Clayton Eugene Seelye
Pekin - Clayton Eugene Seelye, 79, of 1700 Englewood Terrace passed away at 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin.
He was born on March 9, 1926, in Green Valley, Ill., to Ralph and Nettie Carpenter Seelye. He married Bonnie Lee Dye on Nov. 27, 1952, in Pekin.
Surviving are his wife of Pekin; one daughter, Angela (Jeffery) Arnold of Pekin; two grandsons, Joseph Andrew and Jacob Warren Arnold, both of Pekin; one brother, Harold (Joyce) Seelye of Lincoln; two sisters, Naomi (John) Zuklic and Marion Drake, both of Pekin; four nieces; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one niece.
Clayton was a World War II Navy veteran stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station and Camp Bradford in Norfolk, Va. He received the rank of Ship's Cook 3rd class and served aboard the USS LST 948, USS Nyrmidon and the USS LCS in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.
He graduated from Bradley University in 1950 with a bachelor of fine arts degree and was also a 1960 Bradley graduate with a master of fine arts degree.
He taught elementary education art, teaching at East Richland School District in Olney, Ill., for one year and at Pekin Public School District 108, where he retired after 35 years.
He was a member of the Illinois Education Association, National Education Association, the National Art Teachers Association, Tazewell County Retired Teachers Association and the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.
He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin and was a former member of the church council.
Clayton was a passionate artist and enjoyed leather crafts and reading.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at his church, where visitation will be one hour before the service. The Rev. Jan Johnson will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the Navy at the conclusion of the service in the church. Cremation has been accorded. Noel-Henderson Funeral home has been given the honor of handling Clayton's arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 101 N. Eighth St., Pekin, IL 61554 or to TAPS, 2675 Allentown Road, Pekin, IL 61554.
Published in The Peoria Journal Star (IL) - December 24, 2005
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