Clifford "Cliff" Laverne Durward

Clifford “Cliff” LaVerne Durward, age 79, of Thomson, Illinois, died Friday July 26, 2013 at his home. Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life gathering will be held Wednesday July 31, 2013 from 4:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m.at Tipton’s Auction House, Thomson.
Cliff was born October 15, 1933, in Hanley, Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Clifford and Ruby (Milnes) Durward. They moved to Thomson when Cliff was five years old. Cliff attended York Community High School and graduated with the Class of 1951. He proudly served his country in the army during the Korean War. On January 21, 1956 Cliff married Norma Cate at the Community Church in Thomson.
Cliff was a successful dairy framer who passed the trade onto his sons and grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion Post #1025. He was also a member of the Jo-Carroll Holstein Club and the Illinois State Dairy Herd Information Association. Cliff was a trustee and supervisor of York Township. He was also a member of the York Community Church. Cliff enjoyed fishing. Most of all he loved visiting with his family and friends.
Cliff will be dearly missed by his wife of 57 years, Norma; his three sons, Randy (Marie) Durward, Scott (Lyn) Durward, and Andrew (Janice) Durward of Thomson; nine grandchildren; 4 great- grandchildren; two sister in-laws, Edith Cate of Thomson, and Carmen Cate of Simpson, Illinois and one brother- in law, Warren Waltrip of Byron, Illinois.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers and sisters. His sister in-law, Joyce Cate passed away July 28, 2013.