Claude Albert Reffett, Jr., age 80, of Altona, Illinois, died on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at his home in Altona.
He was born on September 30, 1938 in Danville, Illinois, the son of Claude Albert and Barbara (Sanks) Reffett, Sr. He was reared and educated in the Danville area. He proudly served his country in the National Guard. On June 20, 1957, Claude was married to Ida M. “Marian” Wadhams in Danville. She preceded him in death on January 19, 2018.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Deborah (and Paul) Collinson of Galva, Illinois, Janet (and Duane) Collins of Avon, Illinois, Jeffrey (and Kathy Blanks) Reffett of Oneida, Illinois, Dawn Lair of Galesburg, Illinois, Steven (and Laura) Reffett of Altona; twelve grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; three brothers: Fredrick Draper of Danville, Randy (and Mary) Draper of Bloomington, Illinois, Darryl (and Darlene) Draper of West Lafayette, Indiana; seven sisters: Barbara Adair of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sharryl (and Roger) Vorpahl of West Lafayette, Indiana, Lillian Freed of Joy, Illinois, Dixie Brownfield of West Lafayette, Indiana, Lynda Castro of Silverton, Oregon, Teddie Cross of Washington, MaryEllen Draper of Normal, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one aunt, Georgia; step-father Earl Fredrick Draper.
Claude began working as a farm hand, then went on to work as a mechanic for John Deere in Oneida and Galesburg. He then went on to work as a mechanic for Ratliff in Kewanee. Finally, Claude went on to work as a truck driver, until his retirement. He was a devoted member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Altona. He enjoyed many past times, especially fishing, mowing his and several other yards, and watching NASCAR racing. Claude loved his grandchildren more than anything.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2019 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Oneida, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altona, Illinois, Rev. Tim Anderson officiating. Interment will be in the Henderson Grove Cemetery in Knox County, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the family. On-line condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
