Wilbur L. Claude, 88 of Riverside, California and formerly of Clarion, Iowa
passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Lifestyle Board and Care in Riverside,
California.
Funeral services for Wilbur Claude will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at
11:07 AM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion with Pastor
Warren Curry officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in
Clarion. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Clarion American
Legion and VFW Posts.
Visitation for Wilbur Claude will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 beginning at
10:30 AM and continuing until 11:07 AM at Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion.
Wilbur's family would like to invite those in attendance to wear casual clothing
in red, blue or white. Red was Wilbur's favorite color, blue for his beautiful
eyes and white for his pure heart and love. All three colors also symbolize
Wilbur's patriotism for the U.S.A.
Wilbur Lester Claude was born June 21, 1927 to William and Katherine (Scheppler)
Claude on a farm south of Clarion. Wilbur was one of seven children and attended
country schools through the 8th grade and then went to work to help support his
family during the depression era.
Wilbur served in the United States Army from September of 1945 until October of
1946 in the Asiatic Pacific Theater towards the end of World War II. He was a
member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Wilbur was united in marriage to Barbara Wray on January 17, 1949. To this
union, daughter Jolene was born.
Wilbur built eleven homes in Clarion in his spare time, two of which the family
lived. His skills as a carpenter were recognized by many in the community.
Wilbur worked as a head custodian and bus driver/manager in the Clarion school
district for 39 years before his retirement. He enjoyed fishing trips, hunting,
woodworking, and excelled in bowling, having won numerous tournaments. In
retirement his new sport was golf. He had 2 holes-in-one to his golf credit.
Wilbur is survived by his daughter Jolene Marie Claude-Roberts of Moreno Valley,
California; his grandchildren Nicole Renee Roberts-Klatt and husband Aaron Klatt
of Ames, Iowa, Erin Michele Roberts and husband Jeff Nelson of Seattle,
Washington, Don-Evan York Norman and wife Priscilla Malta of Riverside,
California and Madisyn Ashleigh Norman of Corona, California;
great-grandchildren Ryan Nathaniel Nelson of Seattle, Chase Alexander Klatt of
Ames and Ava Nicole Klatt of Ames; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, five sisters and one brother.