Effie Lou Barclay

Effie Lou Barclay (nee Ball), born March 7, 1936, in Coopersville, Mich., to William A. and Marie Howard Ball, passed away Sat., Nov. 17, from Alzheimer’s dementia.

Effie Lou spent her childhood between Coopersville, Marne and Lansing. Early memories included performing with the family band playing music for barn dances, plus riding horses and her special pony, Ruthie, and learning domestic arts from her mother’s five sisters and her own Grandma Effie.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree for medical technology from Michigan State University. Many of her classes were shared with veterinary medical students, where she met her husband, Eldon Barclay Jr., DVM, of Almont, Mich. They married June 15, 1958, after graduating from MSU. They raised four children in the Almont area. Summers were spent in Ogemaw County and Effie Lou and Eldon moved to West Branch permanently in 1983.

Effie Lou enjoyed painting, cooking, horseback riding, gardening, all outdoor pursuits, sewing, spinning wool, knitting and performing. She was an accomplished pianist, singer and actress. She and Eldon performed with the Ogemaw County Players and loved to lead monthly sing-a-longs with area senior citizens.

Effie Lou gave piano lessons to her grandchildren and neighborhood youth as well as played organ and piano for church functions. She retained her musical talents well into advanced Alzheimer’s dementia.

She is survived by her children, Eldon Barclay III (Lynn), James Barclay (Joy), Sherrie Bristol (Jim) and son-in-law Dan Miller of St. Paul, Minn.; her brother, William Ball; and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Engen. She was also loved by grandchildren Jordan Barclay (Angela), Linden Barclay (Deidra), Brigette Bristol Fleiss (Edward), Laura Barclay, Curtis Barclay (Aislyn), Elaine Bristol (Rick), Eldon Barclay (Hailey) and Martin Miller, plus six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon C. Barclay, Jr., DVM, and her daughter, Sally Miller.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 1:30 PM at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. Visitation will be from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM prior to the service. Pastor Melvin Leach will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, attention Donor Services, at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.