Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneers -
Willard and Permelia (Ross) Forbes
In 1900 Sullivan County, Missouri, WIllard is 9, with parents
D.L Forers 42 and Amanda 31. Fred is 11, Elmer 6, Georgia 5,a nd Nora 2.
In 1910 D.L and Amanda are in Harper County, Oklahoma, with Fredie 21, Willard 19, Elmer 17, Gerogie 15, Nora 13, Worley 10, Richard 6 and Martha 1.. The last two were born in Oklahoma.
Willard married Permelia O. Ross on June 8, 1913 in WOodward County, Oklahomal
Willard registered for WWI in Las Animas County, Colorado, with a Buster COlorado address, born December 25, 1890 at Sticklerville, Missouri, farming with a wife and two children.
In 1925 Willard and Permelia are in Thomas County,
Kansas, with Lewis 10 Oklahoma, Arthur H. 9 in Oklahoma,
Ruth 6, Viola 4 and Ida L. 3 in Colorado.
In 1930 Willard and Permielia are in Dundy County, Nebraska, with Louis 15 and Harold 14 born in Oklahoma, Ruth 11, Viola 9, and Ida 8 in COlorado, Lucille 4 and VIctor 3 in Kansas, and Iona newborn in Nebraska.
They're in Dundy County in 1940, with Ida 18, Lucille 14, Voctor 13, Iona 10, Laura 8, Leonard 6, Delbert 3, and Velma E. three months.
November 7, 1968 
July 28, 1983 Yuma Pioneer 
Willard Augustus Forbes was born on December 25, 1890, in Milan, Missouri, and passed away at the Morgan County Hospital on December 9, 1985, at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 15 days.
He was married to Permelia Ross on June 8, 1913, at Woodward, Oklahoma. They walked together hand-in-hand down through the years and were privileged to celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary on June 8, 1985. Their early married life was spent in Oklahoma and Kansas. In 1917 they filed for a homestead in southwestern Colorado. Here they weathered the winds, drought and hardships that came with pioneer life for seven years. Leaving the homestead, they worked for different farmers and ranchers in Kansas and Nebraska until 1947 when they purchased their farm south of Eckley, Colorado. Willard truly enjoyed working the land and took great pride in his herd of black Angus cattle. Failing health forced them to sell their farm in 1964 and move to Yuma, Colorado, then later to Fort Morgan, Colorado, to be nearer family members.
Willard lived a true Christian life and raised his family to respect the faith in which he believed. Hard work and adversity were no strangers to him as he struggled to provide for his family. He had an aggressive and determined spirit and labored with confidence in his labor's reward. He was not known for deeds of great renown, but for the person he was. This attributes to his wide circle of friends.
Fifteen children were born to Willard and Permelia, three of whom died in infancy. The oldest son, Lewis, lost his life in 1945. Surviving him are his devoted wife, Permelia; four sons, Harold and Delbert of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Victor of Wiggins, Colorado, and Leonard of Hallsville, Missouri; seven daughters, Ruth Edwards of Burlington, Colorado, Viola France of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Ida Whittenburg of Yuma, Colorado, Lucille Edwards of Benkelman, Iona Moberly of St. Francis, Kansas, Laura Chapman of Loveland, Colorado, and Velma Grand of DeSoto, Missouri; three sisters, Martha Brown of Truman, Minnesota, Cecil Smith of Colby, Kansas, and Nora Thompson of LaSalle, Colorado; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
November 13, 1986 
IDA
April 25, 1985 
Ida Lea Whittenburg has a marker in Yuma # 101717751.
DELBERT
June 1, 1956
VELMA
April 9, 1964 
RUTH
August 26, 1976 
"Ruth Belle Edwards, 88, Newton, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007.
Mrs. Edwards was born Ruth Belle Forbes on Oct. 1, 1918, in Pat, Colo., to Willard Augustus and Permelia Olive. She was a homemaker.
She was married to Herbert Edwards. She then married Merle Edwards.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Herbert, in 1979; her second husband, Merle; an infant son; three brothers, Lewis, Harold and Victor; a sister, Viola France; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Survivors include a son, Larry Hugh of Cedar Point; three daughters, Eleanor Ruth "Dolly" Phillips of Colorado Springs, Colo., Lela Arlene "Leigh" Rasmussen of Strong City and Mareldine Lucille "Deanie" Anderson of Gilbert, Ariz.; two brothers, Leonard of Hallsville, Mo., and Delbert of Fort Morgan, Colo.; five sisters, Ida Whittenburg of Yuma, Colo., Lucille Edwards of Benkelman, Neb., Iona Moberly of St. Francis, Laura Chapman of Brush, Colo., and Velma Grant of DeSoto, Mo.; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina 67401, with the Rev. Loran L. Forbes officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Pleasant Valley Friends Cemetery, Nebraska, with the Rev. Terry W. Douglass officiating. "
HAROLD
A 7 1/2 pound son was born Thursday, May 28, 1942 to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Forbes in Yuma."
1943 "Mrs. Harold Allen and small son of Parks, Nebraska, arrived in Yuma to visit with her sister-in-law, Miss Opal Allen, a nurse at the Community hospital, and also with her sister, Mrs. Harold Forbes of north of Yuma."
January 20, 1949 Loren LeRoy Forbes was born at the Yuma hospital, weighing eight pounds.
1973 Greeley "Mrs. Donna Wade. 1121 34th Ave., announces
the engagement of her daughter, Beth Lynn, to Elwyn Forbes,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Forbes of Fort Morgan.
Miss Wade was graduated from West High School in 1973, and her fiance is a 1971
graduate of Fort Morgan High School. Both are students at Northwest Nazarene College
at Nampa, Idaho. The wedding is being planned for early in August, 1974."
May 1978 Harold Forbes was seriously injured in a power takeoff accident, and was in Fort Morgan.
Martha Nellie Forbes, 88, of Fort Morgan died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002, at her home. Mrs. Forbes was born March 30, 1914, near Max, Neb., to Grover and Anna Lusk.
She married Harold Forbes on March 17, 1940, at her parents' home near Max. The Forbes family moved to Morgan County, Colo., in 1951.
She was a member of the Morgan Church of the Nazarene. She served as pastor at the Bethel Church south of Yuma, Colo., for several years and enjoyed teaching Bible studies. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, doing embroidery and crocheting.
Survivors include her husband, Harold, of Fort Morgan; a daughter, Ellen Marie Mylander, of Fort Morgan; four sons: Vearlon, Garry and Elwyn "Al," all of Fort Morgan, and Loran of Cortland. Neb.: two sisters: Beulah Allen of Benkelman, Neb., and Bessie Stolzenberg of Hettinger, N.D.; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Lusk; a sister, Ina Whitney, and her parents.
Funeral services for Martha Forbes were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, at the Morgan Church of the Nazarene in Fort Morgan with the Revs. Zell Woodworth and R.W. Carpenter officiating. Musicians were Beverly Watson, Pam Mills and Charlene Huwa. Musical selections included "Serenaded By Angels," "Just A Closer Walk" and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." Pallbearers were Vearlon, Loran, Garry and Al Forbes.
Interment was in Memory Gardens at Fort Morgan. Heer & Jolliffe Mortuaries was in charge of arrangements.
"
HAROLD ARTHUR FORBES, 91, longtime Fort Morgan resident, died Wednesday afternoon,
May 23, 2007 at the Eben-Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush.
He was born October 24, 1915 in Woodward, Oklahoma to Willard & Permelia (Ross) Forbes. He
married Martha Nellie Lusk on March 17, 1940 in Max, Nebraska.
Mr. & Mrs. Forbes moved to Morgan County from Yuma in 1950. Forbes was a longtime area farmer.
He was a member of the Morgan Church of The Nazarene. He enjoyed hunting rattlesnakes, fishing, riding motorcycles,
working, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Forbes is survived by one daughter, Marie Mylander of Fort Morgan;
four sons, Vearlon Forbes and Elwyn 'Al' Forbes, both of Fort Morgan, Garry Forbes of Denton, TX, and Loran Forbes of Salina, Kansas.
He is also survived by six sisters, Ruth Edwards of Newton, Kansas, Ida Wittenburg of Yuma,
Lucille Edwards of Benkelman, NE, Iona Moberly of St. Francis, KS, Laura Chapman of Brush,
and Velma Grant of Desota, MO; two brothers, Leonard Forbes of Hallsville, MO, and Delbert Forbes of Fort Morgan,
14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Forbes; one sister, Viola France; two brothers, Lewis Forbes and Victor Forbes, and 3 infant siblings. Visitation will be Friday, May 25th from 5 – 7 PM at the Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary in Fort Morgan. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 26, 2007, at 2:00 PM at the Morgan Church of The Nazarene. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens in Fort Morgan. Friends may make memorials to the Morgan Church of the Nazarene. The Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary in Fort Morgan is in charge of arrangements. "
LEWIS
Lewis Willard Forbes, 1914-1945 is buried in Benkelman, Nebaraska,
with Gladys A. (Roenne) Forbes 1909-1981.
"Gladys Alberta Roenne Forbes was born in Osborne County, Kansas on March 8, 1909 to George William and Eliza Marie Roenne. She had one brother, George William, and two sisters, Eliza Emma and Alvina Mary.
She passed away May 31, 1981 at Mesa Christian Home, Mesa, Arizona.
Gladys graduated from Fort Hays State College with a B.S. degree in education on May 25, 1933.
On June 3, 1935 Gladys was united in marriage with Lewis Willard Forbes. This union was blessed with four living children: Lewis Junior, Alberta Louise, Duane Eugene, and Marion James. There was a stillborn son, Richard Leroy.
Gladys was widowed in June 1945, when Lewis was killed in an airplane crash.
She returned to full time teaching and fully supported herself and her children.
Gladys was blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
During her life she belonged to the Rebekah Lodge and to the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Gladys retired from teaching in the spring of 1974 and lived near each of her children for a short time.
Throughout her life, Gladys belonged to the Methodist Church. She believed in God and the Bible and encouraged others to follow this path. She taught Sunday School on a regular basis and played piano for services when requested.
Gladys did not speak ill or critically of others and was kind.
Services were held Sat., June 6, 1981 at 2:00 p.m. in the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman, Nebraska. The Rev. Allan Martin officiated at the services.
Jackie Wilson accompanied Shirley Adkinson and Genereva Schrader, singing "Beyond The Sunset" and "How Great Thou Art".
Bearers were Harold Forbes, Leonard Forbes, Victor Forbes and Delbert Forbes.
Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, Nebraska. Arrangements were made by Jones Funeral Home, Inc., Benkelman, Nebraska.
"
IONA
Iona Louanne Forbes married Merle Duane Moberly on Auuust 11, 1947 in Yuma.
Iona's husband Merle Moberly died in 2016, and is buried in Saint Francis, Kansas.
Well known and respected farmer and rancher, born and raised in the Saint Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas area, he spent his entire career on home land. He served his country in WWII following the surrender of Japanese forces being sent to Korea to repatriate the Japanese occupation forces. Most of the skirmishes his unit had were with Communist Chinese and North Korean forces. We are fortunate to have many of his stories documented. He loved but one woman whom he married in August 1947. Iona has been by his side through all the ups and downs of the life of a farmer and rancher and was by his side when he left us. His brother, Marvin, a retired minister, asked him a few months ago, if he would go to Heaven. Merle's answer was an emphatic "Without a Doubt!" What a hope we have in Jesus.
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Obituary written by the family and read by his son Byron.
Merle Duane Moberly was born September 24, 1926 and passed away February 29, 2016 at the Cheyenne Co. Good Samaritan Village at the ripe old age of 89 1/2. He was the son of Elmer Merle Moberly and Neva Bell (Wildman) Moberly. He spent his entire life in the St. Francis area. He was involved in the family farm at a very young age, helping harvest wheat with a team and wagon hauling bundles to a thresher at the age of 12. He attended school in St. Francis and lettered in football and basketball.
After graduating from high school Merle enlisted in the Army and fought in the Korean War (sic. WWII) from August 1945 till January 1947. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. While home on furlough he met the love of his life and on August 31, 1947, married Iona Lavaune Forbes and they were friends, partners, and soul mates for the next 68 1/2 years. T?hey moved to a small basement house about 10 miles southeast of St. Francis and Merle started farming and custom binding. After two years Merle and Iona and their first child Sharon Lavaune moved to the Wildman homestead. Byron Duane was the final addition to the family. Merle loved the tilling of the soil and raising cattle. He was really proud of the Blue Heeler cattle dogs he and Byron raised.
Merle was on the School Board of the Wheeler School and the St. Francis High School. He was also the President of the Kansas Polled Hereford Association and the Western Polled Hereford Association in Burlington, Co. Merle and Byron worked closely together to build a Registered Polled Hereford herd with quality and performance, exhibiting champions at various State Fairs and the Cow-Calf Pair Champion at the National Western in Denver.
Working hard was rewarded with watching grandchildren grow up and help with the farming and cattle, it was all teamwork from hoeing pinto beans to vaccinating and branding calves. Merle also found time to play, as he was a member of the Moberly Hereford Ranch slow pitch softball team at the ripe old age of 55. Merle and Iona enjoyed traveling and sight-seeing, going to different places all over the country. A highlight of his achievements was winning the first place in the National Corn Growers Contest with a yield of 241 Bu per acre.
After dealing with West-Nile and getting shingles in his eyes and losing his eyesight, Merle stepped down from farming in 2002.
Passing away prior to Merle were his parents, Elmer and Neva Moberly, sister Naomi Bell Moberly, brothers Don Moberly and Darrel Moberly, grandson Ernie Moberly, and great grandchildren Paige Moberly and Peyton Moberly.
Survivors include his wife Iona Moberly of St. Francis, daughter Sharon Campbell and husband Bob of Monument, Co., Son Byron Moberly and wife Karen of St. Francis, brother Marvin Moberly and wife Grace of Bartlesville, Ok., sister Twila Moberly of Kalispell, Mont. 7 grandchildren, Mathew Moberly and partner Mandy Miller of St. Francis, Joshua Moberly and wife Peggy of St. Francis, Kole Moberly and wife Keesha of St. Francis, Nicholas Wall and friend Jillian Capalbo of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Natasha Wall Beresford and husband Paul of Denver, Colorado, Terilynn Robinson and husband Nate of Colorado, and Michelle Edwards and husband Tom of Colorado. Great-grandchildren are Kaylee, Janae, Marcy, Kody, Adreanna, Kyran, and Daxton Moberly of St. Francis; Gentry Roman, and Emma Beresford of Colorado; Brook, Beau and Brody Robinson of Colorado; and Annalese, Jaxson, Sophia, and Weston Edwards of Colorado.
Merle's greatest joy was going to Bronco games with his grandchildren, family and friends. He was happiest when spinning yarns about his early childhood and telling people all of his War Stories. He will be missed dearly.
A private interment at the St. Francis Cemetery was held at 11:00am on March 5, 2016.
LUCILLE
Lucille married Bruce Edwards, and they're in Benkelman, Nebraska in the 1960-1990 times.
VICTOR
Victor Raymond Forbes was born October 4, 1926 at Brewster, Thomas County, Kansas, and died August 21, 1994.
Greeley, Colorado July 17, 1975 marriage licenses "Victor Raymond Forbes and Diana Jane Lund, both of Westminster."
He died in Loveland, and is buried in Fort Logan # 658733.
September 1, 1994 
Victor Raymond Forbes was born October 4, 1926, at Brewster, Kansas. to Willard and Permelia (Ross) Forbes, and died August 20, 1994, at the home of his sister, Laura Chapman, in Loveland, Colorado.
He grew up in the Dundy County, Nebraska, area, graduating from the Parks School in 1940. He served his country during World War II from November 1, 1945, until February 14, 1947.
'Vic," as he was known to his family, was a machinist in Denver, Colorado, and a farm laborer in various areas, working as long as his health permitted. He resided in Evans, Colorado, until quite recently, when due to declining health, he made his home with the Chapmans.
His parents and a brother, Lewis, preceded him in death.
Survivors include two sons: Terry of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kenneth of Liberal, Kansas; two daughters: Patty Gardner and Gayle White, both of Wray, Colorado; three brothers: Harold and Delbert of Fort Morgan, Colorado and Leonard of Hallsville, Missouri, and seven sisters: Ruth Edwards of Burlington, Colorado, Viola France of Fort Morgan, Ida Whittenburg of Yuma, Colorado, Lucille Edwards of Benkelman, Nebraska, Iona Moberly of St. Francis, Kansas, Laura Chapman of Loveland and Velma Grant of DeSoto, Missouri.
Graveside services were conducted with full military honors on August 24 by the Rev. Terry Douglass with singers Delbert and Marian Forbes at the Fort Logan Military Cemetery in Denver.
VIOLA
" Viola M. France, 85, longtime resident of Fort Morgan, died Tuesday at the Valley View Villa Care Center in Fort Morgan.
Mrs. France was born Sept. 28, 1920, in Las Animas County to Willard and Permelia (Ross) Forbes. She married Roy G. France Oct. 4, 1942, in Haigler, Neb., where they farmed until coming to Fort Morgan in 1954.
She was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Morgan. She enjoyed sewing and was a foster mother for nearly 15 years.
Survivors include one daughter, Trina Kleymann of Tribune, Kan.; three brothers, Harold Forbes and Delbert Forbes, both of Fort Morgan, and Lenord Forbes of Hallsville, Mo.; six sisters, Ruth Edwards of Nutton, Kan., Ida Whitenburg of Yuma, Lucille Edwards of Benkelman, Neb., Iona Moberly of St. Francis, Kan., Laura Chapman of Brush and Velma Grant of DeSoto, Mo., and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy; three brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be Thursday from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary in Fort Morgan.
Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens.
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