Daniel Bruce Clair, age 81, of Loraine, Illinois, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 10:13 a.m. at Mark Twain Lake near Monroe City, Missouri. He was born on September 10, 1944, in Quincy, Illinois, to Arthur Bruce Clair and Lois Geraldine (Robbins) Clair. Dan graduated from Unity High School in 1962 and later served in the Illinois National Guard. He married Norma Rae Sutton on June 23, 1968, at Girard Christian Church in Girard, Illinois. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2023.

Dan was a lifelong member of the now Loraine Community Church, where he served as an elder. He was active in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the Loraine Fire Protection District serving as Treasurer and President, the Adams Olde Tyme Association, a charter member of the Loraine Lions Club since 1971, and the North Adams Nursing Home Board. He was an active participant in the Great River Walk to Emmaus, where he served as Lay Director and on the Board of Directors. He more recently volunteered with Kairos Prison Ministry. He served as a chaplain assistant for Blessing Hospital. During their time together, Dan and Norma participated in several Lay Witness Missions across the Midwest.

Dan loved flying, tinkering and farming. He started his love for aviation on New Year’s Day 1965 and flew several different planes throughout his life. In 2011, he decided to build a plane from a kit, which led to restoring several different planes in recent years. He was always a thinker; trying to figure out how to make something from scratch. Some described it as “necessity is the mother of invention.” Whether it was a sprayer, a forklift, or a pontoon boat, he loved creating. While the hours were long and the labor was difficult, he loved working in the shop and in the fields. He was able to spend last fall operating the combine during harvest. There wasn’t a repair he wasn’t able to fix, nor an engine he couldn’t bring back to running. But as much as he cared for the land and loved the farm and his family, it was Christ that was his center. He was a servant to the core and sought to be the hands and feet of Jesus in his community. He lived with a quiet strength and compassion so that all would know Christ. He wanted everyone he met to know the power of the gospel and the goodness of God. It was his heart’s desire to serve God in any and every way possible. And now hehas gained his reward. He is hearing his Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

He is survived by his sons: Scott (Christina) Clair of Iowa City, Iowa; Brad (Trina) Clair of New Berlin, Illinois; and Brent Clair of Loraine, Illinois; his daughter: Erin Rae (Adam) Adair of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; A special friend: Donna Reid of LaGrange, Missouri; grandchildren, Shelby (Nate Shires) Clair, Katie Clair, Cassie (Andrew) Boggs, Cody, and Carter Clair, and Emma Rae Adair; brother: Ted (Sylvia) Clair; sister: Rosemary (Gary) Brickman; sister-in-law: Florence Sutton. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma Rae; sisters-in-law Anita and Crystal Clair and Virginia Strong; his brother Randy Clair; and brothers-in-law Don Sutton and Chester Strong.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Loraine Community Church, 610 East Center Street, Loraine, Illinois, with Rev. Larry Menschel officiating. Burial will follow at Curless Cemetery in rural Loraine.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Loraine Community Church, 610 east Center Street, Loraine, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to the Loraine Community Church, the Great River Walk to Emmaus or the Loraine Fire Protection District.