Louis Ralph Clair, age 83, of 3320 Lawrence Rd., died Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. in St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

He was born September 6, 1924 in Mendon, Illinois the son of Ralph Chant and Martha Jane Riley Clair . On September 8, 1945 he married Helen Dean Riley in Quincy, Illinois. She preceded him in death on November 9, 1990.

He was a graduate of Mendon High School.  Lou was the "son" in the R.C. Clair & Son Dairy Farm, while still in high school.  In addition to being in the dairy business, he wore many different hats in his day. He worked for Quincy Compressor, farmed during the summers, and later worked as a shipping clerk in the freight house of the C.B. & Q. Railroad. He also recalled going to Kansas to work on the wheat harvest there. At one point, he tended bar at Dutch's Place. He was later employed by National Cash Register, followed by Montgomery Ward as manager of the Sporting Goods Department.  He later worked for Moorman Manufacturing Company for several years. He then worked for Brennan Construction where he served as construction foreman. He built homes in such areas as Brennan Drive, Fran Dell Acres, and Holiday Hills, among others. In addition, he built the home where he and his wife raised their children, and where he continued to reside until his death. After working for Brennan, he became employed by Huck Fixture as a machinist in the mill room. He was promoted to the assistant night superintendent - a position that he held until his retirement.

Lou was a lifetime member of the Moose. He belonged to the Legion of the Moose and had an Honorary Moose Fellowship Degree. He was also a past Governor of the Moose.  He was of the Protestant faith, with a membership at Grandview Baptist Church, where he once served as a deacon.

Lou was an avid Cubs fan, sticking strongly by them, stating, "They'll do it next year." He enjoyed gardening, and he always had a garden, which was the showplace of the neighborhood. He also enjoyed coin collecting.

Survivors include: his special friend and companion of many years, June Stegeman of Quincy; a son, Larry Clair; two daughters: Lynda Vahle and her husband, Eugene Jr.; and Cheryl Emery and her husband, Gary, of Quincy; a step-daughter, Sharon Herrington and her husband, Ronald, all of Quincy; five grandchildren: Steve Herrington; Jeff Herrington and his wife, Amy, all of Quincy, Jon Herrington and his wife, Annie, of Temple, TX; Laura Lloyd and her husband, Kris, of Harrow, Ontario; and Jason Daggs and his wife, Candy, of Liberty, IL; five great-grandchildren: Nicole and Kaitlyn Herrington of Quincy; Allison and Mark Herrington of Temple, TX; and Trevor Daggs of Liberty, IL; a sister, Norma Griggs and her husband, Tom, of Warsaw, IL; a sister-in-law, Lynn Clair of Bowling Green, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and his beloved dog, Wizard. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ken; and a sister, Darlene Donley.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. To have known him was to have loved him.