Clara Louise Bebout, 93, of Van Wert, died Wed, Nov 22, 2006 at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born Nov 28, 1912 in Van Wert, the eldest daughter of the late Gottlieb and Pauline (Seibold) Laemmle. She married Richard Bebout, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Bebout, a lifelong resident of Van Wert County was born on a farm in Union Township. She helped out with the chores at an early age and learned to handle a team of horses during planting and harvesting seasons. She graduated from Union High School, where she was on the girls basketball team, and in later years was an avid bowler. She graduated from International Business College in Fort Wayne, IN. In the 1930s she worked as a secretary at Union High School. After her marriage, she worked with him at Van Wert Monument Company on Shannon Street. For decades, they had a tent at the Van Wert County Fair, where friends and neighbors would stop and chat. There were always chairs available for one to sit during those hot September Fair Days. During their marriage, the Bebouts enjoyed traveling. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Bebout continued to travel with the YMCA and logged more than 125 trips around the world. She also loved her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews very much. She always had $5 bills in her purse for them. Mrs. Bebout was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert and its Ladies Aid Society, volunteering many happy years preparing those great meals.
Survivors include: a brother, Karl Laemmle of Lima; a sister, Elsie Taylor of Mansfield; and a number of nieces and nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
A son, James Bebout, and one brother, Elmer Laemmle, also preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11am Tue, Nov 28, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, the Rev. Lance O’Donnell officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Visitation will be an hour prior to services Tue at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the church.