Mary Clayton

Mary Clayton, 86, of Creston, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at Corning Specialty Care in Corning. Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2025, at Powers Funeral Home, 601 New York Ave. in Creston. Pastor Tim Maxa will officiate the service. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Open visitation with family receiving friends will be 9:30-10:30 a.m., prior to the service at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the family to be determined. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.

Mary Elizabeth Clayton was born Dec. 25, 1939, to Elizabeth (Richards) Foreman and James William Foreman in Red Oak. Mary attended Red Oak Schools. Mary was united in marriage to James Richard Clayton June 6, 1959, in Red Oak. They settled in Red Oak where she worked at Moore’s Doughnut Shop, she also did some babysitting. Later, Mary moved to Creston where she first worked for the Shamrock Café as a waitress, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She then worked for 17 years as a school cook at Franklin School, followed by cooking for Cromwell School and returning to the Creston Middle School. After retiring, Mary volunteered with meals on wheels.

Mary is survived by three sons: Duane (Lori) Clayton of Creston, Alan Clayton of Sharpsburg and William (Janelle) Clayton of Waukee; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; along with her sister, Rosalie Baker of Davenport.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Richard “Dick” Clayton in 2006; son John Clayton; her brothers, Herman Foreman and James (Margaret) Foreman; four sisters: Shirley Ann (Gail) Reeves, Christine (Ronnie) Kammerer, June (Gary) Henderson and Patricia (Richard) Rush and brother-in-law Jack Baker.