Obituary of Marshall Lavern Claus

Marshall Lavern Claus

Born December 19, 1947

Died January 30, 2022

Marshall “Butch” Lavern Claus passed peacefully from this world at Lennox & Addington County General Hospital in Napanee, Ontario on January 30, 2022 at the age of 74 after a brief illness. His final request was to go home to be with his God.

Marshall is an Army veteran, a former member of the Black Watch stationed at CFB Gagetown, who also saw a tour of duty in Cypress and was part of the contingent to the FLQ “October crisis” in the fall of 1970. After leaving the forces, he worked in Oromocto before returning to the place of his birth in Deseronto. He is a member of Tyendinaga First Nation and was proud of his Mohawk heritage.

Marshall was a prolific musician. He could play almost any instrument he tried but he enjoyed his Yamaha guitar best. He was also a talented singer who sang in many venues including weddings and especially churches in New Brunswick and Ontario. In younger years he enjoyed sitting around playing and singing with his cousins and friends.  He was also a talented woodcarver and craftsman and he delighted especially in making special gifts for children.

He enjoyed making others smile and he loved his regular routines – shopping; coffee at Tim’s; regular trips to the restaurant, always chatting with the people working there, handing out candy to children and adults alike. 

Marshall was the only child of Stafford and Joan (Arnold) Claus. He is survived by his children in New Brunswick: Heather Nash, Hanwell; Jody Claus, Fredericton; Sonya Kajari (Gyula), Noonan, and Jennifer Claus (Brad Jackson), Lincoln. He is also survived by grandchildren Brittany Hamilton, Geary; Billy Claus (Amy), Edmonton, AB; Sasha Laagland (Andrew), Shearwater, NS; Mitchell Player (Melissa), Geary; Emmanuelle and Sammy (Lucille) Jackson, Lincoln, and Kyle Kajari (Alice), Fredericton and great-grandchildren Hunter, Rowan, Lennon, Diesel, Lillian and Cypress, as well as the mother of his children, Eve Allen (Steve), Moncton NB and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceased by his parents and his granddaughter, Alesha Joanne Claus.

The family would like to thank Pastor Dave Bowbeer and Norm Tucker for their kindness to Marshall the past few years and especially in his final days, helping to coordinate everything so we could say our farewells. We are grateful to the social worker at the hospital, doctor and nursing staff as well. We are especially grateful to all of Marshall’s wonderful neighbours who looked out for him and added joy to his life. Thank you to those who lit candles and laid tobacco at his home to honor his heritage. We thank all family members in the area for their words of condolence and their stories in his remembrance.

Family and Friends will be received at M.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 78 Centre Street, Deseronto, ON, on Thursday, February 3, 2022 between the hours of 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.. A funeral service will be held at Tyendinaga Mohawk Pentecostal Church on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment to follow in Mohawk Pentecostal Cemetery.     There will also be a celebration of Marshall’s life later in the spring at Tyendinaga Mohawk Pentecostal Church for everyone to join family members unable to travel at this time.

Donations to Wounded Warriors Canada or a charity of your choice in Marshall’s memory would be appreciated by the family.