Clifford (Cliff) Louis Sondgeroth, 88, of Mendota, passed away on January 22, 2021 at OSF Saint Paul Hospital, Mendota. Cliff died of complications brought on by a Covid-19 infection.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at Holy Cross Church, Mendota, with Rev. Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Mendota V.F.W. Post #4079 will conduct full military honors. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family with arrangements.

Cliff was born in Mendota on July 17, 1932, to Charles and Katherine (Walzer) Sondgeroth, the sixth of eight children. He attended parochial school at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Peterstown, Illinois, near Mendota, and stopped formal schooling after grade school to begin a long life of hard work as a farmer. In his teen years, he worked on the Sondgeroth family farm and as a hired man for other farmers. He married his soulmate, Geraldine (Geri) Funfsinn on June 20, 1953, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Peterstown. Cliff entered the U.S. Army in 1954, and was proud of having served his country in Japan for two years after the Korean War. After his return, Cliff and Geri bought their first farm together south of Arlington, Illinois. They lived, farmed, and raised their family there.

Cliff and Geri moved to Mendota in 1985 to spend their retirement years in the home he helped to build. The word "retired" never fit Cliff, though, as he was a relentless hard worker. During retirement, he worked as a part-time delivery driver for AgView FS in LaMoille. He never wanted to be idle, and so somehow he always turned his hobbies into businesses. Cutting wood for the fireplace yielded a firewood delivery business. Fishing during winters in Florida led to a commercial fisherman's license so he could sell fish and crabs to fishmongers. His pastime of picking up aluminum cans became a venture in selling all kinds of scrap metal and used equipment he refurbished in his garage. One of his many witty mottoes beloved by his family was "the harder I work, the luckier I get."

Cliff was a devoted Catholic and supporter of his church, St. Patrick Church in Arlington for many years. He was an active member of the Holy Name Society of the church and served as a church trustee. In later years, Cliff and Geri attended Holy Cross Church in Mendota. Cliff was a member of the Mendota Elks Lodge #1212.

Cliff is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Geraldine Sondgeroth of Mendota; his son Steven (Kathleen) Sondgeroth of Peru; his daughters Michelle (Steven) Stouffer of LaMoille and Jane (Jeffrey) Berman of Buffalo Grove; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his brother David (JoAnne) Sondgeroth of Mendota; and his sister-in-law Katherine Funfsinn. He will be deeply missed by his big family, which was his pride and delight.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father William Haub, three brothers, Lester Sondgeroth, Robert Sondgeroth, and Gene Sondgeroth, and his three sisters, Bernice Corrigan, Rita Miller, and Pearl Blair.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Sondgeroth, Carl Gustafson, Craig Sondgeroth, Eric Kelsey, Kurt Wright, Mark Stouffer, and Daniel Ladd.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make memorial donations in his name may direct them to Holy Cross Church in Mendota, or the donor's choice. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.merrittfh.com

Cliff's family wishes to thank all the staff of Stonecroft Village, Mendota and OSF Saint Paul Medical Centerl, Mendota for their care.