Truman ‘Cliff’ Thorson
We are sad to announce that on Nov. 5, 2021, we had to say goodbye to Cliff Thorson of Loyal.
Truman C. “Cliff” Thorson, 91, Loyal, passed away on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at the Clark County Rehab & Living Center in Owen. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 12, 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, Ill., on Monday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m.
Truman Clifford Thorson was born on May 13, 1930, in Morris, Ill., to Truman B. and Caroline (nee Severson) Thorson, and raised on the family farm near Newark, Ill. Cliff enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in Chicago, Ill., on March 10, 1951. He was sent directly to Albuquerque, N.M., where he was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. He was united in marriage to Wilda Anne Thompson on May 17, 1952, in Ottawa, Ill. They were married for 32 years, and had three daughters: Sheila, Sheri and Sabrina. After his honorable discharge on Aug. 23, 1952, Cliff moved back to Newark and farmed with his father for a few years. He then bought a farm near Lake Geneva and farmed for 10 years. He returned to Newark, 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 Nov. 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 seven 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. He trained them 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 three daughters; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters: Lucille Ahern and Lois Johnson, both of Ottawa, Ill.; one brother: Dean (Betty) Thorson of Florida; four step-sons: David (Gloria) Meyer of Fond du Lac, Jon Meyer of Marshfield, Bob Meyer of St. Louis, Mo., and Jim (Linda) Meyer of Thorp; four step-grandchildren; five step-greatgrandchildren; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wilda; two sisters: Betty Jacobson and Helen Nelson; and his son-in-law, Carl Luchterhand.
He will be greatly missed by his two extended families. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY 113056
