RALPH CLIFFORD

Ralph Clifford

Ralph Clifford, 96, of Gainesville, Fla., formerly of Lewistown and Havana died Dec. 12, 2007.

He was born April 15, 1911, in Serena, a son of John and Fannie Malaise Clifford. He married Caroline Zempel on Sept. 12, 1936, in Lewistown. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Elizabeth Dinschel and Mary (and Wayne) Friedrich, both of Morton and Helen (and George) Bowes of Gainesville; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by six siblings.

He graduated as valedictorian from Serena High School in 1929 and from University of Illinois in 1933 with a degree in agriculture. After working for the USDA in Washington, D.C., he became owner of Zempel Hardware in Havana, retiring in 1976. He and his wife moved to Gainesville in 1995.

He attended Faith Presbyterian Church, and was a member of Lewistown Presbyterian Church for nearly 70 years where he served on the session.

He was a member of the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce in Havana.

Graveside services will be held at 11:15 a.m. Thursday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown with Rev. Danie deBeer officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Thursday at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lewistown, 101 N. Main St., Lewistown, IL 61542.

Condolences may be sent to www.henrylange.com.

 

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 12/27/2007