Clifton Huffman, 96, of Winnebago, IL, died Friday, July 20, 2018, peacefully at home. He was born August 18, 1921, in Hartford City, IN, the son of Clifton McCoy Huffman, Sr. and Ruby (Chaney) Huffman. Cliff married Joyce Patterson on June 12, 1948, in Hartford City, IN.
Cliff graduated from Blackford County High School, Hartford City, IN in 1939. Cliff served in U.S. Army from 1942 until 1946. He was proud to be a WWII vet, participating in the “Battle of the Bulge”.
One of his most cherished memories was going to Washington D.C. with the American Legion, Post 69, on the “Honor Flight” a few years ago to see the war memorials. Cliff was a truck driver and truck mechanic his whole life. At 65, he retired from Kelley-Williamson, Rockford, IL, but continued to drive for Truck Country, Rockford for at least another 10 years.
Cliff was active in Teamster’s Local 325, Rockford, IL and continued to enjoy the Local 325 Retirees. Cliff was a lifetime member of the VFW, Post 2955, Roscoe, IL and American Legion, Post 69, Avon Park, FL. He was also a member of the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, Anna Maria Island, FL.
Cliff enjoyed going to the “Moose” for a beer on the deck overlooking the Gulf of Mexico (and watching the girls on the beach). Cliff began his “snowbird” adventure in 1997, traveling in a pickup and 5th wheel camper. He purchased a mobile home in Avon Park, FL, in 1998, and spent winter months there and the summers in Winnebago, IL.
The past few years he would spend all his time in Avon Park, FL, preferring sunshine and warm temperatures to the midwest weather. He is survived by his children, Rex and Diane Huffman, Machesney Park, IL, Terry and Lisa Huffman, Jacksonville, NC, and Gene and Peggy Viel, Winnebago, IL; grandchildren, Shane Shadden, Mike Huffman and Peggy Ann, Brent Huffman, Michaela Huffman, Bob and Suzzette Viel, Jim Viel, Joe Viel and Danielle, Amanda Shank and Tim White; 21 great-grandchildren, Devon, Jack, Wyatt, Taelor, Jaden, Justin, Mark, Meg, Ava, Ivan, Abby, Kain, Sam, Abby, Grace, Gunnor, Grant, Ayden, Denton, Kaitlin, and Grant. He is also survived by Joyce’s siblings, Pauline Wiedmer, Carol Schmidt, Russell and Anita Patterson, and Mary Spangler along with many nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Babe Sowl.
Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; his parents; Joyce’s parents; sisters, Louise Robbins, Jennie Clark, and Mildred Huffman; sisters-in-law, Arline Bartlett and Jan Patterson; and brothers-in-law, Richard Patterson, Wayne Schmidt, and Sye Wiedmer. Funeral service at 11:30am, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, 4311 N. Mulford Rd. , Loves Park, IL.
Visitation will be from 10:30am until the service. Military honors will follow immediately after at Sunset Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum, 8800 N. Alpine Rd. , Machesney Park, IL.
Lunch and fellowship will follow at Roscoe, IL VFW, Post 2955. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family.
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