg in his auto in time to go to Clarinda in charge of the injured lad.  It was known from the first that there was absolutely no hopes for his recovery. The body was sent back to Sharpsburg.

This is the second fatal railway accident at Sharpsburg within the last six months, the other one being the killing of a freight brakeman who was crushed while coupling a pair of freight cars on the grade west of the depot.

[Pennebaker, John “Johnnie”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 11, 1912    [p. 1]

JOHN PENNYBAKER DIES OF INJURIES

Sharpsburg Boy Found Under Wheels at Sharpsburg Railway Station July 4

Dies in Clarinda Hospital

None Witnessed Accident by Which Boy Got Under Wheels of the Excursion Train

John Pennybaker [Pennebaker], aged 14 years, son of D. [oris] S. [amuel] Pennybaker [Pennebaker] of Sharpsburg, fell under the wheels of the excursion train on the K. & W. railroad at Sharpsburg on the evening of July 4, and died as a result of his injuries.

The boy had been at Gravity during the day, participating in the celebration, and returned to Sharpsburg on the train. No one witnessed the accident by which he got under the wheels, but he was found there while the train was at the Sharpsburg station.

The company’s physician, Dr. L. T. Reed of Gravity, was called and the boy was taken to a Clarinda hospital, but his injuries were of such a serious nature that recovery was impossible.

[Pennebaker, Lida Isabella Souder]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 23, 1954      p. 4

Obituary – Mrs. D. S. Pennebaker

Lida Isabella Souder, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth [Mathews] Souder, was born Sept. 29, 1865 in Peoria County, Illinois and died at her home in Lenox, Sept. 19, 1954 at the age of 88 years, 11 months, 20 days.

She was married to Doris Samuel Pennebaker, Jan. 16, 1889 at Peoria, Ill. To them eight children were born: A. [delbert] L. [eroy] of Clearfield, Harry of Sharpsburg, Charles of Ottawa, Ill., John (deceased), Dr. James C. of Corning, Dr. Evert [Everett] R. of Lenox, Ray of Kansas, Mrs. Faye [Alice] Heller of Gravity.

She and her husband moved to a farm in Page County, Iowa in 1894 and from there to a farm near Sharpsburg in Taylor county in 1899, where they resided until they moved to their home in Lenox in November 1953.

She united with the church in early girlhood and at the time of her death was a member of the Presbyterian church of Sharpsburg.

She is survived by her husband, seven children, five daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren; one brother, Frank Souder of Bedford; one sister, Mrs. Emma Delsinger of Monmouth, Ill.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 21 at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg, with Rev. Donald Watkins officiating. Burial was in Conway cemetery.

[Pennebaker, Ray T.]

Lenox Time Table

Thursday      February 2, 1967     p. 2

SHARPSBURG

Harry Pennebaker received word of the death of his brother Ray last week.

[Pennebaker, Thelma Elizabeth Davis]

Lenox Time Table

Thursday     November 10, 1927     p. 4

Thelma Davis Pennebaker

Thelma [Elizabeth] Davis Pennebaker, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.[ren] L. [ivingston] Davis, was born near Grimes, Okla., October 7, 1906, and departed this life November 2, 1927, at her home near Sharpsburg, aged 21 years and 25 days.

Previous to her residence in this community she had lived with her parents at Emerson and Hastings, Iowa. The family moved to Lenox about two years ago. She was united in marriage at her parent’s home in Lenox June 12, 1927, to Ray Pennebaker. Immediately after her marriage she and her husband moved into the Sharpsburg community.

Thelma went into the Baptist church at Emerson 11 years ago. At the time of her death she was a member of the Church of Christ at Lenox. She was also a member of the royal Neighbors.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Orin, who died August 22, 1927.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. O. [ren] L. [ivingston] Davis, two brothers, RobBen and Jeane, and one sister, Nadine.

The funeral services were held from the Christian church Friday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. E. C. Miller, assisted by Rev. C. H. Platte, of Sharpsburg.

A large number of friends gathered from Lenox and Sharpsburg to pay their last tribute to this fine young woman. She was laid at rest in the Lenox cemetery beside her brother, Orin.

Those from out of the county who attended the funeral were: R. L. Davis and wife, R. W. Davis and family, J. E. Davis and family, Kenneth Shaw and family, of Emerson; S. C. Davis, of Lewis; R. O. Grant, of Corning; Mrs. Margaret Bennett, Mrs. Anthony Cuff and son, of Sayre, Okla.; R. T. Shotwell, Sentinel, Okla.; Miss Cleo Davis, Elk City, Okla.; A. [delbert] L. [eroy] Pennebaker and family, of Winterset, and Dr. J. [ames] C. Pennebaker and wife, of Corning.

[Pennebaker, Thelma Elizabeth Davis]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     November 10, 1927    p. 3

SHARPSBURG

Mrs. Ray Pennebaker died at her home early Wednesday morning. She was taken suddenly ill in the night. The doctor was called. She seemed to be resting easier then started having convulsions.

 

[Petersen, Elva May Norton Wilson Bradstreet]

Elva May Petersen, 80, of Atlantic, Iowa passed away Thursday, September 27, 2001, at her daughter's home at rural Earlham. The daughter of Arval Wood and Florence Isabel (Weller) Norton, Elva was born April 21, 1921 in Conway, Iowa where she grew up and graduated from Conway Consolidated School in 1939. She was married to R. Ray Wilson on March 25, 1939, in Missouri. Following marriage they lived in the Bussey, Conway and Lenox areas before moving to Walnut in 1952. They moved to Atlantic in 1958. She was married to Keith Bradstreet in 1960, and they managed a Greyhound Bus Depot in Atlantic. They lived in the Atlantic, Cumberland and Massena areas. In September of 1970 she married Roy R. Petersen, who was an Atlantic Police Officer. Elva worked as a waitress at Young's restaurant and later worked at the Pines restaurant in Atlantic for many years. Surviving are three daughters, Nancy [Kay] Adams of Earlham, Iowa, Linda [Lou] Adams of Lewis, Iowa, and Sharon [Sue] Adams of Van Meter, Iowa; six grandchildren, Rick Adams, Kandi Beaman, Kent Adams, Kraig Adams, Nick Adams and Brad Adams; thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lou Barker and her husband Alvin; one brother Robert Norton and his wife Mildred; a brother-in-law Dellano Hayworth and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; one son Richard; one granddaughter Sherry; two sisters, Jeanette Hayworth and Mildred Beeson; and one brother Paul Norton.

Funeral Information: Graveside services for Elva will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2001, at 10:30 AM at the Conway Cemetery, Conway, Iowa with Rev. Steve Allison of the Earlham Church of Christ of Earlham, Iowa officiating.
[Online obituary available from Roland Funeral Service, Atlantic, Cass County, Iowa, olandfuneralservice.frontrunnerpro.com/book-of-memories/964093/Petersen-Elva/obituary.php.]