Clement A. Meissen Obituary (1925 - 2012)

Clement A. Meissen, 87, of Rockford passed away Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Alden-Park Strathmoor Nursing Home. Born January 22, 1925 in Durand, Illinois, he was the last surviving son of eight children born to Frank and Mary Elizabeth (Heinen) Meissen. Clem married Bonita M. Ostrem in Durand on November 14, 1953 and they moved to Rockford to take over the Ostrem family farm operation. In addition to being a grain farmer, he sold agricultural supplies, built grain storage systems, and started a trucking company. Clem was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Rockford. He was a fourth degree member of the Bishop Muldoon Assembly 190 and Rockford Council 470 of the Knights of Columbus. Clem and Bonita helped raise their “first family” of children, two sons and a daughter of Edwin and Ione Meissen, after Ed’s death in 1957. Clem cherished the summers his niece and nephews spent with him on the farm, and eventually started his “second family” when he and Bonita adopted two boys of their own. His hobbies included gardening, pickling, and canning and he was an Allis-Chalmers enthusiast. Clem had an inquisitive mind and was an avid reader. He dearly loved his only granddaughter, who always brought a smile to his face. Clem was involved in a serious farm accident in 2009 that almost claimed his life. Through God’s grace, and with the dedication of his physical therapist Bernard Yaun, he was even able to walk again! The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Rockford Memorial and St. Anthony Hospitals, and Alden-Park Strathmoor for their skilled and loving care. Survived by son Mark Meissen of Rockford; son Scott (Monica) Meissen and their daughter Rebecca of Dubuque, IA. Preceded in death by his parents, wife and brothers Raymond, Leonard, Andrew, Vincent, Edwin, Francis and Theodore. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 602 West Main Street, Durand, with Msgr. Eric Barr officiating. Burial will immediately follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held that morning at McCorkle Funeral Home, 101 Main Street, Durand, from 8:30-9:45 am. A rosary will be recited at the church starting at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.