Jack E Clinton

Jack was born Oct. 4, 1927 in Danville, IL to J. Frank and Mary Alice (Burch) Clinton, the youngest of 12 children. He attended Danville schools, graduating from DHS in 1945. He served in the US Army in 1946-47 with occupation troops in Korea. He attended the University of Illinois Extension in Danville and The U of I in Urbana graduating in 1951with a BS in Education with Honors in Spanish. He was a member of Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish honorary) and Phi Delta Kappa (Education honorary). He taught two years in Genoa, IL before moving to Peoria in 1953 to teach at Limestone High until his retirement in 1988. He also studied at Bradley, Purdue, University of Northern Iowa in Soria, Spain, and Mexico. He later received a Masters in Education at the U of I.

He married Anna May Mauer on Aug. 19, 1956 at First Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving are two sons: Randel (Lisa) Clinton of North Attleboro, MA and Robert (Robin) Clinton of Smithfield, RI; four grandchildren: Amanda and Matthew Clinton of North Attleboro and James and Thomas Clinton of Smithfield, RI, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven sisters and four brothers.

He was a past member of the Illinois Modern Language Assn. and served as Secretary and President of the Downstate Illinois Chapter; the Modern Language Assn; the Illinois and National Federation of Teachers; The First Presbyterian Church of Peoria where he sang in the choir, served as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Elder; The Friendship Force of the New Hampshire Seacoast; The Hedding CampMeeting Assn.; and Peoria Area Retired Teachers’ Assn.

Most recently he was a member of First Federated Church of Peoria.

Jack and his wife loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Egypt, the Holy Land, China and Korea. As members of the Friendship Force they traveled to Mexico, Costa Rica and England were they lived with families. They also home hosted people from several countries.

For many years the family spent Spring break vacations in Gulf Shores, AL where they enjoyed the sand, surf and seafood of the Gulf coast. Following their retirement they spent their summers at the Hedding Camp Meeting Association in Epping, NH so they could be close to their sons and their families. He was a member of the Chautauqua Assn., the Hedding Athletic Assn. and the choir.

Jack loved to work in his garden and in later years spent time cultivating and cross breeding day lilies at his summer cottage in NH. He also loved music and took part in various productions.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

Cremation rites have been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin and burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Danville at a later date.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the First Federated Church of Peoria. Visitation 9-11 AM and service 11 AM. The Rev. Forrest Krummel will officiate.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to his church, First Federated Church of Peoria or the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com