Michael Robert “Mike” Clayton 1945 - 2022
CLAYTON, GRASS, WOODWARD
Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/2/2023 at 17:45:58
The Mapleton Press
15 December 2022Michael Robert “Mike” Clayton of Mapleton, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center of Sioux City at the age of 77.
He was born on November 30, 1945, in Sioux City, the son of Milo “Mike” Clayton and Gloria Grass. After his parent’s divorce, he lived in Mapleton with his grandparents, Harvey and Ann Grass. Mike graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1964.
In November of 1965 he joined the U.S. Air Force. He served for eight years and was honorably discharged in November of 1973. Mike later served in the Iowa Air National Guard from 1977 to 1979 when he was honorably discharged. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #662 of Sergeant Bluff.
On June 4, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Woodward, daughter of Everett and Mary Woodward, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton. They celebrated 56 years of marriage this past June. To this union three sons were born: Darren, Carl and Steven.
Mike worked for Terra Industries near Sioux City following his discharge from the military, then spent many years with IPS, now Mid-American Energy. While working at Mid-American, Mike attended Briar Cliff University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. He entered public service, working for Woodbury County, for 20 years, starting in the motor vehicle department where he served as the Chief Deputy. Mike then ran for Woodbury County Treasurer and had served in that role for 10 years when he retired.
His greatest joy was serving as a Cub Scout leader, scout master, and soccer coach. He loved watching his boys grow through their activities. Later as the grandkids “grands” came along, he enjoyed watching their activities, from sports to showing 4-H bottle/bucket calves.
Mike and Sharon enjoyed spending time in Port Aransas, Texas, anytime they could, beach combing and finding those elusive treasures the sea provided.
Mike was a Ham Radio enthusiast (KØXH) throughout his life, making contacts throughout the world. He once set up his portable station at the twin lighthouses at the harbor entrance on West Lake Okoboji, attracting Hams from all over the world. This initiated a lighthouse tour to Split Rock, MN, Dutch Harbor, and many others into Door County, Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Mike always kept his bird book at hand, identifying numerous birds in the backyard and keeping the feeders full.
A close friend said of Mike, “He was always supportive and present. He always had a smile and a camera in hand too!”
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Sharon; sons Darren (Julie) Clayton and granddaughters Katelyn and Addison of Auburn, Carl (Emily) Clayton and grandsons Jack and Charlie of Salix and son Steven Clayton of Salix; sister Pam (Jim) Paul of Sioux City; aunt Lora Wessling of Sioux City; aunt and uncle Dutch and Geri Bryan of Sioux City; in-laws Don and Sue Woodward, Darlene Woodward, June Woodward, Bernie Woodward, Dean “Harry” and Jackie Dixon Woodward, Karla and David McGrain, Kristi and Brice Bollin and Helen Woodward; many more aunt, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Milo “Mike” Clayton and Gloria (Grass) August; stepfather Bill August; grandparents Harvey & Ann Grass and Ira & Luella Clayton; uncle James Wessling and cousin David Wessling; in-laws Everett and Mary Woodward, Karl and Evelyn Nagel, Russell and Blanche Woodward, Elwood Nagel, Larry Woodward, Roger Woodward, and others too many to mention. Mike was also preceded in death by his four-legged friends Major, Sam, Dallas, and Bo.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., with a Visitation held prior, Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Salix. Father Michael J. Erpelding officiated. Military Rites were conducted by the George Nelson Post #662 of the American Legion of Sergeant Bluff. Committal services followed in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, was in charge of the funeral arrangements.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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