ROCHESTER – Juanita Utter, 76, of 17034 Michigan Road, Argos, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 4 a.m. Oct. 13, 2011, in the Center for Hospice Care of Elkhart. She was born July 3, 1935, in Rochester, to Doyle and Reba Wagoner Clemans, who died. As one of 12 children, she shared her childhood with three sisters, and six brothers, and was a lifetime resident of Fulton and Marshall counties. A dedicated clerk, she worked for R.R. Donnelley and Sons of Warsaw for 35 years, She loved her job and regarding her colleagues as her extended family. In 1960 she was one of the founding members of the Bunco Club, which she was active rolling the dice until recently. She was a former member of the Argos American Legion Post and the Manitou Post 36 Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliaries. An avid racing fan, she loved following the stock car circuit. She was a frequent visitor to the tracks of Plymouth and South Bend in Indiana and the Mottville Speedway in Michigan. Winter brought her to the Argos High School gym where she cheered for the Lady Dragons basketball team. A doll collector, her most treasured were two Elvis dolls and one of Princess Diana. She was the proud owner of a vast and unique collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia. To relax, she enjoyed trekking to Bristol, Mich., to her mother’s cabin. There was nothing like sitting on the banks of the lake while fishing for bluegill with her favorite cane pole. A lifelong love for reading, Juanita especially enjoyed books of Harlequin romance. An accomplished dancer, not many could shake, rattle and roll as well as the dancing queen. A seasoned traveler, Juanita and her sisters enjoyed adventures to California and Boston. She and Bob savored back-road traveling on Sunday afternoons. Her most memorable vacation was to Memphis where she and Bob toured Elvis’s home. She is lovingly remembered by her companion, Bob Bauman, at home; six daughters: Laura (and spouse Ken) Hawkins, Warsaw; Rita Utter, Fort Wayne; Shelly (and spouse Michael) King, Burket; Kathy Blauser, Warsaw; Brenda Utter, Etna Green; Tina (and spouse Jeff) Becker, Culver; a son, Rodney (and spouse Donna) Utter, Warsaw; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; six sisters: Barbara Reese (and companion Norm Steinman), Bourbon; Loretta (and spouse Robert) Miller, Alabama; Mary (and spouse Larry) Hammonds, Claypool; Norma (and spouse Delbert) Bolen, Palestine Lake; Sue (and spouse John) Miller, Peru; Cindy (and spouse Tom) Burnworth, Claypool; three brothers: Carlton Clemans, Lancaster, Calif.; Larry (and spouse Edith) Isley, Logansport; Max (and spouse Eileen) Isley, Claypool; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Ryan Utter; and two brothers, Billy and Kenny Isley. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with the Rev. Phil Pratt officiating. She will be laid to eternally rest next to her beloved grandson, Ryan, in Rochester’s IOOF Cemetery. Calling is from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to Center for Hospice Care of Elkhart. Condolences may be sent via www.goodfamilyfh.com
