Clara E. Spencer

Clara E. Spencer, age 95, formerly of Third St., Benton, died at 1:20 a. m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Bonham Nursing Center, Stillwater, where she resided since June, 2011.

Born in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, on November 6, 1920, she was a daughter of the late John B. and Margaret E. (Getz) Gearhart. She resided in Benton since 1941.

Clara was  employed by the Benton Foundry, Inc., for 10 years, retiring in `1982. Earlier she was employed by the Fremar Manufacturing., Co., Berwick.

She was a member of the Benton United Methodist Church and a longtime member of the former Columbia Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, Benton, of which she was a past Worthy Matron. At the time of her death she was a life member of the Bloomsburg Chapter 279, Order of Eastern Star and also belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ft. Rickett's  Post 8317, VFW, Benton.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, L. LeRoy "Roy" Spencer, on October 16, 1982; by a son, Lawrence L. "Larry" Spencer in 1940; by a daughter, Nancy J. Swank, on April 24, 2014; by a sister, Martha Frey; and a brother, William Gearhart.

Surviving are  a daughter, Mary Ellen, wife of David Sheaffer, Clearfield; a son, Lee Roy Spencer, and his wife Shelly, York; a son-in-law, Martin H. Swank, Berwick; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was the last of her immediate family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 2 p. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton, with Pastor Matthew R. Verstraeten, of the Benton United Methodist Church officiating. Interment in the Benton Cemetery.  Friends may call on Tuesday from 1-2 p. m.