Clair T. Hefel, 87, of Epworth, Iowa passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation for Clair will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 2:30 p.m., and a KC Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4th at the Reiff Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Clair at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa, with Rev. MJ Groark presiding.  Burial will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa.

Clair was born April 1, 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Rosemary [Hefel] Beresford. On October 22, 1960 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Kuhl at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dubuque, Iowa. She preceded him in death on July 13, 2017.

He was employed at John Deere Dubuque Works until his retirement in 1990, and also farmed in the rural Epworth area. He was a founding father of the Epworth Gun Club, a member St. Patrick’s Parish in Epworth, Iowa; the Epworth Knights of Columbus Council # 7823 and the UAW Local #94. He was a devoted Chicago CUBS fan. He appreciated his daily visits at Silkers and Rosie’s coffee to start each day.

He is survived by six children, Steve (Linda) Hefel, Mark (Rhonda) Hefel, and Jeff Hefel all of Epworth, IA, Dale (Diane) Hefel of Farley, IA, Mike Hefel [special friend Lisa Atkins], and Lynn Hefel both of Epworth, IA; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a sister, Kay Hutchcroft of Shaumburg, IL; two sisters-in-law, Betty Fritz and Lavonne Coyle; and lifelong friends, Duane and Marion Besler.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Hefel-Beresford; his second mother, Catherine [Scott] Hall; a daughter-in-law, Paula Hefel; a sister, Patricia Taylor; two brothers-in-laws, William Fritz and John [Dorothy] Grotkin; and a step brother, Bob Coyle.

The family would like to thank the Epworth Fire and EMS and nurses and staff of Mercy One ICU for all the care given to Clair, especially Kelly, Katherine and Sue.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.Com