Clinton Earl Habegger

CLINTON EARL HABEGGER, 83, of Berne, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, at Swiss Village in Berne. Born on March 24, 1924, in Berne, he was a prominent businessman and civic leader in Berne. He retired from Habegger Furniture in 2006, after 59 years of employment, 25 of those years as part owner. In 1968, he and his wife, along with two other local couples, established Amishville U.S.A. He was lifetime member of First Mennonite Church of Berne, where he served as the first President of the church's Mennonite Men's Fellowship, and as a member of several fundraising committees. He also attended Springhill Missionary Church. He graduated from International Business College in Fort Wayne, and was also a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was past President of the Jaycees, Berne Recreation Association, and Rotary, and former chairman of Berne's Democratic Party. At the time of his death, he was a member of Rotary, American Legion Post 468, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6751. He married Rose Huser Johnson on Nov. 30, 1996; she survives. Also surviving are three children, Luann (Ray) Martin of McLean, Va., Terri Coolman of Decatur and Scott (Karen) Habegger of Milwaukee, Wis.; three stepchildren, Walt Johnson of Decatur, Connie (John) Hammond of Decatur and Ron (Kay) Johnson of Berne; six grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Evelyn (James) Beitler of Berne and Howard (Marlene) Habegger of Hesston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton Habegger and Lydia Neunschwander; stepmother, Elta Welty; and first wife, Donna Belle Roth. A Celebration of Life service is 10 a.m. Monday at First Mennonite Church in Berne, with visitation one hour prior to service. Rev. Gene Wilson and Rev. Anita Rediger officiating. Visitation also from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home, Berne. Burial in M.R.E. Cemetery, Berne. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials to First Mennonite Church Household Treasury or Springhill Missionary Church Household Treasury. www.yagerkirchhofer.com.