Clarrissa Teresa DEROO

3 JAN 1924 - 15 MAY 2017

• BIRTH: 3 JAN 1924, Mishawaka, St Joseph County, IN
• DEATH: 15 MAY 2017, Mishawaka, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N16746] Clara T. Coffelt
Jan. 3, 1924 - May 15, 2017

MISHAWAKA - Clara T. Coffelt, 93, passed away on May 15th, 2017, in Caring Junction in Mishawaka. Clara was born January 3rd, 1924, in Mishawaka, to Adiel Julius and Malena Madeline (LaCluyse) DeRoo, who both immigrated to Mishawaka from Belgium. Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James E. Coffelt; a daughter, Donna Miller Humes; and sister, Julia Freida DeRoo of Mishawaka. On October 16, 1943, in Mishawaka, she married James E. Coffelt and became a World War 2 war bride. They were married over 50 years. Surviving are daughters, Kathleen A. Mortimore of South Bend and Christine (Frank) Kinney Canarecci of Mishawaka. As she would say, she had a “slew of grandkids”, 14 in total that she was very proud of and loved dearly, Debbie Miller of Plainfield, IN, Cheryl (Kurt) Wright of Plainfield, IN, Mark (Stephanie) Miller of Indianapolis, Lisa Kwist of South Bend, Cindy Kwist of South Bend, Michael Devlin of Mishawaka, Edward (Maria) Jackson of Mishawaka, Timothy (Yvonne) Kinney of South Bend, Daniel (Leah) Kinney, MD of South Bend, Michael (Brigette) Kinney of South Bend, Katherine (Andrew) Carlin of North Liberty, Jennifer (Gavin) McGuire of South Bend, Patrick (Devin) Kinney of South Bend, and Cole (Delainey) Kinney of San Diego, CA. She also has 26 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Clara also has many nephews and nieces whom she loved as well. She is also survived by son-in-law, Larry Humes of Mishawaka, and her dear “Aunt Gerry,” Geraldine LaCluyse of South Bend. Clara retired from Sears in 1986 (18 years) and then tended faithfully to her husband Jim who suffered from Alzheimer's for 10 years until his death in 1995. Clara was also the Avon Lady in the Sunnymede neighborhood for decades. Clara's true passion was playing Euchre for over 75 years; she was known as the Euchre Queen. She won many tournaments and in her later years she would play Euchre at the Battell Center and Howard Park. If there was a game of cards being played you would find Clara. She loved playing many different card games and would spend many afternoons playing cards with Aunt Gerry and her friends. She enjoyed going to the casino on the “widow buses” and delighted going on special excursions with her partner in crime, son-in-law, Frank, who claimed her as his good luck charm. Clara also enjoyed taking road trips as long as it didn't involve driving through the mountains. Clara was most proud of the fact that at age 93, she still had her natural hair color of dark brown. Clara was a quiet and a very sweet woman by nature, and if you wanted to talk she was a great listener and confidant. She had her own little special language, “sweet & salty,” which made her loved ones laugh with delight. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m. at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bavo's Church in Mishawaka. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Cemetery, Mishawaka. A special thank you to her friends and Nurse Evelyn at Sprenger Healthcare & Assisted Living of Mishawaka and to Nurse Troy of Heart to Heart Hospice and to the wonderful staff at Caring Junction. Brother Sunday from Hospice, you gave her hope, and Father Vincent of St. Bavo's, you gave her peace, joy and relief. Donations may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 620 W. Edison Road, Suite #122, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Mom, you had a strong will to live and beat the odds so many times these past few years. The curtain has fallen and you have made your final bow. Go rest in peace with Jesus.To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on May 18, 2017