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

[Algeo, John I.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    June 18, 1903    [p. 1]

Death of an Old Settler.

The deceased, John I. Algeo, was born in West Virginia, November 13, 1835. Came to Iowa about 1845, where he has resided, most of the time in Taylor County.

January 19, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Harlin, who preceded him to the better land about eighteen years ago. To this happy union was born two children—George [Stuart], now living at Humansville, Missouri, and Mrs. Annie Menoher, residing at Speer, Illinois—both being present at the funeral.

He was elected to the office of sheriff in this county and served in that capacity during the years '74-'75.

He made a profession of Christianity about twenty-seven years ago and united with the Baptist church, where he has ever since honored the cause of Christ with a consistent religious life. He died at Humansville, Missouri, June 10th, from heart failure, having been apparently enjoying reasonably good health to within thirty minutes of his unexpected death, which will be greatly deplored by his many friends and relatives in Taylor County. He was a man of very strong religious and moral convictions, and made no hesitancy in expressing himself fully upon these questions, reproving sin and encouraging the good. Yet he was very kind in disposition toward all though they entertained different opinions from him. He was strictly honest; there was not a taint of littleness or unmanliness in his life—no disposition to impose upon others, but rather to become a servant for the good. He was peaceable and kind toward all with whom he had to do; loved his family greatly, and was always ready to throw the mantle of protection around them. He was hopeful, cheerful, and seemed to always have a word of encouragement and comfort for all along life's troublesome road.

The funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted by Rev. Curtis, of the M. E. church, Friday, June 12th, at 11 o'clock, and the remains were kindly laid to rest in the old Gravity Cemetery by the Masonic fraternity, there being a large number present from the different parts of the county to assist in the exercises of the occasion. The pallbearers were, W. C. Burge, Sam. Taylor, Sam. Robinson, Henry Adams, Noble Harrigan, Roger Vickery.

                                                                                    W. L. DUNLAVY.

[Algeo, John I.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    June 18, 1903    p. 6

Death's Record.

From Friday Daily.

John I. Algeo, of the vicinity of Gravity was buried today. He is one of the oldest residents of this county and was one of our first sheriffs. He was quite aged. The funeral was largely attended by friends from far and near. R. Vickery, H. M. Long, Court Orth, J. L. Nichols, James Daugherty and others whose names we did not learn, attended from this city.

[Algeo, John I.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    June 25, 1903    p. 2

Obituary.

(Too late for last week.)

The deceased, John I. Algeo, was born in West Virginia, Nov. 13, 1836. He came to Iowa about 1845 where he has resided the most of the time since, and the greater part in Taylor County. Jan. 19, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Harlin, who preceded him to the better land about 18 years ago. To this happy union were born two children, George [Stuart], now residing at Humansville, Mo., and Mrs. Annie Menoher, residing at Speer, Ill., both being present at the funeral. He was elected to the office of sheriff in this county and served in that capacity during the years of 1874 and'75.

He made a profession of Christianity about 27 years ago and united with the Baptist church where he has ever since honored the cause of Christ with a consecrated Christian life. He died in Humansville, Mo., June 10th from heart failure, having been apparently as well as common up to within 30 minutes of his death, which will be greatly deplored by his many friends and relatives in Taylor county.

He was a man of very strong religious and moral convictions and made no hesitancy in expressing himself freely upon these questions, reproving sin and encouraging that which is good. Yet he was very kind and indulgent towards those who differed with him in opinion. He was strictly honest. There was not a taint of littleness or manliness in his whole life, no disposition to impose upon others, but rather to become servant for their good. A reliable party told me the day of the funeral, that he was personally known to the fact of Bro. Algeo, many years ago while hard times prevailed in Taylor county, he having met with financial reverses, to pay 40 per cent interest on borrowed money in order that his financial obligations might be met and that he paid every dollar of it that his friends who had secured him might not suffer financial loss and that it took years of self sacrifice and hard labor to do it—this certainly was a pretty thorough test of his moral integrity. He was peaceable and kind toward all with whom he had to do, honored his family greatly, and was always ready to throw the mantle of protection around them. He was hopeful, cheerful and always seemed to have a word of encouragement and comfort for all, along life's troublesome road. The funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted by Rev. Curtis of the M. E. church on June 10 at 11 o'clock in the Baptist church in Gravity and the remains were laid to rest in the old Gravity cemetery by the Masonic fraternity there being a large number in attendance from the different parts of the county. The pallbearers were W. C. Burge, Sam Taylor, Sam Robinson, Noble Harrigan Roger Vickery and Henry Adams.

                                                            W. C. DUNLAVEY.

[Algeo, George Stuart]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 8, 1940    p. 7

GRAVITY

Former Resident Dies

Mrs. Ida Martin received a message Thursday telling of the death of her cousin, George [Stuart] Algeo at his home in Golden City, Mo. Mr. Algeo formerly resided here.

[Algeo, George Stuart]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday    August 8, 1940    p. 5

GRAVITY NEWS

Mrs. Charles Martin attended the funeral of a relative, George [Stuart] Algeo, at Clearmont, Mo. Friday.

[Brown, Harold Ezra]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 13, 1980   

Harold E. Brown, 70 Last Rites Were Held March 9

Funeral services for Harold E. Brown, 70, of Blockton, were held March 9 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Mr. Brown died March 6, 1980 in Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa.

Harold Ezra Brown, son of Charles    Calvin     Brown     and Debbie Palmer Brown, was born at Pattonsburg, Missouri, November 14, 1909.

He grew to maturity in the Civilbend, Missouri, area where he attended the public school   then   moved with his parents to   Iowa in the late 1920's.

On March 17, 1931, he was united in marriage to Grace Kauble at the Bedford Methodist Church and they lived in Taylor County where they engaged in farming.

Three children were born to bless their home, Robert A., [Harry and Charles].

He was preceded in death by his mother, Debbie Brown.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Grace, of the home; his son, Robert A. Brown and wife, Phyllis, and grandchildren, Curtis, Chris and Lorrie of Pickering, Missouri; his son, Harry, and wife, Pat Brown, and grandchildren Vickie and Randy of Sierra Vista, Arizona; and son, Charles, and wife, Sharon Brown, and grandchildren Todd and Terry Lynn of Clearfield, Iowa; his father, Charles C. [alvin] Brown, of Blockton; three sisters: Jess Petersen of Omaha, Nebraska, Bess Stitt of Jameson, Mo. and Cuma Combs of Mt. Ayr, Iowa; two brothers, Homer and Dean Brown both of Blockton; and other relatives and friends.

He was a kind and considerate son, husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

 [Morris, Goldie Mae Spurgeon Smith]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 8, 1980    p. 4

Last Rites Held In Bedford For Goldie Morris, 89

Funeral services for Mrs. Guy E. (Goldie Mae) Morris, 89, of Bedford, held May 6 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings.    The Oddfellow-Rebekah Lodge conducted   a   memorial   service. Mrs.   Morris   died   May   4 in Rosary   Hospital   in   Corning. Interment was   at    Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Goldie Mae Spurgeon, daughter of Martin M. [alachi] Spurgeon and Sarah Elizabeth Snell Spurgeon, was born in Ross Township Taylor County, Iowa, June 3, 1890. She grew to maturity   in the   Bedford area   where   she attended the public school and the Baptist Church where she has been a member since 1909.

On March 22, 1916 she was united in marriage to Clyde P. [arker] Smith at Bedford, where they made their home; Mr. Smith was employed as a carpenter until his death March 21, 1939.

On July   13, 1964 she was united in marriage to Guy E. [rnest] Morris   and   they    resided    in Bedford.     Mr.     Morris     died December 27, 1979.

She clearly loved and cared for children and for elderly people in their declining years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Bessie Lee, who died in infancy; two brothers, Ora Spurgeon, who died in 1946 and Roy Spurgeon who died in 1965.

Left to cherish her memory are a sister, Mrs. Ethel Keith of Bedford; nieces; nephews; other relatives, and friends.

She was a member of the Baptist Church and the Golden Rule Rebekah Lodge #134 of Bedford.

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

[Morris, Guy Ernest]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 3, 1980    p. 7

Final Rites Held December 29 For Guy Morris, 83

Funeral services for Guy Ernest Morris, 83, of Bedford, held December 29 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home In Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings. Mr. Morris died December 27, 1979 in Rosary Hospital in Corning, Ia.  Interment was at Dallas Center Cemetery, Taylor County.

Guy Ernest Morris, son of Frank Lindsay Morris and Mary Lathrop Morris, was born May 13, 1896 in Dallas Township, Taylor County, Iowa.

He attended Glassgow Rural School and grew to manhood in Dallas Township.

On July 21, 1915 he was united   in   marriage   to   Essie Maude Glassgow.

They owned and operated a farm in Dallas Township for many years, during which time their five children were born: four daughters and one son: Maxine (Mrs. Herb Walbridge) of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Madeline (Mrs. Clifford Forbes) Saratoga, Wyo.; Mary Evelyn (Mrs. Harold Snively) Carmichael, Wash.; Verla Lee, (Mrs. James Sabin) St. Clair, Wyo.; Virgil   Leo   Morris   of Corning, Iowa.

On January 4, 1946 Guy was married to Jennie Mead of Lincoln, Nebraska. They were both employed several years at the State Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. She died in 1958. On July 13, 1964 Guy and Mrs. Goldie Smith of Bedford, Iowa were united in marriage. They had resided in Bedford, Iowa until the time of his death.

Surviving are his wife, five children; seven grandchildren: Judy and Neal Forbes, Patricia and Bonnie Snively, Nancy Lee Sabin, Donald and Kenneth Sabin and Roger Allan Morris.

During the years Guy suffered several bad accidents and critical illness from pneumonia all of which affected his health in several ways.

Many relatives and friends remember him as a good friend and neighbor who was always ready to help them in times of need or with work long as his health permitted.

 [Spurgeon, Martin Malachi]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    April 9, 1931    p. 5

M. M. Spurgeon

M. [artin] M. [alachi] Spurgeon, 74, passed away at his home in Bedford this (Thursday) morning at 9:00 o'clock The funeral service will be held from the Wetmore Funeral home Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Interment will be made in Fairview Cemetery. Obituary next week.

[Spurgeon, Martin Malachi]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    April 16, 1931    p. 5

Funeral Services for M. M. Spurgeon Held Sunday

M. M. Spurgeon

M. M. Spurgeon passed away at his home in Bedford at 9:00 o'clock Thursday morning, April 9, at the age of 74 years, 10 months and 7 days. Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

Martin Malachi Spurgeon, son of William and Margaret [Burnett] Spurgeon, was born in Davis County, Iowa, June 2, 1856. He had been a faithful resident of the State of Iowa for nearly 75 years, and watched our wonderful State grow from the more ancient methods to a glowing modern situation. On December 9, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. [lizabeth] Snell, and to this successful union five children were born as follows: Roy O. [rville] Spurgeon, Bedford; Ora O.[wen] Spurgeon, St Paul, Minn.; Bessie [Lee] Spurgeon, who passed away in infancy; Mrs. Clyde Smith [Goldie Mae] and Mrs. Ollie Keith [Ethel Emma] of Bedford. He was one of a family of four children, all of whom have preceded him in death, he being the last of the family to depart this earth. While Mr. Spurgeon was not a member of any church, so far as a living membership was concerned, he was never known to speak harshly against the church or any of its membership. He had been in failing health for several months, but only gave up and went to his bed about three weeks before his death. During his last days, while illness caused him much pain and suffering, he was exceedingly patient and received all with good nature and cheerful word, and seemed more than satisfied with his opportunity for the blessed life to come.  He feared not death, but looked forward to its coming with pleasure and knew his loved ones until the very last.  He is survived by his wife and four children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, besides other relatives and a host of friends.

[Spurgeon, Martin Malachi]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday    April 16, 1931    p. 5

Will Snell and a Mr. Miller of Ottumwa attended the funeral of M. [artin] M.[alachi] Spurgeon here Sunday.  Mr. Snell is a brother of Mrs. Spurgeon [Sarah Elizabeth Snell].

Mrs. Dave Spurgeon and daughter Mrs. Ross Campbell of Grant City, Mo., attended the funeral of the former's brother-in-law, M. [artin] M. [alachi] Spurgeon, in Bedford Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Guy Griffith of Maryville attended the funeral of M. [artin] M.[alachi] Spurgeon here Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Ora O. [wen] Spurgeon departed Monday for their home in St. Paul, Minn., having been called here by the death of their father, M. [artin] M.[alachi] Spurgeon.

[Spurgeon, Roy Orville]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 24, 1965    p. 6

Final Rites Held Here For Roy Spurgeon

Funeral services for Roy Orville Spurgeon of Bedford, held June 21 at the Madison Street Shum-Novinger Funeral Home were conducted by Carl Cummings. Mr. Spurgeon died June 18, 1965 at the University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, at the age of 83 years, 10 months and 15 days. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

The following obituary was included in the services.

Roy Orville Spurgeon, son of Martin M. [alachi] and Sarah [Elizabeth] Snell Spurgeon, was born August 3, 1881 at Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa.

He moved with his family to Taylor county Iowa in the year 1887, when he was a very small boy. The family farmed in the Bedford community and here Roy grew to manhood.

On December 31, 1903 he was united in marriage to Maude E. [mma] Ernest at the home of the bride's parents in the Forest Grove community near Bedford with the Rev. E. W. Griffith, Baptist minister officiating.

To them was born one daughter, Lelia, now Mrs. Carl Zral of White Rock, British Columbia, Canada.

In the year 1912 the family moved to Canada and lived there until 1923 when they moved to St. Paul, Minn., and then in 1927 moved back to Canada to live until 1930 when they returned to Bedford, Ia., where they have since continued to reside.

For about the last 30 years Roy was a salesman for the Columbian Feed Company of Kansas City, Mo.

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

Left to cherish memories are his companion in life, Maude of the home, his daughter Leila and her husband Carl, two granddaughters -- Dorothy and Judy; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Goldie Smith Morris and Ethel E. [mma] Keith of Bedford and many other relatives and friends.

Roy was a kind and considerate husband and father, brother, friend and neighbor, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

[Spurgeon, Sarah Elizabeth Carter]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    May 6, 1948    [p. 1]

Mrs. Sarah Spurgeon Dies At Home Here

Mrs. Sarah E. [lizabeth Carter] Spurgeon, 86, died at the home of her daughter, Miss Gladys [Vera] Spurgeon, about 9 o'clock Wednesday night, May 5, following an illness of several months.

The funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. George W. Swan. Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.

[Spurgeon, Gladys Vera ÒSpurgeÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 1, 1971    [p. 1]

Final Rites for Gladys Spurgeon Held Here Mon.

Funeral services for Gladys Vera Spurgeon, 74, of Bedford were held Mon.,

Mar. 29, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here with Carl Cummings officiating. Miss Spurgeon died March 25, 1971 at Pearl Terrace Manor in Bedford. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

"Spurge", long time resident of Bedford, was currently manager of Kissinger Flower & Gift Shop in Bedford, a 'branch, of the Kissinger Shop of Maryville, Mo.

[Spurgeon, William]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    August 8, 1916    p. 4

Obituary—William Spurgeon

William Spurgeon died at the home of his son, Bud Spurgeon, Tuesday, August 1, after an illness of two years duration. The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev W. E. Robb. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

William Spurgeon was born May 26, 1829, at Salem, Washington county, Indiana. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Margaret Burnett. To this union were born four children, all of whom survive. They are David T. Spurgeon of Springdale, Ark., Mrs. Mary Harris of Wakeeney, Kan., M. [artin] M. [alachi] Spurgeon and Bud Spurgeon of Bedford. Besides the children he is survived by eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. Mr. Spurgeon came to Taylor County in 1885 and had since that time made his home with his son, Bud Spurgeon.

[SPURGEON, WILLIAM]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 3, 1916
William Spurgeon died at the home of his son, W. M. Spurgeon, in south Bedford, Tuesday evening at 7:30. Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday at 1:30, conducted by Rev. W. E. Robb. Interment was in Fairview cemetery.

[Maxwell, Alvin Elbert]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 13, 1980

Final Rites Held March 6 For Alvin Maxwell

Funeral services for Alvin Maxwell, 84, of Clarinda, held March 6 in Walker-Merrick Funeral Home in Clarinda, were officiated by Rev John Clark. Mr. Maxwell died March 3 in Atlantic Care Center, following    a     lengthy illness.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Alvin [Elbert] Maxwell   was   born October 16, 1895, near Braddyville, the son of James W. and Ellen Fine Maxwell.

On   May   1, 1920, he   was married to Florence Sleep and they had three children.  Margaret   Clymens   who   preceded him    in    death    in    1963, Don Maxwell     of     Clarinda     and Dorothy Byrns of Ankeny.

He is survived by his wife, one sister, Nellie Maxwell, son Don and wife Evelyn of Clarinda; daughter Dorothy and husband Otis Byrns of Ankeny; three grandchildren, Larry Maxwell, Linda Maxwell Rowan and Sharon Byrns, and two great grandchildren.

He was a veteran of World War I and served overseas.

He farmed for many years in Taylor County, then moved to Portland, Or. in 1952 and stayed until 1971, working for Tektronix.  He then retired and moved to Clarinda where he has lived the last nine years.

[Mellott, Vera Ellen Jones]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 10, 1982    p. 4

Vera Mellott, 87 Final Rites Were Held June 2

Funeral services for Mrs. Frank (Vera Ellen) Mellott, 87, of Red Oak, held June 2 in the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak, Ia., were conducted by Rev. Ron Petrak and Rev. Jim Turner. Mrs. Mellott died May 30, 1982 in Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak after a brief illness. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak.

Daughter of Joseph [Newton] and Margaret [Mary McKay] Jones, Vera Ellen Mellott was born January 14, 1895 in Leeton, Missouri. She was raised in Nebraska and moved to Red Oak before her marriage.

She was united in marriage to Frank [Raymond] Mellott February 16, 1914 in Red Oak. Mrs. Mellott was a homemaker and spent her life in Red Oak and Montgomery County, Iowa.

Mrs. Mellott was a member of Stratton United Methodist Church in Montgomery County, Iowa, the United Methodist Women, Stennett Community Club and a former member of the Navy Mothers' Club.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Frank [Raymond] Mellott; one daughter, Mrs. William (June) Baker, Lincoln, Nebr.; three sons: Ardith Mellott, Elliott, Ia., Doyal Mellott, Red Oak, Iowa, and Boyd Mellott, Bedford, Ia.; seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one brother, [Jesse] Claude Jones, San Jose, Calif.; two sisters; Mrs. Mattie [Lucille] Watson, Stanton, Ia. and Mrs. Clara [Irene] Anderson, Omaha, Nebr.

Memorials are suggested to the Stratton   United   Methodist Church.

[Mattly, Archie Leland]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 10, 1982    p. 4

Archie Leland Mattly Last Rites Were Held June 6

Funeral services for Archie Leland Mattly, 72, of Bedford, formerly of Clarinda, were held June 6 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford conducted by Rev. John P. Clark. Mr. Mattly died June 2, 1982 in his Bedford home. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery, Quincy, Iowa.

Archie Leland Mattly, son of Mary Belle Mattly, was born in Promise City, Iowa March 27, 1910. He worked at the coalmines near Promise City before moving to Griswold, Iowa to farm.

He moved to Clarinda, Iowa and worked for Mental Health Hospital for 20 years.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Clarinda.

Mr.   Mattly was   married   to Florence    Snyder    in    Council Bluffs, October 23, 1936. From this marriage were   three   sons and three daughters.

Preceding him in death was one brother, Arbery Parker.

Surviving are his wife Florence; children: LeRoy Mattly, Othello, Washington; Donna Cole, Macedonia, Iowa, Dewey Mattly, Loveland, Colorado; Robert Mattly, Omaha, Nebraska; Inez Cozad, Bedford, Iowa and Mary Lou Burch, New Market, Iowa; two brothers and one sister, Bud McElfish, Seymour, Iowa; Harold McElfish, Corydon, Iowa; Audrey Brinkley, Seymour, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was kind and considerate and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Lewellen, Charles Lester]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 10, 1982    p. 4

Charles L. Lewellen Rites Held in Okla.

Funeral services for Charles L. [ester] Lewellen, Fairfax, Okla., formerly of Siam, were held June 4 in Hunsaker Chapel in Fairfax, were conducted by Rev. Gary Eubanks assisted by Rev. Ronald Smith of Joliet, Ill. Music was furnished by Neil and Gladys Combs of Gravity.

The Lewellens moved to Oklahoma in 1930 where he was employed by the Phillips Oil Company for many years until he retired.

Mr. Lewellen was a long time member of the Baptist Church and attended regularly as long as health permitted. He was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt as long as his health allowed.

He was preceded in death by a son, Donald Glenn, in 1942.

Mr. Lewellen is survived by his wife, Clara [Redenbaugh], of Fairfax; one daughter, Wylene Smith of Slaton, Texas; two grandchildren: Rev. Ronald Smith and wife, Emelda, of Joliet, Ill.; and Mrs. William (Nancy) Harris and husband, William, of Clinton, Okla.; four granddaughters: Shey and Amy Smith of Joliet, Ill., Stacy and Megan Harris of Clinton, Okla.; one sister, Mrs. Sylvia Combs, Clarinda, Ia.; brother, Wayne Lewellen, Tulsa, Okla.; sister-in-law, Nettie Redenbaugh of Bedford; nephews including Dwight Pratt of New Market and Neil Combs of Gravity; nieces; and a host of friends.

Attending were Nettie Redenbaugh, Bedford, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Pratt, New Market, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Combs, daughter, Patricia O'Dell and granddaughter, Nishi O'Dell, Gravity.

Mr. Lewellen was a kind and loving husband and father and will be sadly missed by them all.

[Wilbur, Mary Ethel Firth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 13, 1980

Ethel Wilbur Dies In Joplin, Mo.

Mrs. Mary Ethel Wilbur, 88, 128 Wall Ave., Joplin, Mo., died at 2:35 p.m. Sunday at Elmhurst in Webb City, Mo., where she was a patient since October, 1979.

Mrs. Wilbur was born July 5, 1891, in Taylor County, Iowa. She has lived in Joplin since 1930. She married Charley B. Wilbur March 12, 1913, at Bedford, Iowa. She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are a brother, Roy Firth, Glendale, Calif., and two nieces: Mrs. Dwight Pratt, New Market, and Mrs. Harry Hollis, Amarillo, Texas.

Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Forest Park Cemetery, in Joplin. Mo. The Rev. J.K. Wright officiated. Burial was under the direction of Thorn Hill-Dillon Mortuary.

Mrs. Pratt attended the services.