Clara Estella Keener

Ms. Clara Keener, 95, of Prairie City, IL passed away Sunday, September 2, 2018, 12:40 p.m. at the Elms Nursing Home Macomb, IL.

She was born Clara Estella Smith in Prairie City to Clarence and Lorena Welsh Smith on Monday, October 9, 1922.  She lost both parents between the ages of 3 and 4 and was raised by Caddy and Pearl Fisher of Prairie City, IL who raised her as their own child.

She married Earl L Keener on January 17, 1941 in Burlington, Iowa, and had 51 years together before his death in 1992. She is survived by five children: Richard (Connie) Keener of Marietta, IL, Margo (Leon) Bricker of Woodstock, GA, Cynthia (Dean) Leenerts of Woodstock, GA, Kenneth (Nanci) Keener of Prairie City, IL, and Paul Keener of Abingdon, IL; 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 5 brothers and 1 sister.

Clara lived most of her life in Prairie City, IL.  She worked at the Westfall Nursing Home in Prairie City for several years and at Vaughn of Bushnell, IL.  She and her husband farmed for many years in the Prairie City area.

Funeral service will be Friday, September 7, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at the Wise Family Funeral Home Avon, IL. Visitation will be Thursday September 6, 2018, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Wise Family Funeral Home Avon, IL. Burial will be in the Prairie City Cemetery Prairie City, IL.  Memorials may be made to the MDH Hospice and/or the Prairie City Rescue Service. Please sign the online guestbook at www.wisefamilyfuneralhome.com.  Wise Family Funeral Home Avon, IL is in charge of the arrangements.