Clara M. Schaefer

Clara M. Schaefer, 85, of Lakeside Ohio, and formerly of Lawton Oklahoma, died Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Otterbein Northshore Retirement Center in Lakeside, Ohio. She was born on January 8, 1926 in Salina, Kansas, the daughter of Earl Albert and Doii Elmira (Morris) Lackey. She married Henry J. Schaefer on April 24, 1944 and he preceded her in death on October 24, 1971. Married to an Army officer, Clara was well traveled; and in her younger life, enjoyed many days at the race track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was a homemaker her entire life and especially enjoyed taking care of her family and others. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marblehead. Her hobbies included reading, solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, flower gardening, watching crime shows on TV, and most uniquely, whistling to the music playing on the radio as she was reading or crocheting. Survivors include her daughter: Ann E. (Joseph) Walen, Poplar Bluff, MO; adopted granddaughter: Mary (Dean) Dorko, Marblehead, OH; daughter-in-law: Cynthia Schaefer, St. Louis, MO; grandchildren: Richard White, Scott White, Timothy (Melanie) Zimmerman, Daniel (Delaine) Zimmerman, Chad (Eva) Abernathy, Laura Taylor, Ashley Boykin, Amanda Schaefer, John Schaefer, Alex Schaefer, 18 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; brother: Ronnie Lackey, Joplin, MO; and sisters: Wilma (Derald) Lind, Kansas City, KS and Dorothy Thomas, Hugoton, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son: Boyd Schaefer; infant daughter: Ellen Schaefer; son: David E. Schaefer; daughter: Cynthia M. White; 1 great grandchild; brothers: Leonard & Kenneth Lackey; and sisters: Leslie Swift and Twyla Nelson. A memorial mass to celebrate Clara's life will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 822 Barclay Street, Marblehead, along with a brief memorial service to be held at 11:00 am in the activities room at Otterbein Northshore Retirement Center, 9400 Northshore Blvd, Lakeside. Burial will take place in June at Fairview Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Otterbein Northshore Retirement Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com The Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH