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

Beckett, Lester Herbert -

Lester Herbert Beckett, son of Benjamin Caleb and Maude Granger Beckett was born Mar. 17, 1915 at Blue Grass, No. Dakota and died at Lenox, Iowa

March 3, 1968 at the age of 62 years, 11 months and 15 days.

He came with his parents to Lenox in 1921 and has made this his home since that time.

He was united in marriage to Geneva Price November 19, 1936 at Mt. Ayr, Iowa and to this union were born 7 children. Leola, at home, Imogene Mains of Sharpsburg, Jenalee Curphy of Sharpsburg, Earl Eldon in the U. S. Navy serving on the U.S.S.  Porterfield, Lois, David and Janice at home.

He was a member of the Lenox Methodist Church. His active life was spent in farming or related industry to farming.

He is survived by his wife and children, a brother Leavitt Beckett of Creston and two sisters, Mrs. Lional (Vida) Julsen and Mrs. Wilbur (Ruth) Holland both

of Des Moines, Iowa, 4 grandsons: Richard, Michael and Gary Curphy and Cris Mains and one granddaughter, Lori Mains.

His parents and an infant twin brother preceded him in death.

Rev. Floyd Newbrough  officiated funeral services held Wednesday, March 6th at 2:00 p. in at the Lenox Methodist  Church. Bearers included: Bill Barrans

Ronald Nelson, Ray Long, Edgar Weese, Howard Long and Roy Camden.

Music was furnished by Helen Brokaw, Billie Jean Barker, accompanied by Norma Paymal.

Interment was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 7, 1968

 

Brown, Orville Theodore -

Orville Brown, 65, of Sharpsburg, died Tuesday morning, April 2nd at Rosary hospital in Corning. Death came at approximately 11:30 following a sudden heart attack.

Mr. Brown was born near Sharpsburg and lived in this area most of  his life.

Survivors include his wife Ruby, three sons Harlan of Lenox, Orville, Jr., of Phoenix, Arizona, Robert of Sharpsburg, three daughters, Mrs. Viola Guess of

Indiana, Betty Donaldson of Sharpsburg, and Jean Fitzgerald of Conway. Three sisters, Mrs. Opal Weeda of Conway, Mrs. Jessie Colter of Shenandoah. and Mrs. Mattie Hayes of Knoxville, along with four brothers, Glenn of Bedford, Horace of Des Moines, Eddie of Lincoln, Nebr., and Dale of Harlan. Several

grandchildren and other relatives also mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p. m. Friday at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford.

Burial will be in the Conway Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 4, 1968

 

Brown, Orville Theodore -

Orville Theodore Brown, son of William and Clarissa Brown was born April 12, 1902, on a farm near Conway, Iowa, and passed away suddenly at the Rosary Hospital in Corning, Iowa, on April 2, 1968, at the age of 65 years, 11 months and 21 days.

He was united in marriage to Ruby Marie Hancock on January 16, 1923. To this union eight children were born, 3 sons and 5 daughters.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife Ruby, and their children: Viola and husband Richard Guess and 3 children, Vicki, Carolyn and Steve of Catlin, Illinois, Betty and husband Donald Donaldson and 3 children, Craig, John and Donette of Sharpsburg, Jean and husband Richard Fitzgerald and 2 children, Ronnie and Christi of Conway, Orville T. Jr. and wife Lonnie and 5 children, Jim, Joyce, Linda, Judy, Doyle and his wife Elaine of Phoenix, Arizona, Harlan and his wife Zelma and 5 children, Dennis, Barbara, David, Tom, Larry and wife Judy of Lenox, Robert and wife Judy and 2 children, Laurie and Rodney of Sharpsburg, also Fern Moore Travis, who was like a daughter and who made her home with them during her last year of school and until her marriage.

Also surviving are his 3 sisters: Mattie Hayes of Knoxville, Opal Weeda of Conway, Jessie Colter of Shenandoah, 4 brothers: Glenn of Bedford, Eddie of Lincoln, Nebr., Dale of Harlan, and Horace of Des Moines, 1 uncle, 1 aunt, many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Ruth and Dorothy, his parents, and 2 brothers, Oran and Dee.

Orville accepted Christ as his Saviour at an early age and led his life as a faithful example for his family and friends unto the end.

He spent his entire life farming in Taylor Co. near Sharpsburg, Iowa. One of his many enjoyments was serving on the School Board of Conway and his interest in all school activities of all ages of children. He was a kind and loving husband, father, brother and uncle, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Just like a Whisper, and then no more,

For it was God who was at the door.

He took our loved one home to rest,

One so special, one of the best.

No one loved family more than Dad,

No one can count the friends he had.

We knew some day he would depart

But to us—So Young At Heart.

Funeral services were conducted at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, Iowa Friday afternoon at 1:30 p. m. with Pastor David Leonhardt officiating.

Music was furnished by Pauline Wilson, Mary Ann Hogue, Barbara Barker with Donna Cribbs accompanist.

Honorary bearers were: Kenneth Breach, Roy Beck, Richard Wilson, and Ronald Travis. Pallbearers were: Bill Scott, Paul Oxley, Duane Beck, Leo Evans, Quentin Beemer, and Clifford Nook.

Burial was in Conway cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 11, 1968

 

 

 

Fuehrer, Bertice Overmire -

Word was received of the death of Mrs. Wm. L. Fuehrer on Saturday, April 20, 1968 in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she was in the hospital for a cardiac asthma condition.

She will be remembered as Bertice Overmire, daughter of Marl and Maggie Henderson Overrmire, who grew up in this community. She taught school in Lenox and married Wm. L. Fuehrer who was Supt. of Schools here from 1913-1917. They had retired from the Grand Rapids school system and made their home in Boyne City,

Mich.

Besides her husband she is survived by a daughter Kathleen (Mrs. Robert Schneider) of Grand Rapids, Dudley of Normal, Ill., and Stanley of Riverside, Calif. Two sisters, Mrs. Carl (Floy) Laxson of Earlville, Iowa and Mrs. Marc (May) Willkins of Idylwild, Calif. Also several cousins in the area.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 2, 1968

 

Gray, Elmer E -

Mr. Elmer E. Gray passed away April 6th at San Diego, California. He would have been 89 years old on April 25, 1968. He is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter, 4 grandchildren, two brothers, Alvin and Perry Gray of Lenox, a brother, Jesse Gray of Ellendale, N. Dakota, one sister, Mrs. Zetta Hawthorne

of Atlantic, Iowa.

The funeral was in California on April 8th. He had lived in California 49 years.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 18, 1968

 

Hughes, Jay Edward -

Jay E. Hughes, 80, long-time resident of Lenox, died Friday, March 22, 1968 at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines where he had been hospitalized about ten

days.

Jay Edward Hughes was the son of Theodore and Della Hughes, and was born in Taylor County, Iowa February 13, 1888. He had reached the age of 80 years, one month and 9 days at the time of his death.

He attended Public School at Lenox, Iowa and graduated from High School in 1908 and was the last survivor of his class. Mr. Hughes attended Simpson College

where he became a member of the A. T. O. fraternity.

On September 12, 1911 he was united in marriage to Sarah Madden at Lenox, Iowa. To this union was born one son, James E. Hughes of Lenox.

After his marriage Mr. Hughes was employed at the Post Office in Lenox and was the first city mail carrier. After leaving this employment Mr. Hughes farmed in the Gravity and Lenox communities until 1926, when he became a district agent for Bankers Life Co. and formed his general Insurance and Real Estate Agency in 1940, where he remained active until his recent illness.

Mr. Hughes was an active member of the Lenox Methodist Church for more than 65 years, taught a Sunday School class during his younger years and served on the Official Board for some time.

Civic affairs also were an interest to Mr. Hughes and he was a member of the Post War Planning Committee of the town after World War II which was the first organization to attract industrial growth to the community, and he served as a member of the School Board and as a trustee of the Board of Water and Lights for many years.

Mr. Hughes was a devoted husband and father, leaving to survive him, his wife Sarah, better known as Tinnie, his son, James, a brother, Vaughn of Glendale Calif., four grandchildren, Mrs. Jeanne Bush of Huntingdon Beach, Calif., Mrs. Mary Walter of Lenox and Kathy and Peggy Hughes both of Lenox. Also three great-grandchildren, Michael and Steven Bush and Susan Walter, two nieces and a nephew, as well as many friends and business associates throughout the state.

Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist Church in Lenox Sunday afternoon at 2:30, with Rev. Floyd Newbrough, Pastor, officiating.

Music was furnished by Helen Brokaw and Billie Jean Barker with Norma Paymal accompanist.

Bearers were Wm. Harover, Gene Holben, Robert Reynolds, Marion Spicer, Richard Wilson and Gerald Maharry.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 28, 1968

 

Lucas, Fred -

Fred Lucas, the son of Stephen Lucas and Sally Lucinda Canfield Lucas, was born in Platte township September 3, 1884, and died at his home near Kent April 3, 1968. He was married March 20, 1907, to Harriet F. LaMasters, who survives. In 1912 he moved to a farm south of Kent, just four miles from the farm on which he was born, and lived in that same farm till his death, To the day of his death, he continued to be active as a farmer.

Mr Lucas was a director of the Kent Telephone Company for many years. He served for many years as a old Kent Farmers Cooperative, member of the Kent school

beard. He also was a member of the board of directors of the Kent Telephone Company for many years. He had been a Platte township trustee and had served as the assessor for Platte township. He was a member of the Grove Chapel Methodist church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Stanley, George, and Ernest, and a sister, Bertha.

Survivors include his wife, a son, Eugene Lucas of Lenox, a daughter, Mrs. James (Bessie) Riepe. of Afton, a brother, Ralph Lucas, of Afton ,a sister Mrs. Dale (Pearl) Bunn of Mountain Home, Arkansas, five grandchildren, John Riepe of Creston, Stephen Riepe of Naperville, Ill., Bonnie Riepe of Denver, Colo., Alfred Lucas of Kent, and Linda Lucas of Ames, and three great grandchildren, Rickie and Jimmy Riepe of Creston and Melissa Riepe of Naperville, Ill. In addition, he is survived by a host

of relatives and friends.

The philosophy he lived by and which he often repeated was "Plan like you'll live forever, and live like you'll die tomorrow." For more than fifty years he was an example to those who knew him of courage in the face of pain.

Funeral services were held at Coens Home for Funerals, Saturday, April 6, 2 p. m., with Rev. M.J. Wilkins officiating. Burial was in Grove Chapel cemetery.

"God saw the road was growing rough The hills were hard to climb He gently closed his loving eyes And whispered "Peace be thine" His weary days of pain are

through His restless nights are past His patient worn out frame Has found sweet peace at last."

Those from a distance who attended the funeral of Fred Lucas included Mr. and Mrs. Dale Bunn of Mountain Home, Ark., Mr. and Mrs. Gale Long of East Alton, Ill.,  Mr. and Mrs. Hobart Lucas of Minneapolis, Minn., Walter LaMasters of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. George LaMasters of Marshalltown, Mr. and Mrs. George Bowman and Linda Lucas of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Riepe and Melissa, of Naperville. Ill., Mrs. Forest Ross of Leavenworth, Kan., Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ross and Laura of Kalamazoo, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bittner of Omaha, Nebr., and Bonnie Riepe of Denver, Colo.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 11, 1968

 

McCreight, Bessie Leanna Ramsey -

Bessie Leanna Ramsey daughter of James H. and Jennie Carson Ramsey was born July 1, 1884 near Cromwell in Adams County, Iowa and departed this life at Clearview Nursing Home at Clearfield on April 17, 1968 at the age of 83 years and 9 months. She moved with her parents to Clearfield at an early age. Most of her life was lived

around the Clearfield community.

On December 27, 1905 she was united in marriage to Elmer Orwin McCreight. To this union were born six children: Mildred (Mrs. Dick Young) of Lenox, Duane of Clinton, Pennsylvania, Alta who died in infancy, Loraine of Oxford Junction, Iowa, Floy of Clarinda, and Ray of Beaver, Pennsylvania.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Elmer, a daughter, her parents and two sisters.

Besides her children she leaves three daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, nine grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

She was a life long member of the United Presbyterian Church. Her church family, and the people of the community were her first love and consideration.

Memorial Services were held April 20, at 2 o'clock in the Clearfield Christian Church, with Rev. Robert Odishaw officiated, assisted by Rev. James Dorsey, Bob and Dwight McMath sang, accompanied by Mrs. Robert Lockhart. Casket bearers were Paul Brown, Dale Brown, Richard Routh, R E Spurrier,  Don Stephens, and Russell Morey.

Burial was in Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 25, 1968

 

Richey, Lawrence T -

Lawrence T. Richey of Shenandoah passed away at Hands Hospital in Shenandoah Tuesday, April 23rd.

Funeral services are scheduled Thurs. at 2:00 in the Shenandoah Methodist Church.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, Margaret Baker Richey and a daughter, Helen of Phoenix, Arizona. One son, Ivan, preceded him in death. Three brothers, Perley of Sharpsburg, Eddie of Stanton and Howard of Ellsworth, Iowa, several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 25, 1968

 

Roberts, Walter Lee -

Walter L. Roberts, 74, a resident of Lenox for many years, died at the Rosary hospital  in Corning Friday. His death followed an extended illness.

Walter Lee Roberts, son of John and Lou Ann Lamar Roberts, was born Feb. 12, 1894 near Platte City, Mo. He died March 29, 1968 at the age of 74

years, owe month and seventeen days.

While he was quite young, his family moved to Iowa, where he grew to manhood and lived the remainder of his life in Taylor and Adams counties.

Early in life he united with the Methodist Church. He served his country in the battlefields of France in World War I. After his return he engaged in farming until ill health forced him to retire. He has lived the past 13 years in Lenox.

In 1913 he was married to Minnie Everett at Winchester, Kansas. Three sons were born to this union.

He is survived by his wife, his sons and their wives, Paul and Barbara of Sharpsburg, Cecil and Dorothy of Walnut and Don and Marjorie of Spirit Lake.

Three grandchildren, Loretta Sewell of Norman, Oklahoma, Rebecca Roberts of Des Moines and Jeffrey Roberts of Spirit Lake also mourn his passing.

Other survivors include four sisters, Mary Hudnet, Eva Leinen and Alice Neal all of Villisca, Georgia Stalder of Corning, one brother, JD Roberts of Corning,

a number of nieces and nephews, and many other friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the Bender Funeral Home Monday afternoon, April 1st at 2 p. m., with Rev. David Shaeffer, pastor of the Christian

Church officiating.

Music was furnished toy Irma Wilcox and Barbara Barker.

Bearers were Earl Lillie, Henry Moser, Dr. Max Pool, Wade Scholey, Earl Dean Roberts and Kenneth Boltinghouse.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 4, 1968

 

Rogers, Nina Johnson -

Word was received of the death of Mrs. Roy J. Rogers of York, Nebraska, April 3rd at the Hastings, Nebr. Home. Survivors include her husband Roy, four daughters, one son, and a sister, Bertha Wensell in a Florida rest home.

Mrs. Rogers will be remembered by older residents as Nina Johnson, the second daughter of the Geo Johnson family of the north part of Lenox. Their home

burned in January, 1901 and when they re-built it is now what its known as the Francis Wiand home.

The family left Lenox in early 1904 to settle near Sedalia, Mo., and later in Nebraska.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 25, 1968

 

Wilson, Harvey Byerly (Harve) -

Harve Wilson, 88, longtime resident of Taylor County, died Saturday after recently being hospitalized.

Harvey Byerly Wilson, youngest son of John B. and Ellen Wilson, was born August 14, 1879 near Crawfordsville, Iowa, in Washington County and departed this life March 16, 1968 at the Rosary Hospital at Corning, Iowa at the age of 88 years, 8 months, and 2 days.

At the age of nine months he moved with his parents to the John Wilson homestead where he spent the rest of his life. When he and his brother Ed were young men they bought the parental farm home and continued its operation under the name of Wilson Bros. This partnership was broken just three years ago when Ed passed

away on March 13, 1965.  Harve and Ed both attended the Auctioneer's School in Chicago, and they then worked together as auctioneers for farm sales for a number of years.

He was married March 10, 1909 to Mabel Butler. They enjoyed  their Fifty-ninth anniversary this year in their home with many cards and other acts of kindness suitable to the occasion. To this union were born three children: Randall of Lenox, Iowa, Wendell of Arvada, Colorado, and Mrs. Berneeta Pedersen of Mount Ayr, Iowa.

He united with the Clearfield United Presbyterian Church when a young and in 1964 he transferred his membership to the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Lizzie McClintock and Saran Wilcox, and five brothers David, James, Thomas, Robert and Edward, and one grandson Richard Lee Wilson. He was the last member of his family to depart this life.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Mabel, his two sons. and daughter, two daughters-in-law, fourteen grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March l9th at 2 p.m., from the Presbyterian Church in Lenox with Rev. Robert Odishaw, pastor of the church, officiating.

Music was furnished by Mrs. Bonnie Schrader and Mrs. Gwen Maynes with Mrs. Roberta Lockhart, accompanist.

Bearers were John Wilson, Wayne Wilson, Steven Wilson, James Pedersen, Dennis Caldwell and Haldean Wilson.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 14, 1968

 

Wilt, Zetta Estella Masters Clark  -

Mrs. Zetta E. Wilt, 88, died Thursday, May 2nd at the Nursing Home in Lenox following a gradual decline in health.

Zetta Estella Masters, daughter of John and Elizabeth Smith Masters, was born on a farm 4-1/2 miles northeast of Lenox, Mar. 6, 1880. She grew to womanhood

in and around the Lenox community and after graduating in 1899 she taught three terms of school.

On March 18, 1905 she was united to marriage to Charles H. Clark who passed away in February of 1923.

She was again married April 1, 1925 to Frank Wilt who passed away February 11, 1949.

With the exception of 11 years spent in North Dakota her life was spent in and around Lenox.

In early life she united with the Methodist church which she attended faithfully until her health failed. She had taught Sunday school for 12 years and was always willing to help in any way she could. She was also an active member of the Harmony Reading Circle for many years.

Zetta was preceded in death by her husbands, her father, mother, three sisters and two brothers.

Left to mourn her loss is a sister, Mrs. Ella Cade of a Bedford Nursing Home, two nephews, Orrie Masters of Butler, Missouri, and Evan Brannon and family of Lenox besides many friends and a roommate, Mrs. Elizabeth Firkins of the Lenox Nursing Home whom she loved and enjoyed very much.

Funeral services were held Sunday, May 5th at 2 p. m., from the Lenox Methodist Church with Rev. Floyd Newbrough, pastor, officiating.

Music was furnished by Helen Brokaw, Marilyn Beck and Norma Paymal.

Bearers were George Barrans, Marion Spicer, Pearl Reynolds, Claude Reynolds, and Kenneth Barker and Fred Barrans.

Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 9, 1968

 

Winslow, Mary Eliza Loveland -

Mary Eliza Loveland, second daughter of Dr. William H. and Mary Eliza Wood Loveland, was born August 31, 1888 near Bedford, Iowa, and passed away at the Greater Community hospital April 23, 1968 at the age of 79 years, 7 months and 22 days.

She united with the Christian Church at Conway, Iowa, as a young woman and spent her entire life in Taylor County, Iowa.

On September 6, 1911 she united in marriage with George R. Winslow. To this union four children were born: Edgar L. of Trenton, Mo., Paul M. of Sharpsburg,

Iowa, Jennie D. of Clearfield and Eldred N. of Burlington, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband who passed away July 17, 1963, by her parents and her sister, Jessie, half sister, Audrey, half brothers Arval and John.

She leaves to mourn her passing Edgar and wife Evelyn, Paul and wife Darlene, Jennie and husband Joe and Eldred and husband Lyle, twelve grandchildren

and 15 great grandchildren, her sister Ina Healy of Grand River, Iowa, half sister, Helen Glover of Denison, Iowa, half brothers, George Norton of Bedford, Iowa and David Norton of Thayer, Iowa, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

[Poem]

Funeral services were  conducted from Bender Funeral Home in Lenox Friday afternoon at 2 p. m., with Rev. David Shaeffer, pastor of the Christian Church, officiating. Bearers were Bill Beach, Paul Oxley, Bill Quinn, Arthur Jones, Luell Barker and John Shoenhair. Burial was in the Lexington Cemetery north of Bedford.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 2, 1968

 

Wurster, Mamie Sanders -

Mamie Wurster, daughter of McClellen and Isabelle Sanders, was born on a farm near Kent, Iowa on September 5, 1886.

On September 27, 1911, she was married to K. C. Wurster at the Christian Church Parsonage in Lenox, Iowa. She was a member of the Christian Church and

The Christian Womens Fellowship.

Survivors include a daughter, Maxine Henderson, one son, Karl Wurster, a grandson, Jerry Henderson, a daughter-in-law, Jean Wurster, a son-in-law, Glen

Henderson, and a sister, Bernice Jones of Hollywood, Florida.

She passed away at the Lenox Nursing Home on March 4, 1968 after an illness of several weeks.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 7th at 2:00 p. m. at the Bender Funeral Home. Rev. David Shaeffer, minister of the Christian Church

will officiate.

Pall Bearers will be Lee Keenan, Fred Siverly, Dale Sanders, Mack Sanders, Willard Campbell and Willis Stream, Music will be provided by Ruth Boltinghouse.

Interment will be in Fairview cemetery in Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday March 7, 1968