Clara Bower

Clara B. Bower, 91, of Danville, passed away June 8, 2017 in Hoopeston, Illinois. Clara was born in Panama, Illinois to Ira and Myrtle Harden on February 2, 1926. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1943 and married Chester Bower on February 16, 1946 in Seelyville, Indiana. Clara retired in 1991 from Black and Company, was a longtime, active member of Bowman Avenue Methodist Church, a member of Women in Construction and achieved over 11,000 volunteer hours at Presence United Samaritans Medical Center. Clara was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and spent many hours cheering them on. She cherished her time with family and instilled in her children a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. In addition to serving her church in different roles, she spent many years volunteering at their mission, Fair Hope Children's Ministry. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Myrtle; husband Chester, brothers Ralph and Frank Harden; and sisters, Inez Clayton and Bess Gross. Survivors include her children; Andrea (Kelly, deceased) Clem of Danville; Garry (Julie) Bower of Rockford, Illinois; Forrest (Patty) Bower of Swansea, Illinois; Marcia (Ron) Campbell of O'Fallon, Illinois; Michael (Jenny) Bower and Matthew (Michele) Bower of Danville, 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. In honor of their Mother, her children will continue the decade-long tradition she established of a day-long family picnic at Turkey Run State Park, Indiana, on Labor Day Weekend. Clara loved Turkey Run and enjoyed sharing it with generations of family members. Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home in Danville on June 13, 2017 from 4 - 7 pm. Funeral service will be held at Sunset Funeral Home on June 14, 2017 at 10 am. Per Clara's wishes, she will be cremated following the services and her ashes placed with those of her husband at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials gifts be made to Fair Hope Children's Ministry in Clara's name. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Iroquois Memorial Hospice and Heritage Health for their support in her final days.

Visitation Jun 13, 2017 Tuesday, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Service Jun 14, 2017 Wednesday, 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Final Resting Place Sunset Memorial Park 3901 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834