Clarice McKay

Clarice D. McKay, age 85, of Lamar, passed away Friday, March 10, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.      Clarice was born August 4, 1931, in Anthony, Kansas, the youngest of the five children of Henry and Clara (Fitz) Podschun.  She attended Anthony schools, graduating in 1949.  On June 16, 1953, in Pittsburg, Kansas, Clarice married John Gilbert Jr and they made their home in Lamar.  Clarice worked in the Barton County Recorder’s office before beginning an enjoyable 18-year career at Lamar Bank and Trust.  John and Clarice had shared nearly 20 years together when he unexpectedly passed away January 9, 1973.  On June 4, 1977, Clarice married Bill McKay and retired from LBT to keep the books for McKay’s IGA.  She felt incredibly blessed by the love of Bill’s three children, Tom, Marilyn, and Jane Ann.  Bill passed away June 28, 2007.  Clarice was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, William, Norman, and George Podschun; and her sister, Louise Harmon.      Survivors include a son Tom (Brenda) McKay of Jasper, Missouri; two daughters, Marilyn McKay and Jane Ann McKay, both of Joplin; a grandson, Josh (Sarah Jo) McKay of Fort Scott, Kansas; two great-grandchildren, Joe and JoDee; three nieces, Pat (Loren) Ingram of Baldwin City, Kansas, Sylvia (Bill) Sales of Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, and Marilyn (Sonny) Galliher, California, Missouri; many great and great-great nephews and nieces.      A natural caregiver, Clarice was always ready to help wherever there was a need.  She invested time in remembering others with cards and calls and found joy in sharing her knitting, ceramics, and craft projects with family and friends.  Her green thumb was apparent by the beautiful plants and flowers she grew and she looked forward to the fellowship of close friends in her weekly Canasta Club at the Senior Center.  Clarice was a former member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lamar and a current member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lockwood.      Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time Tuesday.  Burial will be in Lake Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Barton County Senior Citizens Center or the charity of the donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home.