Clifford Towne

PEKIN - Clifford Raymond Towne, 88, of Pekin passed away at 6:05 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2011, at Pekin Hospital.

Clifford was a lifelong resident of Pekin. Born March 25, 1923, to Leon Davison and Ada Louise (Hieber) Towne, he married his high school sweetheart, Noreen Hilst, on April 14, 1946. She died Sept. 25, 1991. He was married to Rosalyn Alfs Skaggs from October 1992 until 2001. Marietta Atwater of Havana was a close friend during his last years.

Clifford is survived by three children, David (Susan) Towne of Oak Park, Ill., Nancy Paddock of Portland, Ore., and Gary (Kathy) Towne of Pekin; seven grandchildren, Nathaniel Towne, Emily (Aron) Rempel, Marcia Paddock (Nathaniel Sternberg), Adam (Sarah), Cassandra, Brian (Mallory) and Danielle Towne; six great-grandchildren, David, Elizabeth, Matthew, Michael and Samuel Rempel and Eric Towne; and one brother, Erwin Towne of Groveland.

Clifford was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pekin, where he served as a Sunday school superintendent for 25 years, sang in the choir and served as an elder.

After graduating from Pekin Community High School in 1941, he started a 25-year career at Standard Brands. He also partnered with his father-in-law, George Hilst, at Riverview Hatchery when it was at the foot of Court Street. In 1962, he and Noreen purchased the business outright and ran it until 1992, at 1400 Broadway Ave.

At age 19, Clifford enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a medic with Company B of the Marine Medical Battalion attached to the 27th Regiment of the Fifth Division of the U.S. Marine Corps. On Feb. 19, 1945, he landed on Iwo Jima with the first wave of landing craft. He worked in teams of four to pick up wounded as soon as they were hit and provide immediate medical treatment. Most of his teammates and friends were killed in the line of duty. He also was a runner to find the place to move the aid station forward to stay right behind the front lines. He watched the American flag being raised on Mount Suribachi. Clifford stayed close friends with his Company B comrades and attended numerous Marine Corps reunions, hosting the largest of Company B's reunions.

Clifford joined the Gold Prospector's Association and, at age 75, started making trips to Nome, Alaska, near the Arctic Circle, to search for gold and completed his fifth trip at age 82. He had little success, but gold was a favorite topic. In his younger years he was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was a friend to all, compassionate and helpful. His family loved him and he will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2011, at Henderson Funeral Home in Pekin and 30 minutes before the services on Saturday. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at St. John's Lutheran Church. Pastor Glenn R.A. Neimann will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens with military honors by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 3201 Court St., Pekin, IL 61554.

To light a candle of hope in remembrance of Clifford or to sign the online register book, go to www.hendersonfuneralcare.com.