Edward Claypool

Mr. Edward L. Claypool was a deeply devoted husband, a sweet and loving father and grandfather, an accomplished businessman and distinguished member of his community. He was kind to everyone he met and dignified in all his ways. The manner in which he treated people made them feel good about themselves, his sense of humor put them at ease, and his fun stories left them with a smile. By his character and actions, Edward showed himself to be a gentleman in every sense of the word.

Mr. Edward L. Claypool was born during a period of advancement and struggle for 20th century people. While the moving assembly line increased America’s ability to produce goods, workers united to gain fair labor practices. People of all backgrounds could enjoy the music of ragtime, blues, and jazz, yet the country was heavily embroiled in World War I. Young men answered the call to arms, women were called to action at home, and a nation awaited the conclusion of the “war to end all wars.” In Indianapolis, Indiana, Mrs. Clara Knarzer Claypool was grieved to lose her husband Edward in death, yet her heart was filled with gratitude at the birth of her son Edward on February 25, 1917. Young Edward received all the love and attention possible from his mother, who worked very hard to support him. She also had the assurance that her extended family was always there to help.

During his years of education, Edward attended St. Philip Neri Grade School and showed a penchant for the arts. He sang in the St. Philip choir, and when he reached high school, he became involved in the theater at Cathedral High School. He did not pursue music and drama after graduating in 1935, but Ed maintained a flare for beauty and craft throughout his lifetime.

Ed started his working career at Indiana National Bank, which proved advantageous in more ways than one. Soon after he began working where, Ed met bank President Flynn’s secretary, Genevieve Bryant. The two fell in love and made a commitment for life. They married on October 17, 1938 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral in Indianapolis at the uncharacteristic hour of 7:00 in the morning! They were thinking of their bank friends who, on a Monday morning, needed to go to work after the wedding.

Ed and Genevieve were blessed with three wonderful children: Liz was born in 1939, John in 1941, and Joe in 1950. Ed enjoyed being a father and invested time and attention toward his children. Being an active member of his parish, Ed got his sons involved in Boy Scouts while they were students at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School. The family was devoutly Catholic, and Ed lived his faith with grace and integrity.

When Ed took on part time work with a landscaping business, he had the good fortune to meet Owen Murphy “Murph”, who helped Ed get set up in the garment industry. From the beginning, Ed and the clothing business were an excellent “fit”. He soared to a long and successful career in custom tailored women’s clothing. He took the time-honored approach of calling on many influential women from Indiana to Wisconsin, from New York to Connecticut and beyond. As fine as the clothing was, Ed knew that even quality products don’t sell themselves. Along with his superior merchandise, his boundless energy profited him numerous sales awards. Working as independent representative for Utah Tailoring Mills, Ed exceeded sales goals many times over because of his innate skills and his appreciation for fine clothing.

In time, Ed and Genevieve started the Claypool Dress Shop in Indianapolis at 59th Street and College Avenue. The name, quality, and service stayed the same as the dress shop was moved to 54th Street, then to Windridge Shopping Center, and finally to Marquette Manor for another 18 years. Ed and Genevieve enjoyed everything about the business: the clients, the merchandise, and the apparel conventions in such places as Ogden, Utah. When the couple retired in 1988, after 43 years with the shop, they had the satisfaction of knowing that they had adorned some of the best dressed women in Indianapolis.

As in business so in their personal lives, it was fair to say that Ed and Genevieve had a great partnership. They enjoyed spending time together whether as members of St. Luke Catholic Church, the Rotary Club, the (former) Indianapolis Athletic Club or by playing bridge with friends. There came a time when Genevieve’s friends were aging, and it became more difficult to fill a table, that Ed sat in and got hooked on the game. When they moved from Forest Hills to Lions Head and then to their condominium in Windridge, the two of them greatly enjoyed their time there. With their friends in the neighborhood, they became known as the “Windridge Walkers” and thereby remained active in retirement. Ed and Genevieve were inseparable. Anyone seeing them together knew that they were committed to one another. He was dutiful in seeing that she was well cared for, yet their devotion was deeper than that. They shared an unbreakable bond of love for 69 years of marriage.

As grandparents, Ed and Genevieve took an active part in the lives of their grandchildren and great grandchildren and always loved visiting them. Ed was especially good at telling stories, embellishing them to keep kids interested. His grandchildren truly loved their grandpa. It was a natural response to being loved.

After 91 years of a distinguished life, Edward L. Claypool died peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2008. He will be missed by his beloved family and cherished friends, who remember him as a man of devotion, dignity and warmth.

Mr. Claypool’s family includes his wife Genevieve (Bryant) Claypool; daughter, Elizabeth Koschnick (Clarence J. “Buddy”) of Morgantown, Indiana; sons, John E. Claypool of Indianapolis, Indiana, Joseph L. Claypool of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren, Charles Koschnick of Richmond, Indiana, Mary Catherine Brown (Scott) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Mary Beth Branson (Chris) of Mooresville, Indiana, Chris Koschnick (Emily) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Mary Clare Koschnick of Indianapolis, Indiana, Adams Claypool of Indianapolis, Indiana, Genevieve Claypool of Indianapolis, Indiana, Amy Lukowski of Fishers, Indiana, Joseph Claypool of Indianapolis, Indiana; great grandchildren, Katie Koschnick of Bluffton, Indiana, Shelby and Simon Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana; Benjamin and Buddy Branson of Mooresville, Indiana, Lizzy and Grady Koschnick of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jaggert and Lleyton Lukowski of Fishers, Indiana.

Friends and family will gather on Monday, March 10, 2008, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fr. Paul Courtney Reception Room at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Drive East, Indianapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. in the church. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or to Hooverwood Employee Fund, 7001 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel, Mooresville, Indiana.