Obituary
Clara May Mcqueen Wille, born February 23, 1926, in Vermillion County, Indiana,
passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Clara was a devoted wife,
mother, grandmother, and educator. Her passion for teaching led her to ride a city
bus 20 miles to college in Terre Haute, Indiana, where she earned her degree and
teaching certification from the University of Indiana. She touched the lives of
countless students throughout her teaching career in Indiana and Illinois, leaving a
lasting legacy of knowledge and inspiration. Her love of teaching was contagious,
inspiring many in her family to pursue careers in education.
She met her husband as a young girl and they were married November 27, 1947,
in Harvard, Illinois. She and her husband lived in Rockford, Illinois for many years.
She retired from teaching in Rockford Public Schools at Gregory Elementary
School in 1978 where she taught second grade for many years..They bought a
house in New Smyrna Beach in 1970 and eventually retired here. She enjoyed
fishing and could often be seen out on the river. Clara embraced the coastal
lifestyle, finding joy in fishing, painting, and expressing her creativity through
writing.
Her love of family was evident to all who knew her. She was a loving mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister and aunt. She was preceded in death
by her parents, Harry and Brilla McQueen, her son Harry Wayne McQueen,
grandson Brendon Kundo, and brothers Melbourne and Daniel McQueen. Clara is
survived by her loving husband, Raymond; daughters Bonita Richardson (William
Simmons) and Kathleen Kundo; sons Steven Wille and Michael Wille (Lisa); and
grandchildren Solomon Richardson (Dawn), Tanya Renteria (Alvaro), Michelle
Wallrich (Aaron), Bethany Rhodes (Jordan), April Spears (Tory), Sarah Rasch,
Laura Arvizu (Arturo), Scott McQueen, Ryan McQueen, and Adam Wille; and great
grandchildren Sun Richardson, Aftan Richardson, Riley Menge, Adrian Renteria,
Logan Renteria, Jordan Renteria, Ashton Kundo, Skylar Kundo, Devin Kundo,
Layne Kundo, Brianna Kundo, Lucy Wallrich, Abby Wallrich, Maizie Rhodes, Willa
Rhodes, Claire Rasch, Eva Rasch, Mariely Arvizu, Alexander Arvizu, and Alina
Arvizu.
● A celebration of life will be held on January 30, 2025, at 11:30 at Beachside
Baptist Church in New Smyrna Beach. Visitation at 11:00 AM. Interment at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.
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