Cleora "Iris" Edgell

Cleora “Iris” (Neilson) Edgell, of Cambridge, passed away at 3:10AM on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the age of 85. She was born in Alliance, Ohio on September 24, 1941, the daughter of the late Paul M. and Lucy L. (Whiteman) Neilson.

Cleora had a creative spirit, expressed through her work as a ceramicist during the middle years of her life. She also had a special love of frogs and assembled a large collection of frog-themed items over the years. Her ceramics and her much- loved collection offer lasting reminders of her creativity and the things that brought her joy.

She married Robert Thomas Edgell on September 29, 1959. They shared more than 55 years of marriage before his passing on February 3, 2015.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she is preceded in death by her brother, Paul L. “Sonny” Neilson and her sister, D. Kay Bargar.

She is survived by her sister, Donna Howell; her three children, Robert A. of Utica, NY, Cindy M. (& Howard) of Holloway, and Thomas A. (& Tina) of Flushing; her two granddaughters, Lucy A. (& Craig) Jones of Dayton, Dawn M. Kunath of Leesville, LA; several great- grandchildren; and her best friend and confidant, Marcella Evens.

Her family will remember her through the pieces she created, the frogs she collected, and the memories they shared throughout her eighty-five years.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in her name to SAVE THE FROGS! 1968 S. Coast Hwy Suite 622 Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Visitation will be held at Thorn- Black Funeral Home on October 30, 2026, from 11AM to 1PM with the service to follow at 1PM. Pastor Kris Bright will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenmont Cemetery in Freeport.