Hazel Mae Gwynne Cluss
Hazel Mae Gwynne Cluss of Uniontown, Pa., died peacefully on Saturday, April 28, 2007, in the comfort of her home and surrounded by family. Hazel was born on August 28, 1918, in Latrobe, Pa., and was the daughter of Arthur C. and Loma Cole Gwynne.
She was predeceased by her parents, one sister, Althea Catherine Gwynne, and two brothers, Edgar A. Gwynne and Jacob Merle Gwynne.
Hazel married John S. Cluss on May 13, 1944, and had two daughters, Dr. Patricia A. Cluss (Jeffrey Herman) of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Nancy L. Cluss (Michael Rainey) of Idaho, who survive her. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ann Levine (Ryan) Keough, Joshua A. Herman and Laura S. Herman, and great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Jayne Keough. Other family members by marriage are Jessica, Alex, and Tristan Neria and Charlotte Butler of Idaho.
Hazel graduated from South Union High School, Class of 1936.
As a young adult in the Depression, she was unable to fulfill her dream of going to college. In her 50s, while continuing her roles as wife, mother, and active community volunteer, she enrolled at the Fayette Campus of the Pennsylvania State University and received an Associate Degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences in 1972 with Honors. Earning her degree was one of her proudest achievements.
As a young woman, she was employed as a secretary for the General Motors Acceptance Corporation and in the Alumni Office of Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia. She also stepped in as a temporary bookkeeper and office assistant when needed over the years at the O. C. Cluss Lumber Company.
She was a 59-year member of Asbury United Methodist Church. Her church service included being a member of the Administrative Board, Membership and Evangelism Commission, Pastor-Parish Committee, Mission Commission, and an active member and officer of the Jo Kriz Circle. She was an MYF Junior High Counselor, church school teacher, and was on the United Methodist Women Executive Committee for 40 years. Hazel was a committed leader in area and regional Methodist activities. For the Connellsville District of the United Methodist Church, she was District Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference many times and was on the District United Methodist Women Executive Committee for eight years.
As part of the Western PA Conference of United Methodists, Hazel was an active member of the Conference Commission on Missions and Christian Social Relations and was Conference United Methodist Women secretary, Nominating Committee member, and member of the Archives and History Committee.
She was an active community volunteer. She served as Uniontown Human Relations Commission Officer and member, was a member of the Uniontown Bicentennial Commission and Chair of “Meet the Americans” exchange program in 1976.
Other service activities included being a Girl Scout leader, a member of the Scout Executive Board of Public Relations and Uniontown Council of Churches, United Fund Women’s Division Chair, Church Women United co-organizer and officer, Uniontown Area Council of Churches co-organizer, and chair of Commissions and Spiritual Life. She was also chair of the International Fellowship Exchange Program for high school youth.
With her family, Hazel sponsored an immigrant from Chile to the USA. She was a member/officer of Y-Gradale (local, state and national) for 20 years, a member/officer of the Delta Rho Service Club, and a member of The Friends of the Library, Pioneer Crafts Council, Fayette County Historical Society, the Greene County Historical Society, Fayette County Genealogical Society, and the Penn State University Alumni Association.
In addition, she was co-founder, officer, and business manager of the Gwynne Cemetery Association, responsible for preserving the Gwynne Family Cemetery in Greene County.
Hazel was named “Woman of the Year” in 1967 by the Business and Professional Women of Uniontown for her service to family, church and community.
With her husband, John, she traveled to 48 states in the United States and to 32 countries.
Hazel will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her life was a blessing to us all and her memory will continue to guide and comfort us.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC., 80 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, Pa., where friends will be received today, April 30, 2007, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, May 1, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Visitation will continue on Wednesday, May 2, in the ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Beeson Boulevard, from 10 until 11 a.m. followed by a service celebrating her life at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Thomas Brown officiating.
Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown.
In life of flowers, donations in Hazel’s memory may be sent to either the Asbury Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 20 Dunbar Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 or the Gwynne Cemetery Association, c/o Patricia Cluss, Administrator, 6441 Forward Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Memorial e-mails may be sent to the family at