Claire M. Bryant Obituary (1927 - 2017)

Claire M. Bryant, 89 formerly of Normal, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 11:30am at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. Claire's service will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 11am at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington with Rev. Vaughn Hoffman officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 4-7pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center, Normal, Illinois. Claire was born on August 20, 1927 in Winnipeg, Canada, the daughter of Claremont and Nellie (Tipping) Crouch. She married Harold Dean Bryant on August 31, 1946 in Fayetteville, NC. He preceded her in death on March 9, 1966. Claire is survived by her children; James (Mary) Bryant of Richmond, Virginia, Deanne (John) Wheat of Bloomington, Margie (Wayne) Dillow of Normal and Julie Bryant of Normal, grandchildren; Chris Bryant, Staci Sandoval, Holly Brown, Bryan Dillow, Jaime Mendez, Chad Boyd, Nicole Dillow and Jackie Boyd, great grandchildren; Austin, Luis, Gena, C.J., Makayla, Gabi, Jorge, Andrew, Adam, Angus, Killian, Olivia, Sarah, Noah, Cohen and Aaron, brothers and sisters; Wally (Mabel) Crouch of Normal, Royce Crouch of Hudson, Evelyn Dodge of Omaha, Nebraska, Lorna Winnell of Bloomington, Marjorie (Dave) Paternoster of Bloomington, Judy James of Normal and Sandra (Jerry) Spence of Hudson. She is preceded in death by one grandchild; Jonathan Wheat and one brother Larry Hummer. Claire attended Normal Community High School and went to work for Beich Candy Company, later known as Nestle, as a machine operator. She retired from Nestle's in 1992. Claire was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and was a retired member of the Tobacco Bakery Confection Union. She served as a Steward and Officer for the Trades and Labor Assembly, traveling to conventions. She also served as election judge and was a Precinct Committee Member working tirelessly for the Democratic Party in McLean County for over 40 years. Claire enjoyed traveling with her family and sisters, a favorite memory was traveling to Europe to visit her son's family, she also was a diehard Cardinals Fan. Claire touched many young lives over the years through her leadership and mentoring young boys and girls through her work with the VFW's youth organizations in McLean County. Though she enjoyed working on the committees and mentoring young kids, what was most important to her was her family. Claire will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.