John W. Clayton, 91, of Troy, Ill., born Aug. 17, 1919, in Savannah, Ga., died Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Ill.



John was formerly of Collinsville where he was very active with Masonic Lodge 712 and in 1976 was the master of the lodge. He entered apprentice in October of 1968, Fellow Craft in November 1968 and Master Mason in December of 1968. He became a Master Lecture in 1978 and was Grand Steward in 1999. He was also an honorary member of some 32 lodges in the metro-east area. John also belonged to the Scottish Rite and Shrine and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star 666 Collinsville. Past associate Bethel Guardian for Jobs Daughters in Collinsville. John was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Collinsville, Ill., a World War II Navy veteran and retired as a driver from Sealtest Dairy.



He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth "Sally", nee Dolzadelli, Clayton; his mother, Clara, nee Clayton, Maroon; two sons, Terry and Randy Clayton; and a half-brother, Gene Maroon.



Surviving are his daughters, Jerilyn (Jerry) Dallape of Collinsville, Ill., and Sherie (Dwayne) Kelly of Maryville, Ill.; daughters-in-law, Beatrice Clayton of Edwardsville, Ill., and Janice Clayton of Elsah, Ill.; grandchildren, Laura Linn, Christine Stevens, Robert Clayton, Jerry Dallape Jr., Heather Moll, Ryan Dallape, Hannah Kelly, Clayton Kelly and Mason Kelly; and 11 great-grandchildren.



Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, Collinsville, Ill., or the Shriner's Hospital for Children. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com



Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2011, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.



Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill., with Rev. Tony Minear officiating. Burial will be at Highland City Cemetery, Highland, Ill.



HERR FUNERAL HOME,



Collinsville, Ill.