Clifford C. Mccabe

Clifford Charles McCabe, age 87, of Platteville passed away December 4, 2017 at Epione Pavilion in Cuba City. He was born November 1, 1930 the son of Joseph and Julia (Vondran) McCabe in Hazel Green, WI. Cliff moved to Platteville as a young boy and graduated from Platteville High School in 1948 at the age of 17. He followed in his father’s footsteps by starting his career at the Platteville Telephone Company. Cliff was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Hudson on June 9, 1951 at St. Mary’s Church in Platteville. Shortly after, Cliff was drafted into the U.S. Army. Following his basic training at Camp Gordon GA, Cliff was stationed at KMAG Headquarter Company in Korea. Although the war was pretty much over when he arrived, he spent the next 18 months installing and repairing phone lines /communication in South Korea. Cliff was awarded the Soldiers Medal, the highest medal awarded to non-combat Army personnel, after saving a fellow lineman’s life. Cliff was honorably discharged in 1953 and held the rank of Corporal.

Cliff held multiple jobs for the telephone company in his 40 year career, working his way up to Wire Chief and Central Office Engineer. He enjoyed installing the new switches and related equipment at the telephone company. Cliff’s dedication to his company instilled the value of hard work and allegiance to his six children. He was very proud to be recognized in 1972 by the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association in “recognition of consistent and meritorious service and contribution to the development and progress of Independent Telephony.” He was able to retire early in 1987, where he enjoyed spending his days with Beverly.

He was a lifelong resident of Platteville and a member of St. Mary’s Church. His interests included playing daily Scrabble games with his wife, playing euchre, being a Milwaukee Brewer and Green Bay Packer fan, and the family camping trips around Southwest Wisconsin. Cliff bought the first family camper, a fold-down Starcraft, to “keep his family together longer.” Cliff began taking an annual family summer trek somewhere within the continental US in 1970. He relentlessly drove every mile of those journeys towing the family camper, encountering bad weather, sometimes car trouble. But Cliff always ensured the family a memorable trip, whether it was as close as Brainerd, MN or as far away as the Pacific Ocean. Many memories were made on those trips and provided for an educational experience for the children. He was a kind and humble man and everyone who knew him, loved his sense of humor. Cliff is fondly remembered by his grandchildren as someone who loved to draw Mickey Mouse, telling jokes, singing silly songs with the granddaughters, and just being open to the conversation at hand.

He is survived by his six children: Pamela (Larry) Wunderlin, David (Maureen) McCabe, Tammie VanNatta, Angela (Craig) Bergan, Dan (Debbi) McCabe, and Amy (Duane) Austin; twelve grandchildren: Joseph (Michele) McCabe, Jeremiah Wunderlin, Sarah (Nick) Casey, Ryan VanNatta, Pollyanna (Michael) Kilde, Emily (Brian) Wolf, Cody Austin, Krista Zwiebel, Calvin Bergan, Austin Bergan, Briana Austin, and Hayley McCabe; and ten great-grandchildren: Ruby, Parker, Maggie, and Marcus Kilde, Madelyn and Emma Casey, Ruby and Sophie VanNatta, and Elaina and Brenna Wolf. He is further survived by a brother, Jerry (Connie) McCabe; a sister, Arlene VanNatta; a sister-in-law, Sandy (Mike) Willis; and a brother-in-law Doug (Kathie) McPhail, and many relatives.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Beverly on November 2009; his father-in-law, Kenneth Hudson; his mother-in-law, Georgina McPhail and her husband Donald McPhail; and his son-in-law, William (Bill) VanNatta.

A funeral service followed by Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Platteville with Fr. John Blewett officiating. Friends and family may call on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Martin Schwartz Funeral Home in Platteville, and Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Clifford C. McCabe Memorial fund has been established. The Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory of Platteville is entrusted with his services.

To my euchre playing friends….”play them like you got them, even if you don’t have them”.