Clayton Clifford Collar, 83, of Bellmont, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at Oakview Heights Continuous Care and Rehab. He was born on October 10, 1934 in Vermillion, South Dakota the son of Kenneth and Nellie (South) Collar. Clayton married Dorothy "Dottie" Berry on April 22, 1961 and together they enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage centered on their family.
Clayton will be remembered as a loving husband and father. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army. Harness racing was Clayton's life where he spent a lot of time training and racing horses. His first race was at the young age of fourteen and his last race he was at the age of sixty-five. Clayton harness raced at all the local county fairs and also travelled to Chicago and New York. He was a trained blacksmith and shoed his own horses. In his younger years, Clayton had a talent of auctioneering and enjoyed meeting new people at the different events he auctioneered at. Clayton was a member of the VFW #8222 in Albion, Illinois. Clayton will be missed by his family and friends.
Clayton will be remembered by his wife, Dottie Collar of Bellmont; daughters, Dana (Eugene) Hornback of Bellmont, Daneen Collar of Mount Carmel and a niece whom Clayton and Dottie thought of as a daughter, Janel (David) Wherry of Vermillion, South Dakota; along with many nieces and nephews.
Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Clifford Clayton Collar; Brothers, Virgil Collar, Keith Collar; sisters, Faye Walls, Bonnie Tiezen; nephews, Ronald Bice and Thomas Bice.
In keeping with Clayton's wishes, he will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with burial to follow at Bethel Cemetery in Bellmont, Illinois.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Clayton’s tribute wall, leave condolences and purchase flowers for the Collar family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com.
