Henry E. Clason

Henry E. "Hank" Clason, 93, of Goshen, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Courtyard Healthcare. He was born March 5, 1920 in Goshen to Gerrit and Cora (Hoogenboom) Clason. He is survived by his wife, Mavis (Dahl) Clason; three sons, Dr. Stephen E. of Honolulu, Hawaii, Michael H. of Northville, Michigan, and Kevin J. Clason of Kokomo; and three grandchildren, Matthew, Lauren and Kristen Clason. He was preceded in death by his parents: a daughter, Cheryl Marie Clason; four sisters, Grace, Harriet, Anna and Jeanette; and a brother, William. A 1938 graduate of Goshen High School and a 1942 graduate of Northwestern University, Mr. Clason earned his master's degree from Indiana University. While at Northwestern University he played basketball on the 1940 Big Ten Basketball team; was named All Big Ten Basketball player in 1941 and served as team captain in 1942. He served as a captain with the U.S. Marines from 1942-46. He was a 60 year member of the Goshen American Legion. Mr. Clason taught and served as head basketball coach at Topeka High School from 1946 to 52 before coming back to Goshen High School in 1953. While at Goshen High School he taught and served as head basketball coach, cross country and track coach until retiring in 1985. Mr. Clason was a member of Greene Road Church where he served as a deacon and elder. He was an avid golfer, Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He enjoyed 28 years of retirement that was split between Goshen and Mission, Texas. He was a member of the Goshen High School Hall of Fame, the Elkhart County Hall of Fame and the 1963 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team. In 1963 he was the Goshen Relays Honorary Referee. A 2 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2013, funeral service will be conducted at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Pastor Dave VanderWiele of Greene Road Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greene Road Church or IU Health Goshen Cancer Center.