Stella Clifton

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Stella Marie Clifton, 91, of Perryville passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at DePeres Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born Nov. 1, 1921, in McBride, Mo., daughter of Ira and Mary Kutz Hilderbrand. She and Frederick J. Clifton were married Aug. 7, 1943, in Fort Dix, N.J. He preceded her in death Jan. 7, 1998.

Stella had worked in food service for 30 years at Perry County Memorial Hospital, Perry County Nursing Home and St. Vincent de Paul Rectory. She was active in extension clubs and served on the board of extension council two terms. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post 133 and Knights of Columbus Auxiliary.

Her greatest enjoyment was going to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's school and sports activities. She greatly adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she also enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

Survivors include three daughters, Carole (Richard) Martens and Sheila (Tom) Kniestedt of Perryville and Sharon (Paul) Clark of St. Louis; eight grandchildren, Jill (Michael) Hunt of Perryville, Angela (Chris) Winkler of Fenton, Mo., Brad (Amy) Martens of Columbia, Mo., John (Jennifer) DuBois of Eureka, Mo., Jami Rector of St. Louis, Amy (Robert) Schremp of Perryville, Jeffrey (Alyson) Rhodes of Charlotte, N.C., and Joseph (Adrienne) Rhodes of High Ridge, Mo.

She also is survived by 18 great-grandchildren, Adam and Alex Hunt, Conner, Carter and Cooper Winkler, Hunter and Parker Martens, Claire and Josephine Stella DuBois, Jonathan Conley, Zoe Rector, Abigail, Grace, Ethan and Jacob Schremp, William Frederick and Ollie Rhodes and Anna Rhodes; seven step-grandchildren, David (Kathy) Clark, Steve (Karen) Clark, Debbie (Tom) Cooper, Mary (John) Neels and Susan (Randy) Trautman, all of St. Louis, James (Aleyda) Kniestedt of Monterey, Mexico, and Karen (Dan) Potter of Whitefish Bay, Wis.; 15 step great-grandchildren, Raigan Mastain, Will, Jack and Katelyn Clark, Alex and Katie Cooper, Megan, Ryan and Libby Neels, Devenyns and Luke Trautman, Mary Claire and Jessica Potter and Grace and Amelia Kniestedt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Frederick Clifton Jr.; a grandson, Randall Martens; a sister, Clara Hurst; and three brothers, Edgar, Oscar and Walter Hilderbrand.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Young and Sons Funeral Home. A Catholic wake will be at 7 p.m. Friday. The rosary will be recited at 8:15 a.m. Saturday.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent's Church, with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to St. Vincent de Paul Endowment Fund or St. Vincent Schools.