Clare Salters

In a world of uncertainty, Clare E. Salters was a man who had determined what mattered in his life and consistently lived out what he believed. He stayed true to his convictions, that honesty is the best policy, that a hard day's work is a worthwhile cause, and that protecting and providing for one's family is worth any sacrifice. He knew what he was good at and used his talents to make things better for those he knew and even those he just met. He was grateful for his country and his family and did his best to pass on all of those values to his loved ones.

The Roaring '20s has a reputation for being a carefree and fun decade, but in reality, it was a time of great cultural and technological change. People wanted to rest and escape from the despair that World War I had brought to the globe and families mostly just wanted their children to be safe and happy. Among them were Arthur and Helen (Hunt) Salters of St. Johns, Michigan, who had their hands full with a busy house and another baby on the way. Their expectations were fulfilled on September 10, 1926, when Clare arrived at their home on the northeast corner of Railroad Street and Old 27.

Arthur was fortunate to have a job during those tough economic times working as a custodian at the high school. Clare's mother passed away while Clare was a young boy. Everyone had to pitch in, make do with what they had, and depend on each other, especially when the stock market crash of 1929 sent the world into the Great Depression. Clare and his siblings attended schools in town and Clare went through the eighth grade. He had a lot of fun with his many brothers and sisters and enjoyed the fact that there was always someone around to play with...or to share some mischief. He had a sense of humor as well as a taste for a little adventure, which sometimes got him into predicaments that ended up being good stories to tell his family and friends later. As an older youth, he once decided to take a spin and drove a car through the back of their garage and down onto the railroad tracks. Another time, someone gave him a goat and on the way home Clare stopped for a beer. When they got back in the car, they discovered that the goat had started snacking on the interior.

Clare was always interested in automobiles and soaked up information about engines like a sponge. He loved working on cars, a hobby that would later turn into a way of life for him. In 1941, the United States entered World War II and Clare waited with the rest of the nation for news from friends and family who had left to fight. Then, like so many of his peers, Clare chose to serve his country in the Army.

Thankfully, Clare was among those who stayed safe and after his discharge he returned home to a grateful and happy family. Clare met a sweet girl named Emma Paseka who balanced his personality perfectly. He looked forward to a future with her, They exchanged wedding vows on November 1, 1947, and kept those promises until death parted them nearly fifty-five years later. They moved to Eureka just north of St. Johns and were thrilled to raise their two children, Doug and Charlotte, with the sense of security and connection that their small community provided. Clare became a skilled mechanic. He worked at area auto businesses such as Diamond Reo, Hettler Motors, and Vans Auto Parts and was also a mechanic for several years at the Berlin Raceway in Marne near Grand Rapids. Emma managed the home until the children started junior high, then she took on the additional responsibilities of an outside job at Saylor-Beall, an air compressor manufacturing company in St. John.

Clare was a patient, loving father. The best part of his day was getting home after work so he could play with the kids. He wasn't interested in disciplining the kids and left that to Emma, but he knew that spending time with them made them feel special and he certainly did that for them. He liked taking the family on Sunday drives, always on the lookout for asparagus and hickory nuts. They also took many camping trips to Pine Stump Junction in the beautiful Upper Peninsula, enjoying the drive and the relaxing time at camp just being together.

His generous nature was perhaps best seen in his willingness to use his talents to help others. He was always working on someone's car and once refused any type of payment for repairing a car for a lady who spoke no English. He knew the ins and outs of an engine so well that he could check the spark plugs by holding onto them.

Emma and Clare teased each other, but everyone knew it was done with affection. They did everything together and had developed a precious and rare relationship built on love and respect. Clare said goodbye to Emma for the last time on May 14, 2002. Of course he was heartbroken and lonely, but he demonstrated a quiet strength and took comfort in his family. As time passed, he became more prepared for his own passing and in recent years he had expressed a readiness to leave his tired body behind. Despite his absence, Clare's legacy of integrity and commitment will continue to inspire his loved ones.

Clare died on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. He is survived by one son, Doug (Vicky) Salters of Dewitt; one daughter, Charlotte (Carl) Workman of Ovid; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Donald (Kate) Salters of Lansing and Leon (Linda) Salters of Horsehead Lake; two sisters, Betty Blemaster of St. Johns, and Lena (Art) Hertzberg of Owosso; brother-in-law, Frank Halstead; and sister-in-law, Helen Mitosinka. Clare was preceded in death by his wife, Emma; one sister, Marguerite Halstead; and three brothers, Stewart Salters, Bob Salters, and Lawrence Salters.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011, at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. Burial will follow at Eureka Cemetery with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, and from 12-2 p.m. on Friday, September 16, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions to Clinton County Home Hospice are appreciated. Please visit Clare's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guest book.