(From Clark Funeral Home)Norma Ruth (Clower) Hildreth, a longtime Neosho resident for almost 60 years, passed away January 1, 2021. She was born in Fort Madison, Iowa on July 17, 1925.
Her parents, Nelson Ray Clower and Ruth LuElla (Mosler) Clower moved to Oswego, KS when Norma was 4. Norma wanted to learn to read and started school at age 4. She attended the same one room Stice school house as her mother and grandmother, Molly (Reynolds) Mosler.
Norma loved school so much that when her parents went off to work for a time, she stayed with a family in town so she wouldn’t miss out on learning new things.
In 1940, at age 15, Norma’s mother died and changed the family’s life drastically forever. Her father left Oswego, KS and found work on the Santa Fe Railroad. Nelson sent for two of his kids, Norman and Merle, while his other infant son was sent to live with Edny and Chet, Ruth’s sister and brother in law. They raised him as their own. Norma and Merle rode the train to Marceline, MO.
When they arrived, the conductor told them to walk across the tracks to the Bon Hotel. Nelson had rented a room on the 2nd floor that had a shared bathroom in the hall with 8 other rooms. Norma looked after her younger brother Merle. It was a lonely and scary time for them. Soon their father found an apartment in town which was more comfortable and she was able to cook, even if it was only a can of soup.
Norma attended Marceline High School and had a crush on a boy named Bobby. When Norma was 16, she met Billy Bon McCrary at Ma Reese’s Soda shop and there was a jukebox so sometimes dancing. Billy and his friend had been working on the east coast and had just got back to town when they met.
Norma attended Marceline High School and had a crush on a boy named Bobby. When Norma was 16, she met Billy Bon McCrary at Ma Reese’s Soda shop and there was a jukebox so sometimes dancing. Billy and his friend had been working on the east coast and had just got back to town when they met.
In 1943, Bill and Norma married and Bill joined the Army Air Force. He flew missions in the war; he was the tail gunner on a B-17 bomber. Their first child, Cheril was born in 1944 and 2nd daughter, Cynthia Ruth was born exactly 2 years later on the same day. Cindy passed in 1992. Her husband, Davis Scott raided their 3 children alone.
By 1950, Bill and Norma moved the family to California, and sometime before 1960, they moved the family to Neosho, MO. Then around 1961, they divorced and the girls were raised alone by Norma.
In 1969, she married Melvin Hildreth who she met when he whistled at her as she passed the ladder he was on fixing the electrical at the Neosho Newspaper where she worked. Norma was widowed in 2015.
Throughout Norma’s life she had different jobs. In Marceline, MO she worked for the Santa Fe Railroad sorting mail at the train depot. While living in California she worked at the Hollywood Park Racetrack, then at the Burger Bar. She was a licensed realtor with Gribin/Vondyle. In Neosho, MO she first worked for Cudahy Packing Co, then for the Neosho Daily News selling classified ads. When she married Melvin, he had 2 children, Debbie and Roger; so she could be on their schedule, Norma changed jobs to be a substitute teacher. Wanting to be able to teach full time, she went back to school, and at age 52 she completed her bachelor degree in Education. She taught remedial reading at Neosho Jr. High from 1978 until she retired in 1987.
Norma and Melvin enjoyed playing cards, dancing, and going camping, and had a membership in Branson at Treasure Lake RV resort, that the family has enjoyed for 5 generations. They belonged to the Moose Lodge. Norma attended the Methodist Church in Neosho and volunteered at their clothing closet and was secretary of her Sunday school class for a time. She was President of the local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She traveled to Mexico and Hawaii with Cheril and Dana and joined Jimmy and Dana for 2 weeks of RVing in Alberta, Canada that she said was on her bucket list. The Bear picture on her wall was from there. She liked to travel.
Norma is survived by a brother, Gary Clower (Patty Clower); a daughter, Cheril Smith; and six grandchildren: Douglas Smith, Dana Stewart (Jimmy Stewart), Tim Scott (Jody Scott), Deanna Swogger (Charles Swogger), Katherine Scott, and Stacia Scott. There are 12 great-grandchildren: Jennifer Montoya (Alfredo Montoya), Aaron Mulleneaux, DJ Mulleneaux, Remington Whiteturkey, Raynan Dakota Whiteturkey, Britnee Smith, Logan Stewart, Chaney Scott, Bailey Scott, Wacey Henderson, Kye Reif, and Hunter Davis. Her great-great grandchildren are Morgan Connell, Brandon Montoya, Braxton Mulleneaux, Exekiel Mulleneaux, Xander Mulleneaux, Bodhi Mulleneaux, Deckly Mulleneaux, Robby and James, Katie Bell Henderson, Lewis Henderson, Lizzy Paige Rieff, and Tryan Davis Rieff.
Tribute lovingly written by Dana Stewart.
VISITATION
Throughout Norma’s life she had different jobs. In Marceline, MO she worked for the Santa Fe Railroad sorting mail at the train depot. While living in California she worked at the Hollywood Park Racetrack, then at the Burger Bar. She was a licensed realtor with Gribin/Vondyle. In Neosho, MO she first worked for Cudahy Packing Co, then for the Neosho Daily News selling classified ads. When she married Melvin, he had 2 children, Debbie and Roger; so she could be on their schedule, Norma changed jobs to be a substitute teacher. Wanting to be able to teach full time, she went back to school, and at age 52 she completed her bachelor degree in Education. She taught remedial reading at Neosho Jr. High from 1978 until she retired in 1987.
Norma and Melvin enjoyed playing cards, dancing, and going camping, and had a membership in Branson at Treasure Lake RV resort, that the family has enjoyed for 5 generations. They belonged to the Moose Lodge. Norma attended the Methodist Church in Neosho and volunteered at their clothing closet and was secretary of her Sunday school class for a time. She was President of the local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She traveled to Mexico and Hawaii with Cheril and Dana and joined Jimmy and Dana for 2 weeks of RVing in Alberta, Canada that she said was on her bucket list. The Bear picture on her wall was from there. She liked to travel.
Norma is survived by a brother, Gary Clower (Patty Clower); a daughter, Cheril Smith; and six grandchildren: Douglas Smith, Dana Stewart (Jimmy Stewart), Tim Scott (Jody Scott), Deanna Swogger (Charles Swogger), Katherine Scott, and Stacia Scott. There are 12 great-grandchildren: Jennifer Montoya (Alfredo Montoya), Aaron Mulleneaux, DJ Mulleneaux, Remington Whiteturkey, Raynan Dakota Whiteturkey, Britnee Smith, Logan Stewart, Chaney Scott, Bailey Scott, Wacey Henderson, Kye Reif, and Hunter Davis. Her great-great grandchildren are Morgan Connell, Brandon Montoya, Braxton Mulleneaux, Exekiel Mulleneaux, Xander Mulleneaux, Bodhi Mulleneaux, Deckly Mulleneaux, Robby and James, Katie Bell Henderson, Lewis Henderson, Lizzy Paige Rieff, and Tryan Davis Rieff.
Tribute lovingly written by Dana Stewart.
VISITATION
Clark Funeral Home
Friday, January 15, 2021
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
312 S Wood
Neosho, Missouri 64850
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, January 15, 2021
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
312 S Wood
Neosho, Missouri 64850
FUNERAL SERVICE
Clark Funeral Home - Neosho
Saturday, January 16, 2021
11:00 AM
312 S. Wood St.
Neosho, Missouri 64850
INTERMENT
Saturday, January 16, 2021
11:00 AM
312 S. Wood St.
Neosho, Missouri 64850
INTERMENT
Neosho, MO 64850
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