Person Page - 297

     Iona Eliza Best was born on 19 April 1917 at Tuscarawas Co., OH.¹ She was the daughter of Floyd Leroy Best and Eva Lena Burdette.¹ Iona Eliza Best married Jack Wilbert Craig, son of Robert H. Craig and Nancy E. (?), on 14 January 1935 at Brooke Co., WV. Iona Eliza Best died on 27 July 1995 at Tuscarawas Co., OH, at age 78.

     Isaac Best was born on 27 February 1797 at Virginia.¹ He married Jane Jackson on 19 September 1819 at Greene Co., OH. Isaac Best lived in 1850 at Wabash Twp., Tippecanoe Co., IN.¹ He died on 16 June 1855 at Tippecanoe Co., IN, at age 58.
Note: Information from JeReese(3) genealogy prepared by John Reese, online at ancestry.com.

     Jesse Marion Best was born on 9 April 1869 at Tuscarawas Co., OH.¹ He married Alma I. Wardell on 10 January 1892 at Tuscarawas Co., OH. Occupation: Railroad conductor in 1900 at Lorain, Lorain Co., OH.¹ Jesse Marion Best died on 17 March 1942 at Urichsville, Tuscarawas Co., OH, at age 72.
Note: Some information from Lau Family Tree genealogy prepared by talau1, online at ancestry.com.

     Johann Wilhelm Best was born on 30 November 1713 at Palatinate or Switzerland. He married Anna Susanna Schaeffer in 1732 at Pfungstadt (probably), Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. Johann Wilhelm Best died on 24 November 1762 at Lehigh Twp., Northampton Co., PA, at age 48.

     Louis Phillip Best was born on 23 July 1901 at Davenport, Scott Co., IA. He was educated; State University of Iowa graduate, Harvard School of Business Administration graduate. He married Sabra Lewis on 26 April 1927 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN. Louis Phillip Best died on 3 September 1956 at Chevy Chase, MD, at age 55.

     Maria Barbara Best was born in 1754 at Lehigh, Northampton Co., PA. She was the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Best and Anna Susanna Schaeffer. Maria Barbara Best married Friedrich Kleppinger, son of Johann Georg Klöppinger and Anna Margretha Schreiner, in 1772 at Zion Church, Kreidersville, Northampton Co., PA. Maria Barbara Best died on 3 March 1831 at Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., PA.

     Otto L. Best was born on 20 December 1911 at Urichsville, Tuscarawas Co., OH.¹ He was the son of Floyd Leroy Best and Eva Lena Burdette.¹ Otto L. Best married Velma A. Starkey, daughter of Andrew Peter Starkey and Elizabeth May Gibson, circa 1932. Otto L. Best lived in April 1940 at Maple Street, Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas Co., OH.² He died on 4 April 1997 at Cedarville, Modoc Co., CA, at age 85.

     Stephen Lewis Best was born on 18 February 1933 at Davenport, Scott Co., IA. He was the son of Louis Phillip Best and Sabra Lewis. Stephen Lewis Best died on 31 January 2008 at age 74.

     Strauther Albert Best was born on 12 September 1884 at Floyd Co., IN, WW II draft registration.¹ He married Dora A. Purkhiser, daughter of William Jasper Purkheiser and Sarah A. Jacobs, on 11 November 1908 at Floyd Co., IN, Dora remarried to Strauther A. Best on 11 NOV 1908, Floyd County, IN. Strauther Albert Best died in October 1972 at age 88.

     Susannah Best married Daniel Wiseman.

     William Homer Best was born in December 1941. He died on 2 January 2007 at Arlington, Tarrant Co., TX, at age 65.

     Irene M. Bestner was born on 23 April 1898. She married Howard A. Saum, son of Jacob Clement Saum and Amanda Rosella Lucas. Irene M. Bestner died on 8 January 1984 at age 85.

     Emma L. Bestor married William Bell Tallman, son of Thomas Bell Tallman and Frances Ann Gillespie, on 28 December 1875.

     Ellen Rose Betebenner was born on 22 May 1842 at Maryland.¹ She married Abner Newcomer on 3 December 1863 at Ogle Co., IL. Ellen Rose Betebenner died on 9 January 1911 at age 68. She was buried in January 1911 at Fairmount Cemetery, Polo, Ogle Co., IL, Findagrave #88234423.

     Max Earl Betenbender was born on 31 May 1946 at Manchester, Delaware Co., IA; son of Glen Luverne "Pete" and Blanche Jane (Bliss) Betenbender. He began military service in October 1965 Vietnam War service, U.S. Army

The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Wednesday, 27 OCT 1965; p.45; (Newspapers.com):

Armed Forces

Thirty Linn county draft registrants were inducted into the armed forces last week at Fort Des Moines to fill the county's October draft call. .........................

     [Included Max E. Betenbender, Coggon]

He died on 20 September 2019 at Hiawatha, Linn Co., IA, at age 73
[:CR]Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Max Betenbender, 73, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, September 20, 2019, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, Iowa.

Family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Nathan Eddy, with visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Iowa.

Max was born May 31, 1946, in Manchester, Iowa, to Glen “Pete” and Blanche (Bliss) Betenbender. He graduated from Coggon High School.

Max served honorably in United States Army during the Vietnam War, from 1965 to 1967.

He was united in marriage to Donna Johnson on November 7, 1970, in Independence, Iowa, at Hope Wesleyan Church.

Max was the president of Betenbender Manufacturing.

He was a member of the Coggon American Legion Post #362 and the Antique Car Club. Max collected army vehicles, including two army tanks.

He loved traveling.

Max was a friend to all, always willing to help. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Max is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Donna Betenbender; daughter, Teresa Betenbender; two grandchildren, Courtney (David) Blaber and Cameron Klouda; three great-grandchildren, Isabella, Gabriella and Stephen Blaber; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ted Betenbender; brother, Larry Betenbender; and baby Blaber.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Max’s memory may be directed to the family to be designated later.

Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Marion.

He was buried in September 2019 at Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Linn Co., IA, Findagrave #203170116.
Note: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Wednesday, 03 JUN 1987; pp.18-21; (Newspapers.com):

Betenbenders Travel in Force

Max and Donna Betenbender of Coggon have no intentions of waiting until retirement to travel.

Since 1981, they have been in Berlin and Vienna, and -- along with their two children -- in Seoul, South Korea; Bristol, England; Florida; and New Zealand.

"A lot of people put off things to do when they retire. Then something happens, either financially or medically, and they can't do them. Then they don't have those memories," explains Max, who was born and Reared in Coggon.

Recently, Max, general manager of Betenbender manufacturing, suffered an on-the-job injury from which he has a 50-50 chance of recovering. He says if things had "not been favorable for us," they still would have had the memory of last summer's three-week vacation with their children. "How many people can say they spent three weeks with their kids?"

Yet, Donna, 38, says she doubts they would have done any traveling on their own. Explains her husband: "We don't like tours, visiting this place one day and that place the next."

They have done their world traveling through Friendship Force, an international organization that promotes world peace through understanding of other countries and their customs. Max calls it "a people-to-people exchange."

Max and his family heard about the organization through one of his employees, whose sister was involved in the Dubuque chapter.

Max's parents, Pete and Blanch, went to Guatemala in 1980 with the Dubuque group. "Because my folks had a very good experience, it took a lot of anxiety out of going (for us)," says Max.

Friendship Force travelers usually schedule two weeks in a country. The first week is spent with a host family. The second week also may be spent with the same family, or people may travel on their own or with other members of Friendship Force. Travelers also have the option of returning home.

During the Betenbenders' second week in Austria, their host family suggested they hire a taxi driver who knew a lot about the country. The daughter of the family, who had studied English for seven years, accompanied the group as interpreter.

"We took off and drove 800 miles in eight days," said max. The trip was mostly confined to back roads or side roads in Austria that looked promising for scenery. "We made decisions as we went," he continues.

When they stopped for the night, "our driver would go in and bargain for rooms for us," says max. "A couple of times, we went in and they said they would have charged more money if they had known we were Americans."

The trip cost each of the nine members of the group $110, plus their rooms and what they ate.

Max and Donna say that when they compared visits on the return trip to America, other Friendship Force people were envious of how they'd spent heir time -- including those who took organized tours.

But the impromptu trip around Austria isn't the only benefit the Betenbenders have seen from their Friendship Force association. "We've met some very nice people, says Donna, noting that they write to most of them.

The Betenbenders recall one friendship that had a rocky start.

The family they visited in Berlin had a teen-age daughter who seemed anti-American. "She didn't say 10 words to us," recalls Max. "She didn't want anything to do with us. She acted like we were imposing on her parents.

When Friendship Force had an exchange with Des Moines, the Berlin family spent a week there. When they arrived in Coggon for the second week of their visit, "it wasn't the same girl," continues Max. The teen-ager had undergone a complete change in her attitude. She had hugs and kisses for everyone.

Because of her positive experience in America, she returned home and talked with her friends who were anti-American, she could tell them, "We've got nice friend there who've given us a nice time," says Max.

The Betenbenders also were hosts to their English family on a tour of New England. "I wish more would come this way," says Donna wistfully.

In addition to their Friendship Force activities, the Betenbenders also provide a "getaway" retreat for a couple from Taiwan and have been hosts to a Swedish exchange student, Stefan Bjurnemark of Eslov, since August.

Donna and Max have been members of the Cedar Rapids Friendship Force since it started, although they've taken trips with the groups from Dubuque, Davenport and Portland, Ore. Max says the organization prefers to keep its groups to around 40. "If you don't go with one group, you can go with another."

When the Betenbenders go, they don't go empty handed. They fill one suitcase with handmade Iowa crafts, cookbooks (and the appropriate non-metric measuring utensils), wood items made by Max's father and toy tractors.

Max grins as he recalls his Korean host and his host's friend, both gentlemen in their 40s, rolling toy tractors back and forth to each other like enthusiastic children.

Because so many of their experiences with the group have been positive, Donna and Max would like to become more involved in the Cedar Rapids group. However, living 30 mils away limits that involvement.

"We'll try to do what we can to promote Friendship Force," says max, adding that even though he's been on five trips, "I'm ready to go again."


The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sunday, 29 OCT 1995; p.101; (Newspapers.com):

Betenbender

COGGON -- Max and Donna Betenbender, Coggon, will observe their 25th wedding anniversary next Sunday with a reception and dance from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Camp Wapsi Y, Coggon. The couple were married Nov. 7, 1970.

The former Donna Johnson and Max Betenbender exchanged vows at Hope Wesleyan Church, Independence.

They have two children: Ted Betenbender and Teresa (sic) Klouda, both of Coggon; and a grandchild, Courtney Klouda.

All family and friends are welcome to share this celebration. No gifts, please.

     Ted L. Betenbender was born on 9 October 1972 at Linn Co., IA. He was the son of Max Earl Betenbender. Ted L. Betenbender died on 16 July 1999 at University Hospitals, Iowa City, Johnson Co., IA, at age 26

Obituary -- The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Saturday, 17 July 1999; Page 10; (Newspapers.com):

Ted L. Betenbender, 26, died Friday, July 16, 1999, in University Hospitals, Iowa City, after a long battle with cancer. Services: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Camp Wapsi Y, near Coggon. The Revs. Judy Gingerich, Frank Feltis, and Darrin Whiting will officiate. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Murdoch Funeral Home, Central City. Inurement will be at a later date in Coggon Cemetery.

He was born Oct. 9., 1972, the son of Max and Donna Betenbender of Coggon. Ted grew up in the Coggon area and graduated from North Linn High School in 1991. He attended Kirkwood Community College and was employed by Betenbender Manufacturing, a family-owned business in Coggon. Ted's interests were many and varied, but his real love was his motorcycles and cars. He was surrounded by his many loving and dedicated friends.

Ted is survived by his parents, Max and Donna Betenbender, a sister, Teresa Klouda and husband Dennis, a niece, Courtney; a nephew, Cameron, and grandparents Pete and Blanche Betenbender, all of Coggon; grandmother, Verna Johnson of Independence; and many other relatives and friends.

We will miss you and remember you always.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Cal Johnson.

Instead of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund for Pappajohn Pavilion 3 West at University Hospitals, Iowa City.

Cause of death: cancer. He was buried in July 1999 at Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Linn Co., IA, Findagrave #118186845.

     Sarah Palmira Bethell was born on 2 February 1836 at Dekalb Co., TN. She married Samuel Cunningham Duncan, son of Joseph Duncan and Molly Allison, on 8 September 1870 at Dekalb Co., TN. Sarah Palmira Bethell died on 8 September 1906 at Dekalb Co., TN, at age 70.

     Dale Bettenner was born on 26 August 1877 at Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL.¹ He was the son of John Bettenner and Virginia E. Mumma.¹ Dale Bettenner lived in 1926 at Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL.¹

     J. Ollie Bettenner was born on 22 November 1880 at Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL.¹ He was the son of John Bettenner and Virginia E. Mumma.¹ J. Ollie Bettenner lived in 1926 at Elbert, Elbert Co., CO.¹

     John Bettenner was born on 21 March 1845.¹ He was the son of Samuel Bettenner and Rebecca (?)¹ John Bettenner married Virginia E. Mumma, daughter of Jacob H. Mumma and Ann Mary Miller, on 18 February 1873, Ceremony by Rev. L. L. Lipe.¹ John Bettenner died on 16 February 1921 at Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., IL, at age 75.¹

     Samuel Bettenner married Rebecca (?).¹

     Albert Bettis married Frances Elizabeth Fulton.

     Charles Elza Bettis was also known as "Buck". He married Carlena Caroline Couchman.

     Clora May Bettis was born on 14 June 1894 at Sewal, Wayne Co., IA. She was the daughter of Charles Elza Bettis and Carlena Caroline Couchman. Clora May Bettis married Edgar Lewis Phillips, son of Thomas Jefferson Phillips Jr. and Martha Emmaline Hayworth, on 13 January 1914 at Corydon, Wayne Co., IA. Clora May Bettis died on 15 February 1958 at Chula Vista, San Diego Co., CA, at age 63.

     Daniel Edmund Bettis married Ida Mayer Richardson.

     Daniel Robert Bettis was born in November 1873 at Iowa. He married Clara June Housely circa 1898.

     Elva Inez Bettis was born on 3 April 1902 at Wayne Co., IA. She was the daughter of Daniel Robert Bettis and Clara June Housely. Elva Inez Bettis married Leo Delbert Belvel, son of James Henry Belvel and Maud Mae McLaughlin, on 30 October 1921. Elva Inez Bettis died in June 1986 at age 84. She was buried in June 1986 at Allerton Cemetery, Wayne Co., IA.

     Harley Edward Bettis was born on 12 November 1888 at Iowa. He was the son of Daniel Edmund Bettis and Ida Mayer Richardson. Harley Edward Bettis began military service on 5 June 1917 WW I draft registration. He married Metta Marie Belvel, daughter of David Tullis Belvel and Milla Ann McLaughlin, on 12 March 1921. Harley Edward Bettis died on 29 October 1958 at Corydon, Wayne Co., IA, at age 69. He was buried in November 1958 at Evergreen Cemetery, Lineville, Wayne Co., IA.
Note: Harley was first married to Wanda Reba Barr, and had two children with her. Wanda died before he remarried to Metta Belvel.

     John Randolph Bettis was born on 20 August 1917 at Greenville, SC. He was the son of Zebulon Vance Bettis and Alice Williams Reamey. John Randolph Bettis married Louise Murray Cauthen, daughter of Wallace Jackson Cauthen and Mary Eliza Murray, on 17 June 1941 at Rowesville, SC. John Randolph Bettis began military service WW II service, U.S. Army, Captain. Participated in the D-Day invasion of Normany, and also the Battle of the Bulge. He died on 1 February 2011 at Orangeburg, Orangeburg Co., SC, at age 93

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

John Randolph Bettis ORANGEBURG - John Randolph Bettis died peacefully at home at The Oaks on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. He was born in Greenville, SC on August 20, 1917, to Zeb Vance Bettis and Alice Reamey Bettis.

He attended Furman University and transferred to Clemson College where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. In June of 1941, he married Louise Murray Cauthen, and they moved to Charleston where he began work as an engineer for the Charleston Water Works. Shortly after beginning work, he had to report for duty as an Army officer where he served with the 1st Army. He went in on D-Day via Omaha Beach, and he was also in the Battle of the Bulge. After World War II he served in the Army Reserves and retired in 1964. In 1945 John and Louise returned to Charleston.

He worked for the Charleston Water Works for 45 years and retired as General Manager and Chief Engineer. Mr. Bettis served as a national director of the American Water Works Association and as president of the Southeastern section of AWWA.

He received the Fuller Award and the Wiedeman Award, the two highest awards given by AWWA, and was recognized for 50 years of service to that organization. Mr. Bettis was a director of the Water Pollution Control Board and served as president of the state association.

He was on the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Charleston for 45 years and served as president. He was a member of the South Carolina Society and a member and past president of the St. Andrews Society of Charleston.

He was a longtime member and past president of the Charleston Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris award. For 60 years Mr. Bettis was a member of Asbury Memorial Methodist Church, now Asbury-St. James, where he served in most of the offices and activities of his church.

In 2001 John and Louise moved to The Methodist Oaks in Orangeburg, SC where they made many new friends and kept in touch with old friends. Louise, his wife of 69 and a half years, died on January 16, 2011. Their son, John Randolph Bettis, Jr., died in 1999, and John was also predeceased by his brother, Vance Reamey Bettis.

He is survived by three children, Anne, Vance, and Susan; daughters-in-law Linda Bettis and Gena Bettis; son-in-law Nick Fairhurst; seven grandchildren, Rachel Bettis, Libby Compton, Andrew Bettis, Zeb Compton, Sadie Bettis, Margaret Fairhurst, and Thomas Fairhurst; sisters-in-law Sara Shelley, Margaret Corvette, Edith Cauthen, and Lucy Bettis; brother-in-law Rutledge Corvette; 16 nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank his loving caregivers: Emma Hart, Joan Sanders, Nancy Sanders, Ella Shuler, Cynthia Ritter, and Barbara Summers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Guardian Angel Fund at The Oaks, Box 9005, Orangeburg, SC 29116 or to the Salvation Army. There will be a Memorial Service at the chapel at The Oaks on Sunday, February 6, 2011, at 3 p.m.

Interment will be at Beaufort National Cemetery at a later date.

Published in Charleston Post & Courier on February 3, 2011.

He was buried in 2011 at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, Beaufort Co., SC, Findagrave #65074480.

     John Randolph Bettis Jr. was born on 19 August 1946 at Charleston, SC. He was the son of John Randolph Bettis and Louise Murray Cauthen. John Randolph Bettis Jr. began military service Vietnam War service, U.S. Army, Captain. He died on 23 July 1999 at Mooresville, SC, at age 52. He was buried in July 1999 at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, Beaufort Co., SC, Findagrave.com #120685047.