Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Shoemaker, Adam C.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     April 20, 1916     [p. 1]

A. C. Shoemaker.

A. [dam] C. Shoemaker, aged 79 years, died Wednesday at his home in Council Bluffs, from infirmities due to old age. The remains were brought to Bedford Thursday for burial. Short services were held at the cemetery conducted by Rev. J. W. Goodsell. He leaves a wife and four children, Mrs. Mattie Gifford of Port Angeles, Wash., Mrs. Flora Dunnow [Dunow] of Council Bluffs, Will M Shoemaker, Albia, Ia., and James A. Shoemaker of Denver, Colo. He was a brother of the late Mrs. Alex John.

[SHOEMAKER, ADAM C.]
Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Tuesday, April 12, 1916
A, C. Shoemaker, age 99 years, died at his home 1216 Avenue H early Wednesday morning from infirmities due to his age, after two months illness. Mr. Shoemaker had been a resident of this city for twenty-five years and leaves a wife and four children: Mrs. Mattie Gifford of Port Angeles, Wash.; Mrs. Flora A. Dunow of this city; Will M. Shoemaker of Albia, IA and James A. Shoemaker of Denver, Colo.
He was a member of the Knight Temple Commander at Creston and the Presbyterian Church. The body will be taken to Bedford for burial.

[Shoemaker, Charles Benjamin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 24, 1896      p. 2

Alex John received a telegram this Wednesday morning; notifying him of the death of a nephew, [Charles] Benjamin Shoemaker, at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A [dam] C. Shoemaker, at Council Bluffs. The body will be brought to Bedford for interment and is expected to arrive Thursday evening on the 3:40 passenger. A. C. Shoemaker was formerly in the grain business in this city with Alex John.

The deceased was a Modern Woodman, and that fraternity will have charge of the funeral ceremonies. All members of Bedford Lodge No. 1273 are requested to meet at the Camp at 2:40, sharp, Thursday afternoon.

[Shoemaker, Charles Benjamin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 31, 1896     p. 2

W. H. Shoemaker came down from Sharps Thursday to attend the funeral of his nephew, C. [harles] B. [enjamin] Shoemaker.

[Shoemaker, Charles Benjamin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 31, 1896     p. 2

Funeral services for C. [harles] B. [enjamin] Shoemaker, notice of whose death appeared in last week's Free Press was conducted by the Modern Woodman Thursday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs A. [dam] C. Shoemaker, the parents of the deceased, arrived from Council Bluffs with the body on the 3:40 passenger. On the arrival of the train, the Woodman took charge of the remains and led the funeral cortege to the Bedford cemetery, where, under the solemn services of the order, the body was committed to the grave. The deceased was born in Bedford, was about 22 years of age and at the time of his death was employed as clerk in a wholesale house in Council Bluffs. He carried a $3,000 policy in the Woodman, one-half of which we are informed will go to his parents and the balance to a young lady to whom he was engaged.

[Shoemaker, Drusilla Harrell Boyd]

Bedford Times-Republican

Monday     November 14, 1921     p. 3

Mrs. Drusilla Shoemaker

“Mrs. Drusilla [Harrell] Shoemaker, aged 86 years, died of general decline Thursday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Dunow, 1316 Avenue H. She was born in Indiana and had lived here since 1891. She is survived by one son, J.[oseph] A. Shoemaker, Denver, Colo., and one daughter, Mrs. Fred Dunow [Flora], this city. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Cutler's chapel. The body will be taken to Bedford, Ia., for burial.”

The above clipping, taken from a Council, Bluffs paper, gives the account of the death of a former resident of Bedford. Mrs. Shoemaker was a sister-in-law of Alex John of this city.

The body was brought to Bedford, Sunday morning and brief service, conducted by Rev. E. E. Lowe, was held in the Bedford cemetery yesterday afternoon at 2:30.

[Shoemaker, Drusilla Harrell Boyd]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     November 17, 1921     p. 4

Joe Shoemaker, who had brought the body of his mother, Mrs. A. [dam] C. Shoemaker, here for burial, left Monday for his home in Denver, Colo.

[Smick, Ernest S.]

Iowa South-West

Saturday      March 1, 1879      p. 3

Died,

SMICK. —Wednesday morning, 20th inst., Ernest, infant son of Charles and Hattie Smick, aged 9 months and 2 days.

Little Ernie suffered greatly during his sickness, but his sufferings are ended now. In that bright and beautiful world to which he has gone,

"Sickness and sorrow, pain and death

Are felt and feared no more.”

[Strong, Della Ethel West]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 11, 1951    [p. 1]

Mrs. Strong Dies Enroute to Hospital

Mrs. Earl Strong, 52, died unexpectedly in an ambulance Tuesday evening on the way to a Maryville hospital. She had been ill only a few hours before her death.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at the Shum Funeral home in Bedford, with Rev. Fred Cowles officiating. Burial will be in Bedford cemetery.

Mrs. Strong is survived by her husband and seven children, Mrs. Iola Walker of Bedford, Mrs. Hazel Brown of Conway, Leila and Betty Ann of the home, Lester of Gravity, Wayne and Dale of the home.

The Strong farm home is west of Bedford.

[Strong, Della Ethel West]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 18, 1951      p. 5

Della Ethel West

Della Ethel West; daughter of Frank and Mamie West, was born in Harrison county, Iowa, Jan. 23, 1898, and passed away Oct. 9, 1951 at the age of 53 years, eight months and 16 days. She was the oldest of nine children.

She was united in marriage to Earl Strong on Oct. 21, 1915, and to them seven children were born.

She is survived by her husband, three sons and four daughters: Mrs. Iola Walker of Bedford, Mrs. Hazel Brown of Conway, Leila and Betty Ann, Dale and Wayne at home, Lester of Gravity, and six grandchildren.

She is also survived by four sisters, Mrs. Rilla Wolf of Tabor, Iowa, Mrs. Nellie Sealock of Omaha, Mrs. Grace Norman of Thompson, Iowa, Mrs. Florence Patton of Randolph, Iowa; and four brothers, Leland West of Minden, Iowa, William West and Floyd West of Oakland, Iowa, Robert West of Council Bluffs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and one granddaughter, Carolyn Walker.

[Strong, Earl]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      December 23, 1965      p. 4

Earl Strong Rites Tuesday

Funeral services for Earl Strong, 74, of Bedford were held December 21 at the east Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. J. Milton Kinney, Methodist minister, officiating. Mr. Strong died December 17, 1965 at his home in Bedford. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

Earl Strong, son of Horace [Edgar] and Dollie [Jane Goff] Strong, was born March 19, 1891 near Oakland, Iowa.

He was united in marriage to Della Ethel West on Oct. 21, 1915, and seven children were born to this union. His wife passed away on Oct. 9, 1951.

On Sept. 6, 1952 he was united in marriage to Grace Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Grace; four daughters, Mrs. Iola Walker of Shenandoah, Mrs. Hazel Brown of Conway, Mrs. Leila Hawhee of Sioux City, and Mrs. Betty Ann Pfander of Fort Collins, Colo.; three sons, Wayne of Bedford, Lester and Dale of Gravity; 20 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one step-daughter and five step-sons.

He is also survived by one brother, Guy, of Oakland; and two sisters, Mrs. Ada Tyson of Oakland and Mrs. Jessie Wilds of Hancock, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandchildren, two brothers and three sisters.

He was an industrious farmer until five years ago, when he moved to town. He was a kind and loving father, friend and neighbor. He will be missed by all who knew him.

[Strong, Grace Elizabeth Pfander Miller]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 23, 1981     p. 6

Grace Strong, 85 Last Rites Held July 28

Funeral services for Grace Elizabeth Strong, 85, of Gravity, were held July 28 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. Strong died July 24 in the Lenox Care Center. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.

[Strong, Grace Elizabeth Pfander Miller]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       August 6, 1981     p. 7

Final Rites Held July 28 For Grace Strong, 85

Funeral services for Mrs. Earl (Grace) Strong, 85, of Sharpsburg, Iowa, held July 28 in Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were officiated by Rev. Carl Cummings. Mrs. Strong died July 24, 1981 in the Lenox Care Center. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, Iowa.

Grace Elizabeth Strong, daughter of William H. and Ollie H. Pfander, was born at Clarinda, Iowa in Page County on September 5, 1895. She lived in Sharpsburg, Iowa and grew to maturity. She attended the public school and Presbyterian Church at Sharpsburg, Iowa.

On October 25, 1913 she was united in marriage to Port I. Miller at Bedford, Iowa and they lived at Sharpsburg, Iowa.

To this union seven children were born: Lola, Raymond, Leo, Marvin, Edwin, Elvin and Howard.

On September 6, 1953 she was married to Earl Strong at Bedford, Iowa.

She was baptized on January 5, 1913 at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, three sisters, one brother, and one son, one stepdaughter and one grandson.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Lola Million and husband, Arnold, of Villisca; Leo Miller and wife, Naomi, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; C. Marvin Miller and wife, Veda of Lenox; Edwin Miller and wife, Marlene, of Bedford; Elvin Miller and wife, Mary Lou, of Sharpsburg and Howard Miller and wife, Darlene, of Savannah, Missouri; stepchildren: Iola Thomas, Shenandoah, Iowa; Hazel Brown and husband, Frances, of Bedford; Lester Strong and wife, Thelma, of Gravity; Wayne Strong and wife, Katherine, of Bedford; Betty Ann Pfander and husband, Horace of Ft. Collins, Colorado; and Dale Strong and wife, Beverly, of Omaha, Nebraska; two brothers: Ira Pfander and wife, Pearl, of Creston; Cloyd Pfander and wife, Neva, of Bedford; one sister, Myrtle Hartshorn, of Bedford and one sister-in-law, Martha Pfander, of Bedford; 26 grandchildren; 52 great grandchildren, eight great, great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was a kind and considerate mother and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Strong, Lester Earl]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday    July 8, 1987    p. 4

LESTER EARL STRONG

Services for Lester Earl Strong, 69, were held July 3, 1987 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev, Carl Cummings officiating. Burial was at Bedford City Cemetery, Bedford, Ia.

Lester Earl Strong, son of Earl Strong and Della West Strong was born at Oakland, Ia. June 5, 1918 and departed this life July 1, 1987 at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Ia. He grew to maturity in Montgomery County, Iowa where he attended the public school.

On February 17, 1939 he was united in marriage to Thelma Ayers at Maryville, Mo. and they have lived in Taylor County since 1943. He engaged in farming and trucking during these years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Leila Hawhee; a niece and a nephew.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Thelma of the home; three sisters, Iola Thomas of Shenandoah, Ia.; Hazel Brown and her husband Francis of Bedford; Betty Ann Pfander and her husband Horace of Fort Collins, Co.; two brothers Wayne Strong and his wife Kathryn of Bedford, and Dale Strong and his wife Beverly of Fort Calhoun, Ne.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

[Sweeney, Emma Jane Sargent]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday     February 9, 1882    p. 4

GONE TO REST.

Death of Mrs. Emma J. Sweeny

The funeral of Mrs. Emma J. [ane] Sweeny took place from the Presbyterian Church Sabbath afternoon, at 3 o'clock. The attendance was very large. A Gospel sermon on "Looking unto Jesus the Captain and Perfector of our Faith,'' was delivered by Rev. R. A. McKinley, to an attentive audience that filled the church to its utmost. Rev. Mr. Bennett assisted in the services.

Mrs. Emma J. [ane Sargent] Sweeny [Sweeney] was born in Dayton, Ohio, about 33 years ago; was married in Webster, Ills., about 12 years ago, and died in Bedford Saturday morning, after a continuous and  helpless illness of two years duration. Two little babes preceded her to the happy home above, and one little girl of nine years remains. Some 15 years ago the deceased professed faith in Christ as her Saviour and Lord. Remarkably patient throughout her protracted sufferings she died happy, saying that she was ready and willing to go. She has been literally perfected through suffering and has gone to be at rest. As it has long been evident that recovery was impossible, death has come as an angel of mercy. It is a blessed release. There is no more pain in that pleasant home prepared by the Lord. The bloom and vigor of immortal youth are her possession.

It is a sad lot to lose the love of youth and journey on alone. This bereaved husband has the deepest sympathy of all who have known of his situation. Laboring hard by day he has not known what a good night’s rest is for two years. This heroic working and watching has not been in vain. Following on himself and leading his child he will receive his reward from Him who gives more than we can ask or think. Reconsecrating himself to Jeans by this loved bier, sooner or later there will be a reunion where parting will be no more.

[Talkington, Iva May Graham Terry]

Bedford Times-Press

Wednesday      October 15, 1986     p. 6

IVA MAY TALKINGTON

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 8, for Iva May Talkington, 89, at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford and at the Bedford City Cemetery. Rev. Ted DeHass was the minister. Mrs. Talkington died October 6, 1986 at Bedford Manor, Bedford, Ia.

Iva May Graham was born in Kearney, Mo., May 1, 1897 to Mary Ellen and William A. Graham. She lived in Nettleton, Mo., and grew to maturity there. Her mother having died in childbirth, Iva was raised by her grandparents, Ashley and Rebecca Jane Palmer in Nettleton.

She united with the Nettleton Baptist Church in 1917 and later transferred her letter to the Gallatin Baptist Church, Gallatin, Mo., in 1947. After moving to Bedford, Iowa, she united with the Bedford Baptist Church in 1964.

She was united in marriage to Ralph Terry on December 28, 1932 who passed away June 11, 1943. Then she was married to Dwayne Talkington of Parnell, Mo. on February 17, 1949 who passed away September 11, 1969.

Iva was also preceded in death by one sister, two brothers, and a baby brother.

Left to cherish her memory are nieces, nephews, cousins, and her friends.

Iva had a sweetness about her which will always be remembered.