Clement Milder

Clement "Clem" Milder passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Wheaton, Illinois. He was 99 years old and lived a long, vibrant life filled with love, service, and devotion to faith and family.
Born on a farm outside West Branch, Iowa, in April 1925, Clem was the youngest of ten children born to William and Mary Frances Milder. He attended a one-room schoolhouse before moving on to high school, where he developed a love for sports, hunting, horses, and everything mechanical. He never found a car, snowblower, or lawn mower he couldn't repair.
At the age of 18, during the height of World War II, Clem enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving his country proudly until the war's conclusion. After his military service, he pursued higher education at Iowa State University, where he earned a degree in Agronomy, intending to carry on his family's farming tradition.
However, Clem's life took a different path when he accepted a position as a grain elevator manager with the Quaker Oats Company in Emmetsburg, Iowa. It was there that he met the love of his life, Joyce McTigue. They married in 1953 and quickly built a large, loving family. By their tenth anniversary, Clem and Joyce had been blessed with eight children.
In 1967, Clem was transferred to the Quaker Oats headquarters, and the family moved to the Chicago suburbs, where they welcomed two more children. Clem enjoyed a 35-year career with Quaker Oats, retiring in 1987.
An active and energetic man, Clem embraced physical fitness throughout his life. He ran the Chicago Marathon at the age of 56, skied into his 90s, and took up golf in retirement, playing until his mid-90s.
Clem was a daily communicant and was fiercely passionate about Catholic education. He spent countless hours volunteering at St. John the Baptist School and St. Francis High School. In 1978, Clem joined a team that founded the Winfield Park District, and he remained devoted to maintaining and improving the parks throughout his retirement. He also volunteered at the DuPage Convalescent Center, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. His dedication to serving others was recognized in 2010 when he was honored for his service to the Joliet Chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, nine siblings, daughter, Sheila (Jerry) Tomaszewski, grandson, Anthony Milder, and beloved wife of 59 years, Joyce. He is survived by their nine children: James (Annie) of Winfield; Mary Anne (Leonard) Wall of Chicago; Julie (Perry) Bump of Winfield; Therese of Chicago; Joseph of St. Charles; Jayne (David) Orlet of Belleville; Noreen (Earl) Cheng of Elmhurst; Colleen (William) Jochum of Glen Ellyn; and John (Laura) of Oak Park. Clem is also survived by their 32 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
In his final years, Clem was lovingly cared for by his daughter Therese, who faithfully ensured he was safe, comfortable, and surrounded by love.
A celebration of Clem's remarkable life take place with a visitation on Friday, December 27th 3:00-8:00 pm at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Funeral Mass, December 28th 1:00 St. John the Baptist Church, Winfield. Interment with military honors at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society C/O St John the Baptist Church 0S 233 Church Street Winfield, IL 60190. Info @ www.williams-kampp.com or (630) 668-0016.