Clair Mock

Clair Mock, 108, died Sunday, September 22, 2013 at Bedford Colonial Courtyard. Clair was born July 25, 1905, in Lincoln Township. His  parents were Wilson Decker  and Idella Catherine (Barefoot) Mock.

On April 6, 1930, Clair and Ruth (Bowser) Mock were married. They celebrated 72 wedding anniversaries. Ruth died January 22, 2003. The Mocks had four children. Elaine (Ray) Sollenberger, Arthur, deceased, April 3, 2006; Donna (James) Everhart; Nancy (Ivan) Mitchell. Clair had    10 grandchildren, 21 great  grandchildren,  and  1 great  great grandchild.

Clair was the last living member of his immediate family. His sisters were: Alice Corle, Florence Ogden, Lavanda Mock, Vesta Mock, Roberta Gochnour, Almeda Allison; his brothers were John, Harry, and Cloyd Mock

Clair was an auto/big equipment mechanic and worked for several companies, one of those in Pittsburgh; he retired from being a shop mechanic for New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. He was also a general store owner and school bus driver.

Following his retirement, Clair spent considerable time in volunteer work, especially with the projects of his church, the Church of the Brethren. He became part of a group doing disaster relief work. He spent many days working at the church camp, Camp Blue Diamond, helping in the building of that facility. Quite a few years ago, Clair and another, church member, Glenn Callihan, were among those who decided the old Mock Church near Ryot (part of the Dunnings Creek Church of the Brethren) should be refurbished and preserved. Those two and a number of volunteers completed that.

After moving to Colonial Courtyard in 2003, Clair worked at making small woodcrafts. He is shown in the above picture  with his  small rocking chairs, (using the wood from spring-type clothespins) and a wheelbarrow. He gave many of these away as gifts and often donated one to an auction for a good cause.

When he was asked  what  he attributed his long life to, the answer was always the same: “Two tablespoons daily of a mixture of 2 parts cider vinegar and I part honey.” (Also pictured alongside him.)

Clair also made models of the old Mock Church,  complete with benches inside, and of the Dr. Knisely covered bridge near Pleasantville.

Over his 108 years of living, Clair experienced many firsts. Just some of these: the Model T Ford (his was the crank kind); he was among the first members of Social Security. New inventions included: the school bus, electric appliances of all sorts, automatic washers/dryers, the airplane, television, computer, Medicare. The list is quite long.

Clair was always very interested in and took special delight in the accomplishments of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He firmly believed and often said, “They will make the world better.”

Clair was a longtime member of the Dunnings Creek Church of the Brethren, serving in many leadership roles, including deacon. After moving to the Courtyard he attended the Bedford Church of the Brethren, as he was able.

A viewing will be held at the Jack H. Geisel Funeral Home in Pleasantville, Wednesday evening, September 25, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.. A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 26, at the Mock Church  near Ryot, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Robert Thacker, Rev. Marilyn Lerch, and Rev. Claude Hall will share in leading the service. Burial will be in the Mock Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Clair Mock may be made to the Dunnings Creek Church of the Brethren, 195 Church Road, Fishertown, PA  15539 or Camp Blue Diamond, P.O. Box 240, Petersburg, PA 16669. Arrangements are with the Jack Geisel Funeral Home, Alum Bank, PA.