Carol G. Klear (nee Snyder), 83, of North Ridgeville, passed away unexpectedly on Friday April 3, 2020 at University Hospital in Cleveland following a brief illness. She was born February 19, 1937 in Toledo. She was a 1955 graduate of Central Catholic High School in Toledo and attended Mary Manse College, also of Toledo. Carol was previously an elementary school teacher at St. James Catholic School in Toledo. Carol and her family moved to Lorain County over 50 years ago and she has resided in North Ridgeville for over 40 years. She also attended Lorain County Community College and participated in a video publicizing the innovative idea of partnerships between LCCC and four-year colleges and universities. Carol worked for 26 years for the North Ridgeville Press (formerly The Light Newspaper) as the news editor, a reporter, photographer and columnist. She retired in 2006. Carol won the hearts and devotion of her many loyal readers. Her straight forward and honest style gained her the respect of the residents of North Ridgeville, including those serving in City Hall. Carol’s genuine warmth and her devotion to her family was evident in her popular weekly column, “Klearly Speaking”. A woman of deep faith and a devout Catholic, she was a member for over 40 years of St. Peter Catholic Church in North Ridgeville where she served as reader of scripture and helped with RCIA for several years. She was a charter member of the North Ridgeville Arts Council and a former member of the board of directors of the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce. Carol was also an active member of the North Ridgeville Historical Society. With the help of the membership of the Historical Society, she authored two books about North Ridgeville that were published by Arcadia Publishing-“Images of America North Ridgeville” and “Legendary Locals of North Ridgeville”. In 2006, she received a First Place Award for column writing from the Ohio Newspaper Association. Also in 2006, Carol and her husband Tom, were honored by the North Ridgeville Corn Festival Committee and received the annual Golden Kernal Award. Being a devoted wife, mother of seven daughters and a grandmother, Carol’s greatest joy was her family. Carol is survived by; her husband of almost 60 years, Thomas E. Klear; seven daughters, Eileen M. Klear of Willowick, Maureen L. Klear (Shelly) of Vandalia, MI, Colleen P. Bridegum (Kevin) of Fairview Park, Kathleen A. Estevez (Rafael) of Citra, FL, Mary Bridget Hornberger (Thomas) of Fairview Park, Erin R. Klear of Fairview Park and Megan F. Johnson (William) of Kettering; five grandchildren, Gavin and Logan Bridegum, Samuel Johnson and Joshua and Molly Samide; sisters-in-law, Annette Klear, Gloria Klear, and Joyce Brock; brothers-in-law, John Bogue and Frank Brock; and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by; her parents, Archie A. and Helen G. (nee Sturm) Snyder; her sister, Diane Howard; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Marilyn Klear and Trudy Bogue; and by two brothers-in-law, James and John “Mike” Klear. The Memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church in North Ridgeville on Saturday August 1, 2020 at 11:00am. Father Robert Franco, pastor of St. Peter Church, will celebrate the Mass. Interment will be private at St. Peter Cemetery in North Ridgeville. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either, St. Peter Catholic Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN or to North Ridgeville Community Care. Liston Funeral Home, North Ridgeville, is serving the family.
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