Neumeyer, Richard Arthur -

Funeral services for Richard Neumeyer, age 84 of Bedford, who died Sunday,

May 7, 2006 at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska were held Thursday,

May 11, 2006 at 10:30.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bedford with Reverend

William Ballard officiating. Interment with military rites accorded by the John F. Hardin

American Legion Post No. 164 were held in the Hopkins Cemetery. A Masonic Service

was held Wednesday evening at the Ritchie Funeral Home at 7:00 during visitation.

Memorials can be given in Richard's name. Please leave a message of tribute to the

Neumeyer family on our web page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Richard Arthur Neumeyer was born May 17, 1921, in Polk Township, Taylor County,

Iowa the son of Henry Elmer Neumeyer and Constance A. (Florea) Neumeyer. He

grew up attending rural schools to the eighth grade and then went to work as a

hired man in the High Prairie Community. In 1940, he went to work for his

future father-in-law, Bruce Clymens.  In January of 1943, Richard answered the

call to serve his country by entering the United States Army, he and a bunch of

other men loaded up in front of the Taylor County Courthouse late one January

evening and headed off to serve their country, taking their training in Fort

Warren, Wyoming. Richard was soon sent overseas to Greenland where he served

for three years during World War II with the Quartermaster Corps. Upon his

discharge in January of 1946, he returned to the area where he again worked as

a hired man. Now, when Richard first went to work for Edra's father she was a

junior in high school, upon his return from the service, she had graduated high

school and was teaching in the Valley School Neighborhood. On May 25, 1947,

Richard was united in marriage to Edra Clymens at the United Methodist Church

in Bedford.

Soon after their marriage the couple rented some land near the school Edra was

teaching at and began farming. In those days, the farming began on a shoestring - they

had been given a jersey cow from Edra's father and a shorthorn cow from Richard's

father, and that, along with some borrowed machinery, and they were off and running

on their farming and cattle career! In the 1950's they moved east of Bedford where

they farmed for ten years and in the 60's they were finally able to purchase their own

171 acres north of Bedford known as the McDowell farm in Marshall Township, located

1 1/2 miles west of the county home. Together they would farm this land, raising cattle

and hogs and enjoying the good life. In 1987, Richard suffered health problems,

having open heart surgery, and it was then he and Edra decided to retire and move

into town, purchasing their current home in Bedford in 1990. Always a 'farmer at

heart' Richard continued to mow his lawn and tend his garden in the true farmer's

way. He meticulously taking care of his lawn, garden and the beloved John Deere

equipment! Although Richard and Edra had no children of their own, they truly

enjoyed their nieces and nephews.

During Edra's teaching years, Richard loved to hear the tales about the children

at school, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy sharing in their lives.

Richard was a life time member of the Taylor County Historical Society; a member

of the Bedford United Methodist Church; past member of the Gravity Fire

Department and the Taylor County Conservation Club. He was also a member of the

Taylor County Farm Bureau and the John F. Hardin American Legion Post No. 164.

Richard was a Mason and a member of the Plumb Masonic Lodge No. 285 A.F.

and A.M., located in Siam.

For many years, Richard and Edra loved belonging to the Gravity Promenades Square

Dancing Club. Together with their friends they shared many dances and good memories.

In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as gathering Indian

artifacts.

Left to cherish Richard's memory are his loving wife of 59 years, Edra Neumeyer of

Bedford; three brothers, Sidney Neumeyer of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; George

Neumeyer of Hopkins, Missouri; and Howard Neumeyer of Caldwell, Idaho; along

with many nieces, nephews and a whole community of friends.

Preceding Richard in death were his parents Henry and Constance Neumeyer; a

brother Jason Neumeyer; and two sisters, Verna McDonald and Louise Archer.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 17, 2006

Pratt, Ruth Pauline Slagle Hunter -

Ruth Pauline Slagle Pratt was born in Hale County, Texas near Abernathy on March 3,

1916, the second child of Charles Wesley and Ella Cecile Firth Slagle. After the death of

her mother in 1918, she and her brother Clyde were cared for by grandparents, Aunt

Bertha Russell and Mrs. Cloud of Bedford until her father married Bessie Hart Petit in

1923. She started to school in Bedford, Iowa and went to various country schools in

Kansas. She went to high school in Fort Scott, Kansas, Kansas City, Mo. and graduated

from Bedford High School. After graduation she taught country school for three

years in Iowa and Kansas. She married Harold Hunter on May 24, 1937 and they farmed

in the New Market area. In 1952 she worked as an operator at Farmer Mutual Telephone

Company in Clarinda. On October 28, 1956 she married Dwight Pratt and helped him

with his children. She also worked at the New Market Cafe, and as a telephone

operator at the local office until it become dial tone. She and Dwight farmed his

mothers place on shares and then on their own farm until 1984 when they moved to

New Market.

She continued to help with Dwight's feed business. Due to failing health they moved into

Regency Apartments in Clarinda in 1993. In 1996 they moved into a home they

purchased on South 20th Street. From 1999 to 2006 she lived at Eiler House and

Goldenrod Manor, both in Clarinda.

She was baptized into the Methodist Church as an infant and renewed her baptism in the

New Market Methodist Church on April 6, 1958.

She was preceded in death by parents, husband, step daughter Nancy Kirsch,

grandparents, three brothers, a step-sister and a cousin. She is survived by half brothers,

Earl and James; half sister Opal; and step children Delbert, Beverly, Sue, Ethel, and

spouses, step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, and step great-great grandchildren;

sister-in-law Velma Pratt and brother-in-law Henry Karg; nieces, nephews, other

relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 12, 2006 at Eiekemeyer Funeral Chapel in

Clarinda with Rev. Dan Wiebesiek officiating. Interment was at Memory Cemetery, New

Market, IA.

Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel of Clarinda was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 14, 2006

Rechtenbach, Sandra Kay Wilkinson -

Sandra Kay Rechtenbach, the daughter of Orville and Pauline (Sanford)

Wilkinson was born, February 1, 1943, in Brooks, IA. She passed away, Wednesday,

April 26, 2006 at the Adair County Memorial Hospital, Greenfield, IA at the age of 63.

Sandra attended rural school and graduated from Prescott High School in 1961.

On June 4, 1961, she was united in marriage to Daryl Rechtenbach in Prescott, IA.

They made their home in Omaha where she worked for Clarkson Hospital as a patient

escort. In 2003 they made their home in Bridgewater. She enjoyed baking, cross stitching,

making baby quilts, crossword puzzles, e-mailing on the computer, playing cards and

spending time with her grandchildren.

Sandra was membership chairman for Williamson Legion Auxiliary Post #719.

She was preceded in death by her father; infant son; brother, Darwin Wilkinson;

mother and father-in-law, Harold and Iva Rechtenbach; sister-in-law, Phyllis Gabriel;

and a niece, Dawn Hutchinson.

She is survived by her husband, Daryl Rechtenbach, Bridgewater; daughter, Lori

Ulfers and husband Bob, Omaha; step-daughter, Pam Blevins (Mike) of Highland,

KS.; mother, Pauline Wilkinson, Corning; three grandchildren, Danielle Ulfers,

Jarret Ulfers, and Wyatt Blevins; brother, LaRell Wilkinson and wife Coleen,

Lenox, IA.; two sisters-in-law Shirley Wilkinson, Prescott and Mary (Max) Warnock,

Omaha; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services were held, Saturday, April 29, 2006 at the Trinity Christian Church,

Bridgewater, IA. with Pastor David Clark officiating. The music was furnished by Ione

Jensen and Diana Kordick.

Interment was in the Fontanelle Cemetery, Fontanelle, IA.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 17, 2006

Smejdir, Mary Agnes Krohmer -

Funeral services for Mary Smejdir, age 80 of Corning, who died Tuesday, May 16,

2006, at the Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield were held Saturday, May 20,

2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home in Corning with Reverends

Bob and Shonda Deranleau officiating. Interment was held in the Prairie Rose

Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield.

Please leave a message of tribute to the Smejdir family on our web page,

www.rilchiefun.eral-home.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted

to Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home of Corning.

Mary Agnes Smejdir was born March 1, 1926, to George Krohmer and Kathe

(Friedrickshon) Krohmer in Taylor County, Iowa at the rural family home south of

Lenox and grew up attending rural schools. Mary worked in Lenox until she was united

in marriage to Gilbert Smejdir on October 7, 1948 at the Federated Church

Parsonage in Corning. To this loving union one daughter, Leota Taylor, was born.

For many years, Mary delivered fresh country eggs to people in the Corning area.

Mary was well known for her delicious home cooked foods. In 1977, she went to work at

Country Haven as a food supervisor. The residents appreciated her meals and

baked goods, always made from scratch! She often prepared food for the residents

very early in the morning at her home, before she went to work. After Mary retired

from Country Haven in 2000, she enjoyed taking bus tours and working in her big yard.

She enjoyed working with her flowers and making many quilts for the family. Mary was

a member of the Fairview United Church of Christ.

Left to cherish Mary's memory are her daughter, Leota Taylor and husband Ron

of Blockton; two grandchildren, Rodney Taylor of Gravity; and Liz Sherman and

husband Dan of St. Peters, Missouri; one great-grandson, Cole Sherman; a sister-in-law

Gladys Scholfield of Kent; a sister and brother-in-law, Dale and Ann Cooper of Bedford;

along with nieces and nephews.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents George and Kathe Friedrickshon; her

husband Gilbert Smejdir in 2002; and a stillborn brother.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday Mary 24, 3006

Straight, Clarence Vernon -

Clarence Vernon Straight, son of Charles Eli Straight and Hattie Mae (Horning) Straight,

was born May 9, 1907 in Beatrice, NE. After homesteading in western Nebraska and living

in southern Missouri for a few years, the family moved to rural Taylor County, Iowa.

He attended rural school in Taylor County, Iowa and graduated from Conway

High School in 1927. He enjoyed sports and excelled in basketball.

Vernon and Jessie Nickle met at a dance and enjoyed dancing and traveling. They

were married on June 2, 1934 and established their home on a farm south of Sharpsburg.

He farmed with his brother Lee. He also maintained roads for Taylor County.

While living in Bedford for eight years, he worked for the Iowa State Highway

Commission. Later they farmed a few years in Ringgold County and purchased a farm

east of Conway where they resided from February 1948 until moving into Clearfield in

1976. Vernon enjoyed people. He was an active member of the Christian Church and

served as a deacon and held several other offices. He was a 50+ year member of the

Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star and a member of the Clearfield Lions Club.

Vernon passed away on May 23, 2006 at Greater Regional Medical Center in

Creston. He was preceded in death by his parents and Jessie's parents; two brothers

Marion and Lee Straight; two sisters Hazel Bishoff and Edna Straight; two sisters-in-law

Edna Nord and Lois Straight; and four brothers-in-law, Lyle Nord, GC Hofmeister, Ronald

Bishoff, and Max Hunter.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 71 years, Jessie Straight of Clearfield; daughter

Patricia Straight of Onalaska, WI, and son Donald Dean Straight and wife Marilyn of

Boone, IA: one sister Helen Straight Hunter of Hattiesburg, MS; 1 sister-in-law Beatrice

Hofmeister of Denver, CO: two grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and several

great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 26, 2006 at the Christian Church in Clearfield,

Iowa with burial in Clearfield Cemetery. Memorials to the Christian Church in Clearfield,

Iowa.

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

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 31, 2006

Wynn, Dale (Bud) -

Funeral services for Bud Wynn, age 67 of Corning, who died Sunday, May 7,

2006, at the Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska were

held Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Christ

Prescott with Reverend Doctor Jeanne Groom officiating. Interment was

held in the Mount Zion Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-

Ritchie Funeral Home of Corning.

Dale "Bud" Wynn was born January 19, 1939, in Prescott, Iowa the son of

Dale Wynn and Alice (Stapleton) Wynn. He grew up attending school in

Prescott through the eighth grade, transferring to the Corning High School

where he graduated with the Class of 1956. On September 27, 1966, he

was united in marriage to Rogene Herring in Omaha, Nebraska. Four

children were born to bless this union.

After high school, Bud toured the horse racing circuit as a horse trainer.

He then joined the local National Guard Unit where he served six years.

Upon returning he was employed with the Farmer's Coop Exchange in

Corning and later became manager of that business.

After fifteen years of employment, Bud took on the farming endeavor.

He built his own home where he remained for the rest of his life. He

enjoyed cattle farming which involved showing cattle with his daughters

for many years through the Adams County 4-H. Family was always

important as he enjoyed having Sunday dinner with his daughters,

son-in-laws and grandchildren. For the past five years, he enjoyed his

renewed interest of carpentry. He worked with his wife to build

outdoor furniture and containers under their side business "Wynning

Designs".

Bud was also very active in the community. He was one of the founding

members for the Adams County Pork Producers. In 1977, he was

honored and inducted into the Master Pork Producers. For several years

he also served as a member of the Adams County Industrial Development

and REC Boards. More recently, he was a member of the Iowa Cattleman's

Association.

Left to cherish Bud's memory are his loving wife of forty years, Rogene

Wynn of Corning; four daughters, Anieta O'Hair and husband John of

Indianola; Melissa Victor and husband Fred of Corning; Veronica Damewood

and husband Jon of Corning; and Cynda Notz and husband Jeff of Lenox;

grandchildren, Shannon and Allison O'Hair; Elaine, Alicia and Collin

Williams; Caitlyn and Sydney Damewood; Emma and Abbie Notz; Wayne,

Jessie and Heath Victor and Michael Berry; a sister, Betty Stanfield and

husband Tom of Des Moines; long-time friend Jan Houck of Henrietta,

Texas; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Bud in death are his parents Dale and Alice Wynn; two sisters

Lorraine Wilson and Phyllis Wynn; a brother Ray Wynn Jr.; a brother-in-law

Bruce Wilson; a niece Denise Middleswart; and a nephew Tommy Stanfield.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 17, 2006