John Clayton

John Thomas Clayton, one of six children of Homer Orestes Clayton and Millie Loy (Dye) Clayton, was born at Spencer, Nebraska on September 8, 1910. When John was four years old, the family moved to Macedonia, Iowa where John grew up. He joined the Macedonia United Methodist Church at an early age and graduated from Macedonia High School in 1930. John and George Clark formed a partnership to own and operate the Macedonia Grocery Store. He soon established himself as a farmer and later as a herdsman for his fine Black Angus cattle.
John and Helen May Koehler were married at Salt Lake City, Utah on November 4, 1936. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Mary, Martha, and David. The Clayton family were active members of the Macedonia United Methodist Church where John taught Sunday School and served on various church boards and committees for most of his adult life. John drove a school bus for a few years and at the age of 89 began delivering Meals On Wheels, which he continued until he was 91.
Declining health encouraged John and Helen to move to the home of their daughter, Mary Denny and her family near Louisville, Nebraska. It was at this home and surrounded by his loving family where John died on July 1, 2005 at the age of 94 years, 9 months, and 23 days. John and Helen had been married for 68 years.
John was preceded in death by his parents; an infant baby brother and an infant brother Woodrow Clayton, brother Walter Clayton, and sisters Lois Gibson and Dayle Williams.
John is survived by his wife Helen Clayton, now living near Louisville, Nebraska; daughters Mary Denny and her husband William of Louisville and Martha Killion of Council Bluffs, Iowa; son David Clayton and his wife Janet of Council Bluffs; thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.