Clara Dale Killian of Tooele, Utah, passed away on Oct. 8, 2015, at the age of 96. She was born on November 23, 1918, in Luka, Arkansas, to Jesse and Maggie McClellan. Dale married the love of her life, Charles Killian, on July 22, 1939. She was his princess. They had two daughters, Judy Johnson (Ed) and Karen Killian. Charles passed away in 1972. During World War II while Charles was in the Navy, Dale worked at the Yuba Manufacturing plant in Benicia, California, which had been converted from producing dam gates to making 155-millimeter Howitzer cannons to help with the war effort. Her job was machining the barrel of the 155-millimeter Howitzer. She was the “Rosie Riveter” of her day. Later in the 1950s, Dale went to work at the Benicia Arsenal Credit Union. When the arsenal was in the process of closure, Dale was instrumental in moving the credit union from Benicia to Tooele, serving as the transitional manager until Phil Miller, the manager of the credit union, was able to move to Tooele. Dale served as the assistant manager of the Tooele Federal Credit Union until she retired in 1983. Dale enjoyed playing Bunco and especially enjoyed her trips to California, many which of she drove herself, well into her 80s. Her independence was something that her family feared at times, but always admired. Dale was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one grandson, two sisters, and one brother. She is survived by her older sister, two daughters, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Rocky Mountain Hospice, especially Kearsta Washburn, for the loving care they provided. A visitation and rosary will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6-8 p.m. with a funeral mass on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service at St. Marguerite’s Catholic Church.
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Clara Dale Killian
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