Clayton R. Close

Clayton R. Close Feb. 5, 1926 - Jan. 11, 2015 SOUTH BEND - Clayton Richard Close, 88, of South Bend, died at 7:10 p.m. Sunday, January 11th, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, following an illness. Mr. Close was born February 5, 1926, in South Bend, to the late Arvilla (Fields) and Fred J. Close, and was a lifetime area resident. On August 18, 1947, in South Bend, he married Dolores Podemski, who preceded him in death July 1, 1993. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Mell; two grandchildren, Tammy Mell and Guy D. Meixel; and 11 brothers and sisters. He is survived by a daughter, Doris Meixel (Dennis) of Mishawaka; a son, Clayton M. "Mike" Close (Deborah) of North Liberty, IN; three grandchildren, Shellie Hufer (Jason), Lisa Kaczmarek (Kyle), and Angela Close; ten great-grandchildren, Donavin Donihue, Travis Kedik, Stephanie Kedik, Tiara Bucher, Ashley Meixel, Amy Meixel, Christine Meixel, Kailey Kaczmarek, Korey Kaczmarek and Shelby Hufer; and four great-great-grandchildren, Kiara Meixel, Guy J. Meixel, Braden Marek and Camden Marek. Clayton retired as a machinist having worked in a number of machine shops in the area including The Studebaker Corp. and Torrington. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre where he won a Purple Heart. He loved the game of football and was a huge Notre Dame fan. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 19th, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. Committal services and burial with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, January 18th, in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD, 20871. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.