Published on June 22, 2025 7:04 pm
Last Updated on June 22, 2025 7:04 pm
Clement Edmund “Clem” Lilly, age 93, passed away the early morning hours of Saturday, June 21, 2025 at home surrounded by loved ones.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Kaskaskia Church with visitation from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery. Trent Wright will be presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may go to Spring Hill Cemetery or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.pagelfuneralhome.com.
Clem was born July 31, 1931 in Loudon Township, Fayette County, IL to Dotson Baine Lilly and Mary Elizabeth (Rhodes) Lilly. Clement was the youngest of 6 siblings and lived his entire life in Fayette County outside of serving in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954 when he was stationed in Japan. Upon returning home, he began working at Fedders in Effingham where he retired after 43 years in 1996. Clement married the love of his life, Gerneda Mae “Peewee” (Rogers) Lilly in 1955. They resided in St. Elmo; however, they spent a good deal of their time in the country at their family farm near Wright’s Corner, IL. Clement had a variety of interests that he enjoyed over his long life. In his youth he enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting, baseball, riding horses, playing hooky from school, and adventuring in the woods with his lifelong friend Doyle Beck. As he aged, he began helping his family on the farm which started a love for vegetable gardening which he
held until his final days. Clement was also an avid woodsman and much of his free time was spent hunting for mushrooms, quail, rabbit, ginseng, deer or just sitting next to a pond with a line in the water. He is accredited by the Boone and Crockett club for harvesting a 217 5/8” trophy whitetail buck in 1966. He was a marksman and won numerous of the Labor Day turkey shoots held in St. Elmo. He also participated in several pool leagues across the area and helped others to increase their pool shooting skills. Clement loved giving back to his community, and was very proud of being a blood donor to the American Red Cross for his entire life. He was a lifelong member of the VFW in Altamont and the American Legion in St. Elmo, participating in countless military funerals, parades, and fundraisers for over 50 years. He was also a lifelong member of the Royal Neighbors Chapter 5784. Above all, Clement was a family man. He loved his family and was fortunate to be able to care for his mother in her elder years. His greatest achievement was spending time and sharing his interests with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even
his great-great grandchild (in his later years).
Clement is survived by his children, Andrew Carl (Pam) Lilly, Marsha Kay (Steve) Wright, Karla Sue Lilly; grandchildren, Andrea (Dusty) Hagler, Erin Lilly, Seth Lilly, Trevor (Tara) Wright, Trent (Rexann) Wright, Travis (Danielle) Wright, Sarah (Chris) Schmid, Trey (Hailey) Wright, Rachel (Dylan) Bullard, April (Chad) Beker, Amanda (Tom) Miller; great-grandchildren, Alexziah Hagler, Hadley Hagler, Payton Ostrander, Natalie Hoopingarner, Corey Hoopingarner, Jayce Lilly, Hayes Lilly, Emmalyn Wright, Ethyn Wright, Tristan Wright, Tanor Pemberton, MaryLinn Wright, Brylie Schmid, Beau Schmid, Andi Schmid, Coyd Wright, Wrenley Wright, Calvin Bullard, Jack Bullard, Dylan Meadows, Clay Miller, and Nathan Miller; and great-great grandchild, Oaklyn Ostrander.
Clement was preceded in death by his wife, Gerneda Mae “Peewee” (Rogers) Lilly; infant daughter, Mary Beth Lilly; parents, Dotson Baine Lilly, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth (Rhodes) Lilly; siblings, Dotson Baine Lilly Jr., Rollin Vaughn Lilly, Ruth Ellen (Lilly) Sage, Garnet Lucille Lilly, Helen Joy (Lilly) Broadwater.