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

Barker, William Bing -

William Barber, 90, father of Kenneth Barker, died February 26, 1973 at the rest home in Corning.

William Bing Barker was born November 11, 1882, to Malichi and Eunicy Jane Barker on a farm northwest of Corning, Iowa, in Adams county. He grew to manhood in this vicinity

and married Mary Etta Mason on December 20, 1905. Six children were born to this union: James M., Kenneth F., Evelyn Leet, Donal W., Helen Maxine, and Lois Jean. Helen

preceded her father in death on January 21, 1340, and Evelyn M. Leet on November 21, 1968.

In 1910 they took a homestead in Denton, Montana and lived there until 1921. Mr. Barker was active in the community life and the church wherever he lived. After they moved back

to his childhood neighborhood he transferred his membership to the First Baptist Church in Corning, where he was active in all areas of service in the church.

He was a loving father and friend to many. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mary, three sons, James of Tachna, Arizona, Kenneth of Lenox, Iowa and Donal in Ottumwa,

one daughter, Lois Bickford of Littleton, Colorado, 18 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

He had loving care at the Corning Rest Home since July 1, 1971, and quietly slipped into his new life with our Heavenly Father on February 26, 1973, at the age of 90 years, 3 months, and 15 days.

Funeral services were held at the Roland Funeral Home in Corning March 1st with Rev. Paul Williams officiating.

Bearers wore Frank Leet, William Leet, William Barker, Danny Bickford, Donal Barker, Jr., and Jimmy L. Barker.

Burial was in the Quincy cemetery north of Corning.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 8, 1973

 

Brokaw, Annetta Mae Jones -

Mrs. Charles Brokaw, 75, long time resident of the Lenox community, died Saturday, at the Rosary hospital in Corning.

Annetta Mae Brokaw, daughter of John A. and Catherine Cummings Jones, was born Feb. 5, 1897 on the home place north of Lenox in Adams county. She passed away Saturday, December 30th, 1972.

As an infant she was baptized at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox and as a youth became a member. After marriage she transferred her membership to the Mercer Center

Methodist Church, then to the Lenox Methodist Church in 1936 where she has been an active member for over 36 years.

After graduation from Lenox high school in 1915, she was a rural school teacher in Adams County for 5 years preceding her marriage.

On June 24, 1920 she was united in marriage to Charles Walter Brokaw of the Mercer Center vicinity. To this union were born 10 children.

Their early years together were spent on Adams County farms southwest of Prescott. Later they moved to a farm northwest of Lenox and in 1936 moved to their present

farm home north of Lenox.

She held many offices in her church and was active in many clubs. Her family, church, and flowers were a very important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant son Charles Jr., and her brother, Edward Jones.

Survivors include her husband, 3 daughters and 6 sons: Mrs. Dean Roe (Lucille) of Redfield, Mrs. Alvin Brown (Lois), Walter and Glenn of Lenox, Harold of Des Moines, Mrs Richard Gavend (Catherine) of Denver, Colorado, Frank of South Bend, Indiana, Charles A. of Cedar Rapids, and Paul of Lenox, 3 sons-in-law, 6 daughters-in-law, 32 grandchildren,

3 great grandchildren and 3 sisters, Mrs. Bertha McFee, Mrs. Nellie Maharry and Mrs, Merle Borland of this vicinity.

Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Lenox on Tuesday, January 2, 1973 at 2:00 pan., conducted by Rev. Floyd Newbrough.

Music was furnished by her grandson, Jon Brokaw and Mrs. Norma Paymal.

Pallbearers were nephews, Wayne McFee; Kenneth McFee and John Borland of Lenox, Robert Bryant of Des Moines, Donald Brokcaw and Stanley Brokaw of Corning.

Interment was in the Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday January 4, 1973

 

Brown, Ruth Horton -

Mrs. Virgil (Ruth) Brown, 40, died Sunday morning at the Rosary hospital in Corning following an illness of seven weeks.

Mrs. Brown lived her entire adult life in Lenox. Although she was primarily involved with helping her husband in their business, she was a very interested and an active participant

in church and community affairs. She was a loyal booster of local school activities and was a member of Timely Rebekah Lodge, Taylor County Rescue Team and the Vice President

of the Justice of the Peace and Constables Association.

She was the daughter of Clyde Carroll (Pete) Horton and Marjorie Rose Ferguson and was born January 9, 1933 near Conway, Iowa.

She spent her childhood in Clearfield, Iowa, where she attended school and. became a member of the Methodist Church.

On December 5, 1948, in Lenox, Iowa, she was united in marriage to Virgil A. Brown. To this union were born, four children: Jacqueline Jean of Glenwood and Patricia Marlene,

Kelly Lynn and Brian Wayne at home.

Ruth transferred her membership to the Lenox United Methodist Church upon her marriage.

She was elected Justice of the Peace for Lenox and has served in this capacity for a number of years. She actively took part in the lower count reform and worked diligently for worthy causes.

Her passing leaves her husband and four children, her mother and father, her brother Gerald Horton and wife, two nephews, her grandmother Ferguson and a host of friends.

Ruth lived her short life to complete fulfillment.

Final rites were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the United Methodist Church in Lenox with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating.

Music was furnished by Maralyn Beck, Billie Jean Barker and Norma Paymal.

Bearers were Fred Helm, Don Keast, John Wilson, Wm. Seufert, Anthony Arnone and Vernal Thompson.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 8, 1973

 

Bush, Doris Purdum-

Mrs. Doris Bush, 78, a longtime resident of the Lenox area, died about noon Tuesday, Jan. 23rd at Rosary hospital in Coming, She had been admitted to the hospital Sunday.

Survivors include two daughters, Gladys Thompson of Roland, Iowa and Norma Paymal of Lenox, two sons, Orvin of Lenox and Edwin of Minneapolis, Minn., other relatives

and a host of friends in this vicinity.

Mrs. Bush lived for several years in the Stringtown area before moving to the Lenox area. Her husband preceded her in death in 1957.

Services will be held Thursday at the United Methodist church in Lenox with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating.

Burial will be in the Stringtown cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday January 25, 1973

 

Bush, Doris Purdum -

Mrs. Doris Bush, 78, died at Rosary Hospital in Corning on Tuesday, January 23rd, after suffering a stroke on Sunday.

Doris Purdum, daughter of Hamlin and Mary Purdum, was born March 31, 1894 in Sayre, Pennsylvania.

She was united in marriage to Monard Bush February 21st, 1911. To this union four children were born: Norma, Gladys, Orvin and Edwin.

They resided in Adams County in the Stringtown neighborhood until her husband's death after which she moved to Lenox where she was residing at the time of her death.

She was a long time member and active worker in the Stringtown Community Church and later transferred her membership to the Lenox United Methodist Church.

She was a member of the Lenox United Methodist church, American Legion Auxiliary and the L.F.G. club.

She is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren, and her sister, Mrs. Ruth Suttle, Lawton, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers Ray and

Dick, and by a sister, Cora.

Funeral services were held Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Lenox with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating.

Burial was in Stringtown cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday February 1, 1973

 

Campbell, L L (Cap) -

L. L. (Cap) Campbell, 75, of Altoona, died Friday, December 29th after a short illness at the Des Moines General hospital.

Survivors include his wife, Florence, a son, Don, two sisters, Jean Stone of Lenox and Mrs. Pearl Lower of Spokane, Washington, and a brother, Ernie Campbell of Lenox.

Funeral services were held at the Grandview Funeral Home in Des Moines with Rev. Robert Duckett officiating.

Burial was at Glendale cemetery in Des Moines.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday January 4, 1973

 

Campbell, Leland B -

Leland B. Campbell, 67, of Des Moines, a former resident of Lenox, died Thursday, March 8th. Mr. Campbell collapsed while attending the girls state basketball tournament at the

Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines.

He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Connie Bissell and Phyllis Stone and a son Larry. He also leaves to mourn has passing, his father, Ira and a brother Willard of Lenox as

well as a brother, Chester, of Des Moines.

Funeral services were held at the Bender Funeral Home in Lenox Saturday, March 10th at 2 pm, with Pastor Peter Bergen officiating.

Music was furnished by Carol Campbell, Sharon Zahn and Marcia Bender.

Bearers were John Stone, Steven Stone, Garry Campbell, Jerry Campbell, Billie Campbell and Hal Dean Campbell.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery at  Lenox, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 15, 1973

 

Cheese, Harry T -

Harry T. Cheese, long time resident of Lenox, died Saturday evening, Dec. 23rd at the Lenox nursing home where he had been a resident for some time.

Born January 17, 1885 in the state of Illinois, Mr. Cheese had been a resident of Lenox for nearly 80 years.

Survivors include two sons, Ray of Lenox and Hal of Port Morgan, Colo., two daughters, Mrs. Dale Martendale of Clarinda and Mrs. Carl Shaw of San Francisco, seven grandchildren,

five great grandchildren and a sister, Nona Curphy of Onega, Ill.

Mr. Cheese also had a host of friends in Lenox, made during his years as a resident of this community.

Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, Dec. 27th at the St. Patrick's church in Lenox with Father Reginald Maslinski officiating.

Bearers were Jim Carey, Jim Miller, Greg Cheese, Mike Cheese, Kent Cheese and Roland Barmunn.

Burial was in St. Patrick's cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday December 28, 1972

 

Ethington, Charles F -

Final rites for Charles F. Ethington, 98, a former resident of Lenox and a 50 member of Tremont Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A.M., Lenox, died December 24, 1972 at Council Bluffs, Iowa.

He was born in Worth Co., Mo. He moved to Clearfield and then to Des Moines. Before his retirement he completed 30 years of service as a heating engineer for a furnace

and air conditioning firm in Des Moines. He had lived in the Council Bluffs area with a son the past seven years.

He was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church of Council Bluffs.

Survivors include two sons, Sidney of Council Bluffs and Dick of Omaha.

Services were held Tuesday, Dec. 26, 1972 at Woodring Memorial Chapel in Council Bluffs.

Burial was in Glendale Masonic cemetery in Des Moines.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday February 15, 1973

 

Hunter, Dale -

Dale Hunter, 54, died at the Mercy hospital in Des Moines Monday evening, January 22nd after a lingering illness.

Survivors include a sister Mrs. Merle Moore of Sharpsburg. Other survivors are brothers, Doud Hunter of Minnesota, Max of Mississippi, sisters Mrs. Waldo Burns of Lorimor

and Mrs. Jack Andrews of Boulder City, Nevada.

Final rites will be held today at the Arnold Funeral Home in Des Moines with burial in that city.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday January 25, 1973

 

Imm, Rudolph A -

Rudolph A. Imm, 65, died at St. Anthony's hospital in Bellingham, Washington Wednesday morning, January 31st.

Mr. Imm was born in Phillipsburg, Kansas on May 8, 1907. He and his parents then moved to eastern Colorado where he spent most of his boyhood. After graduating from Holdredge

High School in Holdredge, Nebr., he went to work for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co. in Denver, Colo. During his long career with the telephone company. Mr. Imm was a line supervisor and later taught line school, accomplishing the astonishing feat of training over 2,000 linemen without an injury. He retired in 1968 after 35 years service.

During World War II, Mr. Imm served in Europe and North Africa in the army with the Signal Corps.

He was active in the VFW, belonged to the Telephone Pioneers, and was instrumental in establishing the telephone union in the Mountain States area.

Preceding him in death was his mother, Laura Gale, and his father, Rudolph A. Imm, Sr.

Surviving are his wife, Irma of Bellingham, two brothers, Elton Imm of Denver, Colo., Edwin Imm of Lincoln, Nebr., and sons John Nicholas Imm of Denver, Colo., and Dr. Rudolph F. Imm of Lenox, Iowa.

Final rites were held Friday, Feb. 2nd at Veroske's Funeral Home in Bellingham, Washington with cremation following the services.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday February 15, 1973

 

Kirsch, Elizabeth A Smith -

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Kirsch, 34, of Creston, died Monday at the Mercy hospital in Des Moines.

She was born January 3, 1939 at Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

Survivors include her husband, Gerald, two daughters, Karen and Debra both at home, her parents, Milton B. and Dorothy Smith, both of Wilkes Barre and a brother, Milton C.

Smith of Nazareth, Pa.

Her husband is employed at the Lenox Division of Hoover Ball & Bearing Co. here in Lenox as Comptroller.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:30 at the United Methodist Church in Creston, with Rev. J. Heber Miller and Rev. John McGowan officiating.

Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday January 18, 1973

 

Maynes, Julia Ann -

A baby girl, Julie Ann, was stillborn to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Maynes of rural Lenox Sunday morning, Feb. 4th.

Survivors besides the parents include brothers Robert Dean, Lonnie and Keith and two sisters, Connie and Cindy. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Joe Maynes, Sr. of Lenox and Mr.

and Mrs. Harvey Johannes of Massena.

Graveside rites were conducted Monday morning at 9:00 with Rev. Hoog, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Creston officiating. Burial was in the Lenox Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday February 15, 1973

 

Morris, Helen Elizabeth Butler -

Mrs. Claude Morris, 74, longtime resident of the Lenox Community, died Friday, January 12th at the Greater Community hospital in Creston.

Helen Elizabeth Morris, daughter of Walter T. Butler and Nellie (Roberts) Butler, was born April 8, 1898 on a farm in Union County east of Lenox.

On March 18, 1920 she was united in marriage to Claude Morris of Kent. To this union four children were born. Their early years were spent together on farms in Adams and

Union counties. In March of 1933 they moved to their present farm home north of Lenox where they were residing at the time of her death.

At an early age, she united with the Prairie Star Presbyterian Church and later joined the Methodist Church in Lenox where she was pianist for a time. As the family moved, she

kept her church interest and was a member of the Methodist Church at Kent and later belonged to and worked in the Stringtown Church. In 1941 she brought her membership back

to the Methodist Church in Lenox where she remained active as long as her health permitted She was a member of the Woman's Society of the Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Sunnyside Club and the Order of Eastern Star of which she served as organist for many years.

Her family, church, friends and flowers were always a very important part of her life, and she was happiest when she was busy and doing something for others. Her thoughtful ways, cheerful voice, friendliness and devotion to her family will for a long time be remembered and cherished by those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Bernice Bush, her brother, Edwin Butler, and a great grandson, Thadeous Loudon.

Survivors include her husband, Claude, one daughter, Marjorie Reynolds and husband, Darrell of Lenox, three sons, Kenneth and wife, Helen Jean of Clearfield, Hal Dean and wife

Pat of Kent and Robert and wife, Verna, of Lenox, twelve grandchildren, Lewis Morris, Connie Comes, Kathie Kolosick, Suisan Loudon, Nancy Brown, Peggy Sweeney, Monty

Morris, Paul Morris, Janie Morris, Angel Evans, Joni Morris, and Todd Morris, three great grandchildren, Holly Sue Sweeney, Brent Jason Morris, and Christopher Robert Evans

and also a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted from the United Methodist Church Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., with Rev. Floyd Newbrough officiating.

Music was furnished by Billie Jean Barker, Maralyn Beck and Norma Paymal.

Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were her grandsons and grandsons-in-law. The bearers were Lewis Morris of Lenox, Monty Morris and Paul Morris of Kent, Stuart Kolosick

of Frederick, Maryland, James Comes of Atlantic, and Chris Evans of Lenox. Honorary bearers were Todd Morris of Clearfield, James Loudon of Creston, Terry Brown of Chicago,

and Larry Sweeney of Creston.

Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery at Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday January 18, 1973

 

Sullivan, Arthur -

Arthur Sullivan, 91, of Boise, Idaho, died January 28th following  a stroke. His death came in a Boise hospital. Mr. Sullivan was a former resident of the Lenox vicinity.

Survivors include seven children, two sisters, Mrs. Ed Lock of Gravity, Iowa and Grace Sullivan of Phoenix, Arizona.

Mrs. Esther Smith of Lenox is a sister-in-law.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 31st with burial at Boise.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday February 15, 1973

 

Wood, Bert -

Bert Wood, 87, a prominent retired New Sweden area farmer, died Monday morning at an Idaho Falls hospital following a brief illness. He had suffered a stroke on Friday.

He was born on Nov. 12,, 1885, at Cedar Mines, Monroe County, Iowa, the son of William and Clara Deskin Wood. His early childhood was spent in Albia, Iowa where he attended school.

He married Jessie Churchill on Oct. 6, 1909, in Lenox, Iowa. He farmed in Lenox until 1915 when they moved to the Shelley area, farming there until 1917. In 1919 the couple moved to New Sweden where he farmed and operated a threshing machine throughout the Valley for many years.

He was an active Grange member and a member of the New Sweden School board. Following his retirement in 1945, as a hobby he became a mobile home dealer.

Before Mrs. Wood's death 2 years ago, the couple traveled extensively. For the past two years he has resided with his son, Lowell Wood, in New Sweden.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

Mr. Wood is survived by two sons, Forrest and Lowell Wood, both of New Sweden, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, a son, Kenneth, and a grandson, Kent.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Wood of Lenox, cousins, attended the final rites.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 15, 1973