Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 
 

Ambrose, Nancy Jane Algoe -

Nancy Jane Algoe Ambrose, better known to her friends as "Nannie", died Friday morning, June 3rd at the Creston Manor Care Center at the age of 91.

She was the daughter of George and Mary Barr Algoe, and was born July 17, 1885 near Toluca, Ill. She was 91 years, 10 months and 16 days of age at the time of her death.

She grew up in Illinois with her family, and was baptized a Christian on October 22, 1905.

On January 25, 1911, she was united in marriage with Jessie Ambrose at Toluca, Ill. This marriage was blessed with the birth of two children, Wilma and Burton. "Nannie"

and Jesse farmed in the Mercer Center community until moving to the farm a mile and a half east of Stringtown in 1917. They made their home there for 52 years.

Jesse preceded her in death on March 22, 1969. She was also preceded in death by a son in law, Duane Beckwith, and 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

She is survived by her two children: Burton Ambrose and his wife, Dorothy of Creston, and Wilma Beckwith of Gardena, California. One sister, Emma Carrithers of Toluca, Ill.,

and 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren also survive, as well as other relatives and friends.

Nannie had made her home in Creston since 1969. She was a member of the Stringtown Church and was always active in church and community work. She taught a Sunday

School class for many years and was always willing to help anyone in need.

Services were held Sunday, June 5, 1977 at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Kenneth Reiter officiating.

Music was furnished by Norma Paymal, organist.

Casket bearers were Dale Shepherd, Harold Shepherd, Fred Stillinger, A. L. Pine, Orvin Bush and Eugene Swartz.

Burial was in West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 9, 1977

 

Barker, May Emma Goecker -

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, June 24th, from Larkin-Bender Funeral Home for Mrs. May Emma Barker who died Wednesday, at Clarinda.

May Barker was born May 26, 1894.  She spent her childhood in Yorktown, Iowa with her parents Louis and Ida Goecker.

She married Frank Barker June 12, 1912 and they both lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 1962.

Frank preceded her in death Dec. 4, 1970. They have one survivor, an adopted son Luell Barker of Sharpsburg, Iowa; one sister, Margaret Friend Sisk and one brother Harold

Goecker and wife Anna all of Council Bluffs, Iowa, besides a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

Pastor Don Jensen of Audubon officiated at the services.

Music was furnished by Ruth Boltinghouse, organist with Marilyn Beck and Billie Jean Barker, vocalists.

Casket bearers were Ernest Jensen, Dave Winslow, Paul Chitty, Lester Day, Leonard Knott and Reldon Beadel.

Interment was in East Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 30, 1977

 

Barnes, Lethia Mauree Brown -

Lethia Mauree Barnes was born near Kent, Iowa, on Apr. 14th, 1897, to Sam and Lena Nugent Brown, and passed into eternity on May 14th, 1977 at the age of 80 years

and 1 month.

On August 31st, 1919, she was united in marriage to Hugh N. Barnes at her parents' home. They spent all of their life together in Lenox. To this union were born two

daughters, Thelma, now Mrs. Howard Bowerbank, Enid & Mrs. Bill Atkinson and a son who died at birth.

After the death of her husband on January 2, 1945, she moved to Kansas City, Mo., and later to Burlington, Iowa where she passed away.

She is survived by her daughters, Thelma and her husband Howard and Enid and her husband, Bill. Also one brother Cornelius and his wife Sylvia of Lenox, and one sister, Ola Schweers of St. Petersburg, Fla. Also ten grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband and baby son she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Carl Brown and 2 sisters, Edith Brown and Fay Randal.

She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, but her poor health in her later years kept her from doing this, but she enjoyed every flower friends and relatives shared with her to the last few hours.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 26, 1977

 

Campbell, Chester B -

Chester B. Campbell passed away at 1:00 a.m. Monday, May 30 at Iowa Medical Center Services will be Thursday, June 2nd at Dunn's Funeral Home on Grand Ave. in Des

Moines. The home address is 2835 70th St., Des Moines, 50322.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 2, 1977

 

Chamberlin, Alta Mae Lovitt -

Funeral services for Mrs. Leslie L. (Alta) Chamberlin of Mission Hills, Calif., were held June 11 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Carl Cummings officiating.

Mrs. Chamberlin died in her home in Mission Hills June 7, 1977. Interment was in the Mausoleum, Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

Alta Mae, daughter of Pam and Elizabeth Lovitt, was born July 17, 1882, in the Blue Grove Community near Lenox, Iowa, and died at her home in Mission Hills, Calif., June 7, 1977. As a young woman she attended Drake University where she studied music and was later engaged in evangelistic singing for a number of years. On Oct. 16, 1913, she was married to Leslie L. Chamberlin at Gravity, Iowa.  They lived on the Chamberlin home farm until the untimely death of her husband in Sept. 1924. After a time she and her daughter, Thelma, went to California where she made her home until her death.

She is survived by her only child, Thelma, and her son-in-law, Henry Moore of Mission Hills, Cal.; three sisters, Bird Drain and Flo Grimm of Lenox, Iowa, Hazel Neeley of

Glendale, Cal., two sisters-in-law, Ethel Lovitt of Portland, Oregon and Alice May of Des Moines, Iowa; one brother-in-law, Budd Chamberlin of Bedford, Iowa and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Her concern for people and love for her Church were lifelong qualities which endeared her to her family and everyone who knew her.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 23, 1977

 

Curts, Margaret Miller -

Margaret Miller Curts, 78, died in Hannibal, Mo., May 27th after suffering a stroke on January 22nd, 1977.

The daughter of the late Frank and Katherine (Schafroth) Miller, was born in Adams County, Iowa, and departed this life at the Beth Haven Nursing Home in Hannibal, Mo.

Her age at the time of her death was 78 years, 1 month and 27 days.

She was united in marriage with Frank E. Curts August 22, 1919 and they spent their early years of married life in and near the Lenox community. Two daughters were born

to this union, Clella and Mildred.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, September 2, 1965 and daughter Mildred Travis October 29, 1973, two grandsons, Barry Brendle and Ronnie Travis. Also

her parents, 2 brothers, Albert and Lyle Miller, 2 sisters in law, Inez and Edith Miller and a brother in law, Cleo Stoaks.

Surviving are her daughter, Clella and her husband Leonard Brendle of Omaha, Nebr., a son in law, George Travis, 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren all of Council

Bluffs, Iowa. Also 5 sisters, Edna Starks, Hazel Stoaks, Lela Spoonemore, Wilma Gray and Alberta Calvin, 5 brothers, Harry, Raymond, Clyde and Homer Miller all of Lenox

find Frankie Miller of Fairfield Bay, Ark., and 4 brothers in law, 5 sisters in law as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

She was fondly known as Maggie to all, the name given to her at an early age in life.

Maggie was a member of the United Methodist Church, Rebecca Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, V. F. W. Auxiliary and Hassard Willing Workers club,

as well as serving on a bowling league for many years. She was very active and a willing and helpful worker in all of these organizations and activities in Monroe City, Mo.,

which was her home for more than 25 years.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her many relatives and friends as she was a truthful and youthful friend and neighbor to all.

Memorial services were held at the Garner Funeral Chapel in Monroe City, Mo. on Monday, May 30, 1977.

Final rites were conducted Tuesday, May 31, 1977 at the Wheeler Grove United Church of Christ at Carson, Iowa, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Donald Johnson officiating. Music was

by Mrs. Lloyd Cullbom.

Interment was at Wheeler Grove cemetery, Carson, Iowa. The Garner Funeral Home of Monroe City, Mo was in charge.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 9, 1977

 

Davis, Stella Louise Nicholson -

Stella Davis, former Lenox resident, died in Highland, California on May 24, 1977, at the age of 71 years, 5 months and 14 days.

Stella Louise Nicholson was born in Haskell, Texas on December 10, 1905. She moved to Oklahoma with her family at the age of 5. She graduated from Cheyenne High

School Cheyenne, Oklahoma in 1924 and attended Oklahoma Northwestern State Teacher's College.

On Sept. 19, 1926 she was united in marriage to RobBen E. Davis and moved to Lenox, Iowa. To this union were born 2 sons and 2 daughters.

The family moved to San Bernardino, Calif in 1944. Her husband passed away in July, 1965. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Paul Nicholson.

Left to mourn her passing are her children, RobBen E. Davis, Jr. and wife, Helen, Highland, Calif.; Bill D. Davis and wife, Vera, Loma Linda, Cal.; Joann Davis Chambers and

husband, Bill, Marietta, Okla., and Joyce Davis Englert and husband of Yucaipa California, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 3 brothers, Tom, Moreno, Cal.; Edwin of

Reverea Beach, Ariz.; and Glenn Nicholson, Buena Park, Cal.; 3 sisters, Evelyn Graver of Santa Monica, Cal.; Daisy Fowler, Clinton, Okla.; and Lois Keith, Phoenix, Ariz., her

mother-in-law, Pearl L. Davis, sister-in-law, Nadine Wilcox, both of Ceresco, Nebr. and a brother-in-law, Gene Davis of Phoenix, Ariz.

The family were members of the First Christian Church in Lenox while residing here. She was a very loving wife and mother and a good neighbor with many friends where

ever she lived. She worked as an inventory clerk at the Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino during World War II, and following the war as a saleslady until her retirement

in 1964.

Services were held at the Emerson-Bartlett Loma Linda Chapel on May 31, 1977. Interment was beside her husband, RobBen, in Montecelto Memorial Park, cemetery in Loma Linda.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 23, 1977

 

Hand, Lester, J -

Lester J. Hand of Independence, Iowa, died June 7th. Funeral services were held Friday, June 10 at 1:30 p.m. at White Funeral Home Chapel. Masonic services were

held Thursday, June 9th at 8:00 p.m. at White Chapel.

He was manager of Eclipse Lumber yard in Lenox during 1939 and 1940.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille, and two children, Norman and Lilah.

Interment was at Independence, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 23, 1977

 

Hudson, Earl L -

Earl L. Hudson of Pine River, Minn., passed away on Wednesday morning at the home of his daughter, Virginia Barton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 11th at the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox.

Further arrangements are pending.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 9, 1977

 

Kemery, Connie -

Connie Sue Kemery, 16, of Blockton and Gary David Miller, 16, of Bedford were killed in a one-car accident on Taylor county road N-64, about 7-1/4 miles east of Bedford

Monday evening. The Taylor county sheriff's office said the car went off the road, struck a culvert and burst into flames.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 2, 1977

 

Lucas, Vane B -

Vane B. Lucas, Executive Vice President of The American College, Bryn Mawr, Pa., died suddenly Sunday. May 29th at Bryn Mawr Hospital. A resident of Bryn Mawr since

1965, Dr. Lucas was 42 years old. Cause of death was heat prostration complicated by a viral infection.

Dr. Lucas served on the faculty of the University of Iowa before joining The American College as Director of Educational Services in 1965. He was named Assistant Dean and

Dean before being elected Vice President and a Trustee of the College in 1969. He became Executive Vice President in 1974 and has had responsibility for all academic and administrative functions of the College.

He is survived by his wife, the former Judy Rolleen Cross, two children Christine and Vane Thomas, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vane B. Lucas of Bedford, Iowa, and a sister,

Elaine Mason of Humboldt, Iowa. A memorial service was held at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church the afternoon of Wednesday, June 1st at 4 p.m. Services were held June 2nd at 10:30 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Bedford where as a youth he was baptized. Interment was at Fairview cemetery.

His love of his fellowman, his creativity, and his strength of character caused him to lead an exemplary life. We rejoice in his devotion to his religious concepts and his faith

in God. We shall miss him.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 9, 1977

 

Miller, Gary David -

Connie Sue Kemery, 16, of Blockton and Gary David Miller, 16, of Bedford were killed in a one-car accident on Taylor county road N-64, about 7-1/4 miles east of Bedford

Monday evening. The Taylor county sheriff's office said the car went off the road, struck a culvert and burst into flames.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 2, 1977

 

Scott, Bob -

Bob Scott of Webster City, Iowa passed away June 15th in the Webster City hospital after a an illness. He is a brother of Mrs. [Leona] Harding.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 23, 1977

 

Walter, Lonzo V -

Lonzo V. Walter, 71, resident of the Lenox area, died July 1 at the West Park Care Center in West Des Moines.

Lonzo (Lonnie) Walter, son of Andrew A. and Cora Anderson Walter was born in Adams, County, Iowa on Nov. 2, 1905.

On August 30, 1928, he was united in marriage with Bertha Notz in Corning, Iowa. Two children were born to bless this union.

His education was received in an Adams Co. rural school and Lenox High School.

At an early age he was united with the Mercer Center Methodist Church and later transferred his membership to the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox where he became a faithful member until his health failed two years ago.

Lonnie lived on the same Adams Co. farm throughout his life where he had been actively engaged in farming until his retirement. He also served on the Adams County

Board of Supervisors for six years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Zelma Walter and Mrs. Walter (Esther) Waddell. Survivors include his wife, son, Garland and wife Mary of Lenox, a daughter, Eileen: and husband, Paul Tyler of Des Moines, 6 grandchildren, Susan, Joan and Deborah Walter, Robert, Stephen and Anne Tyler, two brothers, Homer A. Walter of Lenox and Glendon R. Walter of Prescott, a stepmother, Mrs. Jennie Preston, who resides at West Park Care Center, West Des Moines, and nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday, July 3, at 2:00 p.m. in the United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Leonard Mclntyre and Rev. Elmer West officiating.

Music was furnished by Roberta Lockhart, organist, and Mrs. Harold Maynes, soloist.

Casket bearers were Jasper Ambrose, Howard Stoaks, Julian Walter, Benne Miller, LaRell Wilkinson and Joe Maynes.

Interment was in North Fairview cemetery at Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 7, 1977

 

Wells, Hazel -

Mrs. Hazel Wells of Seattle, Washington, passed away at a Seattle hospital June 2nd after a long illness. She is a sister of Mrs. Leona Harding of Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 23, 1977