Cletus Portz's Obituary
Cletus C. Portz, 80, of Clinton passed away Thursday May 1st 2025 at Resthave Nursing Home – Morrison, Illinois.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday May 6, 2025, at the Journey Church - Clinton. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to the service time Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in the Springdale Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the Clinton AMVETS Post #28. The Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.
Cletus Portz was born on May 17, 1944, in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Margaret (Kirk) Portz. He graduated in 1961 from Andrew High School then went on to Universal Tech School in 1961 in Omaha, Nebraska. He later enlisted in the United States Army serving from 1965 until being honorably discharged in 1968. He then came home and worked as a mechanic for his uncle Jim after being discharged from the Army. He had his own business in Lyons for several years then worked at Ford in Clinton; later going to work for Southgate Motors from which he retired in 2010 after many years of service.
Cletus married Patty Storms Baker on May 27, 1989; she passed away on July 17, 2004. He later married Judy Flory Wivell on June 10, 2006. Shortly after their marriage, he was diagnosed with Huntington's disease. He struggled with this disease for the rest of his life, but was never one to complain or give up.
Cletus was a member of AMVETS Post #28 in Clinton. He was also a member of Journey Church formerly Evangelical Free Church where he loved to sing in the choir and where he met his wife Judy. He enjoyed doing word search puzzles and watching all the “critters” from the back patio.
Cletus is survived by his wife Judy of Clinton, his stepdaughter: Peggy (Dave) Keefer of Clinton; 3 grandchildren: Kallyn, Emersyn and Griffen Keefer; his siblings: Rosie (Guz) Hickson of Bellevue, Iowa, Paul (Karen) Portz of Maquoketa, Iowa, Larry (Susie) Portz of Princeton, Iowa, Alice (Bob) Weimerskirtch of Bonita Springs, Florida, Francis Portz of Bellevue, Iowa, and Allan Portz of Absarokee, Montana; his sister-in-law: Norma Flory of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and many aunts, uncles, and brother-in-law: Ken Flory.
Memorials can be made to the family.
The family wishes to extend a thank you to: The VA; Resthave in Morrison, IL, Mercy Hospice, Clinton IA, Golden Dreams for the great care of Cletus. Also, Pastor Michael Bell of Journey Church and all family and friends for their wonderful care through this struggle in his life
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