Clarence E. “Butch” Hedges

Canton – Clarence E. “Butch” Hedges, 74, of Canton, passed away on, Monday, January 4, 2016, at his residence.
He was born on April 9, 1941, in Canton, to Chester and Evelyn (Huggins) Hedges.  They preceded him in death.
He married Betty L. Morse on May 28, 1963 in Palmyra, MO.  She survives.
Also surviving are his sons, Edward (Julie) Hedges of Canton, Timothy (Donna) Hedges of Canton, sister, Rhonda (John) Lemon of Canton and three grandchildren and Ashley, Kelsey and Brant.
Butch worked for International Harvester Company for 22 years and worked in small engine repair.  He was a member of the 1st Church of the Nazarene.
He was elected to receive the degree in Masonry at Horeb Lodge #363 in Elmwood in 1977.  He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on August 24, 1977, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft in 1977 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
He served as Master of the Horeb Lodge in 1983 and 1993.  He served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy from 2001 to 2009 and was serving as Certified Lodge Instructor, a position he had held for the past 20 years.  He was a 38 year member of Horeb Lodge.
Butch was also a member of the Eureka Chapter #98 Royal Arch Masons in Canton, the Cryptic Masons Council #1 in Knoxville and Galesburg Commandery #8 of Knights Templar in Monmouth.  He had served as the head of all three of these bodies.
He served as the funeral coordinator and conducted several Masonic funeral services.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, from 5-7, at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton with a Masonic Service at 7 pm.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at 10am.
Burial will be held at the Orendorff Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation.
Online condolences may be posted at www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.