Obituary of Clifford Lloyd Greenwalt

Clifford Lloyd Greenwalt, Springfield, Illinois, passed from this life May 17, 2018, at the age of 85, at Memorial Medical Center in the presence of his family.

Cliff was born January 12, 1933, in Solano, New Mexico, the son of Lloyd Ellsworth and Floral Marie Slover Greenwalt. At the age of five, his family moved to a farm near Licking, Missouri, where he grew up and attended school. Cliff was united in marriage to Shirley Anne Ferguson June 7, 1958, in the Church of Christ in Licking, Missouri. Cliff and Shirley first met in 1939 in the second grade. To this union two children were born, a son David Ferguson and a daughter Karla Anne. Shirley preceded him in death in 2010 after 52 years of marriage.

In addition to his wife Shirley, he was preceded in death by his parents and five sisters. Surviving are a son, David (Janna) Greenwalt, Chesterfield, Missouri; a daughter, Karla Anne (David) Ealey, Springfield, Illinois; five grandchildren: Meghan Lynn, Abigail Nicole, and Colin Langford Greenwalt and Elissa Anne and Erika Anne Ealey; one brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Shirley Greenwalt, Marion, Illinois; a sister-in-law, Catherine (Fred deceased) Ferguson, Marysville, Ohio, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

After graduating from Licking High School in 1950, Cliff attended Draughon’s Business College in Springfield, Missouri, completing courses in accounting. He worked for McDonnell Aircraft for six months before enlisting in the US Air Force in April of 1952 at the age of 19 during the Korean War. After basic training, he was assigned to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and stationed three years at Hickham AFB, Honolulu, Hawaii. His primary duties were as a Loadmaster on Douglas C-124 Globemaster aircraft, transporting cargo and personnel throughout the Pacific and many countries in Asia. Returning stateside for the last six months of duty, he participated in transporting over 700 members of the 82nd Airborne to Iceland for training exercises. Cliff was honorably discharged at Donaldson AFB, Greenville, South Carolina, in April 1956 after four years of service. Following his military service, Cliff entered college, and using the benefits of the GI bill, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1960 from the University of Missouri Columbia and an MBA in 1977 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as part of the University’s first class in the Executive MBA program. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Missouri and Illinois. Cliff’s working career started with Northern Illinois Gas Company in Bellwood, Illinois, and then with Central Illinois Public Service Company in Marion, West Frankfort, and Springfield, Illinois. After thirty-five years, Cliff retired in 1998 as Vice Chairman Ameren Corporation, President and CEO CIPSCO Corporation, and President and CEO Ameren CIPS. He was a major force in the formation of Ameren Corporation and the merger of Union Electric and Central Illinois Public Service Company.

During his career, Cliff served on the Corporate Boards of Directors of CIPSCO INC., Central Illinois Public Service Company, Springfield, Illinois; Ameren Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri; First of America Bank, Kalamazoo, Michigan; National City Bank Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio; Electric Energy Inc., Joppa, Illinois; and as Board Chairman of Memorial Health Systems and Memorial Hospital, Springfield, Illinois. Other Board service included Illinois State and Springfield Chambers of Commerce, Goodwill Industries, Illinois Math and Science Foundation, Chairman of the Sangamo Club, University of Missouri’s Dean of Engineering Advisory Council, University of Illinois Springfield Development Board and the Chancellor’s Advisory Council. In 2001, he received the University of Illinois Springfield’s first William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership.

Cliff was a member and past elder of West Side Christian Church, the TNT Bible School Class, honorary member of Sigma Beta Delta National Honor Society in Business, Management and Administration, and Member of the University of Missouri Civil Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Cliff’s favorite pastimes included the preservation and restoration of vintage automobiles, and he maintained active memberships in Mustang Club of America, International Mercury Owners Association, Antique Automobile Club of America, and Lincoln and Continental Owners Associations. He devoted eighteen years to the construction and operation of the Candy Land Express train at Memorial Medical Center’s annual Festival of Trees, serving as Train Chairman, a task which brought him and thousands of children much joy each holiday season. As members of Illini Country Club, he and Shirley enjoyed playing golf and bridge during their active years.

Cliff and Shirley enjoyed a wonderful life together and a very close and wonderful relationship with their immediate and extended families, and they were extremely proud to talk with their friends about their grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Medical Center Foundation or to West Side Christian Church or to the Licking Church of Christ Sonshine & Rainbow Day School. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, Illinois, from 4-7 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at West Side Christian Church from 11:00 a.m. till the time of service. A funeral service to honor and celebrate Cliff’s life will be held at West Side Christian Church at noon on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Gary Winkleman, Pastoral Care Minister, will officiate the service.

A visitation will follow on Thursday, May 24, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. at Fox Funeral Home in Licking, Missouri. Graveside services and burial will be Friday, May 25, 2018, 10:00 a.m., at the Licking Cemetery.  David Barnes will officiate. Full Military Honors will be rendered.