Earl Clodfelter, age 92, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at his home. Born in Olney, Illinois, on July 10, 1919, he was the son of the late Amos and Lydia (Gaede) Clodfelter.

Mr. Clodfelter served in the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries received in the war. He was a member and past Commander of the Fairfield Bay American Legion Post 333.

As a warehouse manager Economy Boat Store, one of the first mid-stream fueling companies on the Mississippi River, Mr. Clodfelter lived and worked for eight years in Memphis, Tennessee. A riverboat, the Earl C, was named in his honor and remains in operation on the Mississippi River.

After moving to Fairfield Bay, Mr. Clodfelter introduced his family to hiking the streams and waterfalls behind his retirement home. In 2011, his family worked in conjunction with Arkansas Waterfall Hunters to name the waterfall “Grand Falls” in his honor.

Family members who preceded him in death include his parents and two brothers, Edgar and Carl Clodfelter.

He is survived by his wife, Bessie L. (Finley) Clodfelter, of Fairfield Bay, Ark.; two daughters, Carol Ann Teitz, of Koln, Germany,  and Nancy McGowen, of Conway, Ark.; four grandchildren, Elise and Sebastian, both of Koln, Germany,  Cecilia, of Scotland, and Christine L. Reifeiss of Conway, Ark.; and two great-grandchildren, Phelim J. Teitz, of Koln, Germany, and Jaclyn S. Reifeiss, of Conway, Ark.

Mr. Clodfelter is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) ~ April 19, 2012