Obituary of Lelah S. Claus

OPPENHEIM - Lelah S. Claus, 81 formerly of 6622 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville and more recent of 250 State Highway 331, St. Johnsville passed away Thursday, March 31, 2005 at the Community Hospice of St. Peters Hospital, Albany where she had been a resident since March 26, 2005. She was born on March 13, 1924 in the Town of Oppenheim the daughter of the late Wesley and Edith (Bellinger) Smith. She was educated in the Town of Oppenheim Rural Schools. She was united in marriage to her husband of 54 years Virgil C. Claus on August 21, 1940 at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church Parsonage. Mr. Claus predeceased her on February 12, 1994. She was a member of the Oppenheim United Methodist Church. As well as a member of the Oppenheim Senior Citizens. Mrs. Claus along with her husband operated a dairy farm on the Hoffman Road in the Town of Oppenheim for many years. She was the tax collector for the Oppenheim-Ephrata School District for over 40 years. As well as raising over 25 foster children. She is survived by her son Shawn W. Claus and his wife Debra, Oppenheim, 3 daughters Bonnie E. Myers and her husband Robert, Janey Hayes and her husband David and Kellie Fiskaa and her husband Allan, all of Oppenheim, a daughter in law Sheila Claus, Oppenheim, a brother Robert Smith and his wife Jeanette, New Smyrna Beach, FL, a sister in law Helen Smith, St. Johnsville, 20 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 2 sons Jeffrey M. Claus, who died on July 28, 1999 and Peter K. Claus, who died on December 1, 2001, a brother Wesley Smith, a half brother Harold Ostrom, a half sister Mabel Ortlieb and a great grandson Quinn Rudisill, who died on August 14, 1996. Memorial services will be held on Monday, April 4, 2005 at 11:00 am from the Oppenheim United Methodist Church, State Highway 29, Oppenheim with the Rev. Jeffrey Losey, Pastor officiating. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers it is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mrs. Claus be considered to The Community Hospice at St. Peter's Hospital, 315 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or to the Oppenheim Senior Citizens Center, North Road, Dolgeville, NY 13329. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.