Vera Claire

Vera B. Claire

(nee Bradley)

Age 99 of Morris, passed away Monday April 16, 2012 at Heritage Health in Dwight.

Born February 15, 1913 in Grayson County, Kentucky, Vera was a daughter of the late Charles and Naomi Decker-Bradley. The family moved to Streator, Illinois in 1918 and she attended schools in Seneca and Ottawa before moving to Coal City in 1927. Vera married Alvin Claire in Kankakee on April 13, 1935 and together they lived most of their married life in Morris. Vera worked as a seamstress at Hyman & Grinczak Clothing factories, Brody Manufacturing (known for their Sycamore coats), the Joliet Arsenal and Caterpillar Tractor Company, from where she retired in 1979. After retirement, Vera continued to work, and was self employed at Bradley Rentals. She was one of the original charter members of the Professional Business Women's Organization and will be remembered for her strong work ethic. Vera in her free time loved to cook, did private catering in her younger years, and was well known for her apple squares.

Survivors include two children: Alvin "Sonny" (Dorothy) Claire of Morris and Nora "Bunny" (the late Pat) Haney of Burlington, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Paul (Kathi) Claire, Paula (Jeff) Johnson, Phillip (Jayne) Claire, Phyllis (Tom) Delaney all of Morris, Donald Claypool of Oquawka, IL, Steven Claypool and Shawn (Ashley) Haney both of Burlington, IA; eight great grandchildren: Angela (Brett) Simon, Branden (Katie) Johnson, Grant, Rochelle, Leslie and Craig Clair, Heather Foster, Elizabeth Barrett; four great-great grandchildren: Adielena Haney, Marley Haney, Isabella Simon, and Jackson Simon; three sisters: Vallena Payton and Velva Carroll both of Morris and Eileen Aherns of Alabama as well as several nieces and nephews

Vera was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alvin; three sisters: Vonnie Sistek, Vernetta Dolder and Irene While.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 18, 2012 from 12:00 pm until time of funeral service at 2:00 pm at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 E. Washington St. (one block East of IL Route 47) in Morris. Burial will follow in Lisbon Cemetery, and Vera's grandchildren will act as pallbearers.

Preferred memorial may be made as gifts in Vera's memory to her family for distribution to charities of their choosing.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris (815-942-2500)