Clara R Lease

Clara was a member of the Garment Workers Union of America. She was an excellent seamstress. She worked for Belleville Pants Factory, Miss Elaine and Bridal Originals. Clara enjoyed spending time working in her yard and cooking for her family and friends. No one ever left Clara’s house hungry.

Mom was friendly and outgoing to all she met. She would drum up a conversation with people in line at the store, bank or anywhere. Clara was generous and kind. She had an infectious smile and a heart of gold. She was helpful to those in need. Mom would give the shirt off her back to a stranger. More than anything, she loved her dog Sabbath. He brought her love, comfort and happiness the past seven years. As he visited the Cambridge House and Cedar Ridge, he also brought smiles and joy to the residents and staff.

Clara was preceded in death by her children, Larry Lease and Jeannette Rovertoni; parents, Carl M. and Lavinia, nee Martin, Cooper and six brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her loving children, Ronald (Sherry) Lease, Carol L. Lease and Belinda (Robert) Smith, Sr.; special friend and companion, Raymond Helfer; grandchildren, Kenneth Lease, Angela Godsy, Kevin Lease, Jason (Sherry) Lease, Flavio Rovertoni, Jr., Anthony Rovertoni, Alicia Rovertoni, Jacqueline (Charles) Morris and Robert (Jamie) Smith, Jr.; great grandchildren, Taylor, Dalton Peyton and Emily; daughter in law, Pamela Lease and a son in law, Flavio Rovertoni, Sr.

Safely Home

I am home in heaven, dear ones, Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed. I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last. There is still work waiting for you, so you must not idly stand. Do it now, while life remaineth, you shall rest in God’s land. When that work is all completed, He will gently call you home. Ah, the rapture of that meeting, oh, the joy to see you come!

Memorials in Clara’s memory may be made to the Saint Louis Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association, the St. Louis Chapter of Huntington’s Disease Society of America or to a charity of donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2014 at the Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois

Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 12 p.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Myra Gunmersheimer officiating. Internment will follow in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Illinois

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.