Clifford L. Cardwell

Mr. Clifford L. Cardwell, (Chief Warrant Officer 3, MOARNG, ret.), age 80 years, of Eldon, Mo., a former Jefferson City resident, died Friday, March 25, 2016, at University of Missouri Medical Center, Columbia, Mo. Cliff was born July 5, 1935, in Cedar City, Mo., the son of Robert C. and Mabel Clemens Steinmetz Cardwell. He was married on March 10, 1956, in Decorah, Iowa, to Dorothy Eiselt, who preceded him in death on November 22, 1988. On July 30, 1990, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he married Carolyn Robinett. A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Cliff was a 1953 graduate of Jefferson City High School where he was the quarterback of the Jefferson City Jays Football Team. Cliff joined the Missouri Army National Guard in 1954, and retired after 33 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in April, 1987. He was a member and elder at First Christian Church in Eldon, Mo.; a past member and chaplain with the B.P.O. of Elks; and a past member of the AMVETS in Rocky Mount, Mo. Cliff enjoyed playing softball and coaching several softball teams. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Cliff was very outgoing and never met a stranger. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family. Survivors include: his wife of 25 years, Carolyn Cardwell; three children, Charry White of Jefferson City, Mo., Tracy Clennin and her husband Russell of California, Mo. and Allan Cardwell and his wife Sharon of Jefferson City, Mo.; two step-daughters, Rhonda Robinett of Jefferson City, Mo. and Rachelle Klosterman and her husband Richard of Jefferson City, Mo.; seven foster children, Linda Mehrhoff of Jefferson City, Mo., Chris Buschman and his wife Debbie of Lohman, Mo., David Poire and his wife Michelle of Jefferson City, Mo., Sandy Welpman and her husband Randy of Stover, Mo., Becky Crowley of Jamestown, Mo., Nathan Neeley and his wife Donna of Centertown, Mo., and Nancy Mehrhoff of Russellville, Mo.; three sisters, Bonnie Alberts and her husband Elliott of Jefferson City, Mo., Carolyn S. Miller and her husband David of Boonville, Mo., and Linda Hartley of Wichita, Kansas; 13 grandchildren, Morgan Clennin, Kalie Clennin and her fiancÈ Ethan "Wayne" Kramel, Chris White and his wife Ashley, Kacey White, Kyle Cardwell and his fiancÈe, Kassie Morrow, Olivia Cardwell, Jennifer Klosterman, Shelby Klosterman, Chesley Klosterman, Kaylee Klosterman, Jonathan Burford, Jaymie Burford, and Jordan Burford; two great-grandchildren, Levi White and Adaline Robinett; and numerous foster grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and his brother, Bobby Cardwell. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2016, and at First Christian Church in Eldon, Mo. from 9:30 until 11:00 am Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at First Christian Church with the Reverend Dr. Bill Fogelson and the Reverend Shirley Williams officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at Riverview Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to First Christian Church of Eldon, Mo. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com