Clara L. (Shelton) Shetlar, 91, died Friday, April 13, 2012, in Houston, Texas, after suffering a stroke the Friday before.
She was born in Watova, Okla., on Aug. 29, 1920, to Mary Rose-Shelton and Harry Shelton. She grew up in the Mildred-Moran area where her parents operated a family farm.
She married Marvin Roy Shetlar of Bayard on June 1, 1940. Clara went with Marvin to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he received his Ph.D. Degree in biochemistry, and Clara received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition. Clara and Marvin moved to Oklahoma City in 1946 where Marvin worked as a biochemistry professor at the University of Oklahoma Medical School and Clara worked as his research assistant, co-authoring numerous scientific publications. In 1951, both received radioisotope training at Oak Ridge, Tenn., which was used by both in their research projects. In 1964, Clara and Marvin served as instructor and visiting professor at Airlangga University in Surabaja, Indonesia, for 18 months before going to Churchill Hospital in Oxford, England, where Marvin was a visiting professor for eight months. Marvin and Clara returned to the University of Oklahoma and after two years they moved to Galveston, Texas, where Marvin was a professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. In 1974, Clara and Marvin moved to Lubbock, Texas, where Marvin resumed his research and teaching duties as a professor at Texas Tech University School of Medicine. In the late 1970s, Clara and Marvin again accepted visiting Instructor and visiting professor positions at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia for two years, after which both returned to Lubbock. Marvin retired in 1980, but continued research as an emeritus professor and Clara pursued and completed her Master of Science Degree in Nutrition. She was proud to note that she maintained a 4.0 grade point average during her studies. In the mid-1990s, Clara and Marvin moved to the Copperfield Community outside of Houston, Texas, to be closer to their daughter and granddaughter.
Clara lost Marvin in 2001. She is survived by her son, David Shetlar, Ph.D., and daughters, Susan Holler and Debra Shetlar, M.D. She had two granddaughters, one grandson, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mildred United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Mildred.
Arrangements are being coordinated by Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
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