Fred August Claussen III Obituary (1937 - 2016)

Fred August Claussen III 78, of Forsyth, IL passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at 10:44 a.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2016, in St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur. A public visitation to celebrate Fred's life will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Macon, IL. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to: Lincoln Trails Boy Scout Council. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Fred was born September 11, 1937, in Springfield, IL the son of Fred A. and Venita (Parkinson) Claussen II. He was a 1955 graduate of Harris High School in Petersburg, IL. A carpenter by trade, he learned the craft from his father and uncle working in the Petersburg area. On November 9, 1958, Fred married Donna Sybert of Athens. In 1966, they moved to Macon where he was employed by JJ Swartz and Jack Huss Builders in Decatur. Later in his career, he owned and operated a successful remodeling business until his retirement. Fred was considered a master carpenter, and his work on many of the beautiful homes of Millikin Place and those surrounding Lake Decatur will stand for decades as a testament to his craftsmanship. Fred served as a Scoutmaster for Macon Troop #27 for several years in the 70's and 80's and later served on various committees for the Lincoln Trails Boy Scout Council. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and was awarded the highest honor of Vigil. Fred was a member of the Macon United Methodist Church and later Sharon United Methodist Church. More than anything in his life, Fred loved being a grandpa. Following the death of his wife Donna on December 29, 2009, he went on to marry Connie McNabb on March 17, 2011. Surviving are his wife: Connie of Forsyth; son: Fred A. Claussen IV and his wife Kimberly of Macon; daughter: Jean Thrasher of Mt. Zion; sisters: Inez Lutes of Springfield and Sara Campbell and her husband Tim of Prescott, AZ; grandchildren: Zac Thrasher (Diedre Gogerty), Bailey Claussen, Darrin Thrasher, Carlie Claussen, Fred A. "Drew" Claussen V, Sydney Thrasher, and Claire Reynolds; great grandchildren: Bowen, Grant, Ricky, and Rilyn. Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Donna. Fred's family would like to sincerely thank the staff of St. Mary's Hospital and Hickory Point Christian Village Rehabilitation Center for their dedicated and compassionate care for Fred.