Helen "Irene" Clouser

Helen "Irene" Clouser, 96, of Wilmington, passed away at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 at Oak Creek Terrace Nursing Home in Kettering.

Her husband, Wilbur Clouser, preceded her in death Dec. 31, 1987.

Mrs. Clouser was born July 24, 1920 near Lynchburg, daughter of the late Harry and Dortha Wilkin Cramton. She spent her childhood and teenage years living — and working — on the family farm. She was a 1937 graduate of Lynchburg High School. She was also a graduate of Ohio State School of Cosmetology with a Cosmetology Management and Beautician license and was the original owner/operator of the Towne and Country Beauty Salon in Wilmington with her cousin, the late Pauline Gerard.

At the start of World War II, Mrs. Clouser moved to Dayton and began working as a secretarial employee of the Inspector General's Office at Wright-Patterson AFB from 1942-1955. She and her husband met at Wright-Patterson, married on Dec. 24, 1946 and eventually returned to Wilmington to live in the early '50s. Their son Dana was born in 1955.

For many years through the '50s and '60s, Mrs. Clouser was a seasonal employee at the Clinton County License Bureau. She became Office Manager at Bennett Metal Products in Wilmington in 1969 and worked there until 1986, when her husband's ill health required his retirement from Wright-Patterson— and her full attention.

She was a lifelong member of the Fairview Church of Christ in Highland County, although she attended the Wilmington Church of Christ for many years. She was a longtime member of the Progressive Mothers Club in Wilmington. She and her husband enjoyed the world of antiques and collectibles and traveled extensively throughout the Midwest to flea markets and antique shows in search of many treasures usually in the company of Mr. Clouser's twin brother, Wilby, of Greenfield, and his wife, Virginia.

Mrs. Clouser is survived by her son, Dana V. (Lisa Handy) Clouser of Kettering; a brother, Earl Cramton — soon to be age 99 — of Wilmington; two grandchildren, Shelby Rose Clouser of Kettering and Phoebe Jade Clouser of Delray Beach, Florida; special cousins, Sonja Wilkin Creed of Lynchburg, Helen Moyer of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Richard Pulliam of near Lynchburg, and a special niece, Jean Clouser Newkirk of Hillsboro. Many other nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

In addition to her husband and parents, a sister, Inez Cramton Muntz, preceded Mrs. Clouser in death.

The family would especially like to thank the staff of Oak Creek Nursing Home in Kettering, Hospice of Dayton, Dr. Bruce Staley, Dr. Christine Henry, Dr. Milton Nathan, and special friend, Gary Handy of Wilmington for the care and support shown to Mrs. Clouser.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South St., Wilmington, with Steve Wetterhan officiating. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 9-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420.

For more information or to sign the registry of condolences, visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.