002 Thomas Lowell Weir, 72, passed away in Des Moines, Iowa on April 16, 2011, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born July 31, 1938, the firstborn of Guy Thomas Weir and Harriet Louise (Osburn) Weir, he grew up on a farm near Bedford, Iowa.
Lowell spent many days in his youth at Grandpa Osburn's farm working with him. By the time he was 5 he was the water boy for the threshing crews and soon after drove the horses. Lowell actively participated in 4-H, most known for showing many Angus cattle. He was also elected the youngest county president in his time. He still found time to do many things in the Y Indian Guides. Lowell loved to hunt and was an excellent shot. Just ask the rabbit trying to scamper over the hill. Reading anything -- books, newspapers, magazines - was a lifetime joy of his.
At 15, Lowell took his first flying lesson on Christmas day. He had listened to his buddy rave for a week about his flying lesson and had to see what it was all about. This sparked his lifelong passion for aviation. Lowell thoroughly enjoyed being in the cockpit. After graduation from Bedford High School in 1956, he operated a custom combining service for a couple years. During this time, he also became a flight instructor, a pilot for charter flights, and served seven years in the Air National Guard. Lowell went to crop dusting training in Mississippi in 1961 and for the following two years he did crop dusting out of Honey Grove, TX. Crop dusting took him to Minot, ND the summer of 1964 and he spent the following three summers crop dusting in both Minot and Shenandoah, IA.
Lowell attended Drake University for two years before moving to Ames, where he graduated from Iowa State University in 1969 in Engineering Operations. He married Glenda Kernen in 1963 and they had one son, Todd. They loved to go to ISU Basketball games, and were season ticket holders. The couple divorced after more than 30 years of marriage. Lowell served as chief flight instructor for Iowa State University, and also as a pilot for ISU, flying administrators and Cyclone athletic teams around the nation.
Deciding to test his own wings, Lowell owned and operated Wings Over Iowa at Boone for 17 years, where he was one of the early Grumman Aircraft dealers, and also a Cessna dealer. Additionally, Lowell served three years as an engineer and corporate pilot at Quinn Wire and Iron in Boone. Despite the constant connection with flying, Lowell missed having more time in the air, so he began working in Des Moines in late 1980's and soon moved there. Here he became Chief Pilot, Check Airman, and Director of Operations at Elliott Aviation. At Elliott's, Lowell flew the Beechcraft line of aircraft, even their Burt Rutan designed Starship turboprop. Later he began to do some pilot service Beechjets. He eventually served as corporate pilot for Gordon Management and TMC until 2006. After that time he traveled the country doing pilot service and King Air Instruction for ATM.
It was through flying that Lowell met his wife, Annette. They worked together as a Beechjet crew for over 10 years. In addition to flying Lowell and Annette enjoying traveling, astronomy, biking, beaches, mountains and sunsets. Their best joint venture was their lovely daughter, Justine.
Lowell contributed to the aviation field in a number of other ways. He was a long time FAA designated pilot examiner and a test pilot for numerous types of aircraft over many years. Throughout his 53 years of flying he logged over 30,000 hours of flight time. Many of the entries are written with his signature purple ink fountain pen. Lowell was very proud of his flying, and he cared deeply for his students. He wanted to ensure they learned the correct information and proper practices to assure their safety. When giving check rides Lowell worked to put the student at ease so they could do their best job. He loved to give people their first airplane ride. Had it been possible, he would have spent every minute in an airplane’s cockpit, surpassed only with the time spent with his daughter and son.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Annette Kobliska and daughter Justine of Des Moines, son Todd Weir and daughter-in-law Jeanne Fenton of Poughkeepsie, NY, two grandsons James Weir and Michael Weir of Poughkeepsie, lasting friend Glenda Kernan of Des Moines, brother Lee Weir of Bedford, sister Joyce Weise of Council Bluffs and two aunts, Joanne Osburn of Bedford and Alice [Weir] Colyn of Sebatha, KS, many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and youngest brother Donald.
Celebration of Life service was held Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with Rev. Ted DeHass officiating. Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.
Memorials are suggested to Lowell Weir Memorial Fund which has been established as a scholarship for his daughter, Justine.
Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel provided arrangements. www.EFC.cc

008Gene L. Bentley, age 74, of Fremont, died Friday April 1, 2011 in A.J. Merrick Manor, Fremont.
After a battle with cancer, Gene Bentley went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 2011. Gene was born in Blockton, IA on May 27, 1936, to George and Grace ‘Jennings’ Bentley. He grew up with a sister and four brothers, one of whom was his twin brother. He was married to Sharon Sue Waldeier of Bedford, Iowa in 1963. He received his B.A. from Westmar College in LeMars, IA. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree from UNL, and a Specialist Degree from UNO. His interests were: sports, history, music, and developing people. After teaching and coaching for nine years in Iowa and the Omaha area, he became an Administrator in Millard, Indianola and Carroll, Iowa and Fremont. After suffering a lengthy illness, he returned to education as a County Supervisor of Country Schools. Gene felt the Lord’s leading to go into Christian Education, as he became the Administrator of Trinity Christian School in Omaha. His last position was as a Superintendent at Omaha Christian Academy.
A great love of Gene’s was coaching. He coached winning teams on many levels: basketball, baseball and softball, for both boys and girls. In his later years, a great pleasure was attending his grandchildren’s many sports and music activities. He even coached some of their teams, much to his enjoyment.
Left to cherish his memory, is his wife of 47 years, Sue of Fremont, and two children, Brian Bentley (and wife, Kelli) of Omaha, and Heidi Melcher of Waterloo, NE. Gene and Sue have five grandchildren: Jacob and Amanda Melcher and Brendan, Grace, and Claire Bentley. Gene has one sister, Mary Sheeks of Omaha, and four brothers: Duane Bentley of Clarinda, IA, Dean Bentley (and wife, Melba) of Council Bluffs, Kenneth Bentley (and wife, Judy) of Omaha, and Terry Bentley (and wife, Rebecca) of Riverton, Wyoming. In addition, Gene has a brother and sister-in-law, Eddie and Peggy Long of Kansas City and several nieces and nephews. Gene had a multitude of friends and people whose lives he has touched.
Gene leaves a legacy of the thousands of lives he has touched through his years of interaction with teachers, parents and children.
Visitation for Gene were held Monday from 3 pm to 8 pm with the family receiving friends from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.
The funeral was 10:30 am, Tuesday April 5, at Westside Church in Omaha (15050 West Dodge Road). Graveside services was 3:30 pm at Ridge Cemetery in Fremont.
Memorials are suggested to the scholarship fund for Trinity Christian School and Omaha Christian Academy. Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com

Funeral services for Helen Whitehead, age 95, of New Market, Iowa, who entered into peace Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 25, 2011 at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Russ Clark and Loren Daly officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 24 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Memory Cemetery, New Market, Iowa.

Helen Esther (Pullen) Whitehead was born February 8, 1916 in Page County, Iowa. She is the daughter of Edd and Mabel (Meads) Pullen. Helen passed away April 20, 2011, at the age of 95 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa. Helen grew up in the Page and Taylor County area. She attended High School in Villisca, Iowa. Helen married Milo (Mike) Whitehead November 26, 1938. They were blessed with three children, Phyllis, Richard and Linda.

Milo and Helen farmed north of New Market and moved to New Market, Iowa in 1983. Helen was a member of Rebekah Lodge for fifty years. She belonged to neighborhood clubs and enjoyed quilting. Helen was a member of the Church of Christ in New Market. Helen always enjoyed getting her family together for all occasions, especially at Easter. Baskets were hidden for the grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edd and Mabel Pullen; husband of forty five years, Mike Whitehead; sister, Marie Whitehead; brothers-in-law Raymond Whitehead, Floyd Jobe and Weldon Jones; sister-in-law, Cleta Jones and great niece, Kim Stamps.

Left to cherish Helen’s memory are her children, Phyllis Scroggs and husband Gene of Clarinda, Iowa, Richard Whitehead and wife Elaine of New Market, Iowa, Linda Stevens and husband Dwayne of Clarinda, Iowa; grandchildren, Shelly Cabbage and husband Kevin of Stanton, Iowa, Angi Swanson and husband Kenny of Clarinda, Iowa, Marci Fine and husband Jeff of Platte City, Missouri, Connie Sunderman and husband Darin of Clarinda, Iowa, Carla Whitehead of Shenandoah, Iowa, Julie Jennings and husband Brent of Osage, Iowa, Susan Naylor and husband Mark of Minneola, Florida; seventeen great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild; and her sister’s three daughters, Judy Stamps and husband Garry, Jan Stamps and husband Carroll, Joyce Orr and husband Lanny of which “Aunt Honny” was special in their lives; sister-in-law, Cleva Jobe; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends

Susan Jean Danner 73, Maryville, MO and formerly of Bedford, IA passed away Friday, April 8, 2011 at Village Care Center, Maryville.

Susan was born on August 12, 1937 in Shenandoah, IA to Wilbur “Dutch” and Doris Terrell Young, they preceded her in death.

Susan was a graduate of the Bedford Iowa High School, and attended business college in St. Joseph, MO. A resident of Maryville for the past 32 years, she was a retired press operator at Deluxe, formerly NEBS, and had worked at the former Regal Diaper Factory, both of Maryville, MO.

Survivors include her son, Jeff Danner, and wife Kathy, Clearmont, MO, her brother, James Young, and wife Carolyn, Clarinda, IA, her granddaughter, Katey Zimmerman, and husband Johnathon, Pea Ridge, AR, and two nephews, Greg and Regan Young.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO. Interment will be in the Lexington Cemetery, Bedford, IA. No formal visitation is planned

001Ernest “Jack” Lincoln was born November 27, 1920 in Pacific Junction, Iowa; the son of Sheldon and Sylvia (Johnson) Lincoln. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather passed away on April 27, 2011 at Heartland Regional Health Center in St. Joseph, Missouri after a short illness.
Jack spent the early years of his life perfecting his skills as a horseman. His first experience as a horseman was at the age of seven years old. His older brother Mike surprised him with a mule colt; tossing the reigns to him and saying do what you think you’re big enough to do.
He worked with his dad and brother on the family farm located west of Glenwood, Iowa in the Missouri River Bottom.
He attended the one room Lincoln School and later graduated from Glenwood High School in 1939. At the end of the depression times were tough and money was short. Jack was unable to go to vet school and decided farming wasn’t for him so he hitched a ride on a grain truck with his brother Mike and headed west landing in Hyannis, Nebraska. After sharing a cup of coffee in the local café, Jack went to work for Ralph Swigart. Ralph raised the best Morgan horses in the country. Jack spent many wonderful years in the Sandhills of Nebraska working on many large ranches in the area. One ranch in particular that is still in operation today is a fifth generation ranch spanning 200 years and approximately 100,000 acres. While working there Jack met and married Kathleen Galusha on March 1, 1950. She was the new school teacher in town. To this union, a daughter, Sylvia was born.
The family returned to Iowa in the early 1960’s where Jack started his own cow calf operation. He combined this with custom cattle work and custom haying. In 1980 Jack’s next adventure began in Vail, Colorado. Jack was able to combine his story telling and horsemanship skills to entertain guests from all over the world while operating winter sleigh rides and summer wagon rides in Vail.
Jack never met a stranger and lived life to the fullest every day. Even after an unfortunate accident ended his custom cattle business, Jack continued to stay involved with the things he loved. Included in this list are granddaughters, great granddaughters, his grandson-in-law and his wife of 61 years and of course cows too. He will be missed by all.


Funeral services for Ernest E. Lincoln, 90, of Bedford, Iowa will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday April 30, 2011 at Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel in Bedford, Iowa. Open visitation is scheduled from 2-7:00 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2011 at the chapel. Following the service, there will be refreshments and desserts in the basement of the chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Pony Express Riders of Iowa (Camp Sunny Side)