Marion County, Iowa Obituaries

Dr. Paul A. Bartunek

Funeral Is Today for Dr. Bartunek

Knoxville, Ia. - Funeral services for Dr. Paul A. Bartunek, 54, native of Wolbach, Neb., and dentist in Knoxville the past 10 years, will be held here Thursday.

Dr. Bartunek, a dental graduate of Creighton University in 1924, died at a Des Moines hospital Monday of pneumonia and heart complications. Burial will be at Knoxville.

Dr. Bartunek practiced dentistry at Wolbach and Loup City, Neb., for 17 years.

Survivors: wife; three daughters; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bartunek, Wolbach.

[Omaha World Herald, Published March 29, 1951, submitted by CD]

Emma Townes Durham

Mrs. Emma Durham, 69, of Douglas Avenue, died Sunday morning at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Albert Nelson of Melcher, Iowa, where she was visiting. Mrs. Durham had been ill 17 years with encephalitis, commonly called sleeping sickness, and had been bedridden most of the time during her illness. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be at 2 pm Tuesday at Melcher, Iowa. Burial also will be there.

Surviving besides Mrs. Nelson are two other daughters, Mrs. Opal Swarthout of Des Moines and Ethel Durham of Melcher, Iowa; three sons, Thomas and Herschel Durham, both of Melcher, and Virgil Durham of Des Moines; 24 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

[Newspaper Unknown, published Feb 18, 1942, submitted by Laurel Durham]

Dr. A. J. Everett

Dr. A.J. Everett, of Knoxville, died on Saturday morning, Feb 3, 1900, at the age of 49 years. He was a son of the late John S. Everett and Elizabeth McCown Everett; was born and grew to manhood in Marion county, graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, took a course of lectures in St. Louis and while a young man began the practice of medicine successfully among the associates of his early life at his father's home in Polk township.

In May, 1890, he married Miss Ella Momyer and came to live in this city, where he has since maintained a high place in his chosen profession.

He was a big hearted man with a kind regard for his friends. He was reared a Baptist, but for many years has been a member of the M.E. church and lived a consistent Christian life. For a long time he was a great sufferer of asthma, which at last ended his life. His wife and little three year old daughter, three brothers, two sisters and very many friends will cherish his memory.

The Masonic Order and the Red Men conducted the last sad rites, and his body was laid to rest in Graceland Cemetery. Relatives present from other places were: Mrs. May Herring, M.J. Everett and Warren Everett, Des Moines; Wm. Everett, Coalport; Miss Sophia Greenlee, Humeston; F.E. Beers, Gilmore City; M.J. Amsberry, Milo.

In this connection Mrs. Everett wishes to express her thanks to the Masons, Red Men, the members of the medical fraternity of the city and the many other friends and neighbors for their sympathy and kindness in the hour of trouble----The Knoxville Express (Iowa)

The subject of the above sketch was an intimate associate of ours in our boyhood days, having grown up together and were room mates and class mates in college. Many of the readers of the Republican will join with us in extending sympathy to his family in their great bereavement.

[Custer County Republic, Broken Bow Nebraska, Published Thursday Feb. 15, 1900 edition]
Transcribed by: Melody Beery

Mrs. Gifford

A woman named Mrs. Gifford, living in the northern part of Marion county, Iowa, died Saturday from the effects of fright at the eclipse. She had no knowledge of its approach and was alone at the time it came on, with the exception of a child four weeks old. Terrified at the sight, she seized her child and fled to a neighbor’s, a mile distant. When she had reached there, her reason had gone. A doctor near by was called in, who pronounced her incurable. She lingered till Saturday, when she died without her reason having returned.

[Galveston Tri-Weekly News, Published August 25, 1869]
Submitted by Dale Donlon

Roy Gerald Goering

Crosby, MN

A gathering of family and friends with a prayer service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 8, at Overton Funeral Home, in Indianola. Burial will follow in the New Virginia Cemetery.

Roy Gerald Goering, age 80, of Brainerd, MN, formerly of Truro, IA, died Sunday, September 5, 2004, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby, MN. He was born on June 28, 1924, in Marion Co., IA to George and Gladys (Lovell) Goering. Surviving are his wife, Neola; 4 sons and daughters-in-law Gerald and Mary Ann Goering of Brainerd, Ron and Barb Goering of St. Charles, IA, Dan and Diane Goering of Truro, IA, and Charles and Jackie Goedken Goering of Brainerd; 1 daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Kenneth Armour of Des Moines, IA; 4 brothers and sisters-in-law, Ivan and Louise Goering of Chariton, IA, Kenneth and Sandy Goering of Newton, IA, Donnie Goering of Blue Grass, IA, and Franklin Dee and Alice Goering of Leon, IA; 2 sisters and brother-in-law, Frances Krutsinger of Chariton, IA, Katherine and Bill Kimzey of New Virginia, IA; 29 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

[Des Moines Register, The (IA) - September 7, 2004, contributed by A. Newell.]

Anderson Jeffers

Knoxville – Died, Feb. 16th, of old age, Anderson Jeffers. Deceased was the first colored settler of Marion county, age 87 years. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Lawther and Griffin, and one son, T. Jeffers, and a host of friends and relatives to mourn his death.

[Iowa State Bystander (26 Feb. 1897) transcribed by FoFG MZ]

C. A. Koenig

Makes Sure of Death

Knoxville. C. A. Koenig, a resident of Knoxville for a quarter of a century, committed suicide by swallowing strychnine and cutting his throat with a razor.

Three surgeons were called to attend Koenig before he died and they sewed up the wound in his throat, but the poison killed him.

Financial troubles are believed to have caused his act.

(Source: Kellogg Enterprise, January 21, 1916)

Mary Jane Mick

Mary Jane Mick was born on May 9, 1918 in Albia, Iowa the daughter of Ralph Barnhill and Ethel (Turner) Barnhill. She was raised in Albia and graduated with the Class of 1936. Following graduation, Mary worked as a secretary for a law firm in Albia. On May 9, 1941 she was united in marriage to E. Raymond Mick in Albia. That same month the couple moved to Knoxville. May worked in her husband's business as a legal secretary and an abstractor for twenty years before she retired. Mary was very dedicated and efficient, and she and Raymond complemented each other well in the business. Mary was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making clothing for the boys, her husband and grandchildren. She leaved a legacy of beautiful quilts and needlework for her family to cherish. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Knoxville. Mary passed away on Monday, July 25, 2005 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 16 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; 3 brothers, Ernest, Roy and Glenn and one sister, Vera. Those left to honor her memory include her husband, E. Raymond; three sons: James (Birgitta) of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Thomas (Graciela) of Evergreen, Colorado and William (Elaine) of Topeka, Kansas; sister, Mildred Gollaher of Ottumwa; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.

[Submitted by Carrol Mick]

Alice Post

Miss Alice Post, of Attica, Marion County took a dose of strychnine a few days ago and died in three hours and a quarter afterwards. A correspondent of the Knoxville Voter days the probable cause of the suicide was seduction and disappointed love.

[Sioux City Journal (26 Apr. 1874) transcribed by FoFG MZ]

Albert R. Rowland

Albert R Rowland son of Peter and Elvira Rowland was born near Clermont Iowa on July 25 1868 and departed this life at his home in Knoxville on Thursday, April 2, 1942, at the age of 73 years 8 months and 7 days.

On March 14 1894 he was united in marriage to Bertha Ann Chambers of Knoxville. To this union were born five children, Mrs J A Reeves and Lee Rowland, both of Knoxville, Mrs F M Etcher of Lovella and an infant daughter, Pauline, and a son Gail, preceded him in death.

Mr Rowland took his bride to bride to West Union where they remained for seven years, returning to Marion County in 1901. They resided on a farm southeast of Knoxville until failing health forced them to move to town.

He was converted early in life a united with the Evangelical church, later transferring his membership to the Zion M E church where it remained until his death.

Mr Rowland proved himself to be a very patient suffer, having been an invalid for more than twelve years. During his last days he was tenderly cared for by his wife and daughter-in-law, Mrs Lee Rowland.

In addition to his widow and other children he leaves to morn his departure, three grandsons, Albert Etcher, Robert Reeves, Eugene Rowland and one granddaughter, Dixie Lee Rowland, who brought so much sunshine into his life.

He is also survived by one sister, Mrs Joe Bisbing of Cedar Falls, and two brothers, M L Rowland of West Union and Ezra Rowland of Clermont.

Funeral services were held at the Zion M E church at Knoxville on Saturday afternoon, April 4. Rev W M Schenermann officiated. Interment was made in the Zion cemetery there. Those who attended the funeral from here were Mr and Mrs Ezra Rowland, their daughter, Mrs Elvira Johnson.

[Oelwein Daily Register, Published April 14 1942, submitted by Vickie]

Ex-Governor William M. Stone

Ex-governor William M. Stone died at his home in Oklahoma on the 18th day of July last, at the age of 66.

He was a native of Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1854, settling at Knoxville, where he entered upon the practice of the law. In October, 1855, he established the Knoxville Journal, and became its editor. He was a delegate from Marion county to the convention which assembled at Iowa City (then the capital of the State), on the 22d of February, 1856, and organized the Republican party in Iowa. He was nominated by that convention for Presidential Elector, and was elected in November following. In 1857 he was chosen District Judge, and under the new constitution which took effect the next year was elected Judge of the new Sixth District.

When the Rebellion broke out in 1861, he raised a company which went into the Third Iowa Infantry, of which regiment Captain Stone was appointed Major. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at the battle of Shiloh, and was held at Richmond several months. Soon after he was released by exchange, Governor Kirk wood appointed him Colonel of the 22d Infantry. He was slightly wounded at one of the battles before Vicksburg, in 1863 and came home on furlough.

He attended the Republican State Convention, made an eloquent war speech (with his arm in a sling), the night before the ballot was taken for a candidate for Governor, where most of the delegates were present. A warm contest had been going on for months between the supporters of General Fitz Henry Warren and Elijah Sells. But the thrilling eloquence of the wounded soldier in blue, captured a majority of the delegates, and Colonel William M. Stone was nominated for Governor. He was elected over General J. M. Tuttle, the Democratic candidate, by a majority of nearly 30,000. He was re-elected in 1865 over Colonel Thomas H. Benton by a majority of about 17,000. In 1888 Governor Stone was chosen Presidential Elector over Judge Grant of Davenport, who had been his competitor for the same position in 1856. In 1889, Governor Stone was appointed Assistant Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington, and near the close of President Harrison's term, was promoted to Commissioner.

Upon retiring from that position he settled in Oklahoma, where he resided at the time of his death. He leaves a widow, Caroline M., a daughter of the late Professor James Matthews of Knoxville.

[Annals of Iowa, October 1893, submitted by Cathy Danielson]

Rev. E. O. Towne

Rev. E. O. Towne, of Pella, well-known to the Baptists of Iowa, died a few days ago, after a long illness.

[Sioux City Journal (28 Aug. 1874) transcribed by FoFG MZ]