Ashman, Minnie Irene Wurster -

Graveside services for  Minnie Ashman, age 88, of Lenox, who died Saturday,

April 14, 2007 at the Lenox Care Center were held Tuesday, April 16, 2007 at

3 p.m. at the Beacon Cemetery in Beacon, Iowa. Memorials can be given in

Minnie's name. Minnie is the sister of Ruth Reynolds of Lenox. Memories

can be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home

of Lenox.

Minnie Irene Ashman was born July 14, 1918, on a farm, two miles west of Lenox,

the daughter of John F. Wurster and Mary E. (Lee) Wurster. At the age of fifteen,

she worked in a nursing home in Oskaloosa, Iowa for ten years. Minnie then moved to

Louisville, Kentucky where she was Foreman of Spaulding and Sons Laundry for seven

years. She was converted at the Walnut Street Baptist Church in 1943, In 1951, after

World War II, she moved back to Oskaloosa and worked at Pella Rollscreen Plant

in Pella for twenty-five years until her retirement. She was a member of the Christian

Church in Lenox. Minnie was united in marriage to William G. Ashman, Sr., in 1958, at the

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. Following the death of her husband

in 1984, Minnie moved back to her home town of Lenox in 1987.

Minnie's favorite times were spent caring for her home and being with her

children and grandchildren. She loved being outdoors with nature and especially enjoyed

the birds. Her favorite pastime was listening to music and reading her Bible. Minnie also

enjoyed cooking, her dogs and always looked forward to Sunday afternoon drives.

Left to cherish Minnie's memory are her sister, Ruth Reynolds of Lenox; a sister-in-

law, Mary Wurster of Lenox; four step-sons, William Ashman, Jr., and wife Leona

of Oskaloosa; Robert Ashman and wife Martha of East Dubuque; Brice Ashman and

wife Margaret of Des Moines; and Gordon Ashman and wife Teresa of Indianola; a

stepdaughter, Wilda Current and husband Bob of Indianola; a stepdaughter,

Wilda Current and husband Bob of Indianola; twelve step-grandchildren;

several step-great grandchildren; and many step great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding Minnie in death are her parents, John and Mary Wurster; her husband,

William Ashman; a sister, Dorothy Crisp; two brothers, Russell and Clifford Wurster;

and one sister-in-law, Irene Wurster.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 18, 2007

Brown, Kenneth Truman -

Kenneth Truman Brown, 90, Grant City, passed away Friday, April 20, 2007 at St.

Francis Hospital, Maryville, Mo.

Kenneth was born Nov. 2, 1916, the son of Allie and Hazel Brown at Blockton,

Iowa. He was married to Virginia Lee Wyman Feb. 5, 1938 at Troy, Kan. She

preceded him in death Oct. 28, 1996.

Kenneth and Virginia resided on a farm east of Bedford, Iowa until moving to

Grant City in 1953. Kenneth was employed by Dalbey Lumber Company, State

Highway Department, and later by Firestone Tire Company, Topeka, Ks., retiring

in 1981. He had resided at Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center since October 2006.

Kenneth was preceded in death by parents; his wife of 58 years; two children in

infancy, Donald Lee and Betty Lou; sister, Mildred Norris, brother Elton Brown, and

great-great-granddaughter, Hailey Grace Rowan.

Survivors include daughter, Phyllis and Gary Nally, Maryville, Mo. and Bonita and

Bill Farrell, Smithville, Mo.; six grandchildren, Lisa and Mark Dalton, Bedford,

Chris and Amy Nally, Maryville, Kelly and Jennifer Farrell, St. Peters, Mo., Julia

and Scott Bargman, Jodi and Charlie Green, and Troy and Shellie Farrell,

Smithville; 14 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sister, Maona

Stermole, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, brothers, Laverne and Annabel Brown, Bedford and

Rex and Bernice Brown, Blockton; and, sister-in-law, Jodene Brown, Clearfield.

Services were held Monday, April 23 at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant

City. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery, Blockton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SSM Hospice/Mount Ayr, in

care of Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, 200 South Front St., Grant City, Mo. 64468.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 25, 2007

Brown, Leo Francis -

Funeral services for Leo Brown, age 63 of Bedford were held Wednesday, April

18, 2007 at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation was held Tuesday from 12:00

Noon to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00. Burial with

military rites was held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. In lieu of flowers,

the family requests memorials be directed to the Hospice of Central Iowa or the Bedford

Ambulance Service. Memories can be shared with the family on our website at

www.ritchiefuneralhome.com by clicking on obits. Arrangements were entrusted

to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Leo Francis Brown, oldest son, and third child, of Francis Glenn and Hazel Mary

(Strong) Brown. He was born in the family home in Marshall Township, near Conway, Iowa

on October 24, 1943.

He grew up attending Marshall*#4 Country School through the 8th grade. He

then attended high school in Bedford until the end of 10th grade. Needing help on the

family farm, he decided to quit school and help his dad on the farm. Feeding cattle,

milking cows, row crop and raising a few hogs was part of his responsibilities. This started

Leo in the farming business at a young age.

In 1965 he signed up for the National Guard with the Clarinda Unit, being discharged in 1972.

In May of 1966, he asked Carolyn Wheeler to marry him, and on November 27th of that

year they were united in marriage at the United Methodist Church in Bedford.

To this union there were three children born, Brenda Kay in May of 1967, Randall Leo in

July of 1968, and Todd Alan in September of 1976.

Leo and Carolyn began their married life on a farm in Marshall Township, on the Lois

Payne place, 1/4 mile south of his folks. In 1969, they moved to a farm east of Conway,

owned by Everett Bolinger. They resided there until the spring of 1974, when they

purchased 280 acres from Ray and Dorothy Glass in Benton Township, north of Bedford.

They expanded their farming operation to many more acres and lots of cattle and hogs.

Leo was a very prominent member of the Taylor County Pork Producers as he and

Cecil Beery participated in grilling meat at several county activities. Other organizations

he belonged to included: Taylor County Cattlemen's Association, Taylor County

Fair Board, Bedford Lions Club, the Elks Club in Maryville, Missouri, John F. Hardin

American Legion Post #164 (Bedford) and a past ASCS township committee member.

He was currently serving as a Benton Township trustee. Leo was a seed dealer for many

years, having sold for McCubbin, DeKalb, Cheeseman, Stine, Renze, Garst, NC+ and Patriot.

Leo and Carolyn enjoyed square dancing in their early married years and he also

enjoyed playing cards, family get-togethers and traveling, especially their trips to Las

Vegas with sister, Charlene and her husband, Al. He always looked forward to playing

games and cards with his granddaughters, Kerri and Kaitlyn. Even through his

seven year battle with cancer, in which he fought so courageously to the end, he

still enjoyed having company come by to visit, especially the past few months. He would

continue to share his sense of humor, even on the bad days. He so loved the farming and

raising livestock aspect of his life, and has passed those talents on to his two sons,

Randy and Todd. Even though his illness kept him inside, he was still very much involved

in the decisions of the farming and livestock operation.

Brenda lovingly devoted much of her time the past several years taking her dad to and

from all of the doctor appointments, even changing from the day shift at her job,

to the night shift, so her mother could continue to work.

Leo and Carolyn celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on November 27, 2006, in

which their children held an open house for them. Leo was truly honored to share this

time with his friends and family.

Leo, age 63, was welcomed into heaven on April 14, 2007. He passed away at his

home at 12:15 am with his loving wife, Carolyn, his children, Brenda, Randy and

Todd (wife, Jennifer), two granddaughters, Kerri and Kaitlyn and many other family

members and special friends by his side.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Carolyn; his children, Brenda

McMillin, Randy Brown, Todd Brown (wife Jennifer); granddaughters, Kerri and

Kaitlyn McMillin; his mother, Hazel Brown, all of Bedford, Iowa; sister, Shirley Cramer,

Connersville, Indiana; sister, Charlene Beckman (husband, Al, Omaha, Nebraska

brother, Gary (wife, Nancy) Gravity, Iowa and sister, Gayle Houk (husband, Ellis),

Bedford, Iowa; sister-in-law, Barb Gaddis (husband, Gene), Des Moines, Iowa;

brother-in-law, Eldon Wheeler, Brooksville, Florida; nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles

and a host of cousins.

Preceding Leo in death are his father, Francis G. Brown (2002), mother-in-law,

Marjorie Wheeler (2002), father-in-law, Orvis Wheeler (2004), brother, Gordon Lee

Brown (1961) and brother-in-law, Ron Cramer (2006).

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 25, 2007

Brumfield, Sharon Jean -

Funeral Services for Sharon Brumfield, age 55 of the Bedford / Creston and Gravity

areas who died Sunday, April 8, 2007 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center

were held Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford.

Interment was held in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be given in her

name. Memories can be shared with the family on our web site at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Sharon Jean Brumfield was born February 13, 1952, in Maryville, Missouri the daughter

of Elgin Gene Brumfield and Oney Mae (Hopple) Brumfield. She grew up in the Gravity area

and attended school in Bedford where she completed her schooling in 1971.

Sharon moved to Creston in 1975 where she worked at Innovative Industries for many years.

In 1975 Sharon started participating in the Special Olympics where she won several metals

and ribbons.  She attended Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines since 1970. She always enjoyed

her time at Camp where she experiences many activities such as horseback riding, swimming

and dances.

Sharon was a huge fan of Elvis Presley her entire life.  She had a large collection of Elvis

memorabilia and enjoyed listening to his music. Sharon had the opportunity in the spring

of 2006, to make the trip to Memphis with her close friend, Lynnett Gross, to take in

'all of the Elvis sights'. In Sharon's words, "it was a trip of a lifetime!"

Left to cherish Sharon's memory are her mother, Oney Mae Brumfield; three brothers,

Rick Brumfield and wife Deloris; Randy Brumfield and wife Lydia, all of Gravity; Paul

Brumfield and wife Sue of Redding, Iowa; a sister, Karla Brumfield of Gravity, a

grandmother Susie Hopple of Bedford, four nieces, Amber Bix and husband

Jeremi of Sheridan, Missouri, and Mandy Brumfield and partner Jesse Beemer of

Gravity, Kimberly Brumfield of Des Moines, Dakota Brumfield of Redding, two nephews

Dalton Brumfield of Redding and Adam Brumfield of Gravity, great nieces and nephews,

Brittany, Tyler and Darren Bix of Sheridan, Missouri; Morgan and Hayden Beemer of

Gravity; aunts and uncles, Helen Galloupe of Neosho, Missouri; Robert Hopple and wife

Nonie of Gravity; Willa King and husband Paul of Des Moines; Neoma Brumfield of

Waukee and Doris Brumfield of Beaumont, Texas; along with many cousins and friends.

Preceding Sharon in death are her father, Elgin Gene Brumfield; grandparents Bert

Brumfield, Anna Black and Charles Hopple; and a stepfather, Jack Bailey.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 11, 2007

Gray, Paul Gene -

Funeral services for Paul Gray, age 79 of Clearfield, formerly of Blockton who died

Sunday, April 8, 2007, at his home in Clearfield were held Thursday, April 12, 2007,

at 10:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation was held Wednesday

from 4:00 to 8:00 with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00. Burial was

held in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton. Memorials can be given in Paul's name.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Paul Gene Gray was born August 30, 1927, to Boyd Dean Gray and Gladice Marrie

(Fish) Gray, in Hopkins, Missouri.

Paul grew up in a family dedicated to farming, and he attended various country

schools. In the early 1940's, he was stationed in Berlin, Germany in World War II.

He was discharged April 14, 1947.

Upon his returning home he joined his brother, Beryl Dean Gray, beginning a

farming partnership that lasted  for many years. Paul met Dona Mae Williams and was

united in marriage on April 4, 1953 in Villisca, Iowa. To this union three children

were born: Carolyn, Barbie, and Deb.

Paul was a dedicated farmer, loving husband, daddy, grandpa, and friend to many.

He enjoyed horses, camping, hunting, fishing, music, playing cards and looked forward to

the spring calving season, but most of all his loving family. Paul vacationed with his wife

and children during summer breaks to various popular areas. Once his children were

raised, he and Dona Mae became "snow birds, traveling south for the winters.

Paul was a member of American Legion, Clearfield Lions, Bedford Saddle Club,

Neighborhood card parties, Campfire Sam's Club, and also participated in Redding

Country Music. One of Paul's favorite past times was camping with the Clearfield

Lions Club, while driving shuttle busses at the Iowa State Fair.

On April 18, 1995, after forty two-years of marriage, Paul was left to cherish the

loving memory of his wife, Dona Mae.

Companionship was found in a long time neighbor, Donna Marie (Freemyer) Stewart.

They were united in marriage on April 16, 1998. Paul gained four loving step-children,

thirteen grandchildren, and twenty-five great grand children. This union joined two

families with lots of love and laughter. Paul and Donna enjoyed several years

traveling south for the winter and camping in the summer.

Paul entered into rest at his home in Clearfield, Iowa on April 8, 2007, with Donna

at his side.

Left to cherish his memory, three loving daughters: Carolyn (Gray) Brell and husband

William Brell of Lake of the Ozarks, Barbara Gray and companion Karl Fenton of Indianola,

and Debra (Gray) Davenport and husband Eric Davenport of Blockton, and his devoted

wife, Donna Stewart-Gray. Grandchildren include, April and husband Josh Wilson,

Heather (Davenport) and husband Chad Puhrmann, Carl Trujillo, Tracey (Davenport)

and husband Josiah Rusk, Dustin Cribbs, and Tony Trujillo. Step-Children include: Dan

and Lila Stewart, Dave and Carol Stewart, Linda and Jack DeFreece, and Amy and Doug

Williams.

Preceding Paul in death, were his parents: Boyd and Gladice, wife Dona Mae,

brother Beryl, and sisters Marcilline and Lorrane.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 18, 2007

Hanson, Velma Faye Leonard Lind -

Velma Faye Leonard Lind Hanson of Clearfield was born August 13, 1917 in her parent's

farm home in Ringgold County, Iowa. She graduated from Diagonal High School in

1936 and enjoyed celebrating her 70th class reunion last May with seven classmates.

Velma married Howard Vincent Lind of Harcourt, Iowa July 22, 1939 in Clearfield. They

farmed near Clearfield, Iowa.

Four children were born to this union, Carolyn Kay, Maria Faye and twin sons, Morton

and Martin, who died shortly after birth.

Velma was a hard working farmwife, milking cows, planting a big garden, feeding the hogs,

raising chickens, and gathering eggs to help feed the family. Canning and freezing food and

cooking for farmhands were part of her life as a daughter, wife and mother. She belonged

to a close-knit family including her husband, Howard, daughters Kay and Maria, parents,

Jennie (Kopp) and Ralph Leonard, Brother Donovan and wife, Rosemary and their children

Julaine, Jennie Jeanne, Linden, Lyle, Larry, Ricky and Ronny. They all worked together with

special days in the summer of cleaning chickens and freezing corn, She was famous for her

potato salad and butterhorn rolls.

Velma enjoyed driving a bus for the Clearfield School for several years,

Howard Lind passed away in 1959. In 1962 Velma married Maurice Henning Hanson and moved

to his farm east of Clearfield. They enjoyed going to Texas for the winter for seventeen years.

They also enjoyed camping and fishing with friends and grandchildren.

Maurice and Velma spent Sunday nights playing bridge with Doc and Annabelle Thomson

and later with Doc and Mona.

Her children and grandchildren were the highlights of her life. Visits and phone calls from them

brightened up her days.

Velma was a member of the Clearfield Methodist Church, a 50-year member of Eastern Star,

Lionells, Entrenous Bridge Club, and enjoyed bowling leagues at the Clearfield Bowling Alley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Jennie (Kopp) Leonard; husbands Howard

and Maurice, infant sons, Martin and Morton; brother Donovan and wife Rosemary Leonard;

sisters and brothers-in-law Evelyn and Sonny Burger, Elna Mae and Bill Rabbitt, Erma and

Cliff Wing, Marjorie and Bill Redman, Maxine and Lorence Hanson, Dorothy and Paul Brummett,

 and Arlene and Marvin Orme.

Velma is survived by daughters Carolyn Kay (husband John) Thomson of Ames, and Maria Faye

(husband Dale) Bickel of Clearfield; step-children, Sandra (husband Don). Whitmore of Conroe,

Texas and Randall (wife Carol) Hanson of Waukee, IA; grandchildren Vincent Dale (wife Mary)

Bickel of Gordon, NE, Daniel Ulan (wife Cindy) Thomson of Riley, KS, Brenda Faye (husband Craig)

Willis of Benton, IA, David John (wife Carmen) Thomson of Council Bluffs, IA, Brian Louis (wife

Robyn) Bickel of Clearfield; step-grandchildren Brent (wife Teresa) Whitmore of Fresco,

TX, Jeff Whitmore of New York, NY, Matthew (wife Laura) Hanson of Onolaska, WI, Greg

(wife Amy) Hanson of Seattle, WA; brother-in-law Dale (wife Marietta) Hanson of Clarinda,

IA; 19 greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and special cousin Marjorie Payne of

Benton, IA.  [Burial in Clearfield Cemetery]

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 25, 2007

Holmes, Ivan (Ike) Haldane -

Funeral services for Ivan "Ike" Holmes, age 85 of Lee's Summit, Missouri, formerly of

Lenox and Sharpsburg, who died Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at the Crown Care Center

in Harrisonville, Missouri were held Monday, April 16,2007 at 11 a.m. at the Ritchie

Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment with military rites accorded by the Parkinson

American Legion Post No. 250 of Lenox were held in the Bedford City Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Lenox American Legion. Memories can be shared

with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Ivan "Ike" Haldane Holmes was born September 8, 1921, in Blockton, Iowa the

son of Loren Holmes and Josephine (Trager) Holmes. He grew up attending school

and graduated from the Blockton High School. On August 17, 1941, he was united

in marriage to Edythe M. Ledgerwood in Maryville, Missouri; they shared 65

wonderful years together.

Ivan faithfully served his country during World War II through the United States

Army in the 103rd Reconnaissance Troop, as a Technical 5th Grade from December

1942 until November of 1945, driving reconnaissance vehicles. During the late 1940's,

Ike owned a trucking business in Lenox and in the '50's and '60's he served as an assistant

Scout leader for Troop 46. He then worked for General Motors in Kansas City, Kansas

for several years, retiring from the Navajo Freight Lines after 20 plus years as a local

delivery driver.

Ivan and Edythe moved back to Sharpsburg to 'get out of the city' so he could hunt

when he wanted to hunt! Ivan was always busy helping his friends on their farm. He was

active in the Clearfield Lion's Club and the Lenox American Legion. For many years, Ivan

and Edythe went to the Iowa State Fair to help run the shuttle busses from the camp

grounds to the fair grounds. This was truly something he enjoyed and looked forward to

each and every year! Ivan enjoyed inventing and making many tricks and gadgets,

especially if it was a tool he couldn't or didn't want to buy. For many years, Ivan and

Edythe enjoyed visiting with his army buddies at their 103rd Army reunions.

Left to cherish Ivan's memory are his loving wife of 65 years, Edythe Holmes who

is also living in the Crown Care Center in Harrisonville, Missouri; two sons, Don

Holmes and wife Judy of Lee's Summit, Missouri; and Ron Holmes of Independence,

Missouri; a daughter, Connie Combs and husband Steve of Independence, Missouri; a

sister, Genevieve Eckert of Granada Hills, California; nine grandchildren; eighteen

great grandchildren along with many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceding Ivan in death are his parents; a son, Jon; a brother Cecil; and five sisters,

Gladys, Opal, Doris, Helen and Margaret.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday April 18, 2007