Clifford Henderson

CLIFFORD HENDERSON

Marion

Clifford J. Henderson of Marion ended his nine lives on earth at St. Luke's Hospice on Dec. 16, 2014. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. A Masonic service will conclude visitation at 7 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Lynn Dunn 4-H building at the Linn County Fair-grounds, 201 Central City Rd., Central City.

Cliff was born Jan. 19, 1925, to John Clifford and Hazel Smola Henderson on the home farm near Central City. He married Delores Hulbert on May 24, 1947, following his World War II service in the Navy on the Nehanta Bay. He enjoyed an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., accom-panied by his son-in-law, Walt Stephenson, in 2010. Cliff farmed an acreage near Bertram for 40 years, and retired from the Marion post office after 22 years of service.

He was a Past Master of Trojan Lodge 548 of Marion, a member of the Linn County fair board (20 years) and the Linn County 4-H Horse Committee (25 years), a founding member of the Mid-Iowa Driving Club, a longtime member and a past president of the Broken Bit Saddle Club. Cliff and his team of horses were common sights at weddings, Cedar Rapids Christmas parades, Marion's Swamp Fox festivals, and Mount Pleasant's Old Threshers Reunion. Cliff was honored as an "Old Thresher" and was for many years the elder horseman at the annual Old Threshers Reunion.

Cliff is survived by his children, Janet (Larry) Lacy, Darrell (Anna) Henderson and Carolyn (Walt) Stephenson. Cliff enjoyed his grandchildren, Terri (Ed) Connelly, Kevin Henderson, Josh Lacy, Sara Stephenson (Patrick McQuillan), Matthew (Meghan) Stephenson and Ian Stephenson. He cherished his great-grandchildren, Christopher Martin, Graham Stephenson and Patrick Truman McQuillen. Cliff also is survived by his brother, LaVern (Celia) Henderson; sister-in-law, Carol Henderson; brother-in-law, Don (Bonnie) Hulbert; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Cliff was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Delores; sisters, Gladys Vacek, Charlotte Wilson, Verda Sweet and infant sister Delores; and brothers, Emery Henderson and Melvin Henderson.

The family is very appreciative of the staff at Garnett Place, Summit Pointe, Linn Manor Care Center, St. Luke's Hospice and special nurse Peggy Bragg and Dr. Thomas Richmond.

In place of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to St. Luke's Hospice, Linn County 4-H Foundation, Old Threshers Reunion Foundation, or a charity of choice.

Please share a memory of Clifford at www.murdochfuneral home.com under obituaries.