Clara M. King

August 17, 1929 - March 31, 2019

Clara M. King, 89, of Knoxville, Illinois passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois. Clara was born August 17, 1929 in Smithfield, Illinois, the daughter of Merle and Leavon Black (Zilche). She graduated from Cuba High School in 1947. After high school she attended beauty school. Clara married Gordon King on May 27, 1951 in Canton, Illinois. There was nothing more important in Clara’s life than her family. She was selfless when it came to helping family and friends. She loved to cook and bake and she was especially known for her delicious pies. She often prepared large elaborate meals and welcomed anyone to her table. She enjoyed her work as a beautician and had a shop in her home for the majority of her career. She attended the Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. She loved to watch sports and some of her favorite teams included the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Cubs, and the Michigan State basketball team. Clara is survived by her husband of 67 years, Gordon King of Knoxville, Illinois; 3 children, Julie (Alan) Seeger of Wataga, Illinois, Dr. Judy (Brian) Holding of Champaign, Illinois, M’Len (Daniel) Simmons of Galesburg, Illinois; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 sisters. Visitation will be held Friday, April 5, 2019 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville, Illinois. The funeral service will directly follow at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be at the Knoxville Cemetery. Rev. Daniel Simmons will be officiating the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Knox County Nursing Home.