Clara B. Brown

Clara M. Brown, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at Caretel Village in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, Feb. 13, at St. Peter’s Church, 623 Church St., St. Joseph with Rev. James Ruyle officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Visitation with the family will begin at 12:30 P.M. Monday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Church. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Clara was born March 31, 1913 in St. Joseph. She was one of 10 children born to Albert Otto & Therese Bittner. On July 15, 1934 she married Wesley Henry Brown in St. Joseph. Together they had two children, Joanne and James. Clara loved her family and devoted her life to raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved gardening and often spent time with her husband going to a dance club. She was a longtime faithful member of St. Peter’s Church. Clara is survived by her daughter, Joanne (James) Ruyle of Portland, Oregon; her son, James (Janice) Brown of Orange, TX; 7 grandchildren, Ronald Brown, Christine Brown-Zeto, Debra Leiszler, Kathryn Brown-Hoskin, Scott Brown, Melissa Ruyle Orman, and Roxanne Ruyle Griswold; 8 great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard Bittner; and three sisters; Marie Brado, Viola Vanderbeck and Elaine Brouwer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley Henry Brown; two brothers, Alvin & Allen Bittner; and 3 sisters, Lorraine Bittner, Ella Ball, and Lucille Ziemer.