November 10, 2009

PERRYVILLE -- One of Perryville's most recognized citizens - Clara Stuebner - will celebrate her 97th birthday on November 20th.

The First Presbyterian Church is conducting an open house in her honor on Sunday afternoon, November 22nd from noon to 2 o'clock in the church parlor. All her friends are invited to attend.

To the unfamiliar, Clara was a 40-year fixture at the Park-Et Restaurant here on Highway 61 in Perryville where she served breakfast, lunch and dinner to tens of thousands of diners beginning in 1957. Amid tears of sadness, she finally retired as a waitress there in 1997.

Clara Jewel was born Nov. 20, 1912 at Yount in Perry County, the daughter of Joseph Henry and Rosella Caruthers. Later the young beauty met a man who immigrated to Perry County from Brooklyn, New York at age nine. She and Otto Rienhold Stuebner were married Mar. 28, 1943 in Perryville.

Otto later owned and operated the Stuebner-Bergman variety and hardware store on the west side of the Courthouse Square, and Clara worked for him prior to and during their marriage. After he retired, Clara began her long employment with the Park-Et. Mr. Stuebner died in early 1974.

Clara's relatives include two deceased step-daughters, Roslind and Lucille; four living grandchildren, John, Mary, Melbourn and Roslind Moore; a special great-grandson, John Moore of St. Louis; and four great nieces, Donna Chapman and Eileen Kiepe, both of Farmington, Wilma Rasnick of Branson and Clara Mae Very of Massachuttes.

Clara and her husband joined the First Presbyterian Church on May 28, 1944, and she remains a faithful and devout member still today. She is extremely active both in her devotion to God and everyday life. She continues to safely drive her own automobile (always to church too), and earlier this month received a vehicle renewal license from the State Department of Revenue - not bad for someone about to become a centenarian in just a few years.

Whether you are a fellow church member, former Park-Et customer, or simply a friend, all are invited to attend the November 22nd informal reception at the church, briefly rekindle the days of old, and congratulate Clara on the occasion.