Clara I. Sawtelle

SAWTELLE, Clara I., known to all as "Bobbie," died on Jan. 23 at Maple Knoll Community in Springdale, OH.
Bobbie was born on June 25, 1920 in Charleston, WV to the late T R and Mae D. Irion. Her father died when she was young and her mother moved the family to Cincinnati to complete her education at UC and to teach in the Cincinnati school system. She has outlived two older sisters, Kay (Mary Katherine) Irion and Betty (Elizabeth) McElmell. As a student at UC Bobbie met the love of her life, Allan W. Sawtelle, and they were married on August 6, 1939. They moved to Wyoming OH in 1945. A stay at home mom, she was very active in community organizations including PTA, Cub Scouts, United Cerebral Palsy, and Cincinnati Zoo. She enjoyed music at the Music Club, Wyoming Presbyterian Church Choir, and her own Dancing Class. She was also very active with her husband in the outdoor activities of the Sierra Club. Bobbie leaves her husband of 75 years, Allan; one son, Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle, and his wife, Ann, of Lowell, MA; two daughters-in-law, Mary Allen Sawtelle of Burke, VA, and Iva Sawtelle of Trenton, OH. Also 5 grandchildren, Mara Riley, Jeanne Petrangelo, Sarah Sawtelle, Scott Sawtelle, and Christopher Sawtelle and 5 great-grandchildren. She also has many nephews and nieces. Three other sons, Timothy I., Jeffrey S., and Buzz (Allan E.) have died. Her funeral will be held at the Maple Knoll Community Chapel on Friday, Jan. 30 at 9:00 am followed by burial at Spring Grove Cemetery.