Eckels, Evelyn "Verlee" Gordon - Funeral services for Verlee Eckels, age 91, of Lenox, who died Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Vintage Park Apartments in Lenox were held Friday, February 13, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox. Interment will be held at West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Evelyn Verlee (Gordon) Eckels was born April 20, 1917 in rural Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa the daughter of Earl L. Gordon and Bertha Lula (Preston) Gordon. She grew up in the Lenox area attending school, graduating from the Lenox High School with the Class of 1934. Verlee then attended Normal Teacher’s Training. She began working at an office in Bedford, and on August 24, 1936 she was united in marriage to her ‘high school sweetheart’ Lew Eckels in Boulder, Colorado. The couple continued to help Lew’s family on the farm located five miles northwest of Lenox. In 1938, they built a new home and continued living on this “Century Farm”, which had been in the family for over 125 years. During the years Lew and Verlee were on the farm, Verlee kept immaculate records of their farming operations, including all of the information on their breeding stock. In 2003, Lew and Verlee were the first residents to move into the new Vintage Park Apartments located in Lenox. Lew passed away on October 2, 2004 and Verlee continued living at Vintage Park until her death.

Verlee was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox where she kept active with all of the women’s activities. She was also a member of the Neighborhood Club. Verlee was an excellent seamstress, having made most of the clothes for her family over the years. She was a true farmer’s wife, tending a large garden out of necessity, and canning the produce to share with her family and friends. She worked side-by-side Lew on the farm, doing whatever chores were needed, along with mowing her own yard well into her 80’s! In later years, she and Lew enjoyed collecting plates and cut glass. Verlee’s family was truly her passion in life, she always had time for her grandchildren and was always willing to give of herself to benefit others.

Left to cherish Verlee’s memory are her son Dean Eckels and wife Colette of Littleton, Colorado; two daughters, Carole Lea Kraber and husband Don of Ankeny, Iowa; and Jean Spicer and husband Doug of Atlantic, Iowa; a brother, Russell Gordon of Sharpsburg, Iowa; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Verlee in death are her parents, Earl and Bertha Gordon, her loving husband Lew Eckels in 2004, a daughter, Helen Louise in 1982, and a brother, Darold Gordon in 2008.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Eighmy, Carolyn Belle Norton - Funeral Services for Carolyn Eighmy, age 58 of Sidney, formerly of the Bedford/Conway area, who died Friday, October 14, 2005 at the Jenny Edmondson Hospital in Council Bluffs were held Monday, October 17, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Private family interment of ashes were held at the Memory Cemetery in New Market.

Carolyn Belle (Norton) Eighmy was born October 7, 1947, in Waukegan, Illinois the daughter of Paul Samuel Norton and Marjorie (Brockelsby) Norton. She grew up in El Monte, California, moving to the Bedford area when she was seventeen, graduating from the Bedford High School. Carolyn then attended community college in Creston and Atlantic obtaining degrees as a Certified Medical Assistant and a Certified Nursing Assistant. She later worked as a Residential Treatment Worker.

On January 14, 1966, she was united in marriage to Donald Gene Eighmy at the United Methodist Church in Conway. Carolyn and Don lived in Bedford and then Conway later moving to Malvern in 1984. In 1989 they moved to Sidney. Carolyn worked as a Residential Treatment Worker at the Glenwood Resource Center for sixteen years. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sidney where she was active in the Vacation Bible School during the summer. She also assisted with the Head Start Program and the International Save the Children Program.

Left to cherish Carolyn’s memory are her husband Don Eighmy of Sidney; a son Jeff Eighmy and Kathy Eighmy of Winterset; five daughters, Wendy Evans of Iowa City; Bev Cole of Glenwood; Melissa Mincy and husband Brandon of Maryville, Missouri; Jenni Eighmy of Fremont, Nebraska; and Merideth Moody and fiancée James Goodwin of St. Joseph, Missouri; a brother-in-law, John Eighmy of Conway; eleven grandchildren, along with many other family members and friends.

Preceding Carolyn in death are parents Paul and Marge Norton; a son Dan Moody; a son-in-law, Thomas Evans; and a sister-in-law, Donna Eighmy.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Everhart, Eva Geraldine (Shell) was born April 25, 1920 in Laurel, Nebraska, the fourth of six daughters, to Charles Fredrick Shell and Clara (Kinney) Shell. She grew up in the Maryville, Missouri area attending rural schools, and was baptized in the Methodist Church in Wilcox, Missouri. She then worked as a domestic helper caring for elderly ladies, along with working in a hotel. On December 9, 1939, she was united in marriage to Jesse Fay Everhart., Jr., at the Baptist Church Parsonage in Maryville, Missouri. To this loving union four sons were born, Jesse III, Donald, William and Fredrick.

In 1942, Jesse and Eva moved to Bedford where they both worked for Cudahy’s. After a year, Jesse joined the United States Navy serving during World War II. Eva continued working at Cudahy’s through the War up until 1957. In 1958, Eva and Jesse moved to the farm west of Bedford. She was truly a farmer’s wife who loved living on the farm, tending to both flowers (she had a magnificent rose garden!) and animals. Eva also enjoyed raising both cats and dogs. She was an ardent supporter of her boys and their athletic events as they were growing up, always being a ‘vocal supporter’ at their games. She loved bowling and was active in the Bedford League for several years. Eva and Jesse enjoyed traveling throughout the years, going on many cruises.

Left to cherish Eva’s memory are her four sons, Jesse F. Everhart III and wife Elaine of Camanche, Iowa; Donald Everhart and wife Kay of Bedford; William Everhart and wife Mary of Williamsburg; and Fredrick Everhart and wife Cathy of Grandview, Missouri; a sister, Evonne Hyde and husband Gene of Lebanon, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; and twenty-eight great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding Eva in death are her parents Charles and Clara Shell; her husband Jesse in 2000; four sisters, Leona Risley, Leora Shell, Daphine McMullin and Doris O’Dell; and one granddaughter, Kemery Ann Everhart.

Ernest, Darline Hughes - Funeral services for Darline Ernest, age 87 of Bedford, who died Monday, February 1, 2010 at her home will be held Friday, February 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment will be held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.

Darline Ernest, daughter of Glen and Pearl Hughes, was born July 16, 1922 at a farm home southeast of Conway, Iowa.

She attended Clayton No. 1 Elementary School and later graduated from Conway High School in 1940.

In 1943, she married Willis Dean Ernest and they made their home on a farm near Bedford.

Darline was a member of the Conway Methodist Church and was baptized at the Lake of Three Fires. She served as Treasurer of the Conway Methodist Church and taught Sunday school for many years. Being a seventeen-year leader for the Gay Maidens 4-H Club, she guided many members in their 4-H activities. She was a member of women’s Busy Bee Neighborhood Club.

Darline enjoyed living on a farm where she could show her intense love for caring for the various farm animals. She spent many hours doctoring a struggling kitten or lamb. In the summer, Darline could be found working in her large vegetable garden and beautiful rose/iris flower gardens. Her family and friends enjoyed many tours through these gardens. Her canned green beans and frozen corn were her family’s favorites. Being a farmer’s wife, Darline was always there to give Willis a helping hand with the farm operation and loved being outside with him. Throughout her home there are many reminders of Darline’s exceptional handiwork including crafts, quilts, afghans and crocheted/knitted doilies. Darline made every hour of the day productive from working all day to relaxing at night with handiwork or a crossword puzzle in hand. Darline always stood by her family in time of need.

Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend are her husband of almost sixty-seven years Willis Ernest of Bedford; daughter Joyce Hoepker of Bedford; grandson Randall Hoepker (wife Rachel) of Des Moines; grandson Troy Hoepker (wife Corina) of Creston; great grandchildren Chloe Sokolov, Ali Sokolov, Nathan Hoepker, Nicholas Hoepker, and Grace Hoepker of Des Moines and Dylan Hoepker and Kaylee Hoepker of Creston; sister Dorothy Kirby (husband Virgil); sister Luetta Schmitt; and sister-in-law Wilma Hughes and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding Darline in death are her son-in-law Robert Hoepker; brother Glen I. Hughes; brothers-in-law Orlin Kinman and Jim Schmitt; a nephew Joseph Kirby and her parents Glen M. and Pearl Hughes.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Ernest, Willis Dean - Funeral services for Willis Ernest, age 90 of Bedford, who died Thursday, February 11, 2010, just ten days after his loving wife Darline passed away. Willis died at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center and services will be held Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment will be held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.

Willis Dean Ernest, son of Will and Georgia Ernest, was born February 1, 1920 at a farm home east of Bedford, Iowa. He grew up attending Gay #4 country school and graduated from the 8th grade. As a teenager, Willis helped his physically disabled father farm the land to provide an income for his family. In 1943, he married Darline Opal Hughes and they made their home on a farm near Bedford.

Willis was a member of the Conway Methodist Church and was baptized at the Lake of Three Fires. At one time, he served as board member of the Conway Methodist Church. Willis continued to make a lifetime of farming and living on the farm. He raised cattle and swine and in the later years acquired a few sheep to keep down mowing of the farmsteads.

Willis enjoyed visiting with friends and family. He mentioned how he was so blessed to have known so many wonderful people in his 90-year-old lifetime. In past winters, he enjoyed coyote hunting with his group of friends. For a few summers, he attended car races in Missouri. He was a talented man from being a good mechanic, woodworker, welder and handyman. After retiring from farming, Willis took much pride in mowing and caring for the large yard and garden. He helped with harvesting the large vegetable garden by cutting corn, snapping beans and preparing the tomatoes for canning. Willis enjoyed cooking and watching cook shows. He spent hours reading Louis L’Amour western books and really loved watching a good Western movie on TV. From his kitchen window, he spent many hours watching birds in his bird sanctuary of birdhouses and feeders. His favorite animal friend was his late dog, Frostie of 12 years.

Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend are his daughter Joyce Hoepker of Bedford; grandson Randall Hoepker (wife Rachel) of Des Moines; grandson Troy Hoepker (wife Corina) of Creston; great grandchildren Chloe Sokolov, Ali Sokolov, Nathan Hoepker, Nicholas Hoepker, and Grace Hoepker of Des Moines and Dylan Hoepker and Kaylee Hoepker of Creston; sisters-in-law Dorothy Kirby (husband Virgil), Luetta Schmitt and Wilma Hughes and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding Willis in death was his wife Darline, son-in-law Robert Hoepker; brothers-in-law Glen I. Hughes, Orlin Kinman and Jim Schmitt; a nephew Joseph Kirby and his parents Will and Georgia Ernest.

Willis was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and steward of the land.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Erwin, Ruth Schuyler - Mrs Ruth Schuyler Erwin, age 90, passed away November 2 at Colorado Springs, Colo. She was a former resident of Bedford and graduated from Bedford High School.

She was married in Bedford to Harry L. Erwin and they lived at Colorado Springs all of their married life.

Her husband passed away several years ago. Funeral services and burial were at Colorado Springs.

Bedford Times-Press, Bedford, Iowa, Nov 16, 1994