Reilly, Clair -- 1911 - 1999

ROBINSON, REILLY, SHEEHY, LAVELL, SIMPSON, FENELON, MITCHELL, MARTINEK, COSTIGAN, KUENNEN, STRUBLE

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/18/2010 at 11:50:55

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, March 2, 1999

Clair Reilly

Clair Reilly, 87, of Ossian, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian.

A funeral mass was held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m., at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, with the Revs. Richard Kuhn and Vincent Simon officiating.

Al Sensor was the organist, John Morris was the bagpiper and Don DiLaura was the soloist.

Special music included the St. Francis adult choir and congregational singing.

Prayer leaders were Julius Martinek and Michael Costigan.

Kathleen Costigan, Cindy Reilly and Pam Kuennen took offertory gifts. Ushers were Dale Hageman, Pat O'Shaughnessy, Wayne Hemesath and Lee Woodson.

In honorary attendance was the Knights of Columbus Council No. 2073 of Ossian.

Casket bearers were Willard Holien, Greg Wenthold, Edward Meyer, Wayne Hemry, Leonard Zweibohmer, Mel Leuenberger, Charles Sender, Robert Elsbernd, Vince Glass, Don Kipp, Jerry J. Donlan and Charles Covell.

Interment was at the St. Francis Cemetery. The Schmitz Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Clair was born Aug. 10, 1911, the son of Michael E. and Nellie (Robinson) Reilly of Reilly Ridge. He and his family moved to Ossian in 1937, where he owned the Lucky Stop Cafe.

He founded Reilly Construction Co. Inc. in 1947 and was actively involved in that business until he entered the Ossian Senior Hospice.

Clair married Delphine Sheehy in 1934 and she died in April of 1966. He married Delores Lavell in April of 1970 and she died in August of 1995. Also preceding him in death were a daughter, Patricia Simpson, and a grandchild, Michael Szabo.

Clair enjoyed contributing to many community projects, but was proudest of being one of the initial sponsors of the Ossian Senior Hospice, serving as a member of its Board of Directors and corporate treasurer from 1960-82.

He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus; the Associated General Contractors; St. Francis Parish and Rosary Society; the Ossian Community Crown Club; and the South Winn and Silver Springs Golf and Country Club.

Clair was very dedicated to his business and later in life devoted his time and energies to the AA program.

Survivors include one son, Robert M. and Kathy Reilly of Ossian; six daughters, Jacque Fenelon of Decorah, Mary Ann and Donald Mitchell of Louisville, Ken., Jeannie and Julius Martinek of Marietta, Ga., Kathleen and Michael Costigan of Calmar, Cindy Reilly of Council Bluffs and Pam and Allan Kuennen of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Camilla Struble of Charles City; and a brother, Robert W. Reilly of Marshalltown.

There also are 22 grandchildren, Thomas Fenelon, Bridget Tancos, Christopher Reilly, Dr. Paul Mitchell, Mark Mitchell, Vicki Svendsen, Dina Mottinger, Lisa Heins, Shannon Szabo, Joseph Martinek, Michael Martinek, Ann Van Meter, Paul Martinek, Marie Reisenberg, Jean Flowers, Jack Costigan, Joseph Costigan, Scott Gross, Jason Gross, Matthew Kuennen, Benjamin Kuennen and Andrew Kuennen; and 22 great-grandchildren.

In addition, he is survived by the children of his second wife, Delores Lavell. They are Mike and Joan Lavell of Ossian, Ronnie Lavell of Ossian, and Sister Maxine Lavell of Tigard, Ore.; two step-grandchildren, Michael Lavell and Julie Residorf; and five step-great-grandchildren

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.