Cleora Joy Brant

Cleora “Cleo” was born in New Bethlehem, Pa., Dec. 30, 1930, the daughter of the late Beulah Violet (Shrecengost) and John Aaron Radaker.

Born in adversity, the three Radaker children narrowly survived. But time and again, Cleora would prove to be a tower of strength for her family. At age 13 she was helping her grandmother clean the bank. Upon graduating New Bethlehem High School, she found a job and an apartment so she could support herself and her younger sister, who was still in school.

She resided in Jamestown most of her life. She worked for Sears and Roebuck, as a bookkeeper several years, handling the work of more than three fulltime employees. After that she worked numerous other jobs, including Don Gages’ Shop Rite, where with her skills at organizing and “moving mountains” she became a valued employee.

Her favorite pastime was gardening, and she took great pride in having a beautiful lawn, if it meant breaking the sod and planting the grass herself. She had flowers and trees blooming for every season. She loved interior decorating as well, sewing her own slipcovers and lined curtains throughout her home.

Cleo saw to it that her two daughters went to Sunday school, and taught them to believe in the God of the Bible and to pray. (We are forever grateful!) She also sang with the Sweet Adolines, for a number of years. She was always singing as she worked around her home and gardens. In 1969, she designed, and helped our father build our family home, every night after work.

But above all, she was a loving, devoted mother and grandmother to her family and stepfamily. She will always be remembered as a hardworker, honest, kind-hearted, and generous to a fault. If you had a need she would be sure to help. Her moral compass was second to none, and we will miss her wisdom and watchful loving care everyday. Both our parents were sentinels, keepers of the faith, sent to us from God our maker. May we also be found worthy.

She is survived by a sister, Carrie DeRose Froton of Findlay, Ohio; two daughters: Tamara (Phillip) Dole of Jamestown. N.Y., and Robin (Michael) Estock of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; two grandsons: Joseph Ryan Dole and Nicholas Alan Dole; a niece, Marcia Ann (Paul) Collins, Charlotte N.C.; and a nephew, John (Caroline) Froton, also of Findlay, Ohio.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Archie L. Brant; her beloved brother, Robert John Radaker; and one nephew, Robert Froton.

As per Cleora’s wishes, there will be no funeral service or visitation observed. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Falconer Public Library, a place she loved to visit often.