Clarence R. "Jake" Clouse, 72, of West Park Road, Muddy Creek Township, died at 7 a.m. Thursday at Ellwood City Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Pittsburgh, Jan. 4, 1932, he was the son of Edward A. and Mary Meyer Clouse.

He was an Army veteran and retired as a self-employed, owner/operator independent truck driver. He was a member of Teamsters' Union Local 261 of New Castle and Teamsters' Union Local 92 of Canton, Ohio. He enjoyed golfing, gardening and hunting.

Mr. Clouse attended Portersville Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Lois J. Reaugh Clouse, whom he married Dec. 4, 1953; a daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Timothy Kennedy of Prospect; four sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Diane Clouse of Portersville, Robert and Terri Clouse of Connoquenessing, Jeffrey and Debra Clouse of New Castle and Richard and Kimberly Clouse of Freedom; and a sister, Mary Robinson of Harmony. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, a granddaughter, five brothers and three sisters.

CLOUSE - Friends of Clarence R. "Jake" Clouse, who died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Portersville Presbyterian Church, Route 19, Portersville, with the Rev. Dana Opp officiating. Burial will be at Portersville Cemetery.