Clara Marie (Theis) Dell

Clara Marie Dell, 88, formerly of 24 Marvin Ave. died late Tuesday afternoon in the Oakwood Retirement Center in Springfield.

She was born June 21, 1903, in New Riegel, the daughter of Nicholas and Margaret Elizabeth Schwartzmiller Theis, both now deceased.

Mrs. Dell was a former secretary and bookkeeper for Baumgardner Products Co. in Tiffin. She was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, Daughters of Isabella, St. Ann’s Society, and Widowed Persons Organization, and was in charge of the Senior Citizens Card Party. She was recently a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield.

Surviving are two daughters and a son-in-law, Sister Norma Dell, O.P., of Olive Hill, KY; and Barbara and Walter “Ed” Clarkson of Springfield; five grandchildren and their spouses:
Diane and Ed Jenkins, John and Pam Clarkson, Deborah and Joseph Monnin, LeAnn and Kevin Griggs and Cheryl and Andrew Zappe, all of Springfield; 10 great-grandchildren: Jason, Travis, Christopher and Kyle Clarkson, Abigail and Theodore Monnin, Ryan and Logan Griggs, and Nicholas and Lucas Zappe, all of Springfield; two sisters-in-law: Corrine Theis of New Riegel and Josephine Theis of Azusa, CA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leander “Red” Dell, on March 21, 1973; four brothers; and three sisters.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Turner Funeral Home, where a Christian wake service will be held at 8:30, followed by a recitation of the Rosary by the Daughters of Isabella. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. Thomas Dorenbusch, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. Burial will be in Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s School tuition fund or to the American Heart Association and left in care of the funeral home.