Clara Somsel

Clara Jane Somsel, 85, passed away on Thursday April 27, 2017 at 1:10 AM in Brooke Knoll Village of Avon, IN. She was born on Dec. 4, 1931 in Logansport, IN to the late Carl F. and Clara Gaby (Winder) Fairchild.

Clara married William “Bill” Somsel on Dec. 2, 1950 in Logansport, IN and he survives. They were happily married 67 years and lifelong residents of Logansport.

Clara was a faithful member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church (New Life Alliance), Logansport, serving in various capacities. She loved children and for many years was the nursery director. She served as deaconess, greeter, president and vice president of the Alliance Women’s Ministry, Bible School and Sunday School teacher. She helped her husband Bill with the youth ministry and church bus route. Later, after the arthritis made movements of her joints extremely painful, Clara continued to serve by folding the weekly bulletins and wrapping shoe boxes for Christmas for everyone. It was nothing to see thirty or forty shoe boxes at a time in their garage waiting to be wrapped!

Clara had a gift of hospitality. No matter how many unexpected guests would arrive at meal time she would make them feel welcome. Clara could make a meal for four and stretch it to serve eight or ten if necessary! Clara and Bill served as hosts to many church youth gatherings, visiting missionaries, and preachers in their home.

Clara retired from the RBM (White-Rogers), where she worked for thirty-five years. Bill and Clara were avid campers and active in the Campfire Corn Poppers camping club.

Clara suffered for many years with increasing arthritis pain and often turned to her Bible for comfort. IN the Bible, Clara had various verses underlined in Isaiah 40. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak….but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, and they will walk and not faint.”( Isaiah 40: 29…31). Mom you now are no longer in pain and can walk, run, jump, and pick up all the children you want without pain.

For the last couple of years due to her health, Clara was not able to wear shoes which she so desperately loved. Now in our mind’s eye, we can see mom dancing down the streets of gold in heaven wearing her beautiful shoes!

Clara is survived by her husband Bill and three daughters, Virginia Seeley, Avon, IN; Elaine Hand, Indianapolis, IN; Betty (Gary) Nelms, Avon, IN; three sisters, Fran Neff and Sylvia (Jim) Somsel, both of Logansport, IN; Anna Mae Lawson, South Bend, IN; one brother, Carl Junior (Judy) Fairchild, Arkansas;  eight grandchildren, Kelly (Thea) Seeley, Angela Seeley, Jason (Amanda) Hand, Michelle (Michael) Johnson, Sarah  Hand, Amanda (Jason) Tyner, Derek  (Katelyn) Nelms; twenty great grandchildren, Cassidy Seeley, Kira Seeley, Tristen Seeley, Kylee Seeley, Kaia  Seeley, Caleb Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Emma Johnson, Gabriella Johnson, Zane Seeley, Rielynn Nelms, Ada Hand, Jadon Hand, Duncan Hand, Faith Hand, Mark Hand, Jonathan Tyner, Abagail Tyner, Annabelle Tyner and Jeremy Tyner; several nieces and nephews.

One sister, Eva Owen, and one son-in-law, Lee Seeley, preceded in death.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday May 1, 2017 at 1:00 PM in the Gundrum Funeral Home with pastor Scott Halterman officiating. A burial will follow at Ever-Rest Memorial Park Cemetery.

A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 Am until noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to The Gideons International in memory of Clara Somsel. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

You may sign the guestbook and send online condolences at www.gundrumcares.com