Today’s find is another obituary clipping for a Mentzer cousin. This obituary was likely saved by my grandmother, Pauline Mentzer Briles and passed down to me.
Clara Edith Mentzer, the subject of the obituary, was the daughter of George and Emiline (Minnick) Mentzer. Clara Mentzer Williams was one of my grandmother’s aunts.
CLARA E. WILLIAMS
Clara Edith Mentzer, daughter of George and Emaline Mentzer, was born on the Mentzer homestead five miles north and west of Yates Center on September 20, 1882, and died December 20, 1970, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital at the age of 88 years and three months.
Her entire life was spent in Woodson County, with around 75 years of that time living on the same farm where she was born. Her education was obtained in the rural school of her community. For many years she has been a member of the First Methodist Church of Yates Center.
On April 3, 1903, she was married to John Wesley Williams. Their entire married life was spent in the occupation of farming. To this union were born twelve children: Glenn M., who died October 11, 1944; Goldie M. Brodman; Edith E. Harding, both of Yates Center; John Harold of Puyallup, Wash.; Leo L. of Kansas City; Freddie Lloyd, Toole, Utah; Helen D. Smith, Tonganoxie; George Wesley, Yates Center; Clifford W., Renton, Wash.; Letha M. Williams, Kansas City, Mo.; Doris A. Claxton, Alexandria, Va.; Verna L. Faherty, Kansas City.
To Clara E. Williams, the welfare of her home and the dedication of her life to her children were the main concerns of her life. She derived great pleasure in raising her children in a happy Christian home.
After the death of her husband in 1957, she continued to live on the farm with her son Wesley. After her health failed her and she could no longer carry on, she has made her home with some of her daughters since August, 1968. On December 4, she was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery.
She is survived by the eleven children mentioned, sixteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and one great great grandson, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 1970, from the H. R. Campbell and Sons Funeral Home in Yates Center with the Rev. David Mack officiating.
Richard Muslow was the soloist, accompanied by Virginia Louderbaugh. Burial was in the Yates Center Cemetery.
Pallbearers, who were all grandsons of Clara E. Williams, were Wayne Brodman, Jerel Williams, Kent Williams, Richard Faherty, John Smith and Delbert Smith.
