Hosford, Dr. Clarence R.

Dr. Clarence R. Hosford, 92, of Monticello, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at First Presbyterian Church, with interment at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the service. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

Memorials in Clarence's name may be directed to The Monticello Community School Foundation; the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello; or Above and Beyond Hospice.

Surviving Clarence are his son, Rob Hosford (Jan), Fargo, N.D.; daughter, Kay Hokanson (Darryl), Urbana; and six children of his recently deceased wife, Jean, Jill Messerli (Dave) of Marion, Jann Baustian (Gordon), Cedar Rapids, Jody Stone (Ted), Cedar Falls, John Hines (Marilyn), Cedar Falls, Julie Kowalenko (Mike), Walkerton, Ind. and Jeff Hines (Lorie), Cedar Rapids.

Grandchildren are Gretchen Post (Jim), McKenzie Taylor (John), Abbie Schulstad (Andy), Matt (Jacque), Pete and Ben (Jess) Messerli, Kelly, Casey and Kate Baustian, Alex, Catherine and Andrew Stone, Ali, Johnny and Eric Hines, and MacKenzie, Tyler and Jacob Hines. Great-grandchildren are Lincoln, Emmett, Ella, Theresa, Caleb, Noah, Annabelle, Eva and Daniel.

Other survivors include brother, Lyle Hosford; brother-in-law, Duane Freese (Jeanette); and sisters-in-law, Joyce Gassman, Jan Knapp (Don) and Lois Hines.

Clarence was preceded in death by first wife, Virginia Sheppard Hosford; second wife, Jean Ann Hines Hosford; siblings, Gladys Boshear and Kenneth Hosford; daughter-in-law, Terry Hosford; son-in-law, Mike Kowalenko; and brothers and-sisters-in-law, Doloris Hosford, Al Boshear, Rachel Barrigar (Robert), Kenneth Sheppard (Joan), George Hines and Paul Gassman.

Clarence was born June 13, 1921, at home on the family farm in Castle Grove Township, just west of Monticello, the son of Sprague and Kathryn (Brown) Hosford. He graduated from Monticello High School, Cornell College and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. On Aug. 4, 1942, Clarence married Virginia Sheppard. The couple made their home in Monticello, where they raised two children. Virginia died Dec. 3, 1989. Clarence was blessed to have Jean Hines come into his life and they married on July 1, 1992. Jean preceded him in death on April 10, 2013.

Clarence proudly served his country during World War II, advancing to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army, then opened his Monticello dental practice in October 1946. He practiced for 46 years, retiring from general dentistry in 1992. Clarence then became a supervisory dentist at Hawkeye Community College Dental Clinic in Waterloo, guiding students until he retired in December 2012. Clarence was a member of the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy of Dentists and a life member of the Iowa Dental Association.

Clarence was active in Rotary for over 50 years and served on the Monticello School Board. A member of First Presbyterian Church in Monticello for over 60 years, Clarence also enjoyed attending services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church since his marriage to Jean. It was very common for the couple to attend services at both churches each Sunday.

Clarence loved spending summers at the lake home near Crosslake, Minn., where fond family memories were built over the years. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of fishing and boating and developed a number of them into skilled skiers. Clarence loved entertaining visitors at the lake and was a genial and hospitable host.

Clarence was a lifelong sports fan. He was a fixture at Iowa Hawkeye football games both at home and on the road, frequently attending bowl games as well. An avid wrestling supporter, Clarence fondly remembered wrestling for Cornell in the late 1930s, recalling stories of exciting road trips to Madison Square Garden and West Point. He attended the Drake Relays for over 50 years with a close group of Monticello friends.

Clarence cherished longtime friendships built over the years in Monticello, Crosslake and Marion. He enjoyed his daily coffee group, weekly golf games and congenial evening outings with friends. Clarence was a fixture at his grandchildren's activities over the years and traveled widely visiting the expanding family and special friends throughout the country.

The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Pope, the staff at Pennington Place and Monticello Care Center and Above and Beyond Hospice for their loving care of Clarence.