Clayton Finn

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Clayton "Huck" Finn, 84, of Fredericktown died Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at Stockhoff Nursing Home in Fredericktown.

He was born on Feb. 4, 1920, at St. James, Mo., son of John Richard and Anna R. Matlock Finn.

He and Ruth Roark were married in 1945. She died in 1989. He and Clarice Faye Laplant were married Dec. 24, 1985. She died Dec. 17, 2002.

He worked for a pallet company. He served as a tail gunner in the Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include two sons, Michael Cook of Japan, Melvin Cook of Marble Hill, Mo.; two daughters, Judy Lopez and Flora Portillo, both of Jefferson City, Mo.; three stepsons, Cecil Harper Jr. and Jeffery C. Harper, both of Fredericktown, Dean Edward Harper of Centralia, Ill.; three stepdaughters, Sheila Wisniewski of Dubois, Ill., Karen Murray of Florissant, Mo., Yvonna Cooper of Fredericktown; two brothers, Tex Finn of Nebraska, Arless Finn of Chicago; two sisters, Betty Caudle of Baldwin, Kan., Flora Finn of Bell City, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; 19 stepgrandchildren; and three great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, two brothers and a sister.

Friends may call today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Liley Funeral Home in Patton, Mo.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Pete Welker officiating. Burial will be in Marcus Memorial Cemetery in Fredericktown with full military honors provided by the Missouri Military Honor Guard.