Biby, Clara

Clara Mae Biby, 95, of Waterloo, IL, formerly of Columbia, IL died Thursday, July 30, 2009 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was born November 20, 1913 in Nashville, IL, daughter of Samuel Thomas and Sadie (Neill) Carson. She was christened in the Oakdale Reformed Presbyterian Church on May 22, 1914 and became a member of the church in April of 1923. She married John Robert Biby on May 4, 1937 in that same church and he preceded her in death on September 3, 1986. She is survived by her son, Robert Biby of Troy, IL; three grandchildren, Lisa Kae (Adrian) Dunne of Roseville, CA, Erika Lynn (Rob) Russina of Ballwin, MO and Patrick Biby of Belleville, IL; five great grandchildren, Ethan Dunne, Cymone Dunne, Gabrielle Russina, Kayla Russina and Gavin Russina; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dick and Alice Biby of Washington DC, Joan Wilbanks of Lakeland, FL; nieces and nephews, Sarah Peveler, Jane Harris, Carson (Norma) Hempen, Ann (Jorge) Lopez, Mary (Mark) Goetz, Christine (Mark) Kengott, Elizabeth Biby Bandarcan, Steven (Linda) Biby, Mark (Barbara) Fessler, Michael Coltrin, Dale Ray Wilbanks, Peter Biby and Richard Biby. In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Sharon Andreaci; a brother, Neill Carson; two sisters, Mildred Fessler and Dorothy Hempen; and a grandson, John Robert Biby III. Mrs. Biby taught school for 38 years in the counties of Washington, Perry and St. Clair in Illinois and was inducted into the Dupo Educators Hall of Fame in 1999. After her retirement her volunteer work included the Literacy Program, Babes Program, tutoring, church programs and she also volunteered at a convalescent center. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Eastern Star #397 in Columbia, Monroe County Retired Teachers Association, Columbia Senior Citizens, Columbia Women’s Club, St. Paul UCC Afternoon Fellowship, St. Paul UCC Evening Guild, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the St. Paul UCC Prayer Breakfast Club. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 127 North St. Paul Street, Columbia, IL 62236 with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Interment will follow at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia, IL. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ Crisis Fund and will be received at the church or Hempen Funeral Home, 15 East Hanover, New Baden, IL 62265 who is in charge of arrangements.