Claire Kathryn Isely

Claire Kathryn Isely died Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Little Flower Manor in Wilkes-Barre, where she had been a resident for the past several months. She was 90.

Born March 20, 1925 to Albert and Florence Zimmerman of Wilkes-Barre, Claire was a 1943 graduate of E.L. Meyers High School. At Meyers, she participated in amateur night programs, glee club and the singing group Double-Trio. She was later employed by Vulcan Iron Works and Duplan Silk Mill as a secretary.

She was the wife of Ralph W. Isely of Wilkes-Barre. The couple would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on July 3 of this year.

In addition to her husband, Claire is survived by her daughter, Sally Lee Ritchie and her husband, Christopher, Wilkes-Barre; her son, Jason Albert Isely and his wife, JoLyn, Plains Township; grandsons, Eric B. Ritchie, Phoenixville; Matthew and Jason Isely, Plains Township; granddaughter, Ingrid B. Ritchie, a student at Penn State University; and a sister, Jean Martin, Wilkes-Barre.

Claire was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Zimmerman; and sisters, Alberta Kent and Florence Zimmerman.

Until her recent illness, Claire and her husband were active with the 52 Acres Campers in Dorrance Township and St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilkes-Barre. She was also a member of the Women's Bible Study at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wilkes-Barre and the quilting groups at St. John's and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dallas.

Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mamary-Durkin Funeral Home, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday from Mamary-Durkin, with burial to follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or a charity of one's choice.