Clara Ellen Stiles

Clara Ellen Stiles, age 76, of rural Fontana, Kansas, died October 28, 2017 at Life Care Center of Osawatomie. Clara was born February 21, 1941 in the Somerset Community of rural Paola. She was one of ten children born to Claude Isaac and Clara G. (Smith) Taylor. Clara grew up in Somerset and graduated from Paola High School with the Class of 1959. Clara and William "Bill" Ross Stiles were united in marriage on March 6, 1959 at the Paola United Methodist Church. They made their home on the family farm in the Richland Township of rural Paola and became the parents of two sons Micheal Wayne and Stanton "Scott". In February of 1981 they moved to a farm south of Osawatomie. They built a new home on their farm in 2004. Although Clara and Bill only had two sons, she probably raised 30 to 40 kids. Clara worked as a circuit board repairer for King Radio in Paola for approximately 17 years. She also worked at Roberta's Tea Room in Paola and the Miami County Sale Barn Cafe. Clara had also been a caregiver. She was a member of TOPS and the Eden Chapel Ladies Aide. She was a good cook. Her culinary skills were good enough that she made wedding cakes. She also enjoyed ceramics. Clara was a big Elvis Presley fan. She loved to dance and listen to music. She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson Jacob Godfrey, and six brothers John, Claude, Dale, Calvin, Robert, and George Taylor. She is survived by her husband Bill of the home; sons Mike (Joyce) of Osawatomie and Scott (DeeDee) of LaCygne; three sisters Juanita Reed and JoAnn Hamlin of Paola, and Peggy Coddington of Emporia; three sisters-in-law Mary Ann Taylor of Linn Valley, Georgia Hendrickson of Paola, and Sharon Beets of Ottawa; six grandchildren Shannon Moser, Matthew Godfrey, Jason Stiles, Tara Stiles-Benjamin, Sadie Stiles-Mickel, and Clara Stiles-Graham; 9 great grandchildren Makenzie and Dakota Moser, Malory Mickel, Kaylynn Benjamin, Kinleigh Stiles, Holly Mickel, Tyson Stiles, Brantley Stiles, and Scarlett Benjamin; many other relatives and friends.