Mount Zion, Illinois
MOUNT ZION - Karen Nicole Clifton, 22, of Mt. Zion, died bravely at 12:30 p.m. June 21, 2007, from combat related injuries in Baghdad, Iraq. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, with Rev. Eugene Worthy officiating. Burial will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek, with full military honors provided by the U.S. Army. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Karen N. Clifton Scholarship Fund c/o Prairie State Bank or to the Bob Dondeville Veteran's Memorial c/o Soy Capital Bank. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family via email c/o www.dawson-wikoff.com. Karen was born May 10, 1985 in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Doug V. Clifton and Chris (Maurer) Hancock. She attended Mt. Zion schools through her junior year and was active in the Mt. Zion Police Department Explorer's Program. She moved to Florida in her senior year and finished her high school education. She then returned to Illinois and enlisted in the U.S. Army to begin a career with the Military Police. She currently was serving her country and obtained the rank of Specialist in the 544th MP CO, Forward Platoon, 630th MP CO, 759th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, U.S. Army, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has been posthumous promoted to the rank of Corporal and has been awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. Surviving is her Father: Doug V. Clifton of Mt. Zion; Mother: Chris Hancock of Illiopolis; Sisters: Cindy Blackston and her husband Blake of Mobile, Alabama, and Katie Maple of Illiopolis; Step-Sister: Heather Maple of Lehigh Acres, FL; Step-Brother Sean Maple of Triumph, IL; Paternal Grandparents: Vernon and Carol Clifton of Decatur; Maternal Grandparents: Sheila and Richard Cairns of Decatur; Grandfather: Lee Maurer of Decatur; Nephew: Corbin Davis and Niece: Allysa Davis. Also surviving are many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins who loved her. She was preceded in death by one niece. Doug and Chris wish to thank all their friends and family for all their love, compassion and support. Karen was truly loved and will not be forgotten. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp
Was there on this day, wasn't a good day for us or the unit we were responding to help. she was always in a good mood no matter the situation, she was one hell of a soldier as well she was always ready. Rest Easy battle.
Sgt Burke
February 28, 2023 | Friend
Keep your light on!
See you soon and I'll run for you
Eric
June 22, 2014 | Tampa, FL
Rest In Peace Beautiful woman and Soldier. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. Prayers to your family, especially your Mom. I know what she is going thru. Been there.
Karen
June 22, 2014 | Upper Lake CA
May you never be forgotten soldier lets hope we are worthy of your sacrifice
Mitch Friedman
June 21, 2014 | Rockville Centre, NY
Always remembered
Never forgotten
In our hearts
You are never apart.
Ortac Gencay
September 08, 2013 | Stuttgart / Germany
I am running to honor you tomorrow, Karen, in tomorrow's "Race for the Fallen" here in Tampa, FL.
Although I didn't know you, know this, that my prayers go out to you and your family and friends that you will be reunited with all when they too die in this life.
Thank you so much for your sacrifice.
In Jesus name and tears, love,
Eric
September 07, 2013
Spc. Karen Clifton is still remembered, respected and honored. We appreciate her as much now as we did 5 years ago.
September 04, 2012
R.I.P. Karen Clifton
Live good in heaven with other comrades of you already there. Heaven is God's reward to those who sacrifice their lives for the freedom of others.
May you have an eternal life there. Here, you are not forgotten.
H. P.
June 21, 2012 | IRAN
To the family and friends of Spc. Karen N. Clifton:
Please accept my remembrance of Karen on the anniversary of her passing and know that she will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
June 21, 2011 | Carson City, NV