Obituary of Rev. Clarence W. Elliott

Reverend Clarence Elliott, 87, of Gasport, went home to the Lord on March 25, 2021.  Born January  26, 1934 to George and Pearl Elliott on the family farm in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, he was the youngest of four children.

He attended Capital University, in Columbus, OH, earning a degree in history. Subsequently he studied theology at Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, also in Columbus, and was ordained in 1959. He started his ministerial service as pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lyndonville and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wilson, serving the two congregations from 1959 to 1963.  He later served congregations in Beaver Falls, PA (1963-1967) and Birnamwood, WI, (1967-1971) before returning to St. John's in Lyndonville, where he remained until his retirement in 2000. After retiring, he continued to serve several congregations in Niagara County on a part-time basis, most recently at Faith Lutheran Church in Newfane. In 2019 he was honored by the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America on the 60th anniversary of his ordination. In a letter addressing his colleagues for the occasion, he wrote, “Preach the word! That is a pastor’s first task. And always-ALWAYS To God be the Glory!”

Clarence was a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed watching the Buffalo Sabres. When he wasn't watching and cheering on his teams, he was rarely without a book to read. In later years, chatting up cashiers, waitresses, tellers, and healthcare workers put a smile on his face and on those around him.

Clarence was predeceased by his loving wife, Carolyn, his siblings Donald Elliott, Geraldine Watkins, Hazel Pennington, and his grandson Noah.

He is survived by his children, Thomas (Rose) Elliott of Elba, NY, Susan Elliott of Gillette, WY, and Kristina Elliott of Queens, NY, as well as his grandchildren: Timothy (Crystal) Elliott, Melissa (Bradley) Mudzrynski, Elizabeth and Marianna Dietz, and Olivia Kowar, and great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Nathan and Derek. He is also survived by nieces: Carol Fizer, Linda Elliott-Leitsch, Elaine Lombardo, and nephew, Ron Pennington.

He will be dearly missed, but fondly remembered.

Relatives and friends may call Sunday, March 28^th from 1-5 PM in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport.  Private funeral and interment services will be held at a later date.  Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.  Memorial donations to Roswell Park Cancer Institute would be appreciated by the family.  Visit pruddenandkandt.com.