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

Alvarez, Maxine Mae Schuster Baker -

Funeral services for Maxine Alvarez, age 73 of Leavenworth, Kansas, formerly of the Athelstan area who

died Tuesday, March 29, 2005 in Leavenworth, Kansas, were held Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at the

Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was held in the Athelstan Cemetery in Bedford.

Memorials can be given in her name. Please leave a message of tribute to the Alvarez family on our web page,

www.ritchiefunralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of

Bedford.

Maxine Mae Schuster Alvarez was born November 27, 1931, in Athelstan, Iowa the daughter of Cecil Carl

Schuster and Garland Maude Anderson Schuster. She grew up in the Athelstan area attending school. She

was united in marriage to Vince Baker for 10 years prior to her marriage to Manuel (Al) Alvarez on December

25, 1967. Maxine enjoyed gardening and country music. She and Al enjoyed dancing together, attending talent

shows and traveling.

Left to cherish Maxine's memory are her husband and best friend Manuel Alvarez of Leavenworth, Kansas; three

daughters Kay Ellis and husband Michael of Moberly, Missouri; Rosie Harper of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Brenda

Alvarez of Waynesville, Missouri; a step-son Larry Alvarez and wife Maggie of Catonsville, Maryland; two step

daughters Betty Secosh of Titisville, Florida; and Nancy King of Tennessee; a sister Marcelene Jones of Athelstan;

five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Preceding Maxine in death are her parents and a stepson John Alvarez.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 6, 2005

 

Brokaw, Charles Alan (Chub) -

Charles Alan "Chub" Brokaw, 69, of 2922 Alleghany Dr. NE in Cedar Rapids died Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at Mercy

Medical Center after a sudden illness. Services were held Saturday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Rev. Lloyd

Brockmeyer, Rev. Kathleen Moore and Rev. Judy Eilders officiated. Entombment at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Kathryn (Kate); daughter Rebecca and husband, Mike Johnson, Cedar Rapids, son Charles

(Chip), Portland, OR.; two grandchildren, Lindsay and Aaron Johnson; four brothers, Harold, Des Moines, Glen and

wife, Liz, Lenox; Frank and wife, Susy, South Bend, IN.; and Paul and wife, Marilyn, Lenox; sisters, Lois and husband

"Shorty" Brown, Lenox, and Kate Gavend, Denver, CO.; brother-in-law Judge Roe, Stuart, IA; sister-in-law Lola

Brokaw of Lenox; and many nieces and nephews.

He was born September 9, 1935, in Lenox, the ninth of Charlie and Mae Brokaw's 10 children. He married Kathryn

Deppeler, April 4, 1970 in Glen Ellyn, ILL.

He graduated from the Lenox High School with the Class of 1955 and received his B.A. in Business

Administration from Simpson College. He began his career with SS Kresge in 1960 and managed Jupiter and Kmart

stores throughout the Midwest including St. Joseph, MO., the Chicago area, in the St. Louis, MO. area, Cedar Rapids,

IA., and Decatur, ILL. He retired as Kmart store manager in Decatur, ILL in 1995.

He loved his family, playing with his grandkids, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, playing bridge, planning the

annual Brokaw football outing, and taking trips, especially to Hawkeye Bowl games. He was honest, kind, humble, and

childlike. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was not afraid to laugh at himself. He was a treasure.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Mae Brokaw; two brothers, Charles as an infant and Walter

(Ollie); and one sister, Lucille Roe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to  St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Please leave a message

of tribute to the Brokaw family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 9, 2005

 

Buchanan, Ruth Frances Parrish -

Funeral Services for Ruth Buchanan, age 97, formerly of Bedford, who died Sunday, February 8, 2005 in Clarinda

were held Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home, Bedford. Interment was held

in the Conway Cemetery. Memorials can be given in Ruth's name. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie

Funeral Home of Bedford.

Ruth Frances Parrish was born March 7, 1907 near Bedford, she was the daughter of William and Minnie (Eighmy)

Parrish. When Ruth was just nine years old her mother died, leaving her father the responsibility of raising her

along with two brothers and two sisters.

In 1930, her father became Sheriff of Taylor County at which time they moved to the living quarters of the

County Jail. Ruth graduated from the Bedford High School with the Class of 1925. During High School she was

a member of the girl's basketball team, and took normal training courses. She then attended summer school courses

in Cedar Falls which was known as the Iowa State Teacher's College. She then taught rural country schools for

six years before her marriage.

On May 28, 1931, she was united in marriage to Roy Buchanan and together they resided on a farm East of

Conway for twenty-eight years. In 1959, when Roy's health started to fail, they moved to Redondo Beach, CA.

Music was always very important to Ruth. She enjoyed playing the piano by ear, and although she had no formal

training and could not read music, she was able to make harmonies that always made others want to sing along. She

will be remembered for her proud independence and strength of character. Her kind manner and gentle heart

remain in the family's memory.

During the years she lived in California, she enjoyed working in a large department store, and after retirement she

became a Jafra Cosmetic Consultant. She also completed an L.P.N. Course. She enjoyed attending senior citizen dances

and playing cards with her friends. She even enjoyed bowling on a league. Ruth simply loved people and had

lifelong friends of all ages, especially JoAnn Robinson (Robbie), who was her best friend while living in California.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church and a 50 year member of the Eastern Star. Ruth spent the last two and

one-half years at the Eiler House in Clarinda, where she was lovingly cared for.

Left to cherish Ruth's memory are her children JoAnn Denton and husband, Keith, Bedford, Ed Buchanan and

wife, Dee, Lake Panora, IA.; Barbara Osterwise and husband, Don, of Maui, Hawaii, and Dave Buchanan and

wife, Kay, Crescent City, CA.; nine grandchildren Steve, Scott, Dena, Brian, Bill, Tonia, Kimberly, Jennifer, and

Daylan; eleven great-grandchildren Ryan, Colleen, Erin, Ryan, Todd, Jason, Sarah, Kyl, John, Tyler and Tanner; a

sister-in-law Marie Parrish, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, two nephews, two nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents, her husband, Roy in 1971; an infant son, two sisters, Alice Talley and

Eulah Cobb, two brothers, Paul Parrish and Dean Parrish; and a niece, Patricia Thomas.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn Ruth's passing.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 16, 2005

 

Cross, Harold Eugene -

Funeral Services for Harold Cross, age 69 of Bedford were held Friday March 25, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. at the First

Baptist Church in Bedford. He passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 in Maryville, Missouri.

Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in Harold's name. Please leave a

message of tribute to the Cross family on our web page, www.ritchiefunralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were by Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Harold Eugene Cross was born July 24, 1935, in Hopkins, Missouri the son of William R. Cross, and Helen Sobbing

Cross. He was one of 11 children; he had five brothers and five sisters. He was born at home and his two older

brothers, Bud and Raymond, had to walk to town to get the doctor, but were truly excited to ride back to the

family farm in the doctor's car.

He grew up attending Hopkins School, graduating with the Class of 1954. As a young man he attended the Hopkins

Christian Church.

Harold was united in marriage to Dorothy (Dottie) Lewis in March of 1954, after dating in high school. To this

loving union three children were born, Deanna Kay, Helen Teresa "Toots" and Jason.

In 1955 Harold and Dottie moved to Bedford and worked for Harry and Maxine Johnson at Cobb's Ice Cream

where they made ice cream and processed milk. In the next 45 years he was a milk distributor for Borden Company,

Flynn Dairy, Prairie Farms and Roberts Dairy of Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. In December of 1998

he was forced into retirement after suffering a stroke.

In the earlier years Harold was a member of the Bedford Lions Club and Bedford Community School Boosters. He

served on the Water Board for the City of Bedford and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford.

Harold had a wonderful sense of humor and was always more than willing to pull a prank on anyone he thought

needed it. Harold came from a large family and drew strength from it. He truly loved spending time with them.

Left to cherish Harold's memory are his loving wife of fifty-one years, Dottie of Bedford; three children, Deanna

Cross of Jefferson City, Missouri; Helen "Toots" Stroburg and husband Craig of Glenwood, Iowa; and Jason Cross of

Detroit, Michigan; two brothers, Robert Cross and wife LaVonne of Fremont, Nebraska; Earl Cross and wife Maggie

of Hopkins, Missouri; two sisters, Lena Mae Espey and husband Dick of Maryville, Missouri; and Betty Lee and

husband Everett of Bedford; two grandsons, Jordan Lashmett and Justin Lashmett of Omaha, Nebraska; a step-grandson

Corey Stroburg and wife Jill of Merrill, Iowa; a step-granddaughter Mandy Carter and husband Bill of Lee

Summit, Missouri; two step-great-granddaughters Harley and Mya Stroburg of Merrill, Iowa; along with many nieces,

nephews and a whole community of friends.

Preceding Harold in death are his parents; three sisters, Ruby Santee; Darlene Eads and Pauline Kreps; three

brothers. Russell Cross; Raymond Cross and Dean Cross; a grandson Micah Ross Hightshoe.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 30, 2005

 

Fitzgerald, Thomas E -

Thomas E. Fitzgerald, 67, died Feb. 24, 2005, at his home hear Carlisle. Thomas was a former resident of

Clearfield.

Funeral services were held Feb. 28 at Richardson Funeral home in Carlisle. Private burial was held at

Cromwell Cemetery near Creston.

Thomas moved to the Carlisle area in 1965. He was a truck driver, horse trainer, farmer and former Masonic

member.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Carlisle; sons William James (wife Dorothy) of Shaumburg, Ill., John of

Dewitt, David (wife Moreen) of Trimble, Mo, and Dale (wife Sara) of Carlisle; daughter Danette (husband Mike)

Kuehn of Clive; brother-in-law Bob (wife Sharon) McClintock of Carlisle: sisters-in-law Roberta (husband Bob)

Lockhart of Lenox and Marjebell (husband Bobby G.) Rogers of Gurnee, Ill.,; five grandsons, four granddaughters;

aunt Alice Lindberg of Essex, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Hartford Fire and Rescue.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 9, 2005

 

Freemyer, Opal Anna Deardorff -

Funeral services for Opal Freemyer, age 99, of Clearfield were held Feb. 24,2005, at the United Methodist Church

in Clearfield with Rev. Len Garrison officiating. Music was provided by Patty Parrish and Jeremy Long.

Casket bearers were Wes Freemyer Jr., Dwight Matheny, Dave Stewart, Randy Freemyer, Rob Freemyer,

Dan Stewart and Mark Freemyer. Honorary pall bearers were Donna Moore, Linda DeFreece, Terry Bridgeman,

Karen Elliott, Amy Williams, Kim Thurman and Lisa Millison. Burial was in Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Wilson-Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Opal passed away on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 at Clearview Home.

Opal Anna Freemyer was born Nov. 5, 1905 at Sheridan, MO, the only daughter of James A. & Minnie (Dye) Deardorff.

On May 27, 1924, Opal was united in marriage to Will Ray (Bill) Freemyer in Sheridan. Born of this union was Eileen on

Feb. 18, 1925, Donna on March 29,1928, Wes on Oct. 9, 1930, and Harold on July 28, 1936.

They lived at numerous places. One was 100 miles west of Green River, Wyo., or south of Yellowstone, in the

high country. They hued ties with a broad ax for the railroad. After their adventurous life, they settled in

Clearfield in the 1960's. They enjoyed their quiet living in a small community.

Opal was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, later being inducted as an honorary member. Her

favorite pastime was Bingo and country music. Her final six years were at the Clearview Home in Clearfield. She

made quite an impression on everyone who came in contact with her. There were 2 things of many that were

exclusively Opal!

Opal was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill on Aug. 15, 1982; 2 sons-in-law Earl Matheny and

Arlo Stewart; a daughter-in-law Minnie Ellen Freemyer; 2 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great

grandchild; 6 brothers, Harrison, Alfred, William, Sheridan, Wesley, and Lesley.

Survivors include her children Eileen Matheny, Donna Gray and husband Paul, Wes Freemyer and wife Joan, all

of Clearfield and Harold Freemyer and wife Harriett of Pleasantville; 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren,

45 great great grandchildren, 2 great-great-great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 2, 2005

 

Garvey, John D -

Funeral services for John Garvey, age 85 of Bedford, who died Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at the Bedford

Nursing & Rehab Center were held Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with

Reverend Tim Maxa officiating. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford with military rites being

accorded by the John F. Hardin American Legion Post No. 164. Memorials can be given in his name. Arrangements were

by Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

John D. Garvey was born September 8, 1919, in Oak Park, Illinois the son of Ralph Garvey and Frances

Schoenlaub Garvey. John answered the call to serve his country entering the United States Army on March 2, 1943,

where he served in Germany during World War II. On December 13, 1945, he was given an Honorable Discharge

from active service having reached the rank of Technical Sergeant. John lived in the Bedford area for many years.

John is survived by his brother, Robert F. Garvey; five children, John David II, Ralph Procter, Robert Ross, Richard

Spencer and Mary Pat (Logsdon); seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding John in death were his parents; his wife Mary Margaret (Procter) Garvey in 1988; a son, James Patrick in

1977: and a granddaughter Natalie Marie Garvey in 1991,

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 9, 2005

 

Haidsiak, Wayne Alfred (Jake) -

Final respects were paid to Wayne (Jake) Haidsiak, age 92 of Clearfield, during funeral services at the United

Methodist Church in Clearfield on March 2. Rev. Len Garrison officiated, with Masonic rites by Don Mayes, Noble

Lodge 458 AF & AM. Music was provided by Patty Parrish and Chantelle Jennett.

Casket bearers were Richard Weehler, Dr. Ken Jennett, Randall Nicklo, Mike Warin, Jack

Wackernagle, and Bob Bailey. Honorary pallbearers were Raymond Straight and Rue Nickle.

Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, with Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in charge of

arrangements.

Wayne Alfred (Jake) Haidsiak was born August 12, 1912 in Nuckolls County, NE. He was the son of John & Anna

(Holms) Haidsiak. On December 31, 1942, Wayne was united in marriage to Grace Jean (Kettle) in Maryville, MO.

Born to this union were Marilyn Kay, Carolyn May, and George Alan. Wayne farmed in Ringgold and Taylor Counties

his entire life. He was a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa for 60 plus years. He was also a member of

the Clearfield Lions and the Clearfield Methodist Church.

Wayne ascended to heaven on Saturday, February 26, 2005 at Clearview Home in Clearfield at the age of 92 years,

6 months, and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Anna Haidsiak; brothers Frank and Max;

sisters Helen (Hunter), Lucille (Hammer), Nina (Dukes), Hazel Haidsiak, and Ethel Haidsiak.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Jean and their children, Kay (Jerry) Miles of Bennington, NE, Carolyn (Gary)

Williams of Marion, IA, and George (Sherry) Haidsiak of Clearfield, IA; 5 grandchildren. Terri Stevens, Mike

Martin, Jim Williams, Mark Williams, and Jamie Haidsiak; 10 great grandchildren, Josh, Dusty, Amanda, Chelsea,

Grace, Jacob, Tanner, Stefanie, Courtney, and Tyler; sisters Vera Carson and Annabel Walkup, both of Redding;

sisters-in-law Lois Haidsiak of Bedford and Mabel Smith of Blockton, and a brother-in-law Dale Kettle of Creston.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 2, 2005

 

Harvey, Priscilla Ann Aukland Larsen -

Priscilla Ann (Aukland) (Larsen) Harvey passed away March 6. 2005 in Mount Ayr, IA.

She was born December 1, 1928, in Macedonia, IA to Ben and Effie (Springer) Aukland.

The family moved to Clearfield, IA in. 1941 where Priscilla attended school and graduated from High School in

1947.

She married Harold Larsen, August 10, 1947. They had two children, Randall Lee and Pamela Joyce. They

established their home in rural Clearfield.

On November 14, 1990 she married Charles Harvey and gained a large family of grandchildren and great

grandchildren that grew to include great-great grandchildren.

Aunt Cilla was a favorite to all of her nieces, nephews and assorted "adopted" relatives.

Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Harold and Charles, and an infant brother Roger

Aukland.

She is survived by daughters Pam Larsen, Clearfield, and JoKaye and husband Ronnie Shields, Mount Ayr and son

Randy Larsen and partner Sean O'Connor, Chicago, IL; sister Nadine and husband Robert Sinz. Oklahoma City, OK.

and brother Lowell and wife Shirley Aukland, Lynwood, WA.: grandchildren. Rodney and wife Stacey Shields, Roni

and husband Chuck Waske: and Roger and wife Amy Shields and Jeff and wife Brenda Woody: 9 great grandson,

2 great granddaughters and 6 great-great granddaughters. She also shared her life with long-time special friends

Lou Baxter and her family and Shelly Shields and her family; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Services were held, March 10, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home, Mt. Ayr, IA.

Rev. Edward Shields, officiated. The musicians were Nancy Sackett and Alan Ihbotson.

The Casket Bearers were: Josh Waske, Jaycob Waske, Joe Waske, Andy Shields, Aaron Shields, Brett Shields,

Brennon Shields, Brandi Ruggles and Aleha Whittington.

Burial was at the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Mount Ayr, IA.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 16, 2005

 

Henning, Iva Faye Wheeler Hunter -

Memorial Services for Iva Henning, age 76 of Fremont, Nebraska, formerly of the Blockton area who died Monday,

March 28, 2005 in Fremont, Nebraska were held Friday, April 1, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in

Bedford. Interment of ashes was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in her name.

Please leave a message of tribute to the Henning family on our web page, www.ritchiefunralhome.com under obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Iva Faye Henning was born December 1, 1928, near Blockton, Iowa the daughter of Inez and Wesley Glenn

Wheeler. Her immediate family included brother Orvis Wheeler, sister Gwelda Cooper and twin sister Irma Hill.

Iva grew up in the Blockton area graduating from high school in 1946. She lived for many years in Nebraska and

Iowa, raising two children Christine and Timothy Dean. She also worked for several years as a hospital credit manager.

After her children were grown, Iva lived in Washington and Mississippi with her second husband Dick Henning:

Following his passing in 1993, Iva returned to Nebraska and moved to The Gifford Towers in Fremont where, she lived the

rest of her life.

Soon after moving to Fremont in 1993, Iva was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. She

vowed not to let go of her independence and she never did. In recent months, Iva acquired a motorized scooter to enable her

to maintain her independence. Her friend, Keith Main, modified the scooter allowing Iva to travel to and from the

doctor, grocery store and to shop at nearby malls.

Left to cherish Iva's memory are her children Christine Binkowski and husband Bruce of San Diego, California; and

Timothy Dean and wife Shannon of Bellingham, Washington; granddaughter Shannon Marsh of Copperas Cove, Texas;

grandsons Rocky Binkowski of San Diego; and Todd Hunter of Bellingham; great-grandchildren Cortni Troublefiela and

Anthony Troublefield of Copperas Cove; four nephews David Cooper and wife Delilah; Bob Hill; Todd Hill; Eldon

Wheeler: and three nieces Carolyn Brown; Barbara Gaddis and Lynn Hill.

Preceding Iva in death are her parents; brother Orvis Wheeler and sister Gwela Cooper.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 6, 2005

 

Jones, Margaret -

Margaret Jones, Age 90, of Lenox passed away at the Lenox Care Center on March 5, 2005.

Margaret was born March 14, 1914 in Taylor County, IA. She was the daughter of Harry Reece and Annie

Catherine (O'Connell) Jones.

She graduated from Lenox High School, with the class of 1931.

She was a Computer Analyst, Federal Civil Service, Veterans Administration, retiring in 1974.

She was a member of the Mayflower Club, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Altar Society and the St.

Patrick's Sewciety.

The services were held Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Lenox with

Father Tan Tran, officiating. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery, Corning, IA.

There was open visitation on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family

Funeral Service, Lenox, IA. Rosary and Christian Wake Service was at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials can be left to St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Lenox, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Arthur Jones; Sisters: Frances Jones and Mildred Chadwick;

and a brother-in-law, Clinton Chadwick.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 9, 2005

 

Lacy, Bernice Marie Knapp -

Funeral Services for Bernice Lacy, age 80 of Bedford who died Thursday, February 3, 2005 at the Bedford Nursing

& Rehab Center were held Monday, February 7, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment

was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Bedford Ambulance Service or the

Fire Department. Arrangements were by Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Bernice Marie Lacy was born March 27, 1924, in Sharpsburg, Iowa the daughter of Robert Blair and Gladys Marie Knapp.

She grew up in the Sharpsburg area, graduating from the Sharpsburg High School with the Class of 1941. She then

attended Business School in Des Moines for two years. In 1946, she was united in marriage to Darwin Lacy in

Washington State while he was still active in the service. After Darwin's discharge, the couple returned to the area,

residing in Bedford until Darwin's death in June of 1993. Bernice continued to live at their home until her health

required her to move into the care center one and a half years ago.

Bernice was a member of the United Christian Presbyterian Church in Bedford. She was a devoted wife and

mother. Bernice always enjoyed spending time with Darwin as he traveled to gun shows and went hunting.

Left to cherish Bernice's memory are her two daughters, Tana Ross and husband Buddy of Bedford; and Brenda Ton

and husband Paul of Bedford; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Preceding Bernice in death are her parents, husband Darwin and a brother Francis at infancy.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 9, 2005

 

Lucas, Florence Faye Francis -

Florence Lucas, age 94, Creston, formerly of Kent died March 14, 2005 at Crest Haven Care Centre, Creston.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005 at the Powers Funeral Home, 601 New York Ave., Creston.

Pastor Tim Maxa and Bill Walling officiated. Burial was at the Morgan Cemetery, Kent.

Open visitation was from 1 to 8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Powers Funeral

Home. Memorials were directed to the First Presbyterian Church and the Morgan Cemetery.

Florence Faye Lucas, daughter of Florabelle (Stoner) and Alfred R. Francis, was born August 24, 1910, in Kent.

She graduated from the Creston High School and later the Creston Junior College. On July 22, 1936 she was united in

marriage to A. Eugene Lucas in Kent. She lived most of her life in the Kent area, living briefly on farms in the Afton,

Shannon City and Lenox areas. She worked as a rural School Teacher and then as a homemaker and farm wife. She went

on to work as a cook at the Clearview Nursing Home, Clearfield for 16 years. Florence was a member of the First

Presbyterian Church, Creston, and served as a longtime Sunday School Teacher at the Platte Center Church and

Prairie Star Presbyterian Churches.

Survivors include her daughter Linda, (husband Bill) Walling, Columbia, SC; one step-grandson: Todd (wife

Renae) Hall, Pekin, IL.; two sisters: Evelyn Aylesworth, Cincinnati, OH., and Dorothy Cramer, Seminole, FL.; four

nephews and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 2002, and her son Alfred in 1997.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 23, 2005

 

Murphy, Mary Beth Mohler -

Funeral services for Mary Beth Murphy, 87, of Bedford who died Monday, March 28, 2005 at the Bedford

Nursing & Rehab Center were held Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bedford.

Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the First Baptist Church or

to Hospice of Central Iowa. Please leave a message of tribute to the Murphy family on our web page,

www.ritchiefunralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Mary Elizabeth Mohler Murphy was born October 31, 1917, in a farmhouse near Bedford the daughter of Marion

Mohler and Lucy Derrickson Mohler. Mary Beth lived in the Bedford area all of her life except for a short time when she

was teaching school in Missouri after graduating from the Bedford High School in 1935. Mary Beth was the Taylor

County Spelling Champ for the years 1929, 1930 and 1931, for which she received a large silver trophy she later donated

to the Taylor County Historical Society.

She met Flavel Murphy during this time and they were united in marriage on December 25, 1937 at the Little Brown

Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with six children Ben, Bill, Tom, Anne, Jerry and Don. They were also

blessed to raise two grandsons, Jay and Billy Murphy.

Mary Beth and Flavel spent their life farming east of Bedford until their retirement in 1987 when they moved into

Bedford. She loved her flowers and also collected Angels. The love of Mary Beth's life was God, her children and

grandchildren. Over the years Mary Beth worked various jobs.

Mary Beth faithfully attended the First1 Baptist Church in Bedford most of her life. She taught Sunday school for

many years at the church and also at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center with her dear friends Wilma Anderson and

Marilyn Rucker.

Mary Beth and Flavel loved to travel and visited most of the United States. Flavel suffered from Parkinson's disease

and Mary Beth lovingly cared for him for many years prior to his death in 1990.

Left to cherish Many Beth's memory are her four children, Tom Murphy and wife Susan of Port St. Lucie, Florida;

Anne Raphael and husband Vic of Holt, Missouri; Jerry Murphy and wife Teresa of Bedford; Don Murphy and

wife Carolyn of Shattuck, Oklahoma; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren, along with many other

relatives and friends.

Preceding Man Beth in death were her parents Marion and Lucy Mahler: husband Flavel in 1990; two sons, Ben

Murphy in 2003; and Bill Murphy in 1961; a daughter-in-law Barbara Murphy; two grandsons, Jay Murphy and Scott

Murphy; three brothers, Harlan Mohler, Chad Mohler and Bud (Dale) Mohler; a sister Hazel Mohler at one year of

age, and a half sister, Edna White.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 6, 2005

 

Riley, John Warren -

John Warren Riley, age 81, Creston, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at his home in Creston. Funeral services

were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Creston,

with Pastor Mark Woldruff officiating. Burial was at the Graceland Cemetery, south of Creston.

Open visitation was held at the Powers Funeral Home, Creston. Memorials are to the First Christian Church and the

Green Valley Hospice.

John Warren Riley, son of Lura  (Haggerty) and Frank Riley was born on August 15, 1923, in Lenox. He attended

school in the Lenox community. He started farming with his father as a young adult.

They moved to Creston in 1940 and he continued to farm and live in Union County throughout his life.

On March 23, 1945, John married Lela Lane in Creston. To this union five children were born. They lived and raised

their family on a farm south of Creston for nearly 50 years before moving to Creston in 1995.

After retiring he continued to help his son, Ron, farm for several more years. Farming was his life and he enjoyed

watching the crops grow. In his last few years his greatest joy was driving around the countryside to look at the

crops and livestock and was a frequent visitor on the roads around Green Valley Lake.

John was a member of the ASCS committee for 25 years and was a 30-year member of the Farm Bureau. He also

served as a Douglas Township trustee for 25 years.

Survivors include his wife, Lela, Creston; a daughter, Jeanne Jones, Creston; and three sons, Frank (wife Marcia)

Riley, Gary (wife Darlene) Riley and Ron (wife Becky) Riley, all of Creston. He is also survived by two sisters,

Lucille Riley, Creston, and Mary Best, El Cajon, CA.; a brother, Earle Riley, Scottsdale, AZ.

Other survivors include his nine grandchildren, Pam (husband Brian) Sobotka, Rod Jones, Brittany, Adam and

Kelsey Riley, Creston; Keith (wife Hilary) Riley, Raymore, MO.; Ryan Riley, Iowa City; Joshua (wife Trisha) Riley,

Surprise, AZ.; and Jennifer Riley, Des Moines; as well as his seven great-grandchildren, Stacey and Travis Sobotka,

Joshua, Austin and Brandon Jones, Creston; Kaylee and Evan Riley, Raymore, MO.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Gordon in 1998, and a brother, Kenneth Riley.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday March 30, 2005