Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Blockton News
Thursday February 13, 1918 [p . 1]
Death of F. Schoenmann
While it was known that F. [erdinand] Schoenmann had been confined to the home during the week, it had not become generally known that his condition had become serious and the announcement of his death Friday evening came as a shock to the community. He will be greatly missed by his business associates and the trading public, having been connected with the business interests of the town for almost eighteen years. The lumber business which he has built up during these years, assisted by his sons, will be conducted along the same lines as heretofore by the estate, his two sons being in personal charge of the business. L. [orenzo] H. [erman] Schoenmann was associated with his father in the business for a number of years before moving on his farm north of town and has made arrangements at the farm whereby he can be here with his brother, G.[eorge] A. [dolph] Schoenmann, who has been associated in the business for the last several years, and both will give the business their personal attention
Blockton News
Thursday February 13, 1918 p. 4
Wallace Schoenmann and wife, of Omaha, came Sunday morning called here by the death of F. [erdinand] Schoenmann.
Blockton News
Thursday February 13, 1918 p. 8
Obituary
Ferdinand Schoenmann born in Troy, Wisconsin, December 15, 1858, died at his home in Blockton Friday evening, February 18, 1918, at 8:55, aged 59 years, 1 month and 13 days.
He was the son of Urs and Mary Schoenmann both of whom were born in Switzerland. He was one of a family of five brothers and two sisters and only two brothers, John and Fred Schoenmann of Spring Green, Wisconsin, survive him.
He was united in marriage to Carrie [Caroline] M. [ary] Needham at Sauk City, Wisconsin, September 2, 1878. To this union were born three children: Lorenzo Hermann, George Adolph and Leon Fredrick. Leon Fredrick died when 1 year, 10 months and 8 days old.
When first married they resided near Troy, Wisconsin, on a part of his father's farm, which he had purchased. They moved from Troy, Wisconsin, to Spring Green, that state, in 1882, and from there to Athelstan, Iowa, in 1899. They moved from Athelstan to Blockton on September 12, 1900, and have since made this their home.
He was reared in the German Reformed Church of which he and his wife were members. He was an honored member of Bethany Lodge No. 320 A. F. & A. M. and Blockton Chapter No. 447 Order of the Eastern Star.
He leaves to mourn his departure, his beloved wife in whose presence he was always happy and whose company he always desired when in society; Lorenzo H. [erman] Schoenmann and wife, near Blockton; George A. [dolph] Schoenmann, wife and children, Blockton; Wallace [LeRoy] Schoenmann, an adopted son, and wife, of Omaha, Nebraska, and John and Fred Schoenmann, of Spring Green, Wisconsin. Besides the immediate family he leaves a host of friends to regret that his life should be taken when he was only in the prime of his life.
As a neighbor no one ever had a better; as for his good nature he was a pattern we all would do well to emulate. Truth and sobriety were among his cardinal virtues. To the lovers of music he will long be remembered as always, being ready to do his part in making the world brighter with the poets' messages of song. For many long years he did his duty well and faithfully as chorister of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Slowly but surely the setting sun of every life is approaching. Earth's sun has set for our departed brother but we trust that with the setting of earth's sun the rays of the rising sun of the heavenly kingdom, have already bathed his brow with their beautiful glory.
The funeral services were held at the Blockton Methodist church at 1:30 Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Edwin J. Laird. The services were attended by a very large assemblage of friends, many coming from surrounding towns to pay their last tribute to the memory of the departed. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The services at the grave were conducted by the A. F. & A. M. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.
[Schoenmann, Caroline Mary Needham]
Blockton News
Thursday June 2, 1921 [p. 1]
Mrs. F. Schoenmann Dies Suddenly
The community was greatly shocked Sunday morning to learn that Mrs. F.[erdinand] Schoenmann had passed away very suddenly during the night. While it was known to the near relatives and most intimate friends that she was not enjoying the best of health this spring, it was not generally known. In company with Mrs. Alice M. Duff she had driven her car to Clearfield on Friday and seemed to be as well as usual Saturday. She was at the office at the lumberyard from 4 oÕclock until after 6 Saturday evening, her son, Geo. A.[dolph], having decided to take his family to Earlham, leaving at 4 oÕclock. She called on some of the neighbors during the evening and seemed to be in as good spirits as usual. About 11 o'clock she called her son, Lorenzo, stating that she was not feeling very well and wanted him to come and stay with her that night, as she did not want to stay alone. She met him in the yard and later they retired. Mr. Schoenmann was awakened about 2 o'clock by an unusual noise and quickly going to his motherÕ side found that in spite of all he could do she had passed beyond human aid. Calling a neighbor, a physician was secured but nothing could be done. Her son at Earlham was notified and with his family arrived home at 10 o'clock. Death is always mysterious. We stand appalled when we survey what the ingenuity of man has wrought. As we review the great achievements of mankind we wonder if, after all, there is any mystery which the human mind cannot solve. And yet before this proud record of human achievement that has touched every life, mankind must bow in sorrow and defeat in the presence of death. Before the open grave we must acknowledge that death is just as mysterious today as it was at the dawn of creation. We do know, however, that the mystery surrounding life and death has not served to lessen our affections in life or to assuage our sorrows in death. The birth of a child fills our hearts with gladness; the death of a man or woman plunges us into sorrow. So today, as only a little more than three short years ago in the death of Mr. Schoenmann, Blockton and community mourns the passing of the surviving member of a couple who in the some twenty-odd years residence here had stood for the better things of life, always trying to make life a little better, a little more filled with comfort and justice and happiness to the great masses who are now sojourning here and to the untold multitudes who will come after them. Rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep, being possessed of most generous hearts, they gave freely of their time and means to those in real need and to worthy causes. They will be greatly missed in the community.
Mrs. Schoenmann truly wrote: ÒI have tried to do good unto others and have always tried to do something for others. Tho it was not always accepted my intentions were good.Ó
[Schoenmann, Caroline Mary Needham]
Blockton News
Thursday June 2, 1921 [p. 1]
Obituary
Caroline Mary Needham was born April 24, 1859, at Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, and departed this life in Blockton, Iowa, Sunday morning, May the 29, 1921, aged sixty-two years, one month and five days.
When but half a year old my father, Lorenzo Bow Needham died and my mother [Caroline M. Engel] with my brother, Lorenzo, and myself moved to her father's farm at Plain, Wisconsin, where we resided until my marriage to Ferdinand Schoenmann September 2, 1878.
Mr. Schoenmann died February 8, 1918, in Blockton, Iowa.
Three children came to us, Lorenzo H. [erman] and George A. [dolph] and Leon F. [redrick] who died Sept. 14, 1886, aged one year and ten months. Wallace L.[eroy] came to us in 1888.
When first married I took a little neighbor boy, Willie Luther, left an orphan and only three and a half years old, to care for.
When we were first married we moved to Mr. Schoenmann's farm in Troy, Wisconsin, which he bought in 1879, where we lived until 1882 when we moved to Spring Green, Wisconsin. In 1889, on April 12th, we moved to Athelstan, Iowa, and from there to Blockton, Iowa, Sept. 12, 1900, where we have since lived.
I was raised in the German Reformed faith, which I have always tried to follow as best I could with my understanding, and always tried to teach my children to love the Lord first of all.
I have always tried to do good unto every one and have always tried to do something for others. Tho it was not always accepted my intentions were always good. May God forgive me if I have wounded any one's heart as that was not my intention but my actions were misunderstood by others.
The above was written by Mrs. Schoenmann herself and is given here as she wrote it down, the last dates being inserted.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. A. F. Conrey, and the services at the grave were conducted by the Order of the Eastern Star. J. W. Large, W. E. Hotaling, C. S. Liggitt, P. P. Ledgerwood, N. O. Hickenlooper and H. A. Smith were the pallbearers. The services were very largely attended. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.
[Schoenmann, Caroline Mary Needham]
Blockton News
Thursday June 2, 1921 p. 4
Wallace L. [eroy] Schoenmann, of Omaha, came Monday called here by the death of Mrs. F. [erdinand] Schoenmann [Caroline Mary Needham].
[Schoenmann, Caroline Mary Needham]
Blockton News
Thursday June 2, 1921 p. 5
Lorenzo Needham, of Plain, Wisconsin, and William Hutter, of Spring Green, Wisconsin, came Tuesday to attend the funeral of their sister, Mrs. Caroline M.[ary Needham] Schoenmann.
[Schoenmann, Caroline Mary Needham]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday June 2, 1921 [p. 1]
Prominent Lady Dies.
Mrs. W. F. [erdinand] Schoenmann [Caroline Mary Needham] died at her home in Blockton, Sunday night. She was one of Blockton's oldest residents and stood high in that community and had many warm friends who were shocked when they heard of her death. The funeral was held Tuesday and the remains were followed to their last resting place by many friends and neighbors. The Times joins with many friends in extending deepest sympathy to the sorrowing family in their great loss.
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday July 17, 1913 p. 3
BLOCKTON
The little two-day-old daughter [Helen Needham] of Mr. and Mrs. George Schoenmann, died Saturday. Interment was made in the Rose Hill cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 21, 1961 p. 4
L. H. Schoenmann Final Rites Held At Blockton
Funeral services for Lorenzo H. [erman] Schoenmann, 81, were held at the Williams-Foster Mortuary Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church in Blockton. The services were conducted by Rev. Clarence Moore, assisted by Rev. Sidney E. Sterrett. Interment was in Rose Hill cemetery
Lorenzo Herman Schoenmann, son of Ferdinand and Caroline [Mary Needham] Schoenmann, was born in Spring Green, Wisconsin, on Nov. 8, 1879, and passed away at the Ringgold County hospital in Mt. Ayr on Sept. 15, 1961, at the age of 81 years, 10 months and 7 days.
In 1896 he moved to Iowa with his family. They moved to Blockton in 1900.
In 1905 he was married to Leona [Rose] Josmer [Jasmer] at Foley, Minn. To this union was born one son, John L. [orenzo] of Blockton.
In his early years he worked as a telegrapher for the Chicago Great Western Railway and the Northern Pacific Railway. He served as depot agent at Blockton, Savannah, Mo., Bondurant, Ia., Big Timber, Mont., and Sappington, Mont.
For a few years he was associated with his father in the lumberyard at Blockton. He was then engaged in farming in the Blockton vicinity.
In 1922 he started a hardware store in Blockton and was active in this business until July of this year when his health forced him to retire.
He was a member of the K. P. Lodge of the Telegraph Operators Union.
Lorenzo was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family and home were always his first consideration. He derived much pleasure from his grandchildren and was always interested in their welfare and activities.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Leona; his son, John L. [orenzo], daughter-in-law [Betty Ruth Kidney], and two grandchildren, Lynn H. [ale] and Jacqueline [Maurine], and one brother, George [Adolph] Schoenmann of Blockton; also a host of other relatives and friends.
[Schoenmann, Leona Rose Jasmer]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 5, 1969 p. 6
Final Rites In Blockton For Mrs. Schoenmann
Funeral services for Mrs. Lorenzo (Leona) Schoenmann, 89, long time Blockton resident, held May 29 at the Blockton United Methodist Church, were conducted by Rev. Clarence Land, assisted by Rev. [word unreadable]. Mrs. Schoenmann died May 26, 1969 in Ringgold County Hospital in Mt. Ayr. Interment was at Rose Hills Cemetery, Blockton.
Leona R. [ose] Schoenmann, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Snyder Jasmer, was born February 19, 1880 at Silver Lake, Minnesota.
She was united in marriage to Lorenzo H. [erman] Schoenmann on January 3, 1905 at Foley, Minnesota. The first part of their married life was spent at various places in Montana where Lorenzo worked on the railroad. They moved to Blockton in 1910 where they have remained since. Lorenzo preceded her in death in 1961.
To this union was born one son, John L. [orenzo] Schoenmann of Blockton.
Mrs. Schoenmann joined the Methodist Church in 1913. She was a faithful member in the church and enjoyed working in church activities and the WSCS throughout the years.
Leona and Lorenzo celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1955.
She is survived by her son, John and his wife Betty [Ruth Kidney] of Blockton, two grandchildren Lynn H. [ale] Schoenmann, U. S. Navy, Jacqueline M.[aurine] Norris and her husband, Harold Dean Norris of Blockton, and one great grandchild, Kevin Dean Norris; two sisters, both of Seattle, Washington, Mrs. Nettie Church and Mrs. Libby Gunn, several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Leona, as she was known to everyone, will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 6, 1964 [p. 1]
GEO. A. SCHOENMANN FUNERAL SUNDAY
Funeral services for Geo. A. [dolph] Schoenmann, 82, life-long Blockton resident, will be held Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Blockton Methodist Church. Mr. Schoenmann died at his son's, Gordon, home in Glendale, Calif. Burial will be at Blockton.
Mr. Schoenmann's body will be at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, Mt. Ayr, tomorrow (Fri.).
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 21, 1961 p. 4
Final Rites For Myrtle A. Norris
Funeral services were held at the Shum-Novinger funeral home Sunday, Sept 17 at 2:30 p.m. for Miss Myrtle Amy Norris. Rev. Walter Ortmann was in charge. Burial was at the Fairview cemetery.
Miss Myrtle Amy Norris, daughter of Clinton Allen and Frances Marion Norris, passed away Sept. 15th at the St. Francis hospital of Maryville, Mo. at the age of 65 years, 11 months and 10 days. She was born on Oct. 3, 1896 in Taylor County and spent all of her life in the Bedford area, making her home with her mother who survives her.
Her father Clinton Norris preceded her in death on March 25, 1945. Also surviving her are her brother, Albert Norris of Bedford, her two sisters, Ruth Marie Hamm and Rilda Bell Miller of Bedford, seven nephews, a niece, several aunts and cousins, and many friends.
In her youth Miss Norris joined the Methodist church at Platteville. In spite of the fact that she was a life long invalid she was known for her loving disposition and great love for children. She will be greatly missed by her mother and family as well as by a great host of friends who learned to know and love her.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 21, 1961 p. 4
John Schoenhair Dies At Lenox
John Schoenhair, 89, a retired Lenox farmer, died at the Lenox rest home Tuesday afternoon.
Funeral services were held at the Bender funeral home in Lenox Sept. 14. Rev. James Eddy officiated. Burial was in the Lenox cemetery.
John Schoenhair was born at Dillenburg, Germany, and came to the United States when he was 9 years old.
He is survived by his widow, Barbara; three daughters and five sons, one of whom is Fred of Bedford.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 21, 1961 p. 4
Gayland Stephens Of Diagonal Dies
Gayland Stephens, 46, a well-known farmer in the Diagonal community, died at his home Sept. 12 following a heart attack.
Funeral services were held Friday at the Methodist church in Diagonal with Rev. Weldon Whitenack of Moravi and Rev. W. A. Samp of Winterset officiating.
Surviving are his wife, Mayme, and two daughters, his father, Allen Stephens of Mount Ayr, and his grandfather, John L. Stephens of near Diagonal. Also surviving are three sisters, one of whom is Mrs. George Moon of Blockton.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 21, 1961 p. 4
Memorial Service Held Sept. 18 For Mrs. Lawson
A Memorial Service was held at the Williams-Foster Mortuary in Clarinda on Monday, September 18, for Mrs. Mortina S. Lawson, age 81, who passed away Friday, Sept. 15 at the Selby Home in Emerson, Iowa, where she had been cared for the past four months. The Rev. W. E. William of Shenandoah officiated. Interment was in the Old Memory Cemetery at New Market.
Mrs. Lawson was born at Monmouth, Illinois on August 3, 1880, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sweeten [Nancy Jane Dallas]. She was the last surviving member of this family of eight children. The family home has been in New Market for over fifty years since moving from Illinois. Mrs. Lawson was a member of the Reorganized church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints at Shenandoah, Iowa.
She is survived by her husband, David Lawson of New Market; two daughters, Mrs. Lloyd Hulbert of Clarinda and Mrs. Lyle Bennett of Whittier, California, who returned to Clarinda for the services. Six granddaughters and two grandsons and twenty-three great grandchildren also survive.
[Varner, Eliza Ellen ÒEllaÓ Bowman]
Blockton News
Thursday June 2, 1921 p. 5
Mrs. Ella [Eliza Ellen] Varner of Delphos, a sister of J. [ohn] W. [esley] and W.[ilson] C. [lark] Bowman of this place, passed away quite suddenly in the office of a physician in Mt. Ayr Saturday afternoon about 4 o'clock. She had only been slightly ill for about a week. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church in Delphos Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Orr Campbell of Humeston and interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery at Mt. Ayr. She leaves two sons and two daughters as the members of her immediate family—Omer [Omar] and Frank Varner, Mrs. L. Hoover [Daisy] and Mrs. Chas. [Oliver] Diebert all of near Delphos.
[VARNER, ELIZA ELLEN "ELLA" BOWMAN]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, June 16, 1921
Eliza Ellen Bowman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Smith Bowman, was born Oct. 6, 1855, at Wellsburg, West Va., and died May 28, 1921 at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, aged 65 years, 7 months and 22 days.
When about 6 years of age she moved with her parents to Brownsville, Ohio, where she resided until her marriage to Milford Varner Jan. 28, 1875. To this union were born five children—Cora, Alva, Daisy, Omer and Frank. In the year 1889 they moved to Delphos, Iowa, where the family has resided ever since.
Mrs. Varner was bereft of her husband who departed this life Jan. 2, 1906 and although they had labored together in the home and church for years, and she felt keenly the loss of her companion, yet she kept on with her life work, always interested in the things that lift up and make a better world in which to live. She was a devoted mother, always helping and planning for her children and grandchildren. She was a mother to the church in which she labored and was always in her accustomed place when her health would permit. The church work first and all else secondary with her and her optimistic views and words of encouragement will always be an inspiration to her many friends. Truly it can be said of her, "She hath done what she could," and as we look back upon her life of usefulness we may well add, "She has fought a good fight, she has kept the faith, she has finished her course, hence there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness."
She leaves to mourn her death four children: Mrs. Chas. O. Deibert, Mrs. C. E. Hoover, Omar and Frank Varner, all of Delphos, Alva dying at the early age of 12 years; two sisters, Mrs. Annie Moorehead, of Brownsville, Ohio, and Mrs. Lizzie Harvey, of Chicago; two brothers, J. W. and W. [ilson] C. [lark] Bowman of Blockton and eight grandchildren, besides a host of friends.
The funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church at Delphos by Rev. Orr Campbell, of Humeston, her former pastor who received her and her husband into the church and baptised them more than thirty years ago. She was laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery at Mt. Ayr beside her husband and son.
Blockton News
Thursday March 25, 1926 p. 5
J. W. Bowman Dead
J. [ohn] W. [esley] Bowman, who has been in poor health for two or three years, passed away Friday evening his home at Delphos. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Orr Campbell, and interment was made at Mount Ayr.
[BOWMAN, JOHN WESLEY "Wes"]
Blockton News, Thursday, April 15, 1926, [p 1]
John Wesley Bowman, son of Smith and Jane Bowman, was born in Wellsville, W. Va., December 8, 1850. He was the oldest of a family of seven children, three boys and four girls, of whom only three are living---Clark, of Blockton; Anna, of Brownsville, Ohio, and Lizzie, of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Bowman died at his home in Delphos March 19, 1926, aged 75 years, 3 months and 11 days.
On Nov. 13, 1874, he was united in marriage with Ella Glass, with whom he lived happily for more than a half century. They made their home in Illinois and Ohio and then moved to Iowa, where they made their home for more than forty years, living most of the time at Delphos, except five years spent in Blockton.
He was a devoted member of the Evangelical church and also held membership in Faith lodge No. 179, A. F. & A. M., of Mt. Ayr.
As a citizen Wesley Bowman was a man of energy and sterling worth who filled a large place in the community. His true Christian character commanded respect and his constant good nature radiated joy and gladness.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon, March 31, being conducted by Rev. Orr Campbell of Humeston, and the interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery, Mt. Ayr.
Blockton News
Thursday February 13, 1918 [p. 1]
Mrs. Everett Williams Dead
A message was received here Saturday that Mrs. [Alvah] Everett Williams of Woodward, Oklahoma, had passed away. Geo. R. Williams and sister, Mrs. F.[ernando] A. Siemiller [Iona Williams] left on the afternoon train for Woodward to attend the funeral. Mrs. H. [enry] H. Longwell, Mrs. WilliamsÕ mother, who was at Marshalltown, also passed through on the same train on her way to Woodward. Mrs. Williams will be remembered as Miss Zua Longwell, daughter of Henry H. and Adda H. Longwell of this place. She graduated from the Blockton high school with the class of 1903 and was married to Everett Williams on November 25,1905. They lived in Dakota one year and moved to Woodward in the spring of 1903 where they have since resided.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday January 31, 1963 p. 4
Obituary Of Everett Williams
[Alvah] Everett Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. [ocrates] O. Williams, [Eleanor Poore] was born in Ringgold county, Iowa, on May 19, 1883 and died in Cherokee, Ia., Jan. 4, 1963 at the age of 79 years.
He was married to Vera Scott on April 21, 1929. They had lived in Cherokee the past 30 years and had operated a rooming house. Prior to that, he lived at Blockton.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Zua Longwell and an infant son. Also his parents, three sisters and four brothers.
Survivors include his wife, Vera; two sons, Eston Williams of McGregor, Ia., and Theodore Williams of Ankeny, Ia., and one daughter, Mrs. Margaret Cundall of San Francisco, Calif.; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Ames Williams of Fullerton, Calif.; four stepchildren, Dale Scott of Perry, Ia., Roy and Hal Scott, both of Cherokee and Harry Scott of Meriden, Ia.; also 18 step grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Jan. 7 from the Boothby Funeral Home with Owen Wilmot, minister of First Church of Christ, officiating. Masonic rites were held after church services, conducted by Brother Dale Scott. Burial was in Oak Hill cemetery.
Blockton News
Thursday June 2, 1921 [p. 1]
Obituary
Donna Mae, second child of Byron and Fae Hibbs, was born at Blockton, Iowa, July 24, 1912, and passed away at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, May 28, 1921, at the age of 8 years, 10 months and 4 days.
Donna had been in poor health for about eight weeks, being afflicted with heart-leakage, and was taken to the hospital from her home at Norwalk two weeks prior to her death. On Friday she was successfully operated upon to relieve the afflicted organ but the relief was only temporary and she passed away the next morning as above stated.
She leaves to mourn her loss besides her parents, a brother and sister, Robert D. aged 11 years and Lenna Merle 7 years of age, and other relatives.
The body was brought to Blockton Sunday forenoon, accompanied by the mother, brother and sister and an uncle, Ira Hibbs of Des Moines.
Funeral services were held at the Christian church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. E. E. Stringfellow, and interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.
The sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.