Clara Schmiesing, 88, Hardin-Wapakoneta Road, Anna, died Nov. 22, 2008, in the afternoon, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Newport.

She was born Feb. 3, 1920, in Minster, to Henry J. and Emma Thieman Schmitmeyer. On May 26, 1943, she married Edwin F. Schmiesing, who died in 1994.

Surviving are three sons, Harold (Mary) and Jack (Evelyn), all of Sidney, and Dan (Mary Jo), St. Henry; two daughters, Emma Jane (Dan) Huelsman, Sidney, and Roseann (Steve) Laux, Newport; a daughter-in-law, Margo Schmiesing, Omaha, Neb.; a brother Fred, (Alberta) Schmitmeyer, Minster; a sister, Velma Wellman, Coldwater; a sister-in-law, Thelma Schmitmeyer, Minster; 25 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, a stepgreat-grandchild, and a stepgreat-great-grandchild.

Deceased are a son, Dale; three brothers, Leander, Albert and Henry Schmitmeyer; six sisters, Henrietta Hoying, Marie Holdheide, Rosa Enneking, Leona Schmieder, Mathilda Albers Poeppelman and her twin, Elsie Borgert; and a grandson.

She was a farm wife and a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, McCartyville, and its Ladies Sodality, the Shelby County Right to Life and the Minster Eagles. She was a past 4-H advisor for McCartyville Shamrock Stitchers.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Pat Welsh officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie, and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Contributions can be made to the church building fund.