Obituary of Clarence H. Willcome

Clarence H. Willcome Age 87, of Spencer, passed away in the evening on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Marshfield Care Center. A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11AM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 AT CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SPENCER. The Rev. Samuel Martin will officiate. Burial will follow in West Spencer Cemetery with full military rites conducted by American Legion Post 54 of Marshfield. Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer from 4PM until 8PM and again on Friday at the church in spencer from 10AM until time of services. A John Eisen Council of Knights of Columbus Rosary Service will take place at 6:30PM on Thursday at the funeral home.The honor of pallbearer for Clarence belongs to: Josh Arnold, Jacob Roth, Bill, Todd and Dominic Willcome, Anthony Pinter, Noah Fuller, Matthew and Ethan Fochs. Clarence was born December 12, 1926 in Grand Rapids, MI to William and Katherine (Zimmerman) Willcome. He graduated from St. Patrick High School in Parnell, MI. Later, he was drafted into the United States Army on October 31, 1945 and faithfully served his country in an artillery battery during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on February 7, 1947. The end of 1954 and the beginning 1955 was a memorable year for Clarence. He met his bride-to-be at Midnight Mass in December of 1954, went on their first date on New Year’s Eve that same year and proposed on January 26, 1955. He married Mary Lou Staeven on October 22, 1955 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parnell, MI. Together they raised their family and enjoyed 59 years of wonderful marriage. Clarence was a dedicated dairy farmer and dedicated to raising his Brown Swiss or Holstein cows. He started out farming in Rockford, MI, later moving to Birnamwood where he and Mary Lou continued raising both kids and cows. They later relocated to Chili and then to their current farm residence in Spencer, WI. Clarence never really retired, he just got tired. Hobbies included reading, trying to convert Republicans to Democrats, was a sports fan and stockholder for the Green Bay Packers, watching the Detroit Tigers baseball team, listening to country western singer Dolly Parton and sharing his great sense of humor with family and friends. Clarence had a passion for working for fairness and justice for not only farmers but for everyone. He was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church-Spencer, the Knights of Columbus John Eisen Council in Marshfield, the Brown Swiss Association, WI Farmers Union. Survivors include his wife Mary Lou Willcome of Spencer; 13 children: Regina (Dale) Roth of Eland, Douglas (Susan) Willcome of Birnamwood, Christopher (Mary) Willcome of Bowler, Barbara (Greg) Pinter of Spencer, Laura (Charles) Fochs of Birnamwood, Kevin (Cheryl) Willcome of Spencer, Melissa (Paul) Arnold of Spencer, Peter (Karla) Willcome of Birnamwood, Martha (Steve) Fuller of Clintonville, Amy Jo Spindler of Marshfield, Patrick Willcome of Spencer, Joseph Willcome of Rhinelander and Damian (Beth) Willcome of Marshfield; 32 grandchildren: Amanda, Tina, Rachel, Jacob, Todd (Sara), Kathleen (Neil), Bill (Nikki), Anne, Danielle, Claire, Catherine, Anthony, Emily, Matthew, Ethan, Jordan, Darron, Bradley, Alyssa, Anna, Colleen, Josh, Noah, Justine, Isaiah, Tanille (Garrett), Kolton, Fahallahn, Adam, Hanah, Dominic and Sterling; two great grandchildren: Leland and Vaida; one sister Kathleen Sobie and one brother Gerald (Kay) Willcome both of Marne, MI; three canine companions: Blue, Max and Big Girl and one special deer named “Thumper” along with many other relatives and friends. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Vernon, three grandchildren: Adam Clarence Willcome, Isabelle Pinter and Vincent Willcome. The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the dedicated physicians and staff at The Marshfield Care Center for the comfort and care they provided Clarence. In lieu of flowers the family is accepting memorials in Clarence's name to either the Marshfield Care Center or the Alzheimer's Association. Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.