I, J. Wathen, manager of this memorial, am the great-grandniece of Mary Josephine (Roberts) Bedker. Her half-brother, William Austin Roberts, is my great-grandfather.

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The Courier-Tribune, Seneca, Kansas, Thursday, December 14, 1950:

Mary Josephine Bedker

Mary Josephine Roberts was born March 24, 1884 at Centralia, Kansas. She was the second daughter of Powell and Martha Roberts.

On January 15, 1902 she was married to Lewis Elmer Bedker. To this union five children were born. A son, and a daughter, preceded her in death. Surviving are Guy L. of Sharon Springs, Kans., Dennis F. of North Platte, Nebr. and Alice Faye of Oakland, Calif., also nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. There are also two sisters, Maude S. Roberts and Mrs. Walter Selby of Atchison, Kansas, one brother, John P. Roberts of North Platte, Nebr. and many other relatives and a host of friends, many of whom knew and loved her as mother Bedker.

She joined the First Methodist church in her early youth and was always a faithful and loyal member. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors and of the Rebekahs.

Mrs. Bedker spent the early years of her life near Centralia, Kansas. In 1915 the family moved to Stockton, Kansas and in 1919 went to North Platte, Nebr. where she has since resided.

She died Thursday morning December 7, 1950 at the age of 66 years, eight months and 13 days.

Funeral services were held in the Centralia Methodist Church Sunday afternoon. The pastor, Rev. Ira C. Willard officiated. Mrs. Margaret Darr and Mrs. Ramah Sherrer sang "Near to the Heart of God" and "In the Beautiful Garden of Prayer." Mrs. Fern McClary was the pianist. Pallbearers were Gene Moyer, Clyde Moyer, Sam Ayers, Arthur Nightingale, Ernest Swan and Frank Schubert. Burial was in the Centralia cemetery.