Danny Wayne Shofner Obituary (1946

Danny Wayne Shofner, age 74, of Clinton, IL (formerly of Weldon, IL) passed away July 11, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services will be 3:00 PM Saturday at First Christian Church in Clinton with Allison Hitchings and Terry Etherton officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Clinton, IL. Visitation is from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Saturday at the Church. The family is grateful to have Calvert Funeral Home in Clinton, IL assisting with arrangements. Danny was born May 29, 1946 in Clinton, IL as the oldest child of Grover M. Shofner and Grace V. (Bratcher) Shofner. He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Isaac, on December 23, 1965 at First Christian Church in Clinton, IL. She survives. Also surviving are his three children, Jered (Lisa) Shofner, Weldon, IL, Tammy (Darvin) Robinson, Beason, IL, and Joshua (Charity) Shofner of Weldon, IL. Also surviving are his three grandchildren that brought him so much joy; Cydney Shofner, Weldon, IL and Ana & Hunter Robinson of Beason, IL. His three sisters also survive: Dixie (Kenney) Brock of DeLand, IL, Debbie Shofner and Denise (Kent) Reeser of Weldon. He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law, and 2 nieces and 2 nephews. Danny was baptized April 4, 1958 in the Weldon Methodist Church, a church he spent much of his youth in. He graduated from DeLand-Weldon High School in 1964 and married Joyce in December 1965. They would eventually move to Weldon where he would raise his family until returning to Clinton in retirement. Danny had a 30-year career at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Decatur. He served in several leadership positions in the United Auto Workers (UAW), where he had a reputation as a strong advocate for his fellow workers at Caterpillar. Danny's hands were blessed with special talents as a craftsman. He and Joyce raised their family in homes that Danny built with help from other family members. His workshop produced countless pieces of living art he shared with others. His family home and those of his children, friends, and family are adorn with his magnificent works of wood art. Upon his retirement, he worked with Joyce selling real estate at Connections Real Estate in Clinton and operated a crafts store where he shared his wood talents. His works are in hundreds of homes. He loved visiting those who came to his shop. To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, Dan and Joyce and their family gathered at First Christian Church as they renewed their vows in the same church they were married. The family would like to extend appreciation to all those who have assisted in providing care to Danny during his battle with Parkinson's disease. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to the Danny Shofner Memorial Fund.