The Rev. Dr. Clara “Clarie” C. Settlemire

The Rev. Dr. Clara “Clarie” C. Settlemire, 85, of East Brady, died on Tuesday at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Claire was born in Pittsburgh on Aug. 2, 1931, to Frank and Catherine Settlemire.

She was raised by Abraham and Sarah Wiles. She was a 1949 graduate of East Brady High School.

Claire graduated from Cedar Crest College in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

She graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1956 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree and became an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

After being ordained, Claire served as minister of the St. Matthew's United Church of Christ in Carlisle, Pa., from 1956 to 1963. While there, she served as youth director for Mercersburg Synod.

From 1963 to 1964, Clarie attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as a Special Student of Greek and Hebrew. Clarie graduated with a Ph.D. from Drew University in 1968. While at Drew, Ms. Settlemire was a supply pastor at Dushore St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

After obtaining her Ph.D. in 1968, Clarie became an assistant professor of History at Slippery Rock State College. While there she taught ancient medieval civilization, history of the Bible, history of Greece and Rome and served as the resident Egyptologist.

Clarie was promoted to full professor at Slippery Rock State College in 1980. She served several terms as chairperson of the history department from 1978-1981 and then again from December of 1991 until May of 1996. Twice named a Fullbright Seminary Participant, she met with various government and educational leaders in India and Egypt including Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, and President and Mrs. Anwar Sadat. Clarie was the project director leading teachers on an eight-week trip to India in 1975, a six-week trip to Egypt in 1977 and wrote a grant proposal for an additional trip she led teachers on to Egypt in 1979.

From 1977 to 1978, Clarie was a consultant to the U.S.A. Office of the Education Group Project Abroad Program. Clarie received the President's Award for Outstanding Publication during the school year 1985-86. She received the President's Award for Outstanding Service in the 1995-96 school year. She made several commencement addresses at Slippery Rock University, including the commencement address on May 10, 2003. She also was a published author, writing several historical books while teaching at Slippery Rock. While at Slippery Rock University, Clarie served on significant college and university committees. A few of these were the International Education Committee, Campus Ministry Advisory Board, Graduate Council and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty.

She served as a leader in the United Church of Christ and was a member of the Penn West Conference. Clarie was a member of the Clarion Association Ministerium, in which she also served on the Executive Committee and Church Pastor Committee.

She was a member of the board of trustees at the Lancaster Theological Seminary. She retired from Slippery Rock University in May of 2002 and from then has been Professor Emeritus of History at the University. During her lifetime, Clarie traveled extensively, including visits to Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, Israel, the British Isles, Egypt, India and Canada.

Clarie was generous and kind, loved by all who knew her. She enjoyed life. She loved dining out with friends and family, enjoyed playing bridge, and loved driving, boating and watching the Steelers. Clarie also looked forward to her annual vacation at Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, N.Y.

Clarie leaves behind many beloved cousins including Gail McKee Double, Margaret “Peg” McKee Thompson, Claudine Pryor Thomas, Yvonne Griffiths Roosa and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Abraham and Sarah Wiles; Mildred Griffiths; Phyllis McKee McElhaney; Creda Pryor; and Howard Pryor.

SETTLEMIRE — There will be a private committal service for The Rev. Dr. Clara “Clarie” C. Settlemire, who died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at the Oak Grove Cemetery officiated by Pastor Samuel Swick.A memorial service in Clarie's honor will be announced at a later time. Arrangements are entrusted to the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.snydercrissman.com.