Clarabel Closs, 76 a life long resident of Walton, passed away Wednesday evening, December 3, 2008 at home following a short illness.

Clarabel was born in Walton on January 11, 1932 the daughter of the late Clair and Carrie (Puffer) Gray. On January 1, 1951 she married Elton P. "Slim" Closs in Walton. He died on August 28, 2006. She was a member of the Plymouth Community Church for many years.

Clarabel enjoyed collecting bells, sewing, gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and taking care of her family.

Clarabel is survived by 3 sons, Elton "Paul" (Kim) Closs of South Carolina; Kenneth (Doreen) Closs of Clemington, NJ; Jeremy "Brenda" Miller, Sidney Center; 10 grandchildren, Paul III, Yoshiko, Rachel, Hillary, Morgan, Kevin, Dana, Daymon, Cortney, Kesley, great grandchildren, Christopher, Lydia, Sebastian, Sonja, Jordan, sisters, Donna Kingsbury, Dora Curtin, Janet Collins, Dorothy Seymour, sister and brother in laws, Henry and Bunny Closs, Charles and Joyce Closs, Amy Corrigan, Alice Linnabury, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Renee Covey, Sisters Harriet, Mary and Delight. brothers, Jerry, Michael, Clair Jr., and Jimmy.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Monday, December 8, 2008 from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 PM at Clark, Winter & Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton, NY. A graveside service at Walton Cemetery will be held in the spring of 2009.

Memorial contributions in Clarabel's memory may be sent to Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, or Plymouth Community Church, County Hwy 21, Walton, NY 13856.