Obituaries

Elizabeth Clithero

Photo of Elizabeth Clithero
Elizabeth Clithero, 85, departed this life Thursday, October 6, 2011. Elizabeth was born on April 5, 1926, to Claude and Elizabeth Langford in Kansas City. She had two siblings, Vern Langford and Genevieve Williams, who preceded her in death. At four years of age, she moved to a farm near Middletown and lived in the home of Maud and Walter Kniepfel and their two daughters, Eldora and Esther Lee, who loved their younger cousin as a sister. Elizabeth graduated from Middletown High School in 1943 and soon after was employed as the Assistant Postmaster at the Middletown Post Office. A few years later, she entered Chillicothe Business School and graduated in 1947. Soon after graduation, she accepted a position in the Dean's office of the School of Business at the University of Missouri. Elizabeth married Carroll Clithero on December 28, 1947, after he had returned from World War II. The young couple spent most of their married life in Wellsville before moving to Jefferson City in 1975 where Elizabeth made many friends while working at the public library and the Missouri State Capitol. She was an active member of the First Christian Church in Jefferson City where she served as a church board officer, Deacon Emeritus, and a member of the Mary Circle. She enjoyed her membership in the Jefferson City X-Club and Dianas Club where she provided leadership in many projects and was proud of her Woman of Achievement Award received in 1991. She also took great pride in being one of the original supporters of Girls Town of Missouri. She lived her life for others and her greatest joy was the reward of helping another. Loved ones left to celebrate her life are her children, Dale and Debbie Clithero of Nixa and Gale and Susan Clithero of Springfield; and grandchildren, Scott and Lindsey Clithero, Lauren Clithero, Liz Yoest, and Cindy Yoest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll, on July 28, 1997. Services will be held at the First Christian Church in Jefferson City at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. Burial will be in Wellsville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home. In Elizabeth's memory contributions can be made to the First Christian Church in Jefferson City, Girls Town of Missouri, or the Wellsville Cemetery Association. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Home, 2613 W. Main St., (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com

Published October 7, 2011