The funeral service for Clara will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri.
The minister officiating at the service will be Jerry Johannigmeier. Burial will be in Appleton City Cemetery.
Clara's wishes were that any memorial donations be made to the Appleton City Library or the Appleton City Cemetery.
Clara Irene (Strickler) Dunham, one of six children born to Charles R. and C. Irene (Harleman) Strickler, entered the world on February 3, 1934 in St. Clair County, Missouri east of Taberville. She departed this life at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia, Missouri on November 4, 2019 at 85 years of age.
Clara started school at the age of five at Ruark and completed elementary school at Taberville. She attended Appleton City High School and graduated her junior year. She met John Edward Dunham at Taberville where Ed worked for his aunt and uncle in their grocery store.
Clara and Ed were united in marriage in Bentonville, Arkansas on September 2, 1950. Their married life began in Taberville where they remained for a year, then moving to Rockville for a year, and finally to Appleton City where they made their home for 59 years. Ed and Clara were blessed with two daughters, Terry Louise and Susan Elaine.
Clara loved to fish, deer hunt, cook and work in her flowers. She took in laundry and sewing while her daughters were small. Clara worked as a bookkeeper for Harper Fenimore for 25 years. She and Ed later bought Fenimore Motors and operated it for several years. They also owned and operated Ed’s Auto Service where Clara kept books for 15 years. After Ed’s retirement Clara worked at the Appleton City Library for 11 years.
She was baptized in 1978 at Trinity United Methodist Church by Reverend Chester Garver, and remained a faithful member as long as her health permitted. Clara served as secretary/treasurer for the United Methodist Women’s group for five years.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed, one brother James Strickler, one sister June Morgan and one grandson Michael Ryan Gilmore.
Survivors include her daughters, Terry and husband Jerry Welch of Sedalia, Missouri and Susan Null of Grain Valley, Missouri; four grandchildren, Stephen Ratliff and wife Misty, Jaime and husband Russell Stewart all of Sedalia, Missouri, Lori and husband Keith Weaver of Oak Grove, Missouri and Codey Null all of Odessa, Missouri; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one brother Charles Strickler and wife Martha of Peoria, Arizona; two sisters, Bernice Marshall of Appleton City, Missouri and Betty and husband Jerry Hayes of Creighton, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Clara will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by her children and grandchildren, along with a multitude of friends.
