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

Alexander, Lyle Dean -

Funeral services for Lyle Alexander, age 61 of Gravity, who died Sunday, June 30, 2002 were held Wednesday,

July 3, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford with Pastor Loren Daly officiating. Interment

was held in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be given in Lyle's name. Arrangements were entrusted

to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Lyle Dean Alexander was born March 15, 1941 on the family farm in Gravity, the son of Malvern Alexander and

Avis Morey Alexander. He grew up attending Wesley School, trudging down the long clay hill to the schoolhouse.

They were known as the 'water kids' as it was their responsibility to carry daily water supply for the school.

This chore began with his oldest brother and was handed down as soon as the next was able to hold up their side of

the bucket! Lyle graduated with the Class of 1959 from the Gravity Community High School. On March 16, 1962

he was united in marriage to Judy Wilmes in Bedford. To this loving union four children were born, Rick, Julie, Rob

and Jill.

Lyle was a hardworking mechanic and farmer all of his life. In 1973, after the death of his father, he returned to the

family farm to run his mechanic shop. Lyle inherited his father's mechanical ability. He had capability of listening

to a motor and hearing the separate parts function, knowing just the right thing to fix whatever problem there might

be. He enjoyed coon hunting and digging up Indian artifacts when time allowed. Lyle's greatest pride and joy came

from spending time with his grandchildren.

Left to cherish Lyle's memory are his wife Judy of Gravity; his children, Rick Alexander and wife Pam of Gravity; Julie

McCarty and husband Karl of Prescott; Rob Alexander and wife Ann of Gravity; and Jill Harrison and husband Jason

of New Market; three brothers, Fred Alexander of Tennessee; Roger Alexander and wife Norma Jean of Haiti; and

Willis Alexander and wife Joyce of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two sisters, Carol Lee and husband Martin of

Des Moines and Lois Pratt and husband Tom of Red Oak; and twelve grandchildren.

Preceding Lyle in death are his parents Malvern and Avis and a brother Charles.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Andrews, Edna Carlson -

Funeral services for Edna Andrews, age 91 of Lenox, were held July 1 at the Lenox Christian Church with Rev. Dena Vittorio

officiating. Interment was in West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials may be made to the Christian Church.

Edna passed away on June 23 at the Lenox Care Center.

Survivors include two grandchildren, Vicki (husband Don) Dodson of Grand Junction, Colo., and Sherri (husband John D.)

East of Snellville, Ga; an honorary granddaughter, Penny Round; former daughter-in-law Kae (husband R.D.) Round; sisters-in-law

Margaret Carlson of Elk Grove, Ga., and Frances Carlson of Council Bluffs; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William; two sons, Jilly Jr. and Maurice Wayne Andrews; brothers Frank, Ansel and

Wilbur Carlson; and a great-granddaughter.

Edna was born on July 31, 1901 in Mills County, Iowa, to Carl William and Elva Mae Logan Carlson. On July 6, 1929, she

married William John Andrews. She was a homemaker and worked in a Red Oak cafe as a young lady. She later worked part

time with her husband in the Lenox lumber yard. She lived in Lenox since 1942.

She was a member of the Lenox Christian Church and the American Legion Auxiliary for more than 50 years. She was a past

Matron of the Eastern Star, first Den Mother of Cub Scouts, an Avon representative for nine years, president of the

"Thursday Girls" at the church, president of the Council of Church Women of Lenox, and was the hostess at Larkin-Bender

Funeral Home and stated with two other owners for 15 years. She enjoyed sewing crocheting and knitting.

Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family Funeral Service was in charge of funeral arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 3, 2002

 

Blake, David M (Sam) -

David (Sam) M. Blake, son of Isaac and Leona Larson Blake, was born in Bedford, Iowa, on December 17, 1939.

He passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2002, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the

age of 62.

David was one of seven children. He received his education from the Bedford Public Schools. He worked at the

Livestock Sale Barn for Dr. Lucas, D.V. M., and Dr. Hardin, M.D., as well as other odd jobs while living in Bedford. He

later moved to Shenandoah, where he worked for Mount Arbor Nurseries as a night watchman before going to work for

Henry Field's Nurseries in the same position. David worked at Henry Field's for 23 years before retiring. He liked hunting,

fishing, whittling and had a great love for children and animals. In his spare time he enjoyed going to garage sales

and playing bingo as well as visiting with friends and family.

He attended many different churches and liked them all. Before his health had deteriorated from Parkinson's Disease.

he loved to walk.

David was united in marriage to Nancy Deardorff in June of 1972 at Bedford, Iowa. He had two step-daughters,

Chris and Sherry, he considered his own. David was a loving brother and father, uncle and an honorary grandfather

to Mellony and Linsey Gourley, Johnny Houser and Martin Engstrand.

Preceding David in death were his parents, Ike and Leona Blake and two brothers, Delbert and Adrian Blake.

Survivors include his step-daughters, Chris Deardorff, Shenandoah, and Sherry Shaw, Essex; one grandchild, Akasha,

two great grandchildren, Brittany and Logan, all of Sisketon, MO; three brothers, Gilbert Blake and his wife, Lois, Gravity,

IA, Donnie and Eddie Blake, Lenox, IA; one sister, Juddie Squires and husband, Kenny of Albia, IA; many nieces,

nephews and other relatives and many friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Bohn, John LeRoy -

John LeRoy Bohn was born June 23, 1935 at Lamoni and passed away on May 21, 2002.

His parents, William (Bill) and Viola Bohn, were farmers at various locations in southwestern Iowa. John loved the rural life

and during his high school years, worked for a local farmer and a veterinarian.

In 1956 he was united in marriage to Gloria Oholendt. They had two children, Terry Bohn of Lewisville, Texas, and Glenda

Frost of Spring, Texas.

John has a brother, Bill Bohn from Altoona, and a sister, Linda Starmer of Greenfield.

During his adult life John was a retail manager for many years and later in life worked at the Dayton-Firestone plant in

Oklahoma City,

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include is his wife Gloria; son Terry; daughter Glenda; grandchildren Nicholas Raiden, Candice Bonn, Eric

Bohn, Stephanie Raiden and Jarred Bohn; brother Bill (wife Sue) Bohn; sister Linda (husband Eldon) Starmer; and aunts, uncles,

nieces and nephews.

He had caring friends at Grace Living Center in Bethany, Okla., where he resided the last six years.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 26, 2002

 

Boswell, Earl Clifford -

Earl Clifford Boswell died Nov. 26, 2001 at the age of 75 years while working on his farm near Thayer, Mo.

Mr. Boswell was cremated. Memorial services were held Dec. 13, 2001, at the Couch, Mo, Methodist Church. Military

honors were provided by the Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Honor division.

Interment of the ashes was held June 9, 2002, at Forest Hill Cemetery near Mt. Etna, Iowa, with the Rev. John Beran, a

nephew, officiating.

Earl was born near Mt. Etna in Adams County on June 18, 1926. He was the son of Myrtle Steadman and Elmer E Boswell.

He graduated from Corning High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Drake University in Des

Moines after serving in the military.

On Sept. 4, 1949 he married Wilma Nadean Brown. Two sons were born, Alan Clifford Boswell and Daniel Brian Boswell.

Earl and Wilma lived in Treynor from 1961-1986, when he worked at the Nebraska Division of Employment in Omaha. Upon

retiring, they bought an 80-acre farm and moved to Thayer in September 1986.

At an early age Earl was baptized and joined the Mt. Etna Methodist Church.

His mother, father and two infant brothers preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife Wilma Boswell of Lenox; two sons, Alan Clifford Boswell of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Daniel Brian

Boswell of Sugarland, Texas; a sister, Beatrice Bixler and husband Jim Bixler of Council Bluffs; four sisters-in-law, and

nieces and nephews.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 3, 2002

 

Brown, Francis Glenn -

Graveside services for Francis G. Brown, age 85 of Bedford, were held Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at the Washington Cemetery

in Gravity with Pastor Ted DeHass officiating. Interment was held in the Washington Cemetery. Memorials can be given in his name.

Arrangements were by Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Francis passed away on Sunday, June 23, at the Lenox Care Center.

Francis Glenn Brown was born March 22, 1917, in Taylor County near Sharpsburg. He was the son of William Glenn and Hazel Frances

Mohler Brown.

He grew to maturity in the Sharpsburg and Conway area where he attended rural school. On Sept. 12, 1940, he was united

in marriage to Hazel M. Strong in Maryville, Mo. They had six children.

The couple continued to live on the family farm where Francis spent 83 years of his life, as he was a farmer at heart.

He was a Farm Bureau member for many years and served 14 years as tour chairman. He also served on various other

committees. Francis was director of Harvester Farmers of America and a Lester Pfister Hybrid Seed Corn Company dealer for 38

years. He retired from farming in 1998.

Francis raised and sold purebred Chester White hogs for several years. He started a dairy herd in 1956. In his station

wagon, he took Grade A milk to Pine's Dairy in Diagonal. He then switched to Bordon's in Kansas City until the herd was sold in

1965. He then had a cow-calf herd only.

Francis is survived by his wife, Hazel; three daughters Shirley (husband Ronald) Cramer of Connersville, Ind., Charlene

(husband Alfred) Beckman of Omaha and Gayle (husband Ellis) Houk of Bedford; two sons, Leo (wife Carolyn) of Bedford and

Gary (wife Nancy) of Gravity; 13 grandchildren, Teresa Sellers, Tina Cramer, Troy Cramer, Tonya Mullins, Marsha

Larsen, Keith Beckman, Brenda McMillin, Randy Brown, Todd Brown, Daryl Brown, Mary Jo Manley, Alisha and Eric Houk;

seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a sister, Julia (husband Russell) McNees of Atlantic; nieces, nephews,

cousins and friends.

Preceding Francis in death were his parents, Glenn and Hazel Brown; and a son, Gordon, in 1961.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 3, 2002

 

Cox, Glenna Lee Norton -

A prayer service for Glenna Lee Cox of Crescent, daughter of Glenn and Donna Norton of Lenox, are slated for Thursday,

July 11 at Cutler-O'Neill Chapel, 533 Willow Avenue in Council Bluffs. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 12,

1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lenox with Rev. Don Frizzell officiating. Burial will be in North Fairview

Cemetery of Lenox with lunch at the church. Visitation will be Thursday, July 11, 5-7:30 p.m. at Cutler-O'Neill Funeral

Home.

Mrs. Cox, age 50, was the victim of a July 4 accident one mile south of Underwood. According to Cutler Funeral Home,

she was a passenger on a motorcycle that struck a deer.

She was born in Corning Sept. 28, 1951, to Glenn H. and Donna L (Richey) Norton. She is a 1969 graduate of Lenox High

School. Glenna was married to John "Butch" Cox on April 26, 1975, in Maryville, Mo. For the past eight years, she was

office manager for Farnam Z Tag Division in Omaha.

Survivors include her husband, John "Butch" Cox of Crescent; son Chris (wife Kami) Cox of Glenwood; daughter Alicia

(husband Brent) Pettigrew of Council Bluffs; grandson Christian Cox of Glenwood; step-son Mike Cox of Red Oak; her

parents, Donna and Glenn Norton of Lenox; a brother, Jay (wife Dee) Norton of Lenox; a sister, Jan (husband Joe)

Dukes of Ellston, Iowa; nieces and nephews.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Cox, Glenna Lee Norton -

Glenna Lee Cox, oldest daughter of Glenn and Donna (Richey) Norton, was born Sept. 28, 1951 at the Rosary Hospital

in Corning. She was raised in the Lenox area.

Glenna joined the United Methodist Church in Lenox at the age of 12. She graduated from Lenox High School in 1969.

She was united in marriage to John "Butch" Cox on April 26, 1975. They have spent their married years living in Red Oak,

Glenwood, and the past nine years in Crescent, Iowa. Glenna was employed with Farnam Company in Omaha as a sales service

manager for the Z-tag department.

She loved the outdoors and tended her flower garden with a loving hand. She and Butch spent many fun-filled days with family

and friends. One of her greatest joys was the freedom of the open road, Glenna's sunny smile and charming personality

endeared her to many friends. Anywhere she went, she left an impression on everyone. Her zest for life kept everyone moving.

The loving survivors of Glenna are her husband, Butch; son Chris (wife Kami) and grandson Christian of Glenwood; daughter

Alicia (husband Brent) Pettigrew of Council Bluffs; parents Glenn and Donna Norton of Lenox; step-son Mike Cox of Red Oak;

brother Jay Norton (wife Dee) of Lenox; sister Jan (husband Joe) Dukes of Ellston; mother and father-in-law Ruth and

Glen Door of Westleco, Texas; sister-in-law Jackie Porter of Des Moines; brother-in-law Matt Dorr of Des Moines; and

many nieces, nephews and friends.

Glenna will be greatly missed, but her beautiful face and smile will be in our hearts forever. Blessed be the memory of

Glenna Lee Cox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 17, 2002

 

Daggett, Bradford Ivan -

Graveside memorial services will be held for Brad Daggett at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox on Saturday, July 13,

10 a.m. Brad passed away in Atlanta following a long illness.

He grew up in the  Prescott area and graduated from high school there, He was married to the late Janette Donaldson Daggett.

He is survived by two children, two grandchildren and one brother.

[Born 20 Feb 1933; Died 25 May, 2001]

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Hamilton, Martha Mary Haering -

Funeral services for Martha Mary Hamilton, age 89, of Lenox were held Friday, June 14, at the United Presbyterian Church in

Lenox. She passed away on Sunday, June 9. Interment was in West Fairview Cemetery. Ritchie Funeral Home was in charge of

arrangements.

Martha Mary Hamilton was born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Wurster) Haering on June 18, 1912, on a farm one mile north of

Lenox. When she was 5 years old, the family moved to an acreage on the west edge of Lenox.

After graduating from Lenox High School in 1930, she completed the two-year Primary Education course at Simpson

College. She taught one year at the Icarian Colony in Adams County and two years in rural schools in Taylor County.

The next eight years she taught first and second grades in Churdan, Iowa, in Green County.

On Oct. 7, 1945, she married Keith L. Hamilton at the Chapel in Fort Lewis, Washington. After her husband's release from the

hospital and army, they came back to Lenox and made their home on the family farm east of Lenox. They lived there five years. In

1952 they moved to an apartment located at 101 South Main in Lenox, where Keith owned and operated Hamilton Electric.

Martha enjoyed being a housewife and mother. She enjoyed attending church and activities of her children. For many years she

taught Sunday School, helped with Bible School, was a Cub Scout den mother and did some tutoring. She was involved in the care of

her parents, an aunt, a sister and mother-in-law. Many trips were made to Long Beach, Cal., to visit the Hamilton relatives.

In February 1933 she united with the First Presbyterian Church in Lenox on a profession of faith. Here membership was in

the United Presbyterian Church when the two churches became one.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Leona Haering and Pearl Eberle; a brother, Herman "Sam" Haering; and

her husband Keith L. Hamilton, who passed away on March 4, 1975.

She is survived by a son, Steven K. Hamilton of Lenox; a daughter, Cheryl J. Keller (husband Carl B. Keller) of Windsor;

Mo.; two grandsons, Mark A. Keller and Michael B. Keller (wife Diana) of St. Louis.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 19, 2001

 

Howe, Lloyd -

Former Clearfield resident Lloyd Howe passed away on July 6 after suffering from heart problems. Services were held

July 6 in Washington, Iowa.

Cards may be sent to Freda Howe, P.O. Box 220, Brighten, Iowa 52540.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Kabel, Gertie Ellen Wright -

Gertie Ellen Kabel, age 97, died in her sleep on June 19, 2002, at the home of her daughter Jo Ann Collings of Cedar Rapids.

Graveside services were held June 24 at Oakland Cemetery, Freeport, Ill, where she now joins her deceased husband Earl.

Her son Richard of Birmingham, Ala., also preceded her in death.

Survivors in addition to Jo Ann are two nieces, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Gertie was born Oct. 3, 1904, in Savannah, Mo., to John and Emma Wright. She graduated high school, attended college and

became a teacher. She was always a willing and active participant in church and school activities, but home and family were

her first considerations.

The Kabel family owned and operated Kabel's Market in Lenox during the 1940's and 1950's.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Long, Merle Ruth Devereaux -

Merle Ruth Long passed away June 30, 2002, at the Ozark Nursing Care Center in Ozark, Mo.

She was born April 27, 1910, to William Patrick Devereaux and Cressie Simmons Devereaux in Pierre, S.D. She married Paul

Long on Jan. 25, 1931, in Villisca.

Paul preceded Merle in death on Sept. 9, 1990 in Mesa, Ariz.

They had four sons: Robert Francis of Concord, Cat., James Lee of Glenwood (who preceded his parents in death on Sept.

27, 1986 in Omaha), Carroll Glenn of Nixa, Mo., and William Paul from Chillicothe, Mo.

Merle Ruth is survived by 21 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Merle graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in education. She taught school in Lenox and Corning for 17 years.

The couple successfully farmed in Lenox for many years. They spent several summers in Mesa until they retired and moved

there permanently.

A few years after Paul's death, Merle came to Clinton, Mo., to live with her son, Carroll, and his wife, Mary, for three years.

She missed her friends in Mesa, so she returned there. When her health began to fail, she moved back to Nixa in the spring

of 1999 to live with Carroll and Mary.

She lived with them for five months. At that time doctors said that she needed 24-hour care and insisted they put her into

a nursing home. It was a difficult decision for her sons to make, but they found a home with private rooms that met Merle's

needs at Ozark Nursing and Care. This was less than two miles from Carroll and Mary's home, and they were able to visit

her every day.

When she felt able, she went to their home for visits, especially on holidays.

She loved receiving mail and visits from her family, especially her sons Bob, Bill and Carroll.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Shawler, Lucille Margaret Hewitt -

Lucille Margaret Shawler of Creston passed away on June 26, 2002, at the age of 92. Funeral services were held June 29 at the

First Presbyterian Church in Creston with Rev, Terry Amann officiating. Powers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She was born April 29, 1910, in Adams County, Iowa, to Charles Walter and Edith Mae (Butler) Hewitt. She attended

country schools in the Lenox area.

On May 13, 1933, she married Orville Greene Shawler in Grant City, Mo. In her early years and after marrying, she lived in

the Lenox, Clearfield and Kent areas. She and her husband moved to Creston in 1956.

She is survived by daughters Margaret (husband Vyrle) Baker of Creston, Wanda (husband Carl) Dowdell of Creston, and Janice

(husband Ron) Spur of Creston; a son, Greg (wife Sherry) Shawler of Creston; sisters Irene Wurster of Creston and Helen (husband

Gene) Blazek of Creston; 16 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Orville in 1981; brothers Ralph, as a child, and Ray Hewitt; sister Velma

Bentley; sister-in-law Beatrice Hewitt; and brothers-in-laws Orville Bentley and Russell Wurster.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 3, 2002

 

Stoaks, Dorothy Arlene Williams -

Funeral services for Dorothy Stoaks, age 68, of Lenox were held Friday, June 21, at the Christian Church in Lenox with Pastor

Dena Vittorio officiating. Interment was in North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials can be given in her name. Funeral

arrangements were by Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Dorothy passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2002.

Dorothy Arlene Williams Stoaks was born Oct. 15, 1933, in Taylor County to Melvin Williams and Bertha Milliken Williams. She

grew up attending school in Lenox and graduated as salutatorian for the Class of 1952.

On Dec. 6, 1953, she was united in marriage to Howard Stoaks at the United Methodist Church in Lenox. To them were born

two sons, Gary and Kurt.

Dorothy worked as a bookkeeper both before and after graduation from high school. She then became a farm wife and

homemaker after her marriage to Howard.

She was an active member of the Lenox Christian Church, the Salome Chapter in Lenox, Order of the Eastern Star, the

Friendly Neighbors Club and the M.W. Club.

In the past, Dorothy had been a Sunday School teacher, C. Y.F. leader, and a member of the choir and C.W.F.

Her greatest joys included sports, family, church, gardening and her chickens.

Survivors include her husband Howard of Lenox; two sons, Gary Stoaks (wife Teresa) and Kurt Stoaks (wife Mandy), both

of Lenox; her mother, Bertha Williams of Lenox; her mother-in-law, Hazel Stoaks of Lenox; a brother, Bill Williams (wife

Nancy) of Omaha; a sister, Norma Reed (husband Marvin) of Lenox; sister-in-law Katherine Wynn of Lenox; five grandchildren,

Dawn Stoaks, Alicia Stoaks and fiancee Rob Hutt, Shane Stoaks, Todd Stoaks and Jacy Stoaks; along with several nieces,

nephews and a host of friends.

Preceding Dorothy in death were her father Melvin and her father-in-law Cleo.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002

 

Walter, Harlan K -

Harlan K. Walter of Wickenburg, Ill., died Nov. 25, 2001, at Hospice of the Valley in Peoria after a brief illness. He was

87 years of age.

Harlan was born June 11, 1914 in Lenox, the son of John William and Belle Suman Walter.

He married Eloise E. Bricker on August 11, 1940. She survives him along with their daughter

Dianne E. Edmond and her husband Pierre of Amherst, N.H.

He is also survived by two grandchildren, Michael C. Edmond of Boston and Lara A. Edmond of Brunswick, Me.

Harlan retired in 1969 as vice president and general manager of the Ametek Corporation's East Moline plant.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 10, 2002