Alvin Claire

Alvin "Sonny" Claire

Age 76 of Morris, passed away Sunday morning May 12, 2013 at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born July 18, 1936, Sonny is a son of the late Alvin and Vera Bradley-Claire. He was raised and educated in Morris and on September 2, 1956, Sonny married Dorothy Fitzmaurice in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kinsman. He worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet for more than 40 years and retired in 1993 as a programmer. Sonny was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris. In his free time Sonny enjoyed reading, fishing, bird watching, cars, vacationing and traveling. He cherished his grandchildren and will be remembered for attending many of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids sports and school activities.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years Dorothy; four children: Paul (Kathi) Claire, Paula (Jeff) Johnson, Phillip (Jayne) Claire and Phyllis (Tom) Delaney all of Morris; eight grandchildren: Angela (Brett) Simon and Heather Foster both of Morris, Branden (Katie) Johnson of Morton, Elizabeth Barrett of Georgia, Grant Claire of Tennessee and Rochelle Claire, Leslie Claire and Craig Claire, all of Morris; two great grandchildren: Isabella Simon and Jackson Simon; his sister Nora "Bunny" (the late Pat) Haney of Burlington, Iowa; one aunt: Velva Carroll of Morris; brothers and sisters-in-law: Fern (the late James) Kahley of Effingham, Gary (Madeline) Fitzmaurice of Morris, Betty Anne (Herman) Stricklen of Missouri and Debbie (the late Russell) Fitzmaurice of Ottawa, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents: Alvin and Vera Claire and his father and mother-in-law: Paul and Ruth Fitzmaurice.

Visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street in Morris on Tuesday May 14, 2013 between the hours or 4:00PM and 8:00PM. Funeral services will follow Wednesday May 15th at 10:00AM in the church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Ed Howe, CR officiating.

Burial will be in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Morris.

Pallbearers will be Sonny's grandchildren: Angela Simon, Heather Foster, Branden Johnson, Elizabeth Barrett, Grant Claire, Rochelle Claire, Leslie Claire and Craig Claire.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Sonny's memory to the Immaculate Conception Building Fund, 516 East Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois 60450 or to the Immaculate Conception School Endowment Fund, 505 East North Street, Morris, Illinois 60450.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815-942-2500)