Clifford Robert HENRY

1933 - 2015

Clifford Robert Henry

SPRINGFIELD, IL –Clifford Robert Henry, 81, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at St. John's Hospice.

He was born July 22, 1933, in Bloomington, Ill., to Robert and Ethel (Hughes) Henry. He married Janice Darline Patterson on Dec. 9, 1962, in Niantic; she died Dec. 20, 2005.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Ron and Rick Patterson.

Clifford was a 1951 graduate of Normal Community High School. He attended Illinois State University for three years and then joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954, serving for eight years. He retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation in 1991 after 28 years.

Clifford enjoyed collecting, fixing and selling golf equipment. At one time he had over 8,000 golf clubs and was known as "The King of Clubs." He especially loved his friends and his extended family.

He is survived by his mother-in-law, Hazel Patterson of Niantic; sister, Alice Henry Williams of Waverly; sister-in-law, Bonnie Landgrebe of Woodson; brother-in-law, Randy Patterson of Niantic; eight beloved nieces and nephews: Janice Williams, Jeffrey Williams, Paula Lane, Mike Patterson, Christopher Patterson, Mandy Karvis, Rikki Andreas and Melissa Patterson; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 11 a.m. – noon, Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home.

Graveside Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Berea Cemetery near Niantic.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Mary Bryant Home for the Blind or The Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation.

The family would like to thank the St. John's Hospice Staff. They also extend special thanks to Steve Busey, Clifford's dedicated caregiver for the past few years.