Cecil J. Clare

Cecil J. Clare, 86, of Beal City, died peacefully April 19, 2004, at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility on his and his wifes 57th wedding anniversary. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, at St. Joseph The Worker Church in Beal City with Father John Cotter presiding. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call at Lux Funeral Home on Wednesday from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church or School. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Cecil was born October 19, 1917, in Mt. Pleasant the son of William and Mary (Hanel) Clare. From 1941-1946 he served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. On April 19, 1947 he married Ella Fox at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. He was a member of St. Joseph Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 3651 in Beal City where he served as past Grand Knight. He also belonged to the VFW Post 3033 in Mt. Pleasant. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Cecil is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ella Clare of Beal City; three children, Mary Anne (Lou) Sesti of Williamston, Bruce (Marlene) Clare of Mt. Pleasant, and Mark (Christa) Clare of Mt. Pleasant; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Agnes Ege and Josephine Clare; and one brother, Thomas Clare.