Claire Ellen Spencer, 77, of Normandy Park, Washington, formerly of Galesburg, Illinois, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, in Federal Way, Wash.

Born Nov. 13, 1922, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Lex and Pearl Sherwood, she married Theodore Hazen Kimble. He died in 1954. She later married James S. Spencer on Dec. 24, 1958. He survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Peter (and Brenda) Kimble and Christopher (and Pat) Kimble; one daughter, Sarah Spoor; one brother, Ben Sherwood; and five grandchildren.

She graduated magna cum laude from Knox College in Galesburg.

She taught English and language arts at several schools in central and eastern Illinois. She also tutored disabled students, volunteered in a psychiatric institution and helped minority people find housing.

She had been a board member and chairperson of Southeastern Mental Health Center. She founded two chapters of the PEO and the Women's League for Community Progress in Olney. Wabash College in Mount Carmel named the student lounge in her honor.

She sang in the choir at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She also was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society in Poplar Bluff.

Cremation was accorded. A memorial service held at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Private family burial of ashes in Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville.

Memorials may be made to the Claire Sherwood Spencer Scholarship, in care of Wabash Valley College Foundation in Mount Carmel.

Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - Wednesday, November 1, 2000