LEFLER, Clarence

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ March 10, 2008 Clarence Lefler, a resident of Lakeside since 1975, went to be with the Lord March 5, 2008. She was born Jan. 5, 1924, in Benton, Ill. to Elmer and Ethel Lefler. In 1943 Clarence went into the Army Air Force. He was proud to serve in North Africa during World War II and also served in the Army Reserves after the war. In 1947 he married Florence Lehman in Pomona, Calif. Through the GI Bill he graduated from Northwest Nazarene College in Idaho with a master's degree in theology and a bachelor's degree in education. He moved his family to Twenty Nine Palms, Calif., and taught school there for 18 years. After visiting the White Mountains of Arizona, he fell in love with the area and moved here with his wife and children. He commuted to Whiteriver and taught fifth grade at the Whiteriver Elementary School for 16 years. After his retirement, he was active in fishing, camping, traveling and being a companion for 60 years to his beloved wife Florence. He loved playing the guitar, the violin and the harmonica and passed that love to many of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a dedicated and devoted Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart and instilled that love and faith in his six children. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed, but he has gone to a better place with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Clarence is survived by his loving wife, Florence, and his six children, Esther (Robert) Moore, Sharron (Ernest) Lunsford, Joyce (Randy) Lefler, Wayne (Rebecca) Lefler, David (Karen) Lefler and Ruth (Dale) Helm, 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grand children. A celebration of Clarence's life will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 16, at A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Road in Phoenix. L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary handled arrangements.