Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 April 1996 — Page 18

The Muncie Times, April 18,1996, Page 18

Clemens has been a single parent

Gerald Glemens Gerald Clemens never doubted that he would raise his daughter after the death of his wife due in a car accident Clemens, 55 was bom in Muncie to the late Haiian and Freda Qemens. He graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1958. He served with the U.S. Army from December 1958 to December 1962. In 1963 he met his wife-to-be, the former Helen Williams. In 1964 they were married. In 1972, Helen Clemens was driving when she skidded on an icy street and was killed. The couples daughter, Yvette, was about 4 years old at the time. Yvette’s maternal grandparents are the Rev. Esau and the late Mrs. Eleanor Williams. Wiliams is the twin brother of the Rev. J.C. Wiliams, former pastorofTrinity United Methodist Church. ‘ There was no doubt about it Yvette’s care was my respoasibility,’ ’ said Clemeas. “Itwas a responsibility I thoroughly enjoyed. I think perhaps the biggest challenge for me was to learn how to plait or braid her hair. “I was working at the fire station which meant some days I’d spend 24 hours away from home. “Mrs. Jesse Collier was on hand to help me as Yvette’s babysitter. Other mornings, we’d get up to get her off to the Huffer Children’s Center at 6:30 am. I had every confidence in Mrs. Collier and the program at Huffer was a good one.” Clemens said that his routine didn’t vary too much. I was always the one to cook and dean,” he said. “I’d try to teach her to cook and I can remember her standing on a little foot stool to cook bacon and eggs for me. “Basically, Yvette accepted my authority. I tried to teach her to treat people as she wanted to be treated and as she became older to go after what she wanted because it wasn’t going to be handed to her. ‘ ‘I got Yvette interested in sports at an early age so we could watch it on TV. She played sports all through school and in her senior year, Yvette made the All-Conference team for the Laly Bearcats. “She didn’t have a lot questions about her mother. But we would stay in contact with family members in Ohio when we’d go on camping trips. Added Yvette, “I just wouldn’t change anything. I’m very thankful for my daddy. “I can remember going fishing and all of

our camping trips. We went to the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Term, and I can remember it being kind of scary going through the Smoky Mountains in a big camper. I really miss those times. “My dad is a wonderful cook. He taught me a little. Even now I love to clean house and he taught me that” Over the years Qemens said it wasn’t his intention not to remarry. ‘ ‘My time was just consumed with working and raising my daughter,” he said. “When my daughter was little she didn’t want me to remarry. However, as she grew older, I think she wanted me to get married so she could have more slack. “I allowed her to date in her sophomore year of high school. My rules were simple— stay at the dance and come straight home. “At age 16, she was driving and my discipline was simply to take the car keys.” Qemens said that he and his daughter generally maintained a good relationship. “Sometimes, she didn’t want to listen to dad’s advice, though,” he said. “When she began wearing make-up, I thought she put on too much lipstick and rouge. She thought I didn’t know how much she should wear, because I was a maa But I knew what boys like by being a male. “I’m very proud of my daughter. She was on the A-B honor roll all through elementary and middle school and she graduated from Central High School in 1990.” Yvette is a business majorinher senior year at Ball State University. “I think,” said Qemens, “that one of the hardest things for me as a parent was to find out my daughter was pregnant “Even when Yvette started dating or became boy-conscious, I would take the phone off the hook or get on the boys for calling too late at night “My daughter is now 24 and my granddaughter, Amari, is 3.1 didn’t want to see her with a child at that point in her life. I didn’t want her studies disrupted, but now I wcxrldn’ttrade anything formy granddaughter and I’m glad Yvette has resumed her studies.” “Now that my daughter is getting older,” said Yvette, “I’d like to take her fishing and on camping trips. Also, when I was younger I was jealous of my father’s time with me. I didn’t want him to date. ‘ Now, I’d like to see him with a companion and, perhaps, marry. He deserved the best life has to offer.” Lisa Collier, daughter of Jesse Collier remembers when her mother babysat for Qemens. “My mother thinks the world of Mr. Qemens,” said Lisa. “I was away at school when my mother kept Yvette, but I remember her talking about how Mr. Qemens put his daughter first” Qemens recently diversified his career. “I reconnected with an old friend, Tun Collins, who has been in the insurance business for the last 14 years.” Qemens became so interested that he went to insurance school. “I now am with the Culpepper Group, Inc., and Collins is my district manager. “I also do bail bonding,” he said. For those with a need for insurance, Qemens can be reached at 317-287-0128.

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