Clara Myrtle Halstead
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Clara Myrtle Halstead, 105, of Du Quoin, passed away at 12:40 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 2012 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.
Clara was a homemaker and retired elementary school teacher. She graduated from the Pinckneyville High School in 1927 obtaining her diploma in three years and was Perry County's fastest woman in track. She attended the Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale (Teacher College) graduating in 1929. Clara started her teaching career at the Walker School in Perry County near Winkle and then Slawson School at Du Quoin, Pond School at Hallidayboro, Purdy School at Du Quoin and Teague Grove School in the Hardscrabble area. She started teaching in the District 300 Schools in 1959 teaching at Ward School, Wheatley School, West Park School, McKinley School and Lincoln School. She retired in 1974 after 35 years of teaching. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Du Quoin and had been a member of the Eastern Star for over 80 years. She was also a member of the Perry County Retired Teachers Association.
She was born Nov. 8, 1906 at Winkle, Ill. the daughter of Albert and Fannie M. (McKinstry) Maxwell.
Clara married George Thomas Halstead on Oct. 28, 1933 at Christopher, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Aug. 22, 1987.
She is survived by a daughter- Carol Halstead and husband Loren Nygren of Fredericksburg, Tex., son- Thomas Wayne Halstead of Du Quoin, granddaughter- Natalie Bishop and husband Charley of Du Quoin, grandson- Thomas Wayne Halstead, Jr. and wife Lindsay of Du Quoin, five great grandchildren- Carli Bishop, Charles Edward Bishop, IV, Madeline Skye Halstead, Jackson Thomas Halstead and Lucy Claire Halstead, nephew- Robert Maxwell of Conn., niece- Barbara O'Neil of St. Louis, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers- Robert Maxwell and Floyd Maxwell.
Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Tim Scroggins officiating.
Friends called from 9 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the First United Presbyterian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.