Obit: Thorson, Truman C. “Cliff” (1930 - 2021)

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

Surnames: Thorson, Severson, Ahern, Whitaker, Meyer, Jacobson, Nelson, Luchterhand, Smith

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 11/07/2021

Thorson, Truman C. “Cliff” (13 May 1930 – 5 November 2021) With Flag

We are sad to announce that on November 5, 2021, we had to say goodbye to Cliff Thorson of Loyal.

Truman C. "Cliff” Thorson, 91, of Loyal, passed away at the Clark County Rehab & Living Center, in Owen, on Friday, November 5, 2021.

Truman Clifford Thorson was born on May 13, 1930, in Morris, IL, to Truman B. and Caroline (Severson) Thorson, and raised on the family farm near Newark, IL. Cliff enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in Chicago, IL on March 10, 1951. He was sent directly to Albuquerque, NM where he was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. He was united in marriage to Wilda Anne Thompson on May 17, 1952, in Ottawa, IL. They were married for 32 years, and had 3 daughters: Sheila, Sheri and Sabrina. After his honorable discharge on August 23, 1952, Cliff moved back to Newark, IL and farmed with his father for a few years. He then bought a farm near Lake Geneva, WI and farmed for 10 years. He returned to Newark, IL where he managed the Newark Grain Elevator Feed Store, which he especially loved. In 1976, they moved to a farm in the Town of York, rural Loyal. His wife, Wilda, passed away on November 30, 1984. On August 26, 1995, Cliff married Lyla R. Meyer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal. Besides farming, he also worked at Smith Feed, in Loyal, for 7 years, at the Greenwood Co-op, and later at Weather Shield in Greenwood for 14 years, retiring at age 79 after the plant's closing.

He attended Missionary Baptist Church and was a member of the Loyal American Legion Post #175.

In his spare time, Cliff loved working with his horses. Especially his miniature horse, Coco, and two mustangs, Ruth and Patrina, that he adopted from the Federal Land Management, that he trained until he could proudly show them in local horse shows and drive them in local parades. He loved going to church and singing. Cliff was a member of the Clark County Male Chorus for 10 years and loved being able to travel and participate in concerts with the choir. He also enjoyed going to local farm shows.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Lyla, of Loyal; his 3 daughters; 4 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Lou Ahern and Lois Whitaker of Illinois; one brother: Dean (Betty) Thorson of Florida; 4 stepsons: David (Gloria) Meyer of Fond du Lac, John Meyer of Marshfield, Bob Meyer of St. Louis, MO, Jim (Linda) Meyer of Thorp; 4 step grandchildren; 5 step great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Wilda; 2 sisters: Betty Jacobson and Helen Nelson; and his son-in-law: Carl Luchterhand.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood, with Pastor Geoff Smith officiating. Visitation will be held at the church, on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Military rites will be conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175. Burial will take place at Millington-Newark Cemetery in Millington, IL on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 11 a.m.