Obituaries of Atchison County, Missouri
(submitted by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)
 

Burns, Albert - Albert L. Burns was born June 13, 1911 in Arvad, Okla and died at Community Hospital in Fairfax April 2, 1905 at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 20 days.

He moved to Atchison county with his family in 1915. He graduated from the Fairfax High School and attended college at Maryville. He had lived in Tarkio for the past several years.

Retired, he had farmed in the Atchison county area for many years.

On Nov 30, 1939 he married Mina Thompson. She died in 1981. He married Mary Close on Oct 12, 1983.

Mr Burns was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mina; three brothers, Raymond Burns, Robert Burns, Russell Burns; one sister, Violette Haun.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of the home in Tarkio; two sons, Gary Burns, Fairfax; Ronald Burns of Des Moines, Ia; two stepdaughters, Judy LeBlanc, Donaldsonville, La; Janie Close, Spring, Tx; a brother, Willis Burns, Shenandoah, Ia; five grandchildren; two step grandchildren; one step great grandchild.

Services were held Tuesday afternoon, April 4, at the Davis Funeral Home in Tarkio, conducted by Rev Rob Winger. Interment was in Home Cemetery, Tarkio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Tarkio United Methodist Church or the Community Hospital, Fairfax. The Fairfax Forum, April 6, 1995

 

Gowdy, Bill - John William (Bill) Gowdy, 73, a Clarinda resident since 1943 died Friday night at Municipal Hospital [Clarinda] where he had been hospitalized for 10 days.

Mr Gowdy operated the North Side for 20 years and had worked part time at the Inda Clar since leaving the restaurant.

Funeral services were held this Monday afternoon at Walker Funeral Home.

He was born March 17, 1901, at Tarkio, Mo, the son of David and Perna Walker Gowdy. He was married to Mary Bane June 29, 1936.

Rev Lewis Hunter of Shambaugh officiated at the services with Mrs Helen Hall Hoskinson organist. Casket bearers were Jim Smith, Ron Hallett, Ivan Otte, Ted Miller, Tim Miller and Estle Glassgow.

Burail was in the Home Cemetery at Tarkio, Mo. Clarinda Herald Journal, Feb 1975

 

Hartman, Bessie - Bessie A. Hartman, 91, who resided at Forest Park Manor in Shenandoah died Sunday, March 21, 1982 at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient 15 days.

Born February 2, 1891 in Rock Port, Mo., she was educated in the schools there and graduated from the Rock Port High School. She was married to Charles L. Hartman on October 13, 1909 in Rock Port.

Mrs Hartman was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1965 and a son Harold in 1961.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Floyd and Neva Hartman, Shenandoah; a daughter-in-law, Mrs Harold (Elva) Hartman, Tarkio, Mo., and a sister-in-law, Mrs Ethel King, Rock Port, Mo. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 23 at the Minter Funeral Home in Rock Port, the Rev Norman Smythe officiating. Burial will be in the Smith Cemetery at Rock Port.

The family will meet friends at Jennings Chapel in Shenandoah from 7 till 8 p.m. this evening, Monday.

Jennings Chapel is in charge of local arrangements. [Shenandoah newspaper]

 

Kirk, Ray - Ray Franklin Kirk, 76, of Rock Port, Mo., father of Mrs Dale (Jonna) Healy of New Market [Iowa], died Sunday evening at the Fairfax Community Hospital in Fairfax, Mo.

He was born Sept 1, 1907 in Hamblen County, Tn, the son of James Robert and Molly Lou Long Kirk. On June 6, 1931, he was married to Willie Mae Cowan in Morristown, Tn, who survives. They lived in the Morristown area and he was a member of Kidwells Ridge Baptist Church in Morristown. They moved to Rock Port in 1943 where he was employed by Scamman and Co as a farmer until his retirement in 1974. They continued to make their home in Rock Port [Missouri].

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Jo Kirk; his parents, two sisters, Allie Maples and Josie Inman and two brothers, Horace and Guy.

Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Mrs Jess (Charlotte) Delores Gutierrez of Omaha, Mrs Leland (Elaine) Blankenship of Langdon, Mo, and Mrs Dale (Jonna) Healy of New Market; six sons, Ray Jr of Omaha, James and Harold of Council Bluffs, Howard of Underwood, Ia; Woodrow of Rock Port, and Randy of Arlington, Va; a brother, John of Tarkio, Mo; an aunt, Mrs Minnie Thacker of Rock Port; 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Rock Port Baptist Church with burial in the Greenhill cemetery at Rock Port.

Minter Funeral Chapel of Rock Port was in charge of arrangements.

School was dismissed at New Market [Iowa] Wednesday at noon and a school bus took area people to the funeral.

 
 

Martin, Lee - Lee Martin, 64, a native of Blanchard [Page Co, Ia], died Monday at a hospital in Omaha, Neb. Martin lived in Nodaway and Atchison counties, Mo., most of his life, farming for many years near Tarkio and Westboro, Mo.

Since 1957, he had farmed in the Blanchard area. He belonged to the Braddyville Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Blanche, of the home; three sons, Richard Martin of Mitchell, S.D., Donald Lee Martin and Maurice K. Martin, born of Westboro.

His mother is Mrs Opal Martin of Westboro [Missouri]; a brother, Leo Martin is of Blanchard [Iowa], and he has six grandchildren.

Services were Wednesday at the Davis chapel in Tarkio [Missouri], with Rev Roger V. Wreath officiating.

Burial was in Center Grove cemetery [south of Westboro, Mo]. Clarinda Herald Journal Mar 1977

 

Morgan, Virgie - Virgie (Virginia) B. Morgan was born at Morristown, Tenn on Jan 31, 1901, daughter of James and Lucinda Lucy Drinnon McDonald, and died at the Community Hospital, Fairfax, March 25, 1995.

When she was 12 the family came to Missouri to make their home. She was baptized and joined the Methodist church in Watson. She graduated from Watson High School, class of 1922, which was the first year they offered four years of high school education in Watson.

On March 2, 1926, she married James Byron Morgan of Watson at the home of Rev D.W. Griffith at Hamburg, Ia. To this union one daughter, Emma Jean was born.

After her husband's death, Virgie and her daughter made their home with her parents and helped with their farming operation in the Langdon area. Later Virgie worked in and around Rock Port. She worked several years at the Frozen Food Locker Plant. Her last place of employment was the Pleasant View Nursing Home.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband on March 7, 1929; one brother, William Lesly McDonald; two sisters, Flora Thornburg and Kathryn Dillener; grandson, Alan Schumacher.

Survivors include her daughter, Emma Jean Schumacher, Rock Port; granddaughter, Kay Amthor, Rock Port; step great grandson, Wyatt Amthor; great granddaughter, Jessica Schumacher, Spring, Texas.

Services were held March 27 at the Minter Funeral Home in Rock Port, conducted by Rev Tim Carey. Interment was held at Linden Cemetery, Rock Port. The Fairfax Forum, April 6, 1995

 

Sollman, Lena - Mrs Victor (Lena) Sollman, 64, or rural Blanchard died Sunday morning, Nov 15, 1981 at the Clarkson Hospital, Omaha [Nebraska]. Death was due to cancer.

Born near Nelson, Neb., she and her husband had farmed near Blanchard since 1947. She had been employed at Henry Fields, Tyler Bottling Company and had cooked at the Elks Club.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday from St John's Lutheran Church, rural Westboro where she was a member. Rev Richard Pearson will officiate and interment will be in St John's Cemetery.

A memorial to the church is being established. Hackett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers Hans and Helmut Reents; and an infant sister.

She is survived by her husband Victor; two sons Harold of Shenandoah, Fredrick of Kansas City; two daughters Mrs Jim (Victoria) Bowman of Rock Port [Missouri], Mrs Ron (Loretta) Lund of Schuyler, Neb.; four grandchildren; and one brother Fred Reents of Hastings, Neb. [Shenandoah newspaper]

 

Walters, Alma - Alma Johanna Walter, daughter of Henry and Louise Blankenmier Sunderman was born at Belgrade, Neb March 7, 1905 and died April 14, 1982 at the Municipal Hospital, Clarinda, Iowa at the age of 77.

She grew to maturity in Belgrade, Neb where she attended the public schools and the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, (Timber Creek) being baptized in April 1905 and confirmed in 1920.

On March 6, 1924 she was united in marriage to Ernest Walter at Albion, Neb., and they lived and farmed in Fremont County, Iowa and Atchison County, Mo. In later years they made their home in Shenandoah, Iowa. After the death of her husband she moved to Bedford to be near her children.

To this union three children were born: Edna Luttrell, Delbert Walter and Don Walter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1962 and one brother, Adolph Walter.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Edna and husband Lonzo of Bedford; Delbert and wife Lois of Bedford; Don and wife Mary of Creston; six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three sisters: Helen Rebhuhn, Pocahontas, Iowa; Irene Koch, Oakland, Iowa; and Hilda Ehlers, Belgrade, Neb.

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

Services were held April 17 from the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home at Bedford Iowa with Kenneth Theile officiating. Bearers were Roger Cocklin, Bennet Omdor, Bob Luttrell, Edward Hamilton, Jerry Hensley and Lon Luttrell. Interment was at St John's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Atchison County, Mo. [Shenandoah newspaper]

 

Richards, Arthur - Services for Arthur Richards were held at Davis Funeral Home conducted by the Rev C. Byron Gilbreath March 27, 1972. He died March 24 at Community Hospital, Fairfax [Missouri], after a brief illness. He was born Aug 28, 1888 at Howe, Neb., the son of William and Elizabeth (Hagler) Richards and lived most of his life in Atchison County, and in Tarkio for 12 years. He retired from farming five years ago.

He was married to the late Lora Johnson, Aug 20, 1926, at Rock Port [Missouri].

He is survived by a daughter, Mrs Maxine Schriner, Lincoln, Neb., two sisters, Mrs Dello Balle, Tarkio, Mrs Millie Finton, Van Buren, Ark., and a grandson. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.

Interment was in Center Grove Cemetery northeast of Tarkio.

 

Barrett, Elizabeth Ann - Services were held for Elizabeth Ann Barrett at Davis Funeral Home, Jan 1, 1972, conducted by the Rev C. Byron Gilbreath. Mrs Barrett died at Fairfax Community Hospital Dec 29.

Elizabeth Ann Barrett was born March 18, 1904, the daughter of John and Marie (Leibfort) Weber at Northboro, Ia. She attended area schools and the Coin [Iowa] High School. She was a member of the Westboro [Missouri] United Methodist church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was married to Chester Barrett, May 31, 1931 at Tarkio. She is survived by her husband of the home in Westboro and a son, John I. Barrett, Des Moines [Iowa] and two grandchildren.

Interment was in Center Grove Cemetery, northeast of Tarkio.

 

Bertram, James B. - James Byron Bertram, 55, Rock Port mortician, died April 5 [1972] at Research Hospital in Kansas City [Missouri]. Services were April 7 at the United Methodist Church in Rock Port, Dr Clarence Morrill officiating, and burial was in Green Hill Cemetery, Rock Port.

Born at Mound City [Missouri] April 9, 1916 to Earl and Edna (Chiswell) Bertram, he moved at about age 9 to Rock Port, where he attended public school.

Later he attended the Williams Insitute of Mortuary Science at Kansas City, Kan., and was in the Bertram Funeral Home business in Rock Port thirty years. He did carpentry work until a year ago when health did not permit.

He served in the Coast Guard in World War II and was a member of the American Legion. He was a member of the United Methodist church and a member of the Rock Port volunteer fire departemnt for over 25 years.

Survivors are his wife, the former Winifred Burke, whom he married July 8, 1939 at Rock Port; two sons, Thomas Earl Bertram, Gallatin, Mo., and Stephen Bertram, of the home; his mother, Mrs Edna Bertram, Rock Port, and his sister, Mrs Helen Embrey, St Joseph, and a niece, Joan Embrey, St Joseph. He was preceded in death by his father.

 

Husing, Henry W. - Henry William Husing, 85, died Jan 15 [1972] at his home in Rock Port [Missouri].

Mr Husing was born in Germany. He was a baker by profession and owned bakeries in Tarkio, Fairfax and Rock Port. Mr Husing had been street commissioner of Rock Port and had been courthouse custodian for 17 years.

Survivors include four sons, C.O. Husing, and Don Husing, Rock Port, August Husing, Littlerock, Calif., Harold Husing, Tecumseh, Neb.; two daughter, Mrs Clara Young, Minneapolis, Minn., and Mrs Frieda Collins, Tarkio; one half brother, Christian Burkel, Yonkers, N.Y.; 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Servcies were held Tuesday at the Lutheran Church in Rock Port with burial in the Green Hill Cemetery at Rock Port.

 

Gaines, Joe Sr - Services were held Monday at the Rock Port Christian Church for Joe Gaines Sr., 77, of Rock Port [Missouri]. He died Saturday at Fairfax Community Hospital. Burial was in the High Creek Cemetery.

Mr Gaines was a native of Atchison County and had served as county sheriff for 20 years. He had also served in World War I.

He is survived by a son, Joe Gaines Jr., Rock Port; a daughter, Mrs Audrey Wright, Los Angeles, Calif; three brothers, Williard Gaines, Maryville, Mo., Everett Gaines, Houstan, Mo., and I.V. Gaines, Rock Port; three sisters, Mrs Hollie Case, Mrs Ona Harman, and Mrs Sylvia Schnitzer, all of Watson, Mo., seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.[Jan 6, 1972]

 
The Lenox [Iowa] Time-Table, March 1921
David Sherman who was taken to the hospital at St Joseph [Missouri] last Monday died Wednesday morning, following an attack of apoplexy. He was taken to Westboro for burial.
 

Mrs Clayton Ayers, died very suddenly, at her home, Wednesday. She lived between Westboro and Tarkio. Her daughter, Gertrude, accidently shot herself four years ago and the mother has been poorly since. The Ayers family lived on the Hamilton place south of here several years ago, and have lots of friends who are saddened with them. The funeral was held at Westboro Sunday afternoon.

Shenandoah [Iowa] World, Northboro Items - Sep 23, 1921

 

David Flack, 70, died Monday night at the Fairfax Community hospital of a heart attack.

Born in Atchison county [Missouri], he was a lifelong resident as a farmer in the Northboro and Westboro area, especially known for his interest in breeding and showing horses.

He was active in the United Methodist Church of Westboro, and served as lay pastor for many years in the northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa area. He was a member of the Lions Club at Westboro and was active in forming Rough Riders of Northboro, later becoming a statewide association.

Services are being held this Thursday afternoon at Westboro United Methodist Church with burial at Center Grove Cemetery.

Survivors are his wife, Margaret of the home; a daughter, Mrs Marjorie Ann Patterson of Holton, Ks; three sons, John Edwin Flack of Glenwood [Iowa], Verl D. Flack of Waverly, Neb, Keith E. Flack of Westboro; Kenneth Flack of Seattle, Wash, is a brother. He has 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made by the Davis Funeral Home in Tarkio [Missouri].

Clarinda Herald Journal, Clarinda, Iowa, Nov 1974

 

Dege, Lulu Elizabeth was born Oct 1, 1894, in Corning, Mo. She was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Henry Dege. In early infancy she was baptized in the name of the Triune God. Her education she received at the schools in Corning. After an instruction in the chief parts of the christian religion she was confirmed in the Lutheran church in her home town.

The days of her youth were spent under the parental roof, assisting the parents in various ways.For some time she clerked in the store and worked in the post office.

In the year 1925 she came to Clarinda, making her home with cousins, first on north Fourteenth and then on north Eleventh street.

During the greater part of her life she enjoyed good health and strength. Several weeks ago she took sick. Although not serious at first, further developments proved the necessity of a major operation. Instead of gaining rapidly after the same, as it was first anticipated, she grew weaker, and passed away Thursday morning at the Hand hospital, Shenandoah [Iowa], at the age of 42 years and 28 days. She is survived by two brothers, Edward and Henry Dege, two sisters, Ida and Anna Dege, and a number of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday morning at 10:30 at the home, 519 north Eleventh street, by Rev T.J. Vogel of the St John's Lutheran church. After this service the body was taken to Corning, Mo., where another service was held at the Lutheran church, where she formerly was a member for a number of years, Rev W.C. Lohmeyer officiating. A number of beautiful flowers were heaped about the casket. The following neighbors and friends served as pall bearers: Otto Herzberg, H. Westermann, Henry Westermann, jr., Fred Tino, S.M. Grimm, and Fred Henneman. The remains were laid to rest in the Corning cemetery.

 

George E. Schoonover, 75, Rock Port [Missouri], native of Hopkins [Missouri], died Friday night at an Omaha, Neb. hospital. Services were this afternoon at the First Lutheran Church, Rock Port, with burial in Hunter Cemetery, south of Rock Port.

He had lived in Denver, Colo., where he was a rancher and farmer for several years before returning to the area in 1925, when the family lived at Langdon and Rock Port area until 1953. He was then employed by the Rock Port Grange Co 18 years. The last seven years he had been custodian for the Atchison County courthouse.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, two stepsisters, two stepbrothers, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Maryville Forum, [Maryville, Missouri] Mar 3, 1980

 

Hawkins, Beverly A. - 59, Skidmore, died Thursday, Jan 27, 1994, at Community Hospital, Fairfax [Missouri].

She was born Feb 1, 1934, at Albany [Missouri] to Verlan I. and Esther Cayou Kerns. She was raised in Atchison and Nodaway counties and was a graduate of high school at Quitman. She attended Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Maryville and taught two years at a rural school in Nodway County.

In 1954 she was united in marriage to Wayne Hawkins at Rock Port. He died in 1993.

Mrs Hawkins lived on a farm east of Fairfax all of her married life. She was a member of the Skidmore United Methodist church; Skidmore Chapter No 402, Order of the Eastern Star; Auxiliary to the Sam Albright American Legion Post No 411; Sew and Sew Club in Fairfax; and Gill Club, Skidmore.

Additional survivors include two sons, Billy W. and Larry Hawkins, Fairfax; two daughters, Brenda Peter, Skidmore, and Ann Holtz, Maryville; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Jan 29 at the United Methodist Church, Skidmore. Burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Fairfax. Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax, was in charge of arrangements. The Rev West Thrush and the Rev Mary Lou Keyser officiated.

Pallbearers were Mike Hawkins, Mark Hawkins, Gary Fenimore, Jack Fenimore, Emery Dale Totten, and Donnie Jennings.

Memorials may be directed to the Atchison County Hospice.

Mound City News-Independent, Mound City, Missouri, Feb 3, 1994

 

Harris, Kennith Eugene, 54, Tarkio [Missouri], died Saturday, Jan 29, 1994, at his home. Jeannie Shores of Skidmore is a sister.

Mr Harris was born Feb 13, 1939 at Maitland to Norvel W. and Dora A. Fuller Harris. He lived most of his life at Tarkio, where he farmed for Ranch 11. He also had worked for Reese, Copeland & Kelly Lumber Co in Tarkio, Simpson Roofing Co., and the Missouri State Highway Department from 1959-1966. He then started his own trucking company.

Additional survivors include his wife Donna Foley Harris of the home; two daughters; his step-mother; three brothers; two sisters; one stepsister; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Feb 1 at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Burial was in the Tarkio Home Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association. Mound City News-Independent, Mound City, Missouri Feb 3, 1994

 

Whitham, James R. "Buck," 71, Rock Port, died Feb 18, 1994, at an Omaha, Ne hospital.

Wade Whitham, Craig, is a brother.

Mr Whitham was preceded in death by his wife, Delpha M. Harrington, and a brother Clarence D.

Addition survivors include a son, James R. Jr of Monmouth, Ill; a stepdaughter, Patricia Bowers,Hamburg, Ia; and three other brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held Feb 20 in Rock Port, with burial in Fairfax.

Mound City News-Independent, Mound City, Missouri Feb 24, 1994

 

Price, S. Cordelia, 89, Tarkio [Missouri], died Tuesday, May 3, 1994, at a Tarkio health-care center. Ruth Rother, Craig, is a daughter.

Mrs Price was born and raised near Arkoe in rural Nodaway County. She moved to Fairfax prior to her married to Walter F. Price in 1942.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Fairfax Presbyterian Church.

Mrs Price was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers and two sisters.

Additional survivors include a son, William, St James; two other daughters, Clara Lankford, Longview, Texas, and Sarah VanMeter, Langdon; a brother; two sisters; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday at the Fairfax Presbyterian Church, with the Rev Sharon Lodygowski officiating.Burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemtery, Fairfax. Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax, were in charge of arrangements.

Mound City News-Independent, Mound City, Missouri, May 12, 1994