Shoup, Clara Jean
ORRVILLE — Clara Jean Shoup, 88, of Orrville went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 surrounded by her family after a brief illness. Clara Jean was born on May 29, 1933 in North Lawrence, Ohio, the daughter of Virgil and Verda (Lawrence) Zimmerman. She was united in marriage to Robert Lee Shoup on April 11, 1953 in North Lawrence, OH. They enjoyed a special loving marriage for 61 years until his passing in 2014. Clara Jean graduated from Orrville High School in 1951.
She worked in a variety of areas on the family farm with her husband, Bob. Together they also owned egg delivery routes in Barberton.
Clara Jean was a member of Orrville Christian Church and served in many capacities. She particularly loved teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
For the last several years Clara Jean enjoyed sewing stuffed elephants for the Forget-Me-Not organization in Wooster. Those elephants were part of care baskets given to grieving families who lost babies. She would pray for each family that would receive the elephants she was sewing. She saw this as a ministry and a way to serve others.
She loved her family dearly and was devoted to caring for each one. The love and affection she gave was unconditional. Our Mom was an example of a godly woman whose influence filled and enriched our lives.
Clara Jean is survived by her children Susan (Jim) Mankins, Duane Shoup (Nancy Feltner), Ed (Charlotte) Shoup all of Orrville; grandchildren Mark (Rori) Mankins, Stephen (Autumn) Mankins, Mike (Kim) Shoup, Laura (Cameron) Feemster, Leslie (Josh) Krug, Lyle (Desi) Shoup; and 17 great grandchildren. She is also survived a brother Lawrence (Carol) Zimmerman of North Lawrence.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Friends may call on Monday, June 21, 2021, at Orrville Christian Church, 925 North Elm Street, Orrville, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Tuesday, June 22, 2021, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am.
Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, at the church, with Pastor Tom Ledford officiating and will be live streamed at facebook.com/aublefuneralhome. Burial will take place at the Newmans Creek Cemetery in North Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Orrville Christian Church 925 N. Elm St. Orrville, OH 44667, Forget-Me-Not, Inc. 127 E Liberty St Ste 390, Wooster, OH 44691, or Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home’s website www.aublefuneralhome.com.