McIlrath, Clarence 11 Feb 1917 - 11 May 2008

MCILRATH, BEES

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 5/15/2008 at 18:43:03

Clarence “Cookie” McIlrath, 81, of Grinnell and formerly of Victor died May 11, 2008, at Friendship Manor in Grinnell. A funeral mass has been scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell with the Rev. William Reynolds presiding. Music will be performed by Marilyn Kriegel, organist, Jean Libby, Cellist, and the St. Mary’s Choir. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at St. Mary’s. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell is handling arrangements. The son of David Nathaniel and Tillie Viola Bees McIlrath, he was born February 11, 1927, in Brooklyn, Iowa. He was raised in Hartwick and was a graduate of Hartwick High School. He attended the Paris Beauty School in Cedar Rapids and later Ren’s Beauty School in Long Beach, California. Following his education, he was employed at a salon in Long Beach for several years. He then moved to Victor where he operated a beauty shop for nearly 38 years. After his retirement, he moved to Grinnell and for many years he was employed at Hardees making biscuits. He had been a resident of Friendship Manor since November of 2007. Cookie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He loved music, flowers, cooking, and socializing with people. He was a good friend to many people. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Anna McIlrath of Laguna Woods, California, several nieces, all of California, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Everett McIlrath.

Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell