Edmund J. “Ed” Menard, 91, of Clifton, passed away on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Manteno Veterans’ Home. Ed was born on February 21, 1927 in Bourbonnais; the son of the late Hubert and Mathilda (O’Dette) Menard. Ed married Bernice Dutour in L’Erable, IL on April 24, 1948; they celebrated 56 years together until she preceded him death on May 28, 2004. Ed proudly served our country during the Korean Conflict in the Marines. After his service to our country Ed worked for General Foods for 38 years retiring in 1982. Ed was an active member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Clifton volunteering his time as an usher and doing maintenance around the church. Never one to sit still Ed enjoyed coaching the Clifton Little League, tinkering in his garage, and tending to his yard, garden, and home. He was especially proud to own and maintain the oldest home in Clifton being built in 1857. Ed had a sweet tooth always enjoying candy, his wife’s baked goods, and assorted nuts with cashews being his favorite. Ed was an avid fan of the Cubs and Notre Dame.
Ed is survived by his children; Brenda (Greg) Yohnka of Clifton, Carl (Sandi) Menard of Flint, MI, his grandchildren: Jami (Steve Purvin) Menard of Chicago, Chad (Britney Weber) Menard of Temecula, CA, Jace (Taylor Drez) Menard of Oceanside, CA, Austin (Erin Huddleston) Yohnka of Nashville, TN, Elizabeth (David) Ferguson of Clifton, Amanda Menard of Flint, MI, Lance Menard of Rochester Hills, MI, a great-grandson Sebastian, the last of his generation of family sister-in-law Margaret Hemp of Milford, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who all affectionately knew him as “Uncle Mickey.”
Ed was also preceded in death by his son Alan Menard, by a brother Rev. Wilfred Menard CSC, his twin brother Louie Menard, a sister Dorothy Miller, and his daughter-in-law Shelly Menard.
The family will receive guests at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton on Wednesday, December 5, from 4-7 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated by Rev. Doug Hauber on Thursday, December 6, at 11 am at St. Peters Catholic Church in Clifton. To honor Ed’s wishes cremation rites will be accorded and a private inurnment will take place at a later date.
Those who wish are encouraged to leave memorials in Ed’s name to the Manteno Veterans’ Home or to St. Peters Catholic Church.
