VERNON RAY CLIFFMAN

SHELDON-Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada for Vernon Ray Cliffman, 73, Sheldon, who died Thursday, June 9, 2016, at his home. Pastor Bruce Titus will officiate. Burial will be in Avola Cemetery, Sheldon.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Avola Cemetery or the Sheldon Picnic Tractor Pull, in care of the funeral home.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.

Survivors include four children, Sue Rayburn and husband Mike, Liberal, Greg Cliffman and wife Traci, Nevada, John Scot Cliffman and wife Shezan, Webb City and Kerri Beshore and husband Jeff, Lamar; grandchildren, Michael and Elizabeth Rayburn, Myles and Sarah Rayburn, Tabby and Cole Speights, Kelci and Cory Steele, Kyler Cliffman, Shayla Cliffman and Jared Beshore, Kara Beshore and Joel Beshore; great-grandchildren, Brock Rayburn, Bristyn Rayburn, Byer Rayburn and Rayce Rayburn; one sister, Viola Titus, Clinton and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandsons, Michael Allen Rayburn, III and Colgin Dwayne Rayburn and a brother-in-law, C.A. Titus.

Mr. Cliffman was born May 13, 1943, in rural Sheldon, to Henry Cliffman and Helen (Hornecker) Cliffman. He was reared in rural Sheldon and attended schools at Avola and Sheldon, graduating from Bronaugh High School in 1961. He moved to Kansas City in 1961, where he was employed by Kansas City Southern Railroad until returning to rural Sheldon in 1976, where he opened Cliffman's Garage in Sheldon. He enjoyed working on antique tractors and cars. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nevada and served as trustee of Drywood Township for over 30 years. He greatly appreciated the good meals and friendship at the Rockpile Cafe in Sheldon.

He married Carolyn S. Johnston on Jan. 27, 1962, in Arcadia, Kan. She died Feb. 19, 2010.