Cover photo for Clayton L. Jares's Obituary
Clayton L. Jares Profile Photo
1923 Clayton 2012

Clayton L. Jares

September 18, 1923 — October 3, 2012

Clayton Jares, 89, of Grand Island, formerly of St. Paul died Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at the Nebraska Veterans Medical Center in Grand Island following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Reverends Jack Gillam and Pat Moore will officiate. Interment will be held in Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist New Fellowship Hall Fund in St. Paul or to the Donor's Choice.

Clayton was born September 18, 1923 to John and Mary (Slavicek) Jares on the family farm southwest of St. Paul in the Turkey Creek Valley area.

He was baptized at Grace Baptist Church in St. Paul.

He received his education at rural school District 13 in Howard County and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1941. He then attended St. Paul Business College.

Following his graduation from Business College, he served in the United States Navy from 1944-1946 as Yeoman 3rd Class. He attended service school at Great Lakes, Illinois and then served in a specialized Navy job at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

When he returned home from his service in the military, he farmed with his brothers, George and Johnnie.

Clayton was united in marriage to Hilda Fanta on June 3, 1950.

The couple continued to farm in the Bunker Hill area southeast of St. Paul. Hilda passed away in 1994.

After retirement, from the farm he worked various jobs in the Grand Island area, and loved his last job, working as a foster "Grandpa" tutoring 3rd graders at Jefferson Elementary School for 10 years.

He met Marlene Behm in March 2000 and enjoyed polka dancing and playing drums with Marlene's accordion, where they entertained at nursing homes and at other occasions.

Clayton enjoyed Husker football, his sheep and his dog Mike.

He was a lifetime member of the Carl Mogensen American Legion Post #119 of St. Paul.

Clayton is survived by two sons & daughters-in-law, Daniel & Jean Jares of Lincoln and Glenn & Dorothy Jares of Grand Island; three grandchildren and spouses, Darin & Jan Jares of Grand Island, Steve Jares of Cushing and Stacie & Wilson Penate of Lincoln; seven great grandchildren; one sister, Olga Kotrch of Grand Island; and a very special friend Marlene Behm of Grand Island.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hilda on September 5, 1994, one sister Emma, three brothers, Charles, Johnnie and George Jares, an infant brother Raymond and an infant sister.



View the World War II/Korean
Veterans Tribute Video
"Before You Go"



To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clayton L. Jares, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 0

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree