Mr. Clifford “Cliff” Borkgren, 88, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 4:48 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Allure of Lake Storey in Galesburg, surrounded by his loved ones.
Clifford was born September 28, 1937, in Geneseo, Illinois, the firstborn son of Maurice and Florence (Gradert) Borkgren. He married Anna Ruggles Lockmiller on December 7, 1996. He was previously married to Janice Taube.
He graduated from Geneseo High School and then served three years in the United States Army. Cliff was employed for 35½ years with the United States Postal Service, serving most of those years in the Geneseo Post Office as a part-time carrier before advancing to assistant postmaster. He finished his postal career in Cambridge, Illinois, after being promoted to postmaster for his final 9½ years of service. He retired in January 1997.
Following retirement, Cliff and Ann moved to Wisconsin, where he was employed as a maintenance supervisor for Augusta Housing in Augusta, Wisconsin. In 2001, the couple moved to Henderson, Illinois, and Cliff began working at Pioneer Seed in Woodhull, where he remained for 17 years. Concurrently, he was employed for several years by Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home in Galesburg.
Cliff was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Galesburg, where he served in the chancel choir, on the board of trustees, as usher coordinator, and as a youth group leader. He was especially enthusiastic about participating in adult and youth mission trips.
Cliff loved spending time with his family. Tent camping was one of his favorite pastimes. Interacting with the young people he worked with in youth group and on mission trips brought him great joy, and having breakfast with his coffee clutch was very special to him. Cliff also enjoyed woodworking and doing handyman tasks for friends and family.
Surviving is his wife, Ann; daughter, Cynthia (Jon) Midthun; daughter-in-law, Lori Borkgren; stepson, Darin (Julie) Lockmiller; grandchildren, Ethan (Moriah) Fagen and Karly (Tate) Buller; step-grandchildren, Cheyanne (Dominic) Barszczewski, Cierra (Ron) Maas, and Dakota Lockmiller; eight great-grandchildren; and brother, Terry (Teresa) Borkgren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeff; and brothers, Richard “Whitey” and Tom.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services of Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Deb Epley and Rev. Glen Bocox officiating. Military honors will be rendered at the funeral home at the end of the service. Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026, in the Aledo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the youth ministries of First United Methodist Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
