Clarice R. Portteus

Clarice went peacefully home to be with her Good Lord on Saturday, May 17, 2014. She was 95 years young and was born on April 13, 1919 in Penrod, Kentucky to H.B. and Josephine Smith. Clarice married Norton Graham in 1936 and they had two daughters. They moved to Toledo in 1944, where Norton passed away in 1972. Clarice worked in other factories but worked at AP Parts for over 20 years. She was always treated like a lady because thats what she was. She enjoyed working in her garden and grew world class flowers. She loved to crochet and read her Bible. Clarice was known for her wonderful Southern cooking. No one could make Southern fried chicken, fried corn, banana pudding, or pecan pie like she could. Clarice married her neighbor, Jim Portteus in 1978. With him, she helped raise two of his grandchildren, Danny and Erin and they traveled the country by car and train. They loved to dance and go fishing. Clarice retired in 1979 and Jim passed away in 1997. Clarice was a longtime member of Riverside Baptist Church and later Cass Road Baptist Church. She spent her time enjoying her big family. In addition to her husbands and her parents, Clarice was preceded in death her daughter, Martha Oehlers; her step-daughter, Sue Petrapoulas; and her siblings, Anna Mallory, Janie Johnson, Ralph Smith, Amy Gillmore, and Jack Smith. She leaves behind, with wonderful memories, her daughter, Shirley Bob Bickar or Benson, AZ; grandchildren, Jeff Oehlers, Tim Kathy Oehlers, Keith Judy Maenle of Chesapeake, VA, Greg Jackie Oehlers, Kevin Andrea Maenle of Vienna, Austria, Kim Doug Knop, Ken Candy Maenle and Lisa Bitter; great-grandchildren, Brad and Dawn Oehlers, Erika and Ryland Oehlers, Erika and Ryland Oehlers, Ben Maenle and Krista Kyle Sigler, Nick, Cam and Griff Oehlers, Sam, Raph, and Marcel Maenle, Brian and Andrew Knop, Mindy Josh Glashouser, Kenny Maenle, Kristen Stevie Sandoval, and Bethany and Julie Bitter; and five great-great grandchildren, Alayna, Lillianna, Anthony, Rhowan, and Myah. She is also survived by her step-son, Jim Portteus; step-daughter, Nancy Kehrman; special son, Jim Oehlers; special daughter, Pat Fulwider; and many much loved nephews and nieces. She was a sweet, kind, and loving Southern lady, who loved her family and her God. She will be dearly missed by all of us who loved her. Visitation will be on Friday, May 23, 2014 from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-9:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where a celebration of Clarices life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551 or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.