Clifford J. Weinschenk

Clifford J. Weinschenk, 79 of Bellevue, died Sunday, August 31, 2008 at home, after a courageous battle of heart failure, diabetes, and cancer surrounded by his family. He was a fighter. A mass for celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 4 at St. Josephs Catholic Church, Bellevue. Fr. Phil Gibbs will officiate and Fr. Stephen Meyer will con-celebrate. Burial will be in St. Josephs Cemetery where American Legion Post #273 will accord full military rites. Friends may call from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 3 at Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home and again Thursday at the funeral home from 9:30 until procession to the church. Cliff was born on June 18, 1929 in Springbrook, son of Edwin and Clara (Tebbe) Weinschenk. He married Dorothy Gibbs on August 28, 1951 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in LaMotte. Cliff was a veteran of the United States Army who served in Korea. He worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for over 28 years retiring in September of 1987. Cliff possessed a caring and positive attitude; he had a great personality and took an interest in everyone around him. He was very involved in his community. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue Knights of Columbus, lifetime member of the Bellevue American Legion post #273, Sabula VFW, honorary member of Bellevue Horsemans Club, volunteered at the Bellevue Chamber Visitor Center, served on the first Bellevue Heritage Day Committee, Member of the John Deere Retirees Local UAW 94, and was a member of the B.E.S Club. He also enjoyed visiting residents at Mill Valley Care Center. Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Dorothy; six children, Gary (Michele) Weinschenk, of Springville, Iowa, Peg (Steve) Roling, of Bellevue, Jean Ehlinger, of Rockford, Iowa, Jim (Kim) Weinschenk, of St. Catherines, Cliff Jr. Weinschenk, of Bellevue, and Barb (Brian) Kalmes, of Bellevue; fourteen grandchildren, Kirsten, Kasey, and Kylie Weinschenk, Ryan, Michael, and Christina Roling, Sara (Peter) Hyun, Stacey and Scott Ehlinger, Chad (Lindsay) Weinschenk, Kurt and Ben Weinschenk, and Austin and Justine Kalmes; three great grandchildren, Isabella, Tait, and Gavin; a brother Clyde (Betty) Weinschenk, of Springbrook; two sisters, Arleta (Milton) Scheckel, of Springbrook and Leanna (Lester) Michels, of Bellevue; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Carvel The family would like to thank the doctors at Medical Associates and Hospice of Dubuque for their care and compassion, and also Fr. Meyer, Fr. Schaeffer and Sr. Rosalyn B.V.M. for spiritual guidance. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kingeryfuneralhome.com.