Claude Everett Willoughby, Evansville  (1905 - 2008)

September 19, 1905 – March 9, 2008
Claude E. Willoughby, 102, passed away Sunday morning, March 9, 2008, at the Evansville Manor where he had been a resident for a year and a half. Claude was born on Sept. 19, 1905, in Belleville, WI, the son of George Edwin and Jessie Alice (LaMore) Willoughby. He was a 1923 graduate of Belleville High School and worked after graduation for the Wisconsin Power & Light Company. On June 25, 1929, he married Edith Helen Oliver, a native of Wadena, MN. She passed away March 30, 1936. On Dec. 31, 1938, he married Guinevere Hubbard, and they lived on the Hubbard family farm in rural Evansville until she passed away Dec. 27, 1950. Claude and Guinevere had three children: John and twins, Susan and Jane. In 1953, Claude married Evelyn Straus-Reynolds and they resided at 315 S. Second St., Evansville. Claude continued to live in the same home for the next 53 years.
His life has spanned a wide range of experiences, which he was more than happy to relate to listeners. He began life with the horse and buggy and ended it happily, making dozens of flights on jet powered airlines and wishing he knew how to run a computer. His interests in life were many and varied: he was a photographer from the days of glass-plate negatives and he just recently bought a digital camera; he was the oldest member of the N.R.A. and was frequently honored at their national conventions for that accomplishment; he had camped for years at the National Muzzle Loading campgrounds in Friendship, IN, at their summer encampments; he was the moderator and general major domo of many committees and groups at the UCC Church in Evansville; he had been very active and was Past Master in the Waucoma Grange in Evansville; he enjoyed his many roles he played in Evansville Little Theater productions…he enjoyed life to the fullest, and contributed where he thought he had contributions to make.
After leaving Hubbard’s Burr Oak Farm and the cultivation of Wisconsin Certified Seed Corn, Claude began working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the Office Manager of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation office in Janesville. His career there lasted about 10 years until his ‘retirement’; then he began a long association as bookkeeper for Alvin and Robert Helgesen in their Pontiac and Ford dealership in Evansville, working there until he was well into his 80’s.
Claude’s family was most important to him, and he was so proud of his four great-grandchildren: Jenson, MacKenzie, Michael and Ava. He is survived by them and his three children: John (Barbara) Willoughby of Evansville, Susan (Leonard) Miller of Camino, CA, and Jane (Ron) Pierce of New Glarus; grandchildren, Jack (Lora Gann) Pierce of St. Paul, MN, and Corenna (John) Hacker of Neenah; granddaughters-in-law, Stephanie Cooper-Willoughby of West Hills, CA, and Catherine Willoughby of Evansville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Edith and Guinevere; his infant sister, Edna Almira; his brother, Earl Edwin; grandson, Ethan Willoughby; and nephew, Robert Willoughby.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Evansville Manor for the dignity, concern and care given Claude during his residency. A special hug goes to Shirley and Heather, who had the ability to make Claude light up like his old self.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2008, at the CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST in Evansville, WI, with Reverend Dr. Luke Bocher officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Evansville. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the WARD FUNERAL HOME, 130 S. Fifth St., Evansville.