Frederick Harry Clifford , 88, formerly of rural Columbia City, died on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

Born on October 8, 1936, in Whitley County, Indiana, he was a son of the late Oscar and Hazel (Felger) Clifford. Raised on a farm near Arcola by Harry and Betty Clifford, he completed Coesse Elementary School and graduated from Arcola High School in 1955.

Inducted into the U.S. Army on September 20, 1955, he served in Korea.  He was honorably discharged on July 12, 1957.

On May 3, 1959, he married Berneice M. Kleine.  They made their home on a farm in Whitley County, raising three children.

After his military service, Fred returned to his roots, farming and raising livestock, becoming a full-time farmer and joining his foster father Harry in operating C&C Packing on Carroll Road in Fort Wayne.  Fred became the owner of the well-known custom meat processing facility, earning an enviable reputation for high-quality processing.   In 2018, the family moved to Mountain Grove, MO, to own and operate a cattle ranch with his son, known as C Bar C Ranch.

He had belonged to the Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco for over 19 years and was currently a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Houston, MO.  For over 25 years, he was a member of the Whitley County Beef Club and was a past board member of the Whitley County 4-H.

Surviving his beloved wife of 66 years, Berniece; daughters, Teresa M. Clifford and Brenda J. Clifford; his special family, Ethan, Kaite, Cole, Gretchen, Jenaveve and Ean Frederick Peterson the ranch manager of the C-C Ranch, Mountain Grove, MO; and brothers, Kenny Clifford of Columbia City and Jerry Clifford of Auburn.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by his son and business partner, Edwin H. Clifford, a sister, Joan Bennett; and brothers, Paul, Robert, Dick, and Charlie Clifford.

Visitation is 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (May 18th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  The funeral service is 1 p.m. Monday (May 19th) at the funeral home.  Burial is at the family plot in the Union Township Cemetery at Coesse.

As the family is traveling back to Missouri, memorials to the Whitley County Community Foundation are preferred rather than flowers.