Cleta Lavaun Force
Cleta Lavaun Force
Cleta Lavaun Force, daughter of Guy Ora & Ada Belle (Brown) Burch, was born June 6, 1920 at home in Liberty township, Ringgold County, Iowa.
Cleta moved with her family to Benton when she was 3 years old and she grew up there and attended and graduated from Benton High School.
On August 14, 1938, Cleta and Clifford Force went to Creston, Iowa and were married. They returned home to tell their parents about their marriage. Cleta and Clifford lived at Maloy, Iowa, Worth, Missouri, and Benton, Iowa. In 1944, they purchased and moved to a farm 3 miles west of Mount Ayr. In 1959, they sold that farm and purchased and moved to a farm further west of Mount Ayr. In 1973, they sold that farm and moved into Mount Ayr.
Cleta was a devoted farm wife and mother and provided much love and care for Alan. She enjoyed the family trips that they took; visiting with family and friends; and going camping. She was a member of the Neighborhood Women’s Club and area card parties. Cleta enjoyed helping in the nursery at church.
Cleta became a resident of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr and she peacefully passed away there on August 5, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clifford on September 25, 1992; granddaughter Kerri Dawn Hembry; sons-in-law Larry Hembry and Roy Kennedy; her twin brother Glen Burch; a brother Don Burch and sister Jean Burch.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children Sharon Kennedy of Rogers, Arkansas, Alan Force of Mount Ayr, and Glenys Essex and husband John of Independence, MO; grandchildren Sherri Wheeler of Centerton, Arkansas, L.J. Hembry of Bentonville, Arkansas, Barry Hembry of Hayden, Idaho, and Sara Essex of Independence, MO; 12 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A memorial fund has been established for the Ringgold County Group Home.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, September 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with graveside services beginning 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 14 at Rose Hill Cemetery.
