Maurice Dwight Clary

Maurice Dwight Clary, the father of Vermilion County Circuit Court Judge Michael D. Clary, died peacefully in his sleep Thursday December 15, 2011 at his oldest daughter's home in Kalamazoo, MI. A long-time resident of the Danville area, he would have been 98 on January 4th. He was born January 4, 1914, near Mahomet, IL to Lura Leona Henness and Walter Edward Franklin Clary. He was the fourth of six children, two girls and four boys. Only his sister, Pauline Ziebart of Hoopeston survives. He married Audrey Deck in 1938; she passed in 1996. He was a lifelong dairy farmer, the last 67 years on East Voorhees Street, just outside the city limits. A very active member of Farmer's Chapel United Methodist Church; Maurice sang in the choir and taught a Sunday school class there for decades. He served in the Illinois Reserve Militia and was a member of the Masons. A voracious reader, he loved history and was very patriotic. He and his wife had four children: Sandra (Joe) Gagie of Kalamazoo, MI, Nancy (Jim) Johnson of Estes Park, CO, Carol (Jim) Gats of Wheaton, IL, and Michael (Dana) Clary of Danville; all survive. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Maurice's Life will be held on Tuesday December 20, 2011 at 10 AM at Farmer's Chapel United Methodist Church in Danville with Pastor Jan Reeder officiating. A visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Monday December 19, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Memorials may be made in Maurice's name to the Vermilion County Animal Shelter. Please join Maurice's family in sharing photos, videos, and memories through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com