Inez E Clay

Inez E. (Matteson) Clay, age 85, of Kewadin, died at home on June 1, 2016. Inez was born December 20, 1930 in Benzonia, MI to Albert J. and Elsie (Kracht) Matteson. She graduated from Traverse City Central in 1950. Inez was always a hard worker starting on the family farm and at Deluxe Laundry as a teenager. On December 22, 1950, she married Charles M. Clay. Inez worked at Oleson’s in the early fifties. Besides living in the Grand Traverse area they lived thirteen years in Newaygo, MI, Inez worked as a house painter, even painting a church steeple. She picked apples for many years. She worked at Kaydon Keene during the seventies. In 1978, they returned to the area. Inez retired from Elk Rapids Schools in 1993 where she had been a bus aide.

Inez was well loved in her community as she helped and cared for both her neighbors and their pets. She liked to ride her bicycle, snowshoe, and later taking daily walks. She always carried dog bones with her, in case she ran into a dog friend. Inez was a life time member of the Traverse Bay Area Chapter 147 Order of the Eastern Star.

Inez we preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles; her siblings: Lloyd Matteson, Ardith Lautner, and Robert Matteson; and her grandson, Clayton Luther.

She is survived by her daughters: Nancy (Donald) Ward and Marilyn (Glenn) Luther; sisters: Emily Matteson and Louise (Melvin) Hollenbeck; Grandchildren: Charles Ward, Emily (Phillip) Bergquist, Michael (Rachel) Ward, Katelyn (Alex) Monroe, and Matthew Luther; Great grandchildren: Kelsey, Rachel, Lawrence, and Chayton Ward.

A graveside service will be held at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 11 a.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Elk Rapids.