Clara was born on April 7, 1925 to Clyde Sherman Wolfe and Lillie Pearl Melcher in Canton, Ohio and grew up during the Depression in a two bedroom log cabin off Cleveland Avenue. She graduated from Middlebranch High School as valedictorian of her class, and soon married her husband of 56 years, Finley Webb Stockburger. While he was away in WWII, she worked in an airplane building plant, a true Rosie the Riveter. Years later she obtained a teacher’s certificate as a member of the first graduating class of Malone College and taught in the elementary schools of Jackson Local and North Canton Schools.
Clara was happiest outdoors-- golfing, walking, camping, skiing, hiking, swimming, and canoeing. As a volunteer, she entertained children in hospitals as Clarabelle the Clown. After retiring in 1983, she and Webb split time between Canton and Arizona after travelling across the country in their Airstream.
Clara is preceded in death by her husband Webb and her three sisters and two brothers.
She is survived by her son Dr. David W. Stockburger (LeAnna DeAngelo) Monument, CO and daughters Nancy J. Leach (Robert P. Leach) Canton Oh and Joy Ellen Kauffman (Michael L. Kauffman) Mt. Pleasant, SC. She has 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
In her last years, staff at The Inn at Belden Village helped her immensely in dealing with progressing Alzheimer’s. It was her wish to be cremated with a private graveside service officiated by her niece, Pastor Cassandra Wolfe, which will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a local Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choosing.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18