Clara Jo HUENERKOPF

5 JAN 1939 - 28 JUN 2017

• BIRTH: 5 JAN 1939, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 28 JUN 2017, Rotonda West, Florida

• MARRIAGE: 2 SEP 1960, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N17114] Clara Jo Toth
Jan. 5, 1939 - June 28, 2017
SOUTH BEND - Clara Jo Toth, 78, Rotonda West, Florida, formerly of South Bend, Indiana, entered eternal rest on June 28, 2017, after a short illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edytha and Irving Huenerkopf, brother, Lloyd, and sister-in-law, Peggy Chamberlin. Clara Jo is survived by husband, Fred Toth; sons, John (Debra) Toth, Longs, SC, and Robert (Linda) Toth, Clearwater, FL; granddaughter, Samantha Joan Archer, NC; stepsister, Gloria Gay, Hudson, FL; cousins, Sharon O'Dell, Mishawaka, IN, and Pat Hays, Chicago, IL; brother-in-law, Dan Chamberlin, OH; beloved sister-in-law, Norah Linarello Ray, South Bend, IN; nieces, Leslie McCurdy, South Bend, IN, Lisa Finkenbine, OH, and nephews, Nick (Tania) Linarello, South Bend, IN, Kirk Chamberlin, NV; as well as other extended family. A graduate of Mishawaka High School in 1957, she married Fred C. Toth September 2, 1960. She remained close with her high school friends, aka “the girls,” Donna, Georgianna, Judy, Jo Ann, Marge, Pat, Sally Jo, Judy, and Sue, until her death. Clara Jo was a homemaker who loved her husband and family very much and cheered on both her sons in whatever they pursued. After her sons were grown, she worked for St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend. A longtime Elvis Pressley fan, Clara Jo supported Billy Ray Cyrus from the start of his career. She enjoyed travelling to his concerts and joined the Amarillo Star Dancers in Indiana, where she loved performing, choreographing, and teaching line dancing, often to Billy Ray songs. In addition, she expressed her creativity in writing poetry and songs. Clara Jo was a lifelong fan of Cubs baseball and a fan of NASCAR and Jeff Gordon. She was overjoyed with the Cubs World Series win in 2016. She also grew to love the Tampa Bay Rays after she retired to Florida and enjoyed watching the Rays spring train in nearby Port Charlotte, FL. An animal lover, Clara Jo enjoyed her cats, and feeding the birds and other wild animals in her backyard. Her love of angels and faith in God brought her through many trials. The Rev. James Kress will preside over a memorial service at 11 AM on July 8, 2017, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Englewood, FL. A visitation at 10 AM prior to the service will also be at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Englewood Hospice House, 12050 N. Access Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33981 (donate online at www.tidewell.org); or Redeemer Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 6465 Mayport Rd., Englewood, FL 34224. Published in South Bend Tribune on July 7, 2017