Clifford Fanning

Clifford Stuart Fanning, age 80, passed away at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center – Eden Center on July 7, 2013 with his loving family at his side. He was born in Detroit to the late Herbert D. and Eleanor Leone (Sapp) Fanning on July 6, 1933.The family moved to Mt. Clemens, MI in 1942 and there he spent most of his childhood. Clifford attended Mt. Clemens High School until 1951 and then joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He served on the USS Wright and was honorably discharged in 1954.On July 10, 1954 he married his childhood sweetheart, Judith Jefferies, and in the same month joined the Mt. Clemens Fire Department and served until 1979 when he retired as a Captain. During those years, Clifford served as President and Negotiator for the I.A.F.F. Local 838 for 17 years and was also active in many other civic organizations. He was a life-member of the Mt. Clemens Lodge #6 Free and Accepted Masons and also worked with the Boy Scouts with his son Michael and in later years with his grandson, Ian. After retirement, Clifford and Judi moved to Bear Lake Township in Kalkaska County where he served as Supervisor and Treasurer on the Township Board for several years. He also worked for Kalkaska County and was a member of the V.F.W. Post 8684, a charter member of the Eagles Aerie #4496, and a member of the Kalkaska United Methodist Church.Clifford was a “student” of the Civil War and he and Judi visited most all of the major Civil War battlegrounds during their 59 years of marriage. He loved music and reading and his favorite seasons were hunting, fishing, football, and of course camping with the grandkids and friends. Together Clifford and Judi had 3 children.Clifford is survived by his wife, Judi; daughters, Nancy (Ted) Petri and Laurel (Brian) Crawford; daughter-in-law, Jill Fanning; grandchildren, Lisa (Michael) Schlaack, Chelsea and Abigail Petri, Meghan (Jeff) Rogers, Bethany (Darin) Mock, Lindsay (Michael) Murray, and Ian Fanning; step-granddaughter, Briana Crawford; great-grandsons, Jason, Drew, and Devin Schlaack, Brady and Reese Mock, and Jack Rogers; sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Gene McKinney; sister-in-law, Wilma Fanning; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Anthony and Janet Hudock; and many nieces and nephews.Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Michael Shawn Fanning; grandson, Christian Schoen; sister, Suzanne Caderette; and brothers, Herbert and John.Visitation for Clifford will be held on Friday, July 12, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Kalkaska United Methodist Church with Pastor Bob Freysinger and Pastor Greg Wolfe officiating.The family would like to express a special thanks to the “angels” who cared for Clifford at the Kalkaska Dialysis Center and the Eden Center.Memorials may be given to the Kalkaska United Methodist Church, 2525 Beebe Road, Kalkaska, MI 49646 or to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.Condolences may be left online at www.wolfeoneill.com.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

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Clifford Fanning

July 12, 1933 - July 12, 2013