Rosemary Clevenger

Rosemary Clevenger, 76, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2007, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, where family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. She was born November 9, 1930, in Centropolis, Kansas. She was the daughter of Earl and Frances (Schmitt) Smith. Rosemary was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed sewing, cooking, making a home for her family and sharing her musical talents. Even at the early age of nine years old, she would travel with her father, playing the piano for church services, as Earl would fill the pulpit as interim minister. Beginning as just a youngster and up until shortly before her death, Rosemary continued to be a church pianist and organist. Several years ago when she reached 3,000 she stopped counting the number of funeral services for which she had played. Rosemary loved to play both the piano and organ and for a while she privately instructed a few students what to do with those white and black keys. Music was truly an important part of her life, as she loved to 'make a joyful noise unto her Lord'. Quite often anyone walking by her home's front door could hear her singing and playing. Rosemary graduated from Walker High School, Walker, Missouri. There she took her junior and senior year of high school together and was valedictorian of the class of 1947. On July 27, 1947, at the home of her parents in Ottawa, Kansas, Melvin Clevenger and Rosemary Smith were united in marriage. Buck and Rosie celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. In addition to making a home for her family, Rosemary found time to be a Cub Scout Den Mother, elementary school Room Mother and was an Avon representative for several years. Rosemary is survived by her husband, Melvin, of the home; two sons, Ron Clevenger and his wife, Linda, Ottawa and Mark Clevenger and his wife, Letitia, Ottawa; one daughter, Rebecca Raley and her husband, Mike, Ottawa; seven grandchildren, Angela Carpinella and her husband, Ron, Atlanta, Georgia, Jeffery Clevenger, Kansas City, Missouri, Jeremy Clevenger and his wife, Lisa, Ottawa, Kyle Raley, Ottawa, Ryan Raley, Ottawa, Aaron Clevenger, Ottawa, Samuel Clevenger, Ottawa; three great-grandchildren, Lauren and Andrew Carpinella, Atlanta, Georgia and Mitchell Clevenger, Ottawa. She also is survived by her brother, Vernon Smith and his wife, Frances, McPherson, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Frances Smith. In her own quiet way, Rosemary would want her family and friends to celebrate her life and rejoice that she is with her Lord. Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Clevenger after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the mortuary, where family will meet with friends from 7 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. The family suggests memorial contributions to Midland Hospice or Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.