Gertrude Thorp Cleary, 96, Minonk, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday (March 31, 2010) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk, where she was a resident.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Minonk. Mel Nielsen of Metamora will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and one hour before the service Tuesday. Burial will be in Dana Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, Heritage Manor Nursing Home or the Minonk Ambulance Squad.

She was born Dec. 25, 1913, in Dana, a daughter of William and Isa Folks Fetzer. She married Orvel Thorp on Dec. 21, 1934, in Springfield. He passed away Nov. 17, 1967. She later married John Cleary on May 30, 1976, in Rutland. He passed away July 4, 1984.

Survivors include six sons, Glen (Helen) Thorp, Eagle River, Wis.; Jim (Sally) Thorp, Salina, Kan.; Donald (Kathleen) Thorp, Flanagan; Kenneth (Sonja) Thorp, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Robert Thorp and Larry (Vicki) Thorp, both of Minonk; one daughter, Marsha (Don) Hartzler, Washington; one brother, Donald “Buster” Fetzer, Flanagan; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kenneth and Raymond Fetzer.

She was a member of the Dana and Minonk United Methodist churches. She also belonged to the United Methodist Women’s Club for many years where she had served as vice president.

Gertrude worked as a cook for various places, including Harold’s and Marget Cliffs in Rutland,  Janey’s in Flanagan and Wigwam in Minonk. She also drove a school bus in Minonk for many years.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.