Clarence Coomer

SHEFFIELD — Clarence Roger Coomer, 91, of Sheffield died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton.

He was born Dec. 9, 1926, the son of William Nathan Coomer and James Francis (Hill) Coomer of Lexington, Ky.  He married the love of his life, Betty Louise Harris, on Dec. 6, 1948, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Clarence is survived by his two daughters, Marcia (Terry) Burress of Princeton, and Pamela (Terry) Gutshall of Buda; one son, Randall (Mary) Coomer of Sheffield; his eight grandchildren, Teddi Burress, Andrew Burress, Benjamin (Jennifer) Gutshall, Adam (Kylee) Gutshall, Ashley  Gutshall, Jacob (Amanda) Coomer, Isaac Coomer, Maranda (Jacob) Kuelper; and nine great-grandchildren, Keaton Burress, Kaiden Coomer, Eli Coomer, Alexander Coomer, Noah Gutshall, Leena Gutshall, Cora Gutshall, Deacon Gutshall and Kipton Gutshall; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings and his wife.

Clarence was born in Kentucky and lived there until he was 11. He moved to Buda to live with his uncle Hugh Bickett in 1937 and remained a resident in Buda and Sheffield for the rest of his life. He helped his uncle on the farm until he was 17 and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944. He was very proud to have served his country during World War II.  After he was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1947, he started farming in Bureau County.  He loved farming — it was his livelihood and his life.  To the day he passed away, he was asking about corn yields and crop conditions.

Clarence had many interests in his life. He loved Kentucky, telling stories, watching cowboys on TV, his recliner, Hank Williams, hanging out at Whipple’s garage in Buda, repairing machinery, watching NASCAR, having his family around him, eating his wife’s cooking, driving Chevy pick-ups, John Deere equipment, his old Super M tractor, tractor pulls and drag racing. He was a diehard Democrat which made family conversations very interesting.  While he lived in Illinois for 80 years, he never lost his Southern drawl.  He had a story for every occasion. Some were believable and some were not but all were fun to listen to. One thing that he was known for was helping people who needed help.

A private family service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Bunker Hill Church of God in Buda. Interment will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Wyanet. Military rites will be accorded by Princeton American Legion Post 125 and Wyanet VFW 6634.

Memorials may be directed to Bunker Hill Church of God specifically to be used for people in need. Online condolences may be made at www.grant-johnson.com.