Clara Stewart, 95, of Mt. Vernon died 12:.35 p.m. March 14, 2005, at her home.

She was a teacher and retired as a school superintendent. Mrs. Stewart began her teaching career in 1946 in one-room schools and continued to teach for 16 years and became superintendent at McClellan School, where she remained for 14 years.

Mrs. Stewart was born May 18, 1909, in McClellan Township to Alvin Curtis and Edna Mae (Palmer) Hays.

She married Paul G. Stewart Nov. 2, 1929, in Mt. Vernon; he died May 13, 1944.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. The Revs. Gene Fox and Gilbert Daniels will officiate. Burial will follow at South Hickory Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Mrs. Stewart is survived by sons Kenneth R. Stewart and wife Susan of Mt. Vernon, Dwight Stewart and wife Martha Sue of Mt. Vernon and David Stewart and wife Connee of Mt. Vernon; daughters Doris England and husband Charles of Mt. Vernon, Glenda Lunn of Omaha, Neb., and Kay Puckett and husband Milton of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren Paula Donaldson of Dongola, Pamela Robbins of Fairfield, Steve Stewart of Minneapolis, Minn., William Lunn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Laura Foell of Schaller, Iowa, Courtney Stewart of Cummings, Ga., Abigail Lunn-Diaz of Glenwood, Iowa, Paul Stewart of Milwaukee, Wis., Gregory Lunn of Omaha, Neb., Heather Zahm of Waltonville, Marty Puckett of St. Louis, Davina Romeo of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Julia Cullison of Hugo, Wis.; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Anna Fairchild of Stanwood, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a grandson, Matthew Puckett; a brother, Grover Hays; and two sisters, Ruth Thomason and Madge Robinson.

Mrs. Stewart was a member of South Hickory Hill Christian Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, Illinois Education Association, National Education Association, IASA, Waltonville Homemakers, Rebekahs, Phi Delta Kappa at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and was a 20-year 4-H leader.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to South Hickory Hill Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 for further information.

Source: Register-News
Date: March 16, 2005
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman