Clifford C. Lothery, age 93, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, passed away on April 27, 2026, in his home of 60 years, with loved ones at his side. Cliff was born November 7, 1932, in Chicago to Clifford Lothery and Anna Martin. He grew up in the Austin neighborhood on the city's west side. He spent much of his youth playing games and sports at the YMCA, where he met the love of his life, Dona Renner, when they were teenagers. Cliff and Dona attended Austin High School, where he lettered in baseball and they formed friendships with a large group that lasted a lifetime.

Cliff attended Bradley University and graduated with a degree in physical education. He was a catcher on the Bradley baseball team and once hit a double off the Wrigley Field wall in the city tournament. While still in college he married Dona, on June 6, 1953. Little did they know at the time that they would be together for almost 73 years. After college Cliff joined the Army and was stationed in Germany, where he and Dona had their first child, Kim.

Cliff's first occupation was teaching, a vocation he had an aptitude for, but he found his true calling at the YMCA, which seemed appropriate, given that he practically grew up there. He had a varied, prolific career with the Y for four decades, ranging from the director of individual YMCA branches to a position at the national office in downtown Chicago. For a time he was the head of USA Baseball, the national governing body of the sport. As he and Dona raised four children on a modest income, he umpired softball and refereed basketball on the side, working tirelessly to help make ends meet for his family.

Cliff had a gift for coaching youth. He connected with kids, and he was unfailingly patient. He coached his daughters in gymnastics, his sons in baseball, and countless kids at the Y in every sport imaginable. To say Cliff was an avid sports fan is an understatement. In retirement, he spent approximately 39.5 percent of his waking hours watching baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis—pretty much whatever was on, probably including some obscure sports we'll never know about. He never missed a game by his beloved White Sox, even when they were languishing in last place (which, as his Cubs fan son Todd often gently reminded him, was often). He recorded everything. Twelve college basketball games on a single Saturday? No problem, he'd watch part of all of them. His remote control prowess was legendary. He could blow through a three-hour Bears game—fast-forwarding from every tackle to every snap, and of course skipping commercials, timeouts, and halftime blather—in a mere 45 minutes.

Although sports were Cliff's passion, his real love in life was Dona and their four children—and later, their grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was dedicated to his family beyond measure. His love for Dona was boundless, his devotion to her eternal. Cliff and Dona faced a particularly difficult test when their daughter Jody was diagnosed with cancer. They went through an ordeal that no parent should ever have to endure, losing Jody at the age of 26 after a three-year battle with the disease. Eventually, it made their bond stronger.

Cliff and Dona sacrificed their lives for their children. They lived modestly, saving diligently for retirement. Cliff was the antithesis of materialistic. He never wanted a thing for himself because he knew that life is not about things. They were rewarded for their sacrifice with a wonderful retirement filled with travel and contentment. They took trips all over the country and internationally. Their favorite place was Marco Island, Florida, where they went annually for over 30 years and cultivated special relationships with fellow vacationers who became good friends—a second family.

Cliff reserved his greatest love for Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. His faith in God was absolute, resolute, unwavering. He and Dona were longtime parishioners at the Orchard Church, where their son Scott spent many years as a pastor. Cliff lived life by the Golden Rule. His strong Christian faith shaped his humanity: He valued integrity, honesty, loyalty, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. He spoke often of joining the Lord in Paradise after shuffling off this mortal coil. And now, he is there.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Anna, and his daughter, Jody. Cliff is survived by his wife, Dona; his sister, Carol; children Kim Rossi (Scott), Todd Lothery (Kay Wiles), and Scott Lothery (Cindy); grandchildren Drew Chuipek (Briana), Taylor Aureden (Brian), Shawn Chuipek (Joann), Heather Bzdusek (John), Heidi Holthouse (Ryan), Alyssa Hardy (Patrick), John Lothery, Matt Lothery (Becky), and Ben Lothery; and 14 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 16, at the Orchard Church, 1330 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights, Illinois. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 am, followed by a service from 11 to noon. A light lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Cliff's name to the American Cancer Society http://donate.cancer.org