Obituaries

March 30, 1932 to October 1, 2015

WINAMAC - Claire L. Connolly, 83, of Huntington (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 5:39 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at Parkview Huntington Hospital.

She was born March 30, 1932 in Minneapolis, to the late Victor Emil Sr. and Edna Belland Mars. She married James T. Connolly on April 18, 1953 at the Bethel Baptist Church, Minneapolis. He preceded her in death.

Holly D. (Mark) Sale, Huntington, Daughter
Vicki L. (Jon) Canfield, Fort Wayne, Daughter
Nikki (Craig) Hurley Granddaughter
Amber (Jeff) Rodibaugh, Granddaughter
Kyla (Joe) McMurray, Granddaughter
Robert (Tammy) Canfield, Grandson
Matthew Canfield, Grandson
10 Great Grandchildren
Victor Emil Mars, Jr., Lady Lake, FL, Brother
Marilyn Hunter Cramer, Winamac, Sister

Mrs. Connolly was a lifelong homemaker; however, she did work at Northwest Airlines for three years. She was an avid Purdue fan, an outstanding cook and loved to entertain. She was a member of the Bethel Bible Church and the Christian Women's Club in Winamac. She also had attended Salamonie Church of the Brethren.  Claire and Jim met in Winamac when he picked her up while she was walking home with a friend. Jim asked Claire's father for her hand in marriage, and her father replied, "gladly." They were engaged for 15 months before the wedding day. Their honeymoon was a trip to Seattle. The Connollys lived in Winamac most of their lives. They moved to Ft. Wayne, in July 2006 and then to the Heritage of Huntington in May 2007. Claire loved her family very much and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at Heritage of Huntington Multipurpose Room (1180 W. 500 N. Huntington, IN 46750). A second visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, at Bethel Bible Church (6966 W. SR 14 Winamac, IN 46996); and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, with Pastors Tom Hopewell and Mel Zumbrun officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, or Salamonie Church of the Brethren, Warren.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.