Cledith Humbach

Cledith Carol Humbach (nee Bowling) passed to eternal life on September 29, 2015. The daughter of Thomas A and Myrtle (Helton) Bowling, she was born in Big Creek (Clay County) Kentucky on February 20, 1915, moved with her family to Hamilton in 1922. During the Depression her father’s serious accident required her to leave her studies at Hamilton High School to take a position as one of the first two nurses’ aides at Fort Hamilton Hospital. Hopes for her desire to become a registered nurse were dashed when the nursing school declared bankruptcy. Cledith continued to work at Fort Hamilton until she married Herbert H. Humbach on September 5, 1936. They met at the 7th Street Church of Christ at a youth group gathering.They moved their church affiliation to First Baptist Church in 1937. Cledith was not only the eldest member of the church, but also the one with the longest membership. A devout Christian, she passed on her faith to her daughter and to those she met. At FBC, she was active in the Jennie Sandidge Guild and in the nursery caring for babies. They moved to Cincinnati and eventually to Glendale where they built the home she occupied until 2014. Their beloved daughter Nancy Ann Humbach was born shortly after. Nancy now lives in Butler County. Cledith was known for many things, but especially her kindness to those around her. After WWII, when so many were unemployed, she prepared meals for people who came to the door to ask for food, for neighbors and families in time of need. Often she gave bags of food and clothing to those needing assistance. She was especially noted for her pies and cakes, her homemade baked beans, wide variety of meals that she prepared daily for the family. She loved to do embroidery, sew clothing for the family and as gifts to others. She also enjoyed entertaining friends and family around a table of outstanding food. Later in life she became a lithographer and worked at the Millcreek Valley News in Lockland. Cledith was also an active member and Worthy Past Matron of Cardinal Chapter #140 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sharonville. At the age of 59, she decided to learn to drive while Nancy and her dad traveled in Mexico. Herb was horrified to learn that she was taking training and getting her license, but decided not to cut his trip short “to save my car”. She then astounded everyone by purchasing a new car one day on her lunch hour, a surprise for Herb. She also loved to travel the rivers on steamboats. Her first trip was in 1940 when she (expecting Nancy) and Herb traveled on the Gordon C. Greene.  Starting in 1997, she and Nancy made more than 20 trips on the Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen. Cledith lost her eyesight in 1993 because of Macular Degeneration. Despite of her loss of vision and her severe rheumatoid arthritis, she rallied and continued to live independently until 2014. Always optimistic, she shared ideas coping strategies with other newly diagnosed patients with AMD. Cledith’s family included five sisters, all of whom predeceased her. All Hamilton residents (except Mary) were Carrie Wilson, Mary Bowling (infancy), Aura Turner, Ann Castator and Marie Schuster.  Nephews and nieces surviving are Thomas E. (Elaine Stacy) Humbach, John A. (Eva, Mt. Vernon, NY) Humbach, Charles “Pete” Schuster, Ted Wilson and Tom Turner. All live in the Hamilton area (exceptions noted).

The family wishes to thank the following for attention and care given to Cledith: “adopted daughter” Dawn Smith of Loveland, Katrina Lester and Patricia Unruh of Seniors Helping Seniors, the staff of Doverwood Nursing Care and Hospice of Southwest Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be directed to the Cincinnati Association for the Blind, The First Baptist Church of Hamilton or the cause of your choice.

Service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015, at 1 PM at Vorhis & Ryan Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pike, Springdale, OH 45246 with visitation from 11 AM -1 PM. Interment follows at Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton. The Revs. Daniel Clemens and William Brantingham, First Baptist Church officiating.