Clarence J. "Sonny" Yard

Clarence J. "Sonny" Yard, 72, of Springfield, died at 11:10 am, Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born October 2, 1939 in Springfield, Illinois to George and Mary Margaret Allison Yard. He married Donna M. Runkels on May 28, 1988 and she survives. Also surviving are six daughters, Valerie (Ed) Watts of Ridge Crest, CA, Vicki (Companion: Chad McConnell) Yard of Springfield, Debbie Bitschenauer of Springfield, Mesta (Robert) Patarozzi of Edinburg, Karen (Joe) Bentley of Springfield and Linda (Jody) Campbell of Springfield; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; two sisters Anita Kitchen of Springfield and Maxine (Howard) Rogers of Mechanicsburg; three brothers Thomas (Peggy) Kitchen, Gary (Diane) Kitchen and Kenneth Kitchen all of Springfield and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents; step-father, Les Kitchen and two brothers, Robert Yard and Charles Kitchen precede him in death. Sonny, was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He wan an Iron Worker and was a member of Iron Workers Union Local #46; lifetime member of VFW Post 10302; former member of Eagles Club and served as trustee for the Springfield Township for twelve years. Visitation: 4-7 pm, Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home Funeral Service: 10 am, Friday, January 13, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home with Vaughn Beeman officiating. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery where Sangamon County Interveterans will conduct Military Honors. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. John's Children's Hospital.