Obituary for Clara Howie-Bremer

CLARA IONE HOWIE-BREMER, 86, of Steeleville, IL, formerly of Chester, IL passed away at 4:35 pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at her home in Steeleville, IL surrounded by family.

She was born to the late John and Sadie (nee: Harmon) Shemonic on April 15, 1928 in Rockwood, IL.

She married O. G. Howie on June 26, 1948 in Chester, IL. He preceded her in death on February 11, 1964. She then married Clinton F. Bremer on July 14, 1990 in Chester, IL. He preceded her in death on August 26, 2012.

Clara worked in a variety of jobs. She worked in the Brown Shoe Factory in the sole department while it was going strongly, she was a waitress, a food service worker at the Chester Grade School, went back to school and received her GED and took secretarial classes and finished out her work career as a secretary to Charlie Best at the Randolph County Abstract Office for 20 years. She enjoyed that job, but had her heart set on retirement at 64. She became a farm wife with her second marriage and totally enjoyed the farm life.

She enjoyed growing things and truly had a green thumb. She enjoyed gardening and canning the produce from the garden. She also loved her family and friends and loved the cats she kept around the farm.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Chester, IL for over 50 years.

Survivors include her two children Michael Howie, Rochester, IL and Ronda L. (Lawrence) Hernandez, Altadena, CA; six step-children Janice Sue (Kenneth) Bald, Freeburg, IL, David Clinton (Judy) Bremer, Arcadia, FL, Stephen (Berny) Bremer, Sparta, IL, Christine Ann (Kevin) Caby, Red Bud, IL, Robert (Joanne) Bremer, St. Louis, MO and Donald (Mindi) Bremer, Red Bud, IL; two siblings Elmer (Lela Mae) Shemonic, Steeleville, IL and Roger Shemonic, Steeleville, IL; thirteen step-grandchildren, thirteen step-great grandchildren and many nieces nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, first husband - O. G. Howie and second husband - Clinton F.

Bremer, three brothers - George, Rudolph and John, Jr. and three sisters - Velma Maes, Wilma

Kerkhover and Lavern Hogan.

Funeral Service was held at 10:00 am, Monday, January 19, 2015 at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois with the Rev. Carla Rush officiating. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Illinois.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and Peace Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois<span class="s1">.</span>

To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.pmfh.net