Clifford "Top" Newton

July 12, 1935 - January 10, 2018

Clifford W. “Top” Newton, age 82 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away Wednesday morning, January 10, 2018, at 1:09 AM at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Clifford, affectionately known as “Top”, was the eldest of 4 sons born to Clifford Lawrence Newton and Golda (Murrie) Newton on July 12, 1935 in Simpson, Illinois. Top was united in marriage to Velma Carlton on May 30, 1954 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church near Buncombe. She survives. Other survivors include: his son – Randy L. (Toni Snell) Newton of Vienna; a granddaughter – Jennifer (Jeff) Bunton of Shumway; 2 great granddaughters – Addison and Aliyah; 3 brothers – Bill Newton of Ozark, John Newton of Morganfield, Kentucky, and Jim Newton of Swansea; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Top was preceded in death by his parents. Top was a 1952 graduate of Vienna High School. He was employed as a laborer in a sawmill. Later, he worked as an electrician’s helper with Kindred Hunter. Top then worked for 29 years at the Clyde Choate Mental Health Center (formerly the Anna State Hospital) as a mental health technician. He retired in 1991. During his working career at Choate Mental Health, Top was an active member of the AFSCME Union Council 31 and had served as the local union vice president. Top was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church near New Columbia. He was a sports enthusiast and particularly enjoyed baseball. Top was a faithful fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also an avid fisherman when his health had permitted. A service honoring the life of Clifford W. “Top” Newton will be conducted Tuesday morning, January 16, 2018, at 11 AM at the New Hope Baptist Church, 6804 New Columbia Road, Belknap, Illinois. Pastor Frank Forthman will officiate. Burial will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening, January 15, 2018, from 5 PM – 8 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna and from 10 AM – 11 AM Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the New Hope Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street, N.W., Suite 450, Washington, D.C. 20037 www.humanesociety.org