Clifford J. Babcock

Clifford James Babcock, 83, died Saturday, June 13, 2009, at his home in Lewiston, MN. Clifford was born August 28, 1925, in Fremont Township, MN, to Glenn and Mary (Bain) Babcock. He married Jessie M. Hinkley-Lewis at the Church of the Brethren in Warren Township on June 13, 1948. Clifford passed away on their 61st wedding anniversary. Clifford attended grade school at Clyde and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II serving in Korea. Clifford was a maintenance engineer for Camera Art and the Lewiston Public Schools. He had also operated a road grader for Winona County, owned his own can milk route, school bus driver for Lewiston schools and had been the grave digger for many cemeteries in the Lewiston and St. Charles area. Clifford had been the caretaker of the Fremont Scotch Cemetery for many years. He was a lifetime deacon and member of the Church of the Brethren, member of the American Legion Post 90 of Lewiston serving as commander and membership chairman, the American Legion District 1 serving as Chaplain and Vice Commander, VFW Post 3960 of St. Charles, 40-8 of Winona, Lewiston Sportsman's Club, supervisor of Utica Township for 18 years and a Boy Scout Leader. Clifford enjoyed woodworking, telling a story or two, playing cards, pitching horseshoes and is lovingly remembered for his patriotism and how he loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Survivors include his wife, Jessie; four children, Roger (Judi) of St. Charles, Gary (Sue) of Lewiston, Ronald (Susie) of Lewiston and Sheryl (Rick) Warnken of Rochester, MN; eight grandchildren, Joette (Chad Engstrom) Babcock and Aaron (Keri) Babcock, Karena (Jim) DiNicola and Trisha (Clint) Radtke, Jenny (Mark) Swenson and Corey (Andrea) Babcock, David Babcock and Kiel Warnken; seven great grandchildren, Jordan and Megan Johnson, Ella and Grady Babcock, Jake DiNicola, Abby and Ava Swenson; brother, Kenneth (Mary) Babcock of St. Charles; and sister, Donna (T. Allen) Aarsvold of Peterson, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Charles.Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, June 17th, at 11:00am at the Fremont Scottish Church in Fremont, MN, with the Reverend Deb Bebout officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Lewiston Chapel from 4-8:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials can be given to the Fremont Church or Cemetery.Please share a memory of Clifford with the family, sign his online guestbook or view his video tribute when it becomes available online at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/74271