Juanita Alice Claybaker, 91, of St. Marys, Ohio died July 25, 2016 at Otterbein St. Marys.

She was born August 23, 1924 in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Edith (Corley) and Byron Armstrong, a carpenter.

After a one year engagement, she married LeRoy Arnold Claybaker on November 2, 1945 in New York City.  LeRoy predeceased her on June 28, 2015.  She is survived by their daughters Deborah (Richard) Green of St. Marys, Ohio, and Constance Ann Claybaker of West Bloomfield, Michigan.  She was preceded in death by her brother, David, and her parents.

Juanita was a graduate of Blackwell High School (class of 1942) where she acquired skills as an office worker with enviable talent as a typist.  Using her office skills she worked in the law department at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City during World War II until she married LeRoy in 1945 in New York City where he was stationed in the Navy.

After WWII, LeRoy and Juanita settled in Coshocton, Ohio, to raise their two daughters staying for 38 years.  In mid-life, LeRoy and Juanita both caught the fever for golf and often planned their vacations around golf destinations such as Myrtle Beach.  Their love for the sport prompted them to retire to Loudon, Tennessee where they lived for 18 years.  They then relocated to St. Marys.

As a stay-at-home mother, Juanita taught her daughters sewing and knitting skills; she produced the family wardrobe until both children left home, including the bridesmaid dress for Deborah’s wedding.

She was born and raised in the Baptist Church tradition, but after marrying LeRoy she participated in the Lutheran Church where she was active in women’s groups, choir, Sunday church school, and member visitations.   

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 28, 2016, in the Meyer Community Chapel on the campus of Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community, Saint Marys, Ohio, the Reverend Ronald Green, officiant. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in Saint Marys.

Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral rites on Thursday at Otterbein Saint Marys. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Claybaker’s family via Millerfuneralhomes.net

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