Ishpeming – Clara Joseph, age 87, of 223 W. Ridge St., Ishpeming passed away on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at her home while in the loving care of her family and the Lake Superior Hospice. Clara was born January 4, 1926 the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Donato) Valela. Clara grew up in Ishpeming and graduated from the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1943. She married Lawrence "Nick" Joseph in 1946 and together they raised a family of 8 children. Clara and Nick began the Joseph's Grocery Store in 1948, in the building that is now Lawry's Pasty Shop West of Ishpeming. In 1953 they moved the business to Ishpeming, with subsequent moves in 1958, and 1963. Clara worked into her 70's, finally retiring in the mid 1990's. Clara was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she had served with the Altar Society, and was a longtime member of the ladies guild. She was a member of the Paisano Club, and had served on the Bell Hospital Auxiliary for several years. Clara loved to cook, especially her traditional Italian dinner on Sunday's. Lunchtime would bring the presence of her grandchildren to her home during their school years, and it was through this she would keep up with all their activities. Clara could always be counted on during the annual St. Rocco's / St. Anthony's Italian Fest in Ishpeming. She will be remembered as a strong and faithful Christian. Survivors include 8 children - Anne (Richard) Burke of Ishpeming, Nick (Judy) Joseph of Ishpeming, Larry (Violet) Joseph of LasVegas, NV, Rosemary (Joe) Kozup of Hagerstown, MD, Patricia (Jim) Maki of Ishpeming, Susie (Paul) Belpedio of Ishpeming, Julie (Rich) Anderson of Ishpeming and Margaret (Mike) Beauchamp of Ishpeming, 3 sisters – Mary Jacobson, Teresa Bertucci and Catherine (Pete) Carlson all of Ishpeming, brother-in-law – Sam (Joyce) Richards of Ishpeming, 19 grandchildren – John (Susan) Burke, Rich (Tonya) Burke, Jim (Robyn) Burke, Mark (Kristine) Burke, Amy (Donald) Bone, Melissa (Scott) Corkin, Nick (Jackie) Joseph, Bradley (Becca) Joseph, David Joseph, Daniel (Jennifer) Maki, James J. Maki, Tony Belpedio, Mike (Lisa) Belpedio, Joe Belpedio, Eric Anderson, Kylee (Joel) Pelland, Peter (Alli) Beauchamp and Brady (Erin) Beauchamp, 29 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence "Nick" Joseph in 1971, a grandson Brian Joseph in 2005, along with two brothers Bruno & Joseph Valela. The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 until 7pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home, where a parish prayer service will be held at 7:00pm. Visitation will resume on Monday January 14, 2013 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from 9:30 – 11am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. A luncheon will follow in the K-D Hall. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Clara's grandsons. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the St. John's Catholic Church Memorial Fund or the Ishpeming Booster Club. The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be heard by clicking here.