CLEMENS, Verne Richard

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Thursday, February 7, 2008 Verne Richard Clemens passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Lake Havasu City at the age of 88. He was born June 26, 1919, in Greenville, Ohio to John and Lydia (Carpenter) Clemens. Following high school, Verne enlisted in the United States Navy July 1, 1937. He proudly served for 8 ½ years, spending time in the Pacific, most notably Pearl Harbor, Midway Islands and Guadal Canal. After serving in the military, Verne went to work as a pipe fitter for Application Engineering. In 1962 Verne and his wife Elaine purchased property in Lake Havasu City and in 1963 began building the site for the Clemens Apartments on McCulloch Blvd. Verne served as treasurer for the Lake Havasu City Apartment Owners Association and was also a member of V.F.W. Post 9401 and American Legion Post 81. Verne and Elaine eventually moved here in 1980 from Chicago, Ill. Verne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine; sons, Jay Clemens, of Lake Havasu City, Mark Clemens, of Orange, Calif.; daughter, Georgia Lipp, of St. Charles, Ill.; and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Lietz-Fraze Chapel on Saturday at 1 p.m. Words of comfort and inspiration will be expressed by Rev. Richard Rounds. Military honors will be provided by V.F.W. Post 9401 and American Legion Post 81. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Verne’s name to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ; 86405. Condolences and thoughts can be made to his family at http://www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com/">www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.