Obit: Clodfelter, Waldemar “Butch” (1943 - 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Clodfelter, Macha, Shambo, Salisbury, Mashin

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/04/2017

Clodfelter, Waldemar “Butch” (9 July 1943 – 10 March 2017) With Flag

Butch passed away unexpectedly at home March 10, 2017. Butch was born July 9, 1943, in Blue Island, IL, to Waldemar J. Clodfelter and Yarmille (Macha) Clodfelter. He was baptized into God’s house, along with his half-sister, Nancy (Shambo) Salisbury, Sept. 14, 1944. He attended elementary school (Hewettville School, Town of Hewett) outside of Neillsville, and began his high school years at Neillsville High School. In 1959, he chose to go to the Wisconsin Academy, a Seventh Day Adventist School located near Columbus, WI. In 1960, he was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and remained a faithful church goer until his death. He graduated from the Wisconsin Academy in 1961, and proceeded to attend Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, in 1961 and 1962.

He then worked for a sash and door company until he was drafted into the U. S. Army Jan. 5, 1965, where he served as a medical technician. He volunteered and was accepted into Operation Whitecoat, a program made up of Seventh day Adventist members of the military who were willing to undergo testing for various diseases. He received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition in 1998, saying in part “… You are commended for your Christian example of unselfish humanitarian service.” It also stated, “Because of your unstinting service, untold lives have been saved around the globe.” Following his discharge from military service, he drifted among several jobs until he felt a call to the ministry, and in 1970 went to Union College in Lincoln, NE, where he completed his degree in theology.

Butch worked in numerous different occupations throughout the years, including a medical technician, mechanic, delivery service, over-the-road truck driver and construction. He volunteered a great deal of his time with several Seventh Day Adventist churches, and the Columbus Computer Society. He injured his back while working construction, and had to deal with pain every day the rest of his life. As the pain made him less and less mobile, he became very involved in the Computer Society because he could do much of it at home when the pain allowed him. The constant pain and inability to get adequate help wore on him greatly, but he retained his faith, attending church services as often as the pain would allow.

He is survived by one brother, Howard Clodfelter of Great Falls, MT, two half-sisters, Nancy (Shambo) Salisbury of Dennison, IL, and Carol Mashin of Neillsville, and a half-brother, Ralph Clodfelter of Scottsdale, AZ.

Butch never married. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A memorial service was held Sept. 13, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Eastwood Seventh Day Adventist Church, 6400 Sunbury Road, Westerville, OH, 43081. Memorials may be sent to the Adventist Community Service Center, 701 Linnville RD, Heath, OH 430556.