Clayton Layman, 84 / Aug. 10, 1926 — Dec. 21, 2010
Published 8:37 pm Monday, December 27, 2010
Clayton A. Layman, 84, of Berrien Center, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at home where he had lived since 1953 on his farm, with loving family members present.
Clayton Layman, 84
Clayton was born August 10, 1926, to George and Maude (McCrary) Layman. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II before he could graduate from Berrien Springs High School in 1945. After his discharge from the Navy, Clayton worked at Simplicity Pattern and then Tyler Refrigeration in Niles for nine years, while he purchased his first farm and began raising his family. He owned and operated C. A. Layman Farms in Berrien Center for 63 years.
Clayton enjoyed polka dancing and fish fries at the D.A.N.K. and St. Joe Kickers Club, and dinners at the Old Country Buffet in Mishawaka with his beloved friend, Nancy Crum, of Goshen, Ind.
He is survived by two sons, Mike of Eau Claire and Mark of Niles; grandchildren, Mark Jr. (Stefanie) Layman of Niles, Joel (Dr. Heidi Grabemeyer-Layman) Layman of Dowagiac, Specialist Nick Layman, U.S. Army, Doha, Qatar, Amanda Layman of Niles and 1st Sgt. Alisa (John) Layman Brzek, U.S. Air Force, Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas; and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his loving brother, Ivan (Barbara) Layman of Berrien Center, who stayed by his older brother’s side for more than two weeks until the end, and brother Nelson (Phyllis) Layman of Eau Claire. Clayton will be greatly missed by John “BO“ Rambo, who has lived and worked on Clayton‘s farm since 1970. We love our father and will think of him every day.
Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; his oldest son, Andy Layman in 1987; and five brothers, Lloyd Layman, Sheldon Layman, Stanley Layman, Al LaCrone and Neil LaCrone.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Eau Claire, with Pastor Kevin Parkins of Friends in Faith Community Church officiating.
Final resting place will be in Union Cemetery, Berrien Center, with flag presentation and “Taps.”
The family received friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27 at the funeral home, and friends are invited to leave online messages at www.allredfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home, Buchanan.
