Clarence Voigt

Clarence Fielding Voigt, 85, of Belleville, IL, born Wednesday, January 20, 1926, in Maplewood, MO, to Frederick and Irma, nee Miller, Voigt, died Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Memorial Care Center in Belleville.

Mr. Voigt began his career in golf at the age of 9, caddying at Westborough Country Club and later at Westwood Country Club. After service in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, he started his 45-year career at St. Clair Country Club, working with Clarke Morse, Head Pro. Upon Morse's retirement, Clarence became Head Pro in 1975, and later served as Director of Golf until his retirement in 1990. He especially loved working with Junior Golfers, his members' children.

He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville, IL, a Half Century Member of the Professional Golfers' Association, 50 year member of St. Clair Lodge #24 AF & AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Ainad Shrine. He was a charter member of the Golf Club Repairmen's Association and also acted as Tournament Director of numerous senior tournaments at the old Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater, FL and Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic.

He was preceded in death by his:

  • Parents: Frederick and Irma, nee Miller, Voigt
  • Sister: Irma Luecht
  • Nephew: Michael Voigt

Surviving are his:

  • Wife of 45 years: Earlene Davis Voigt
  • Daughter: Cecelia Voigt (Richard Andrew) Strand of St. Louis, MO
  • Grandchildren
    • Caroline Davis Strand
    • Andrew Fielding Strand
    • Ryan Ernest Strand
  • Sister: Betty (Joe) Ribaudo of St. Louis, MO
  • Brother: Albert (Mary) Voigt of Cuba, MO
  • Nieces
    • Anna (Mark) Zahn of St. Louis, MO
    • Angela Ribaudo of St. Louis, MO
    • JoAnn Ribaudo of Sandestin, FL
    • Carol Ann Rowe of Davie, FL
  • Nephew: Joseph Ribaudo of Santa Rosa Beach, FL
  • Great Nieces and Nephews
  • Many Loving Friends

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church, Gateway PGA Foundation - Clarence Voigt Memorial Scholarship or Evans Scholars Foundation.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4-8 pm, Friday, February 11, 2011, at the Kurrus Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Masonic service will be held at 7:30 pm.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Rev. Alex Hendrickson and Rev. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.

Condolences left for Clarence Voigt:

    Clarence was a wonderful person who always seemed to be cheerful in spite of physical impairments. He was a person one looked for at church for a handshake and good morning. He was a gentleman who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. God blessed him with a supportive family in his later years. God's blessings to those who survive him.

    Les O'Neal Fairview Heights Illinois 62208

    Mrs. Voigt and Cece, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you and praying for you and your family. May you find peace in the many wonderful memories.



    Sharon Ackermann Belleville IL 62223

    To The Voigt Family,

    I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved. He will greet us one day at the great table. I believe that every person that you meet is a gift and when I met Clarence I was given that gift. He was the one person that first inluenced my decision to become a golf pro. While on the maintenance staff at St. Clair he spoke to me all the time about how I should go about that path. Seeing how he treated people, loved his family left a lasting impression. I am so blessed to have met him. I will always remember him. God Bless you and your entire family.



    Brian A. Maine St. Charles MO 63304

    Clarence was an excellent guy. We enjoyed him since the folks joined the club in the late 50s. He was a good friend to the kids and helped us a lot in golf. Those days hold special memories. I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Family. May god Bless you all. We are very sorry not to be able to make the service as we live in the Houston, Tx area

    Doug Davis Missouri City Texas 77459

    Wow, a great loss to the golf community of St. Louis and a great loss to the Metro East. Clarence was always a part of my golf career, whether as a junior at St. Clair or as one of my biggest supporters once I began playing professionally. My two lasting memories will be him coming a long way to watch me play early in my professional career and then the last time I saw him was when he came out during the US Deaf Golf Championship where I was the tournament director and visited with me. An all time great man, a member of the greatest generation through his service in the Pacific during WW2, who touched many lives with Earlene at his side and despite long hours at the golf course found time to raise a fantastic daughter. His legacy in the kids he touched throughout his long career will impact many generations on and off the golf course. My God Bless the Voigt family at this time. You are in our prayers.

    Rob Strano Niceville Florida 32578

    Clarence was a true gentleman. In 1994 he took a middle aged know it all cop, taught him the game of golf, "over several Winters". He taught him how to make clubs and much about life. He made me a much better man in the process. Thank you my friend, til we meet again on a fairway in heaven.

    LARRY DREW DAVIDSON Spring Hill Florida 34608