Funeral services for Clifford Bancroft, 91, of Jefferson, will be held 10:00am Saturday July 3, 2010 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson.  Interment will be in the Scranton Twp. Cemetery.

The family will greet friends at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00pm Friday.
Memorials in his name may be left at the funeral home, or given to a charity of your choice. 
Clifford James Bancroft of Jefferson, IA passed away on July 1, 2010 at Regency Park in Jefferson.

Clifford Bancroft was born April 11, 1919 to Herbert and Bessie (Huss) Bancroft in Guthrie County Iowa. He attended country school in Highland Twp.  On November 17, 1940 he married Evelyn Henning in Jefferson.  To this union were born two children, Luella and Vernon.  Clifford lived most of his life in Greene County. 

Clifford worked at Deal’s Orchard through three generations of the Deal family.  He farmed most of his life in the counties of Carroll, Webster and Greene.  He started farming on his own in 1940 with horses.  While farming he raised cattle, sheep, hogs and horses.  He and Evelyn enjoyed barn dancing for entertainment.

While living in Paton, he was one of the founding leaders of the Paton Pioneers 4-H Club.  He was very supportive of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during their membership in 4-H, and until 2009 he never missed one of their livestock shows.

Clifford and Evelyn moved from their farm in 1971 into Jefferson, and he began working at the Greene County Medical Center in maintenance and later became supervisor of the laundry department.

Clifford was one of the founders of the Greene County Sheep Producers, serving on the board for many years.  He was also active in Farm Bureau, Kiwanis and the Central Christian Church where he was a deacon.

He enjoyed woodworking in his shop and made many items for his family and holiday decorations.  He enjoyed working on the farm with his son Vernon, and after retirement he obtained a pair of draft horses and hobby farmed by horse once again.  He demonstrated at farming with horses at the Weigert Prairie Farm near Palmer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Howard, and three sisters Myrtle Cameron, Marvel Ruggard and Mary Hilts. 

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Evelyn of Jefferson; daughter Luella (Bob) Miller of Boone; son Vernon (Corinne) Bancroft of Paton; grandchildren: Lori (Dirk) Westrum of Stratford; Jim (Jennifer) Miller of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchildren: Kelsey and Quinten Westrum, and Taylor and Sydney Miller; sister-in-law Virginia Bancroft of Belton, TX; brother-in-law Ivan (Velma) Henning of Scranton; nieces and nephews.