- Date Of Birth: May 3, 1927
- Date Of Death: May 10, 2017
- State: Illinois
Clair E. Hutchison, 90, of Jacksonville, IL passed away Wednesday evening, May 10, 2017, at Cedarhurst in Jacksonville. He was born May 3, 1927, in rural Heyworth, IL, the son of Oscar Leslie and Elsie Rodgers Hutchison. He married Patricia I. Goodenough on June 17, 1950, in Delavan, IL and she preceded him in death on March 23, 2013.
He is survived by three children, Gary L. Hutchison (wife, Connie) of Jacksonville, Deborah P. Staton of Versailles, and Kathryn L. Griffin (husband, Dan) of Springfield; eight grandchildren, Jason Hutchison (wife, Joy), Joseph Hutchison (wife, Betsy), James Hutchison (wife, Paula), and Evan Long, all of Jacksonville, Zachary Staton (wife, Myranda) and Amber Anderson (husband, Corey), all of Versailles, Rachel Ford (husband, Rich) of Metamora, and Megan Griffin of Springfield; 14 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jordan, Jaylen, Ryan, Will, Braden, Makenzie, and Claire Hutchison, Eli and Ella Staton, Lena and Cora Anderson, and Madeleine and Sophia Ford; two siblings, Beverly Staker of Tremont and Jack Hutchison (wife, Alta) of LaHarpe; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by eight siblings, Bernadine Wethington, Ivan Hutchison, June Devore, Wayne Hutchison (surviving wife, Marilyn of Delavan), Doris Hutchison, Dale Hutchison, Donald Hutchison (surviving wife, Phyllis of Rolla, MO), and James Hutchison (surviving wife, Sarah Lisles of Dawson).
As a student at Delavan High School, Clair felt a call to serve his country during WW II. He joined the US Navy serving two years stationed in the Philippines. He returned to complete both his high school education and earn his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from his beloved University of Illinois in February of 1952.
Clair would embark on a long and distinguished career as a registered professional engineer and land surveyor over the next 65 years. He was employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, District 6, for two years before joining Casler & Stapleton, a consulting engineer firm in Jacksonville. He spent over 60 years with the firm, now known as Hutchison Engineering, Inc. with offices in Jacksonville, Shorewood, Peoria, and Moline. Clair currently held the title of Chairman Emeritus.
He maintained and provided leadership for many professional affiliations including the National Society of Professional Engineers, Illinois Public Airport Association, Illinois Association of Highway Engineers, Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois, and Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association. For many years, he provided counsel to the Jacksonville Airport Authority and many public airports across Illinois. In recognition of his service, Clair was named the Outstanding Engineer of the Year by the Capital Chapter of the ISPE and Associate Engineer of the Year by the Illinois Public Airport Association.
Devoted to his community, Clair was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Jacksonville American Legion Post #279, Elks Lodge # 682, Harmony Lodge #3 AF & AM, Valley of Springfield Consistory, Ansar Shrine, Royal Order of Jester, and a past president of the Rasna Shrine Club. He was a former member of Rotary International, a past president of Jacksonville Exchange Club, and a former board member of both the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jacksonville Country Club.
In his spare time, “Hutch” loved to fish and hunt, play gin rummy with friends at the Elks Club, join his buddies for a round of golf, root for the Fighting Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals, and spoil his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
