Clarice L. Sperry

Clarice L. Sperry, age 83, passed away gently surrounded by love on Sunday, March 6, 2016. She lived a full, courageous, and rich life filled with love, humor, and service to the community. In her words, “If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Clarice, “Claire,” had a loving heart and a warrior spirit. No matter the challenges life handed her, she met them with grace, insight, and love. While she still had things to do, her life was not unfinished. In the end, she looked forward to seeing her beloved Ralph and grandson Nick.

Claire had lived in West Branch, MI since 1958. She was born to Fred and Hattie Watson, in Lansing, Michigan, March 2, 1933. She graduated from East Lansing High School, and attended Saginaw Business University and Ferris State University. Claire was the first woman elected to the Ogemaw County Board of Commissioners, where she served for seven years. She was a member of the West Branch City Council, West Branch Planning Commission, West Branch Zoning Board of Appeals, Ogemaw County United Way, Ogemaw County Jury Commission, and First United Methodist Church. She spent much of her time volunteering for many causes and community organizations including Community Support Team, Hospice, Paws and Claws, and the Ogemaw Democratic Party, to list a few.

Clarice is survived by her children, Anne (Gerard) Ahlers, of Mio, MI, Guy (Judy) Sperry of Traverse City, MI, Lyn (Michael Scheffler) Sperry of Benton Harbor, MI, Jo (Yoganand) Sinha of Eaton Rapids, MI, Lee (Ann) Sperry of Prescott, MI, Tim (Janis) Sperry of West Branch, MI, Thom (Wanda) Sperry of Eden, TX; grandchildren, Amanda (Kyle) Piglowski, Rase Reetz, Rikki Reetz, Russel Winters, Ryan Winters, LeeAnn Sperry, Ezekiel Sperry, Emma Sperry; great-grandchildren, Carter Piglowski, and Alana Winters; step grandchildren Nichole Cartwright, Tara and Cory Yantz, Amanda and Alex Miller, and step great-grandchildren Kora and Kody Cartwright and Dominick Yantz; and brothers, Irvin Watson of Lansing, MI, Raymond (Irene) Watson of Lansing, MI; and her beloved furry companion, Chloe. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph R. Sperry in 1986, and grandson Nicholas J. Sperry in 2014.

She will be sadly missed and in our hearts, always.

Visitation will begin on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in West Branch, MI, until the time of the Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. with a meal to follow. Pastor Tim Dibble will officiate.

Memorial Contributions can be made in honor of Carter Piglowski.