Obituary of Clara M. Kretschmer

Clara M. Kretschmer, 98, of Honesdale, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017 while a resident at Ellen Memorial Health Care Center. Her husband, Paul Kretschmer, died March 24, 1979. Born in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania on May 22, 1918 she was the daughter of the late John and Mildred Westgate. She was raised in Honesdale and was a graduate of Honesdale High School class of 1937. Clara was a seamstress, working at both Dale Sportswear and Katz Underwear factories in Honesdale. Once retired she spent her winters in Brooksville, Florida. Clara enjoyed quilting, sewing, crafts, making decorative cakes, berry picking and bingo. She was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Penn State football, and the Orlando Magic basketball. Surviving are two children, Robert J. and wife Susan and Richard P. and wife Dawn. She also leaves behind two nieces, Patty Strong of Deposit, NY and Doris Hudson of Ocala, Florida; eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Harry, Walter, Milton, and Kenneth. During World War II and the Korean War, Clara endured brother, Harry, at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, her brother, Milton, wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and her husband, Paul, in the troop train wreck in Coshocton, Ohio on his way to Korea. Clara's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs at Forest City Personal Care and Ellen Memorial Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2016 at 10:30 AM in the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 Main Street Honesdale, Pa. with the Rev. Marge Allgeier Friends may visit the funeral home on Thursday from 9:00-10:30. Interment will be in the Uniondale Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alert Hook and Ladder No. 2, 222 Willow Ave. Honesdale, Pa 18431