March 20, 1943 - July 2, 2012
Clara Ella Leeper, 69, Altoona, died Monday morning at her residence after a brief illness.
She was born in Nanty Glo, daughter of the late John and Clara (Corl) Laughard. She was twice married, first to James J. Cross Jr. on Nov. 14, 1958; he died Sept. 3, 1974. She then married Harry James Leeper Jr. on Jan. 18, 1997, at Broad Avenue United Methodist Church, Altoona, and he died Nov. 16, 2004.
Article Photos
Leeper
Surviving are a stepdaughter, Verna Goldberg of Johnstown; brothers: John Laughard of Centre Hall, George Fry of Indiana, Pa., and Leo "Lee" Fornari of Altoona; a sister, Alberta Freidwald of Johnstown; two half brothers: George Fornari of Altoona and John Fornari of Nanty Glo; and a half sister, Rose Soflosky of Nanty Glo.
Also surviving are four stepgrandchildren: Laken Auvil, Shyanne Auvil, Austin Anthony Goldberg and Stanley Auvil Jr., all of Johnstown; and special friends, Jody and Dee Lambert.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Adalina Markel; a brother Bill "Wild Bill" Laughard; four half siblings: Anthony Fornari, Joseph Fornari, Josephine Gearhart and Mary Cuomo; and two special cousins: Georgiana Gross and Howard Conahye.
Clara worked as a waitress/cook at Tom & Joe's Restaurant, Altoona, for 36 years from March 3, 1966, to Jan. 14, 2002. She was a member of Simpson Temple United Parish, Altoona. She enjoyed collecting knickknacks, shooting pool, pitching horseshoes and fishing.
Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home, Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2012, the Rev. Peggy Bonsell officiating. Committal rites will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.
