Clare Burdette Davis Obituary

 Services for Clare Burdette Davis, 84, of Russell will be Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will follow at the Russell Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Thursday, prior to the service at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Russell Public Library or the Russell Fire Department.
Clare Burdette Davis passed away on November 25, 2017 at the Iowa Veteran's Home in Marshalltown.Clare Burdette Davis was born December 16, 1932 to Howard Leroy and Mary Clanin Davis at his grandparent’s home in rural Russell, Iowa. He was raised in Russell alongside his sisters, Ethel and Mary Alice, and attended Russell High School.

Clare served in the United States Army from April of 1953 until April of 1955. He was stationed in Korea after the war. Clare was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.

Farming was always a love of Clare’s. At one time he owned a small farm, but most of his farming experience was as a farmhand for area farmers. Clare loved to drive trucks. His driving career started while he was stationed in Korea where he drove a supply truck. After returning home he drove for various truck lines over the years, including: Russell Produce, the Stone brothers of Chariton, Werner, and he retired from Brooks. Clare was proud of the fact that he drove in all of the 48 mainland states and he never failed to mention that he drove in Washington, D.C.

Clare was an avid reader all of his life. He would read anything, from an encyclopedia, to one of his favorite western stories. He was the proud owner of a 1953 John Deere 70. There was a time when he used the tractor to pull a roller for the City of Russell. Clare served on the Russell City Council for eight years and was a proud member of the Russell American Legion.

In the later years, Clare really enjoyed visiting with friends over a cup of coffee at The Last Chance in Russell. He had a very dry sense of humor and a quick response for everything. The staff at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown really enjoyed getting to know Clare and considered him a favorite patient.

Clare is survived by his children: Juanita (Richard) Hanson, Robert (Karen) Davis, Mary Davis, Janet (Ed) Davis-Savich, and Linda Davis; sisters, Ethel (Weston) Laing and Mary Alice Davis; nephew, John (Sheila) Laing; great niece, Amy Laing; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Howard and Mary Davis; and his daughter, Minda Davis.