Cletus “Clete” Habing (82) of Effingham

Cletus Herman Habing, 82, passed away Saturday evening, August 1, 2020 at Willowbrook of Effingham.

A private family mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, August 10, 2020 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Prior to mass, a drive through visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. to give socially distanced condolences to the family from their vehicle at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed for all services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Catholic Charities or St. Anthony Educational Trust.

Clete was born November 28, 1937 in Teutopolis, the son of John and Betty (Hoene) Habing. He married the late Elise Merz in 1960 and together they raised three sons. 

Clete was a loving and adventuresome father to us, his sons. He loved the outdoors and would take us on 3 day river floats, camping along the way, shooting, woods and lake camping, and exploring. He would take time to wrestle with us when he came home from work and taught us the basics of building things and gave us freedom to be boys. Among family and friends, he was known for his “Clete jokes” and pranks. This practice is still carried on by his sons and grandchildren.

He completed a BS in Geology from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN and a Masters in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in Lafayette, IN. He was proud of his 34- year career as a civil engineer at the Illinois Department of Transportation in Effingham.

Clete is survived by his wife Sheron J. (Nosbisch); his three sons, Chuck (Donna) of Jacksonville, FL, Ted of Tustin, CA, and Doug (Hyunah) of San Clemente, CA; stepson Levi Weishaar; stepdaughter Marci (Phil) Gallager; sister, Alice (Phil) Conlin of Effingham; sister-in-law, Ruth Habing of Albuquerque, NM; and five grandchildren, Craig, Brian, Dory, Bodie and Lukas Habing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Elise; brother, Donald; sister and brother-in-law, Martha (Chuck) Stevens.