URBANA – Claude Ellis Pinaire Jr., 86, of R.R. Urbana, passed away and joined Annette, his beloved wife and soul mate of almost 70 years, at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Claude was born June 28, 1928, in R.R. Urbana to Hazel Burley Pinaire and Claude Ellis Pinaire. He married Agnes Annette Asher on Sept. 19, 1947, and they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Sept. 19, 2013, prior to Annette's death on March 9, 2014.
Claude is lovingly remembered by his three sons, Richard A. (Margie) Pinaire of Junction City, Kan., Daniel E. (Lydia) Pinaire of Madison, Tenn., and David W. (Annette) Pinaire of Germantown Hills; one daughter, Deborah S. Linn of Hendersonville, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren, Benjamin (Courtney) Pinaire, Joseph Pinaire, Emily Pinaire, Chris (Nicole) Pinaire, Nicole (Eric) Yorgason, Kaylyn (Billy) Short, Daniel Pinaire, Stephen Pinaire (fiancee, Micah Krantz), Nickolaus (Allison) Pinaire, Sean (Erin) Pinaire, Adam Pinaire, Lorelei (Nick) Steen, Zachary Linn and Alexis Linn; nine great-grandchildren, Hollis Yorgason, Jackson Steen, Brooklyn Steen, Bowden Pinaire, Sophie Pinaire, Zoe Pinaire, Finley Pinaire, Emmersen Short and Adalyn Pinaire; his brother, Larry (Sandy) Pinaire; and his sister, Sandy (David) Barcus.
Also surviving him are his sisters-in-law, Etha Broom, Vareta Hartley and Roberta (John) Harriss; brother-in-law, James (Ruby) Asher; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, parents and two brothers, Richard Pinaire and Robert Pinaire.
Claude grew up on the family farm north of Sellers Corner in rural Urbana, and he graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1948. He enlisted in the Navy and served a peacetime tour of duty on a ship throughout the Mediterranean Sea following World War II.
Following his Navy service, Claude and Annette briefly engaged in a farm and dairy operation near Loda. At that time, he also worked nights as a janitor with the Post Exchange (PX) Service at Chanute Air Force Base.
This employment opened the door for Claude to enter a career in food service at Chanute. He worked his way up from his position as a janitor to the position of food supervisor of the PX.
He moved his family from St. Joseph to Junction City, Kan., in 1965 to assume the position of food supervisor at Fort Riley, Kan. At the urging of his wife, the family later returned to central Illinois, where he took a position as vice president of company-owned stores for Dog n Suds, one of the original fast-food chains in the U.S.
Claude and Annette had a goal to own and operate their own restaurant. Their next step towards reaching their goal resulted in them joining forces to manage Bob Johnson's Restaurant in Bloomington, Ill. Following that experience, they had the opportunity to build a restaurant from the ground up, which they named Truckers Homestead, located at Exit 82, south of Springfield on Interstate 55. They built this restaurant operation into a successful business which consumed both of their lives until their retirement 22 years later. Their Broaster Chicken, pies and buffet were widely acclaimed by their customers and their extended family.
Claude will be remembered as an astute businessman who enjoyed conversing with his customers. He was not afraid to tackle any project regardless of the trade involved. He took an active interest in the lives of his children and his grandchildren. He helped his children lay a foundation to enjoy successful careers, with a specific focus on higher education. He will be deeply missed.
Claude was active in his faith with Annette and his children at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church in St. Joseph for many years. Later in life, he attended the First Baptist Church at Savoy in Savoy.
Claude always recognized the importance of giving back, as he was very grateful for their success. He was always willing and ready to help the church and anyone needing a helping hand. He was there to help without fanfare or notoriety. It was quite common for Claude to serve a meal to an individual or employ someone who was down on their luck.
The family would like to thank Dr. D. Webb, Dr. B. Rheehs, Dr. R. Wolf, Dr. J Fruehling, PT E. Basgier and the other doctors, nurses and staff at Carle Hospital/NATS for taking great care of Claude over the past year.
Visitation and funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, IL 61873 (217-469-2331). Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., with the service to follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Dr. Randy J. Gauger will officiate. Burial will follow at the Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 205 N. Third Street, St. Joseph, IL 61873, the First Baptist Church at Savoy, 1602 S. Prospect Ave., Savoy, IL, or the Agnes Annette Pinaire Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, 301 N. Main, Box 890, St. Joseph, IL 61873.
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