Clarence Jellings

Clarence Wilbur Jellings, age 93 of Clinton, passed away on Sunday May 21. 

Clarence was born on Dec. 26, 1923 in West Union, to parents Bert and Ruth (Wilbur) Jellings. 

Clarence graduated from West Union High School in 1941. 

On Dec. 28, 1945 he was united in marriage to Carmen Lois Schweinefus at West Clermont Lutheran Church.

Clarence started his career in the dairy industry in Postville and Albert Lea, Minn. The family moved to Clinton in 1966, where he worked as a dairy and restaurant inspector for the city and county of Clinton. 

Clarence retired in 1986, and then enjoyed many years of adventurous travels to 20 countries and across North America with his wife. 

His favorite hobbies were gardening, historical preservation, and home rehabilitation. He served as President of the Clinton County Historical Society in the 1990s. He worked over several decades to restore his daughters’ 1880s period homes in Clermont.

Clarence was baptized as an adult with his entire family when his brother entered service in WWII. He remained a devout Christian throughout his life, and served in many leadership positions at Atonement Lutheran Church in Clinton.

Clarence was a dedicated family man, and his gentle manner, soft brown eyes, and easy smile and wit will be missed by all.

Clarence is survived by his wife Lois; daughters Sharon Harris and Rebecca Brendel of Clermont; sons Charles of Colorado and Christopher (Karein Goertz) of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and sister Arleta (Don) Vandersee of Fayette. Clarence has two grandchildren, Amy Brendel (Felicia) and Kai Jellings; two great-grandchildren Sydney and Kyle; and a great many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Donald and Robert; and sister Doris Daniels.

Visitation and services were held last week at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clinton, and interment is at God’s Acre Cemetery in Clermont.            22u22