Claralu Blake Obituary

Dec. 21, 1939 - July 6, 2009
MISHAWAKA - Claralu Blake, 79, of Mishawaka, passed away at 12:07 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2009, in Hospice House of South Bend. Claralu was born on December 21, 1929, in Farmland, IN, to Geneva I. (Goodwin) and William A. Keever. Her parents and brother, William E. Keever, preceded her in death. She spent most of her youth in Randolph County where she graduated from Lincoln High School. She then went on to Ball State University where she received a B.S and M.S. degree in Education. On August 17, 1952, she married Robert E. Blake in Winchester, IN. They made their first home in Elkhart, IN. While living there, Claralu taught English at Moran Junior High School which was part of the Penn Township Schools. She retired from Penn High School in 1991, after teaching Family and Consumer Science (formerly Home Economics) for 22 years. During part of that time, she was the Department Chair and had several student teachers. Before that, she taught at Muncie Burris and was a substitute teacher while raising a family. After retirement, she worked part-time supervising student teachers for IUSB. Claralu was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed cooking and was a good seamstress. She and her husband spent their winters in Ft. Myers, FL, after they both retired. Also after retirement, Claralu spent time researching family genealogy, which resulted in a longtime hobby. Her accumulated results are housed in the Ft. Wayne Public Library, Genealogy Department. She was a member of Osceola United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, Robert, and two daughters, Susan (Mark) Nye of Mishawaka and Cheryl (Phillip) Mercier of Ft. Wayne. Four grandchildren also survive, Amanda (Ryan) Bradford, Matt Nye, Renee Mercier and Michael Mercier. She is also survived by two great-grandsons, Lukas and Kaleb Bradford. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today, July 8th, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9th, in Osceola United Methodist Church, 431 N. Beech Road, Osceola, with one hour of visitation prior to the services. Memorial donations may be made the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to the American Cancer Society, 601 W. Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.

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Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 8, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Claralu Blake

7 Entries

Doris Speicher

August 3, 2009

Claralu has been a friend for over 40 years; we were both "home ec" teachers and shared many teaching moments. She was a wonderful friend who always listened, gave support, had a quick smile, was calm, well spoken, and had a bright smile. I will miss her greatly, especially when I need cooking questions answered. I visited her the week before she died and received her special smile while I sat with her and recalled many memories. I think she must be in heaven baking her wonderful pies. May God hold Bob and her family in his hand during this time of loss.

July 9, 2009

My deepest sympathy to the Blake Family... I had Mrs. Blake for Home Economics at Penn and she was alway one of my favorite teachers... She taught me more than a thing or two about sewing/tailoring and I will be grateful! Jane Sanders (Penn High School 1978)

Donelle Zunker

July 9, 2009

Dear Bob and Family, I am so sorry I cannot be there to help you celebrate Claralu's life. Please know I am thinking about you all and I have been praying for several months. Claralu was very special to me. Her smile was something that just made you feel at home. Thank you for sharing her with my Mom, as she was a very important person in my mother's life and I know that she will truly be missed by many. Love, Donelle

Iris Garrison-Kirk

July 9, 2009

Dear Bob and Family, I was very lucky to have been in "home ec" classes at Penn High School as well as attend OUMC for most of my teen and adult years. Claralu will be sorely missed by all that knew her. You are in my thoughts and she will always be in my memories of my youth. God bless and comfort you now.

Brett Brown

July 8, 2009

Mrs. Blake was a good lady and an outstanding teacher. I had her for a child development class at Penn back in the '80s. She is one of the reasons I decided to go into education myself. You have my deepest sympathies.

Chris and Jane Geesman

July 8, 2009

Dear Bob and family,
We remember Claralu as a truly professional teacher at Penn High School, who set a high standard for all who followed. She always had a cheerful smile, was a help to anyone, and was a very very good person. While we don't know your family, Doris tells me your children are really special and that's a tribute to you and Claralu. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Chris and Jane Geesman

Sharon Haas

July 8, 2009

We will miss Claralu in our water exercise class at the Elkhart YMCA. As one of our "snow birds", Claralu's return this year from Florida was much anticipated but, unfortunately, not realized. My condolences to the family of such a dear lady. Sharon Haas (class instructor)

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