ROCHELLE — Ira “Ike” John Clue, Jr., 94, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at his home in Rochelle. Ike was born on Dec. 14, 1925, to Ira John Sr. and Grace Imogene (Brown) in Independence, Iowa, the baby of the family. When he was only seven years old his mother died. A year or so later, he gained a loving stepmother, Marge (Deyo) Clue. He proudly served with the United States Army in WWII from 1944 to 1946 on the Philippine Islands of Leyte, Cebu, and Negros and in Japan.

After the war, he met Hanarose “Rosie” Dickerson at the Royal Palms Lounge in Dixon. That evening, Ike sang Nat King Cole’s “Mona Lisa” and the following night, they sang a duet, “Que Sera Sera.” They were married in the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa, on Nov. 15, 1952. 

Ike was a strong, spirited, hardworking man that loved his wife, family, and his friends. In his youth he was a star high school football player on his school’s only undefeated team and a skilled bowler. He was proud that he never got fired from a job (and joked that he just left). He cherished his time as a successful owner of the Lincoln Lounge and Ike’s (“The Hub Tavern”) serving friends and patrons with laughter, song and dance for a decade and a half. Being an avid Cub or Bears fan was a bonus for some patrons. He ultimately sold his tavern and continued his work life with Del Monte until 1992 at the age of 67. He was a devoted double bogey golfer in retirement and until the end, he played a mean game of Euchre, Cribbage and Gin Rummy and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles. He was a long-time member of the Rochelle United Methodist Church, the Rochelle VFW, and Moose Lodge.

In addition to his parents, Ike is preceded in death by both of his mothers; his father; his brother, Laverne Clue; and twin sisters, Bernadine Hoffman and Bernadette Kuchenberg.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rosie, of Rochelle; three children, Leah (Bill) Vanstone of Rochelle, Ike (Diane) Clue of Renton, Washington, and Tim Clue of Chicago; and six grandchildren, Jeff Vanstone, Bob Vanstone, Clint Vanstone, Ryan Clue, Sarah Clue and Bailey Clue.

There will be a private family graveside service with Pastors Rob Hamilton and Dave Rogula officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made in Ike’s memory to the Rochelle United Methodist Church or to Serenity Hospice and Home.

Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.