Nancy A. Clapper, 65, of West Lafayette, died at 4:45 p.m. Monday, July 14, 2008 in her home surrounded by her family and friends. She had been battling cancer for the last five months. Daughter of the late Ira E. "Tommy" and Florence Thomas she was born on February 25, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was Miss Madison Avenue in 1960 and graduated from Southport High School, Indianapolis in 1961. She later attended the Indiana University School of Music. Her marriage was to Dr. Jim L. Clapper on October 22, 1967 at Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette. He survives. In her younger years she was proud to be a licensed commercial pilot, worked at the Parks Department, and became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1977. Nancy also spent many years as a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross. In 1990, she coached the Lafayette Central Catholic High School girls' basketball team to their first ever sectional win. An accomplished professional musician, she began taking piano lessons at three years of age. She performed on television and in many productions over the years. Upon moving to the Lafayette area she played the piano for Arni's restaurant and was later featured at the Hour Time restaurant. Through the years she collaborated with many well known country music stars writing music and performing instrumental tracks. Her music touched thousands of lives through weddings, receptions and other social events but most notably through the hundreds of piano students she loved and taught over the years. She and her daughter Kelley were best friends, and in 2002 they opened the Caribbean Mist Tanning Salon in West Lafayette. The success of the business was a source of great pride for her. She spent many days at her cottage on Lake Freeman, which was just down the road from the Madam Carroll. An avid fisherwoman, she enjoyed fishing on her pontoon boat, and socializing at community cookouts with her neighbors. Surviving are her daughter, Kelley Clapper of West Lafayette; twin sons, Marc Clapper (wife: Brenda) of Brookston and Jeff Clapper (wife: Cara) of Carmel. Preceding her in death with her parents is a brother, Jon Thomas. 'Grandma Nancy' loved spending time with her three beautiful granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Payton and Camryn, all of whom adored her. Nancy was extremely proud of the many twins in her family, including her husband Jim and his brother Tom, her sons, Marc and Jeff, Marc's daughters, Kaitlyn and Payton, and Jeff's twin sons expected in September. Because of her deep love for animals, donations may be made in her memory to North Central Indiana Spay and Neuter and mailed to the Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home (PO Box 509 Brookston, Indiana 47923). Friends may call from 4-9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home in Brookston. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2008 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church (19th & Meharry, Lafayette). Her friend, the Rev. Daniel B. Gartland will officiate. Entombment to follow in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Cemetery, West Lafayette. Those unable to attend may share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com.