Charles Marion Ten Clay

IN MEMORY OF
CHARLES MARION TEN CLAY

BORN
May 31, 1919 ~Westfield, North Dakota
PASSED AWAY
March 9, 2006 ~ Sheldon, Iowa
Age: 86 years, 9 months and 8 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Monday, March 13, 2006
First Reformed Church, Sheldon, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Rev. David Brower & assisted by David Ten Clay
Scripture Readings
Emily Huisman, Maria Ten Clay, Laura Denekas

MUSIC
“It Is Well With My Soul”
Duet
Emily Huisman ~ Violinist
&
Maria Ten Clay ~ Pianist
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
Sung by: Ken Snyder
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
No. 186 “The Old Rugged Cross”
No. 345 “Blessed Assurance”
Organist: Midge Andringa

CASKET BEARERS
David Ten Clay Brian Denekas
Daniel Ten Clay Nathan Ten Clay
Michael Ten Clay Shawn Huisman

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa
Military Graveside Service by the:
American Legion Post # 145
and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 7354
of Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa

CHARLES M. TEN CLAY
Charles Marion Ten Clay, the son of Henry and Minnie (Renskers) Ten Clay, was born May 31, 1919 near Westfield, North Dakota. He was raised on the farm and received his education in Hull, North Dakota. He was drafted into the United States Army in April of 1942 and was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division. Charles served for three years and seven months. During the course of his service, he crossed the English Channel and landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. He went on to serve in many major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge.
On August 23, 1946, he was united in marriage to Ruth Den Hartog in Sheldon, Iowa. They lived in Litchville, North Dakota for twelve years and then moved to Sheldon, Iowa. Charles was a carpenter and cabinet maker.
Charles showed his love for the Lord in many ways. He was very active in the First Reformed Church. He taught Sunday school and catechism, served many years as a deacon and then was an elder and vice-president of the consistory.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruth of 59 years; his children, Eileen and her husband, Ken Denekas of Inwood, Iowa; Merlyn Ten Clay and his wife, Rhonda of Wichita, Kansas; and Dennis Ten Clay and his wife, Deb of Sheldon, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Emily Huisman and her husband, Shawn, Brian Denekas and his wife, Gwen, Laura Denekas, Maria Ten Clay, Nathan Ten Clay, David Ten Clay, Daniel Ten Clay and Michael Ten Clay; two brothers, Ellsworth Ten Clay of Zeeland, Michigan and Eugene Ten Clay of Mesa, Arizona; four sisters-in-law, Lucille Ten Clay of Zeeland, Michigan; Irene Ten Clay of Sanborn, Iowa; Arlyne Ten Clay and Jane Ten Clay both of Orange City, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Margaret, Hattie, Elsie and Edna; eight brothers, William, Dick, Henry, John, Albert, Ralph, Thelmar and an infant.