Claude Edward Bryan, Sr

Claude Edward “Junior” Bryan, age 86, of Benton, passed away at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2020 at the Ascension St. Vincent Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Private Family Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; with Pastor Phillip Kennedy officiating.  Burial with Military Honors provided by the Benton American Legion Post #280 and V.F.W. Post #2671 and the Marion Army National Guard will be near 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

Due to Illinois COVID-19 Mitigation Phase 3 allows for 10 people to be present at the services, masks are required and please observe social distancing. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Claude was born on February 11, 1934 in St. Clair County, Illinois; the son of Claude Aaron Bryan and Josephine (Figi) Bryan.  He married the former Nancy Ellen Handley on June 27, 1964; and she preceded him in death on February 13, 2013.

Claude was the former owner and operator of Claude’s Truck and Trailer Service for over 30 plus years in Southside Chicago.

He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army.

Junior enjoyed hunting, working on equipment and vehicles. He enjoyed raising pigeons, rabbits, peacocks, ducks, turkeys, guineas, pheasants, quail, chickens and chukkar.

He moved the family to the Benton area in 1973 owning a 300 acre farm raising cattle and later switching to a large hog operation. He would later have a clover hay operation and many farmers in the Chicago area would come buy hay from him.

He loved spending time with his family; and each year he would have a hog roast on Memorial Day weekend and a fish fry on Labor Day weekend for all of his family.

Surviving are his three children: Claude E. Bryan, Jr. and wife Dr. Michelle Jenkins of Benton, Lynette Leffler of Benton, and Craig Bryan of Benton; four grandchildren: Tyler Leffler, Craig Bryan, Jr., Lauren Gunter and husband Jordan of O’ Fallon, MO, Brittany Bryan of Benton; a great-grandchild; siblings: Grace Wolf, Josephine Ballard, Carrol Stahlman, Suzy Magyar and husband Julius, Aaron Bryan and wife Ruby, Victor Bryan and wife Norma; a brother-in-law Eddie Poole; a sister-in-law Linda Hunt and husband Jim; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; sisters Ellen Woodward, Evelyn Steffan and husband Rudy, Erma Bruno and husband Charlie, Florence Poole; a brother: Charles Bryan and wife Margaret; brother-in-laws: Oscar Wolf, Don Ballard, and John Stahlman.

In Lieu of Flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Claude, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

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