Clare Conley

WALNUT — Clare Conley, 90, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 at Walnut Manor in Walnut.

Born April 20, 1917, in Rock Falls to William and Anne Grennan, she married Elton “Red” Conley June 4, 1938, in St. Mary’s Church in Sterling. He died July 16, 1999.

She graduated from St. Mary’s High School. She went on to teach modeling and charm at the Sterling School of Beauty Culture for 16 years and Merle Norman Studio for six years. At the pinnacle of her career, she coached Judith Ford of Galesburg, who became Miss Illinois and Miss America.

She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Walnut and the Altar and Rosary Society.

Surviving are three sons, Larry Conley of Medford, Ore., Tom (Betty) Conley of Littleton, Colo., and Dick (Roxanne) Conley of Carbondale; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, seven sisters and one grandchild.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. John Catholic Church, Walnut, with Father Dan Wilder, pastor, officiating. Burial will  be in the Walnut Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, in the Garland Funeral Home, Walnut, where a prayer service will be at 6:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory.