Clara E. Neal

Mrs. Clara E. Neal, age 92, widow of Russell, Clark, formerly of Bradley, died in the Golden Living Center at Clark on Tuesday evening, June 2, 2009. She had resided at the care center since January of this year. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM in the St. Michael's Catholic Church at Clark with the Reverend Bill Hamak officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie Hill Cemetery at Bradley. A Liturgical wake service will begin at 3PM on Sunday ,June 7th, in the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark with visitation following until 6PM. Visitation will also continue at the Church on Monday after 2PM. Clara E. Neal, age 92, Bradley, widow of Russell Neal, died in the Golden Living Center at Clark on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM in the St. Michaels Catholic Church at Clark with the Reverend Bill Hamak officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie Hill Cemetery at Bradley. Music will be provided by Eileen Heilman as organist, Brenda LaBrie as song leader and a duet by Marvine Obermeier and Wendy Christman. Rose bearers are Mary Aadsen, LaDonna Bierscheid, Grace White, Connie Merkel and Darlys Grewe- Posthumous. Active casketbearers are Daniel & Calvin Stuchlik, Joe & Leck Ewalt and Kevin & Greg Neal. She was born in Butler Township, Day County, near Butler of July 4, 1916, the daughter of Andrew A. and Martha (Burchatz) Hojnacke. She attended country school near Butler and then graduated from Butler High School. After her schooling she worked at various jobs around the Butler and Bradley area. She was united in marriage to Russell Everett Neal on May 14, 1935 at the St. Josephs Catholic Church in Lily. The couple lived on different farms near Bradley until purchasing a farm northeast of Bradley in 1946. They later built a new home in Bradley where they resided until becoming residents of the Wookey Assisted Living Center in Clark. One of her favorite pastimes was tending to her flower gardens. In January of this year she moved to the Golden Living Center. Clara had served on many election boards over the years, something she thoroughly enjoyed because she was able to visit and see many people during those times. Clara served as a caretaker for their son, Billy until his death in 1994. She truly was his full-time caregiver. She will also be remembered for her kind giving to many organizations in the area including but not limited to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Clark Hometown Variety Store, Clark Community Foundation, Clark County Horsemans Club, 4-H, American Cancer Society Clark County Chapter, Childrens Care Foundation, St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital, Catholic Foundation, ICAP, Clark Med-Van, Prairie Lakes Caring Club House and many other charities. She was a member of the Morrison Roll of Honor Childrens Care Hospital and School. Survivors include a daughter Dorothy ((George) Weiderhold of Ridgecrest, CA, 6 grandchildren, Beth (Dick) Black, Daniel & Calvin Stuchlik, Julie Nail, Kevin (Stacy) Wiederhold and Deccie (Todd) Rauch and 10- great-grandchildren, Amanda, Ryan, Kristi, Kyle, Cody, Sydney, Jacob, Austin, Samuel and Jensyn. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Russell, son, Billy and siblings, Johnny & Andrew (Sonny) Hojnacke, Ann Hojnacke and Hattie Ewalt. A Liturgical Wake Service will be held at 3PM in the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark with visitation from 3:30-6PM. Visitation will continue at 2PM on Monday at the Church in Clark. Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home of Clark where there is an on-line guestbook at www.furnessfuneralhome.com