Clayton Strong
Dates
August 8, 1945 - January 10, 2023Obituary
Clayton Strong, 77, of Mitchell, SD, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at his home under hospice care. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, January 16, at Harvest Community Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Spencer. Visitation will be Sunday, January 15, from 1-3:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.
A live stream of the funeral service can be viewed at:
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/HCCONAZ
Web Page: https://www.harvestmitchell.org/watchlive
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mitchellharvestcommunitych7782
Clayton Dean Strong was born August 8, 1945 to Otto and Esther (Tillotson) Strong in Mitchell, SD. The family lived in Spencer, the Pierre area, Gann Valley, then back to Spencer and graduated from Spencer High in 1963. He went one year to Wessington Springs Junior College before transferring to Greenville College in Illinois where he graduated then was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam.
Upon his return, he married Barbara McMullen in Greenville on June 13, 1970. They returned to Spencer where he farmed with his father for several years. He obtained a degree in elementary education from DSU and then began his teaching career which included a year and a half in Salem, SD then 30 years in Mitchell. After his retirement, he substitute taught for 10 years.
The couple had two sons: Mark (Amy) and Daniel (Maylyne), 11 grandchildren: Emily (Joe) Carroll, Allie, Nathaniel, Bekah, Makayla, Lillian, Julia, Zachary, Elizabeth, Yosemite, and Gunnison, and 2 great-grandchildren Evan and Elliott.
He was always active in his church, serving as Sunday School teacher, church board member, organist and pianist, and whatever was needed. God was good to him, and he wanted to use his talents to be useful in God’s kingdom. He was involved in the Mitchell Concert Series board serving as chairman one year, and on the Helping Hand Pantry board for several years. He was a kind and gentle man who was an encourager. He loved working in his garden, and he especially loved being around his children and grandchildren.
Clayton is survived by his wife Barb, his sons and their families, siblings Vernon of Newark, IL, Richard of Clarkesville, GA, and Miriam of Clarkesville, GA, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ruth Nebelsick, brother Warren, and sister-in-law Dorothy Strong.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial to Harvest Community Church or the Helping Hand Pantry.
Visitation(s)
Sunday, January 15, 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Service
Monday, January 16, 2023
10:30 AM
Harvest Community Church
1017 W Norway Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Cemetery
Pleasant Hill CemeterySpencer, SD
I'm sorry to hear of Clayton's passing, the photo tribute brought back a lot of memories. Thank you for sharing that. Clayton was much appreciated by Geoff and I.
Our love and prayers go out for you Barb, Mark, Dan and families. Clayton was a wonderful godly man, we are saddened at your loss; but also rejoice knowing he is whole, well and free, with Jesus and loved ones gone ahead.