Clara Mae Oakley

Clara Mae Oakley, 79, of Botkins, Ohio,  passed away on Friday, August 6, 2024, at the Upper Valley Medical Center. She was born on December 29, 1944, to the late Clarence and Mildred (Grile) Howell, in Sidney, Ohio. Clara married Jack Oakley, and he survives.

Mrs. Oakley is survived by her two sons, Roland Oakley of Botkins, Ohio, and David (Lisa Renner) Oakley of Bellefontaine, Ohio, as well as grandchildren, Ethan (Chrissy) Oakley of East Liberty, and great-grandchildren, Emily and Carson Oakley. She also leaves behind her nephew Paul (Lisa) Kindle, and great niece and nephew, Nick and Alina Kindle, as well as a brother in law, Joe Kindle.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Betty Ann Kindle, and her beloved yorkie, Max.

Clara retired from Holloway Sportswear after 27 years of service. After retirement, Clara and her husband Jack enjoyed making crafts and attending craft shows with the creations that they made. Clara, also referred to as Mrs. Clause, enjoyed acting as Santa and Mrs. Clause with her husband Jack for over 30 years. She was also involved in a homemakers group for 20 years.

Mrs. Oakley will be laid to rest at Pearl Cemetery, Swanders, Ohio where a private graveside service will be held. Memorial Contributions can be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County. Funeral Services are in the care of Salm – McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home.

From Clara's Son David;

She never dyed her hair.

It was was never grey.

And now it never will be.......

She was so proud of that and told everyone.

She was a worrier. In fact it almost consumed her at times. But it never affected her hair color.

I tried to turn it grey for 61 of her 79 years and my brother for 62 of them. And we tried hard.

In our younger years we tried it with fast cars, general misbehavior, fast living and partying....and we were very dedicated to the task......

But no grey.

Later in her life we brought her

more things to worry about.

Weddings

Buying places of our own

Switching jobs

Grand Children

Failed marriages

Great Grand Children

And many more

She worried about them all.....

And she worried deeply.....

Because she loved us deeply......

But still no grey.

The last week's and months have been very hard. She has been in and out of multiple hospitals more often than we want to remember.

All day yesterday and into last night she was so weak and so tired, but she just wouldn't let go. She had been barley or non-responsive for several days. There was something she was struggling with. Finally in her last minutes before her last breath I told her that she didn't have to worry anymore. That we would all be ok. That she had done a good job. That she had taken good care of ALL of us and it was ok to go. To go be with her mom (she loved her so much), Betty Ann (Her sister and best friend) and Max (her dog).

A few minutes later she was gone.

If you were a family member or a friend of hers just know that she worried about you. That was her way of loving you.....

That was her way of loving all of us.

I hope she knows she did a good job.

I hope she is not worrying any more.

I hope she knows we will be ok.

Because that is all she ever wanted.