Clara Louise Birchler

Clara Louise Wylie Birchler, 99, of Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton, IL, passed away on December 5, 2020. A resident of Bartonville since 1951, Clara was born June 5, 1921, on the family farm in Swanwick, IL to Charles and Alta Guy Wylie. The oldest of 9 children, Clara attended Atcheson School and Pinkneyville High School until her mother became very ill. Her role then was to help care for her siblings which included cooking, baking, and sewing clothes for them out of printed feed sack fabric. This was not an easy task, but for her, this sacrifice was the right thing to do. She continued to put others before herself throughout the rest of her life.

Her baking skills resulted in meeting Paul, her future husband, when he was the highest bidder for her homemade pie at a country school fund raiser. As a young girl, Clara, along with three of her sisters, sang in 4-part harmony at local events and fund raisers. A few years later, Paul volunteered to drive Clara and her sisters to their next singing gig. The rest, as they say, is history. Paul and Clara were married January 9, 1943, in Perryville, MO. They were married for 71 years until his passing February 13, 2014. Clara never stopped baking pies and was famous for her delicious rhubarb pies. She made sure each of her children got a fresh pie every May.

After moving to Bartonville in 1951, Clara continued the life of a farmer’s wife and devoted mother to her 6 children spending hours preparing meals, growing food in the garden, canning, and sewing. She was a nurse for cuts, scrapes, and broken bones, and a chauffeur for her children’s activities and neighbors who needed a ride. Having a full dinner table for each meal didn’t stop her from extending a warm welcome to other guests at a moment’s notice. Her home was a very busy place full of life and love. She was an advocate for learning and enjoyed natural beauty. She loved to watch clouds, squirrels, birds, butterflies, and anything pertaining to nature. She was a kind person in remembering others for birthdays and anniversaries with cards and notes.

Clara was known for her hand-stitched quilts, which were works of art. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren were gifted with a special quilt of their own. She was a member of Bartonville United Methodist Church for 70 years and enjoyed their weekly quilters group. She was also a member of the DAR Peoria Chapter.

Preceding Clara in death were her husband, Paul, her parents, her daughter, Doris Jean Birchler, siblings John Wylie, Anna Hillyard, Margaret Cross, Marilyn Kieffer, Sandra Wylie, and in-laws Robert and Muriel Birchler, along with 9 nieces and nephews.

Surviving are her children: Norman and Connie (Wiemer) Birchler of Lacon, IL; Leo and Paula (Malmgren) Birchler of St. Charles, MO; Linda (and the late Terry) Bealmer of Mapleton, IL; Shirley and Charlie Schulze of Longmont, CO; and Betty and William “Hoot” Gibson of Bartonville, IL.

Norman’s children: Aaron and Kari (Karlson) Birchler and children Christian, Abigail, Elijah, Eliana, Selah, and Gabriela of Hankinson, ND; Andrew and Becky (Simmons) Birchler and children Becka (Dillon) Kelly of Peoria, IL, Kailey, and Andrew, Jr. of Lacon, IL.

Leo’s children: Beth (Jim) Rohr and daughters Kate and Jacy of Colorado Springs, CO; Jane (Jason) Hagen and sons Henry and Hugh of Downers Grove, IL; Jeffrey and Lisa (Jacobs) Birchler of St. Peters, MO.

Linda’s children: Tamara (Scott) Bridgewater and children Shane, Ryan, and Erica Jurick of Morton, IL; Christopher and Anna (Sitkiewicz) Bealmer and children Samuel and Allison of Washington, IL.

Shirley’s children: Amy (Chris) Wathen and sons Cody and Jackson of Longmont, CO; Jennifer Abram and children Savannah and Brandon of Firestone, CO.

Betty’s children: Rusty and Darcy (Schindler) Gibson and daughters Madelyn and Molly of Peoria, IL; Adam and Jennifer (Markle) Gibson and daughter Myla of Edwards, IL.

Clara is also survived by her siblings Ruby (and the late Don) Grubb of Dekalb, IL, Mildred Harstick of Coulterville, IL, Donald (and Shirley) Wylie of Washington, IL, and sister-in-law, Lucille (and the late Charles) Pearson of Spring Branch, TX, and 23 nieces and nephews.

Clara’s family wants to express great gratitude for the compassionate, loving care and support she received by everyone at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton. She could not have had better care.

The family is having a private graveside service. A celebration of life will take place when it is safe to do so. Friends and family may sign the on-line guest book or send condolences by logging onto the www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Bartonville United Methodist Church, 6005 S. Adams St, Bartonville, IL. 61607; Apostolic Christian Restmor, 1500 Parkside Drive, Morton, IL 61550; or NAMI-Tri-County Illinois, PO Box 10167, Peoria, IL, 61612.