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Obit For Charley Melvin Bamford
Headline RETIRED MINISTER DIES AT 80, HAVING SPENT FIFTY YEARS IN SERVICE.

Passes Away at Home in Purdy, Preached Last Sermon Two Weeks Ago.
Text After having served for 52 years as a Minister of the Protestant Methodist church, Rev. C. M. Bamford passed away at his home in Purdy, Monday evening, March 21 at the age of 80 years. Only two weeks ago last Sunday Rev. Bamford, who retired from active duties of ministry about two year ago preached his last, from a wheel chair, in the Methodist church in Purdy. A large crowd assembled to hear him and to express their appreciation for his long years of service. Funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon, March 23, at the Methodist church in Purdy, conducted by Rev. O. M. Ennes. Rev. Francis Goodnight offered prayer. The obituary was read by Rev. John Robbins. Rev. Frank Hall gave the scripture reading. Rev. Sherman Erickson sang a solo, and later in the services short prayers, were also offered by Rev. S. A. Gardner of Springfield and Rev. Dillion of Rogersville.

About twenty ministers attended the funeral service. Acting as pall bearers were the following ministers; B. F. Brown, C. A. Fly, H. B. Fly and Sherman Erickson. Burial was in the Mt. Pisgah cemetery, northeast of Purdy, the Callaway undertakers of Monett in charge.

Rev. Charles Melvin Bamford was born in New York City, March 6, 1858. At the age of 28, he entered the ministry. He received his theological education at the Iowa Wesleyan University. There he qualified for the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

Rev. Bamford first untied in marriage with Miss Anna Karkuff and to them were born four sons. Sometime following the death of his first wife, he was married to Caldonia Jane Rogers, who survives him. Surviving of his immediate family are his wife, Caledonia Bamford; one son, Merton Bamford of Joplin; a brother, George Bamford of California, and one sister, Mrs. Perry Kakuff who lives in Iowa. He had three sons to die. For his humble, earnest, consecrated life and faithful service. Rev. Bamford was loved dearly by a large circle of close friends. He was loved and honored by all who knew him.
Newspaper or Funeral Home Cassville Republican
Date March 24, 1938
Death Cert Link Death Certificate
Resource State Historical Society of MO Micorfilm
Submitted by Barbara Erwin