Clara Pauline Seroke

Clara Pauline (Harsch) Seroke, 90, of Petoskey, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2015 while in Hospice at St. James Hospital, in Chicago Heights, IL.  She was born November 29, 1924 to John and Leah (Winkel) Harsch, in South Haven, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; a son, Michael Seroke; and a granddaughter, Meghan Arnold.   

She is survived by her children – Paula (Ronald) Arnold of Monee, IL, Peggy (Thayer) Chilson of Petoskey, MI, Jacalyn Moore of Saginaw, MI;  Grandchildren – Robert (Rebecca) Arnold of Crete, IL, Ashley Arnold of Salt Lake City, UT, Tayler Seroke of South Haven, Brian (Debby) Chilson of Terrell, TX, and Christopher (Hollie) Heiser of Baroda, MI; plus Great Grand Children - Max Kahne, Christian and Lily Arnold of Crete, IL, and Peyton Heiser and Tyler Sholes of Baroda, MI.  

Clara was baptized at St Paul’s Eve. Lutheran Church in South Haven, MI by Rev. Martin A. Haase.  She was also confirmed at St Paul’s on April 10, 1938.

She graduated from South Haven High School in 1942.

During WW11 she worked at the Ford Motor Plant in Ypsilanti, MI where she built generators for the B24 Bombers.

Sep 10, 1944, Clara Harsch and Bob Seroke were married at St. Paul’s Eve. Lutheran Church in South Haven, MI, by Pastor W. W. Westendorf. 

In 1953, Clara and Bob purchased their first house at 623 Ravina Dr. in South Haven.  Within a few years, following, the field across the street became Lincoln Elementary School, the baseball diamonds, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, and L. C. Mohr High School.

In 1963 Clara and Bob purchased a 4-bedroom house in rural Benton Harbor, MI.  (Bob had moved his tool and die business from South Haven to Benton Harbor).

After the kids were all in school, Clara worked at South Haven Coil.  She then went to Key Punching School and was employed by LECO in St. Joseph, MI – first as a key puncher, then working up to a computer operator, then head of the computer room.  She retired in March 1987. 

She enjoyed travelling whenever possible, in the US, Canada, and Europe.

A visitation will be held at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, in South Haven on Fri., June 19, from 6 - 8 PM. On Sat., June 20, visitation will be from 9 - 10 am at St. Paul’s.  The funeral will follow at 10:00 am at St. Pauls’ Lutheran Church on Arbor Court in South Haven.

Clara will be laid to rest at North Shore Memory Gardens, next to her husband