VAN BUREN – Clayton L. Ouellette, 81, a lifelong resident of Van Buren, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, at a Van Buren nursing home. He was born Sept. 12, 1926, in Van Buren, the son of Arthur and Genevieve (Tardif) Ouellette. Clayton was raised on the family farm and attended local schools. At 18, he joined the Army and was assigned to the 511th airborne paratroopers, serving in Japan during World War II. Upon returning home, Clayton married Joan Beaulieu, Oct. 20, 1951. He was employed at the former Loring Air Force Base, Limestone, where he worked for 10 years as a meat cutter and for 20 years as the meat manager of the base commissary, retiring in 1982. Clayton was a loving and caring man who tried to help anyone in any way he could. He was a man with a big heart who always put others first. Clayton loved his friends and his friends loved him. He always wanted to be around people and have a good time. He enjoyed snowmobiling, camping and bingo, but mostly he loved to dance. He had a special fondness for animals and served as Van Buren’s animal control officer for several years. He was a member of the American Legion, Levasseur-Farrell Post 49 of Van Buren, was a life member of the VFW Post 9389 of Caribou and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1635. He is survived by his son, Allan Ouellette and his wife, Karie, of Biddeford; two sisters, Julie Michaud of Hartford, Conn., and Joan Cyr of Van Buren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Joan, in 1988; his daughter Verna Ouellette, in 1969; two brothers, Raymond and Roland Ouellette; and by a sister, Connie LaCava. A funeral Mass and celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. June 14, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, Van Buren. Interment will be at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clayton’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or to Precious Paws Rescue and Adoption, 15 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.
CLAYTON L. OUELLETTE
