Clarence W. Masching Obituary (1921 - 2013)

Clarence W. Masching, 91, of Pontiac, IL passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 10:46 a.m. at Evenglow Lodge in Pontiac, IL. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL with Father David Sabel, Father David Roach, and Father Peter Zorjan officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Loretto, IL. Friends may call on Friday, September 20, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac. The Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Clarence was born on October 26, 1921 in Emington, IL, son of Conrad W. and Mary (Vitoux) Masching. The family consisted of six boys and two girls. They lived in a farm in rural Emington, IL for 20 years. Clarence married A. Louise Louis on July 10, 1948 at St. Patrick's Church in Dwight, IL by the late Father Tracy. They made their home in Washington, IL where Clarence learned the carpenter trade. They moved back to rural Odell, IL and made their home in Loretto for 52 years. Louise survives in Pontiac, IL. He is also survived by two daughters, Marjorie Anne (James) Ehrhardt of Cabery, IL and Susan Louise (Brian) Cull of Metamora, IL; one brother, Joseph (Florence) Masching of Saunemin, IL; one sister-in-law, Joann Masching of Odell, IL; four grandchildren, Nathan (Michelle) Ehrhardt, Matthew (Mira) Ehrhardt, Molly Cull, and Kevin Cull; and six great grandchildren, Maci Ehrhardt, Madi Ehrdardt, Myli Ehrhardt, Marri Claire Ehrhardt, Luke Ehrhardt, and Owen Ehrhardt. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Henry Masching, Leo Masching, Vincent Masching, and Lyle Masching; and two sisters, Sister Francis Marie Masching and Anna Marie Stadel Clarence entered the U.S. Army in 1942. He did his basic training at Camp Grant. Clarence was a member of the Medical Corp. He spent 26 months in the Aleutian Islands on Kodiac, Kiska and Attu. He spent four Christmases in the Aleutians. He was discharged from the Army on November 11, 1945. He received his high school diploma while in service at Indianapolis High School. One of his highlights was taking the Honor Flights to Washington DC. He was interviewed on his life in the Army recently and his copy booklet is placed in the archives of Texas Interior. Clarence and his wife, Louise, were honored in 2010 as the Lead Couple for the Relay Race for Survivors of Cancer. They were also honored in 2010 as the Volunteer Couple of the Year of St. James - John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac. He was a member of Pontiac VFW Post #886, American Legion in Emington, IL in Pontiac, IL and Sexton of St. Mary Cemetery in Loretto, IL. He was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL. Memorials may be made to Honor Flight Inc, Attn: Diane Gresse, 300 E. Auburn Ave, Springfield, OH 45505 and/or the American Cancer Society.