Clara "Clair" Jean Cook

Clara “Clair” Jean Cook, 69, of East Peoria, IL passed from this earthly realm to join with her heavenly father and those who have gone before her on July 11, 2026, around 2:00 in the morning.

As the Borg would say, she was 11 of 12.  Born June 14, 1957, into the family of Leda and Gordon Maddy of Granville, IL, Clara Jean Maddy (later Clair by choice) was the youngest daughter of a robust family of six boys and six girls.  She spent her formative years in a rambling Victorian house in Sheffield, IL, before moving to Whiteside County at the end of her junior year in high school.

Clair had a knack for sales, a trait inherited from her father.  She sold advertising for a small-town newspaper (and did well), graduated to selling radio advertising for that new and upcoming FM radio (which all the other salespeople at the station figured would be a flash in the pan) (and did well), and eventually sold yellow page ads for a company doing area wide phone books. (Youngsters, ask your parents about phone books).

Clair married Kent Cook on November 24, 1984, after which she concentrated on raising their two daughters, Chastity Star and Cherity Star, born fourteen months apart, which Clair described as having “twins the hard way.”  She dedicated her time and life to instilling in her daughters a love for God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ.

As they made their way through elementary school, she volunteered as “classroom mom,” a role that expanded beyond cleaning up art projects into one-on-one tutoring for struggling students.  Several would later credit her as the first adult who took the time to teach them how to read.

Clair was known for her love of Christmas, always seeking to recreate the mountain of presents she saw on Christmas morning as one of the youngest children in a very large family.  She liked to remind everyone that “wise men come bearing gifts” and enjoyed nothing quite so much as overwhelming someone with generosity on Christmas Day.

She loved gospel songs, Latin music, and dancing until her feet hurt. Once upon a time, she made extra money performing singing telegrams, complete with original songs.  (Her daughter, Cherity, still sings the song Clair wrote for birthday telegrams.)  She loved anything that sparkled, from rhinestones on her jeans to gold jewelry that she wore like a second skin. More than once, when someone happened to compliment a ring she wore, she took it off right then and gave it to them.

Clair had a passion for spreading the good Word, leading her to meet, mentor, and support individuals around the world in their faith walks, particularly in India and Kenya.  Two schools and three children around the globe have been named in her honor.

Alas, later in life health issues arose, and Clair fought through and bounced back from many dire health challenges until the only appropriate response when her loving family was asked about her battles was, “She is exceeding all expectations.”  Her resilience often astounded her health care professionals.  Most notably, last October saw her unexpectedly survive a heart attack.  She would tell you that she did so expressly to meet her only grandchild, Addison, born November 2025.

Clair is survived by her husband, Kent Cook of East Peoria; both daughters and their spouses, Chastity (Jesse) Shreve of Roanoke and Cherity (John Bryniarski) Cook of East Peoria, and her granddaughter, Addison, who she felt endlessly blessed to have met and known.  She is also survived by her remaining five siblings, Vivian Roffey, Wayne Maddy, Barb (Lee) Carper, Mary (Mert) Newman and Alice Maddy, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and even great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Becky, Larry, Paul, John, Dale, and Joel Maddy.

Many have experienced the blessings of an ordinary / extraordinary life well lived.  Clair loved bigly and is loved bigly.  She will be missed by family, by friends, and by the staff of Childer’s in East Peoria, where she was generally considered to be their best customer.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the First United Church of Christ in Sheffield, IL with Pastor Nate Schaefer officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Sheffield Cemetery in Sheffield, IL.

Memorials may be made to Clair’s family to support a donation that will continue her mission work in Africa.