WEEDSPORT - Clare Robert Shepherd, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 26, 2005, at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

Clare was born in Conquest on Oct. 16, 1916, the sixth of seven children. He was the son of Earl W. and Mabel Rouse Shepherd. He graduated from Weedsport Central School in 1937, and remained an active member of the Weedsport Community for 83 years. After three years of active duty in Europe during World War II, he returned to the Weedsport area and married Elsie Grace Badman of New Hope.

Clare had served as the supervisor for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association of Cayuga County. Along with his brother Charles, he operated a dairy and poultry farm along Shepherd Road in Weedsport, until 1965. Clare also maintained a large beef herd until the '80s.

He joined the First Methodist Church of Weedsport in 1927, and held the longest enduring membership of the church, until the time of his death at 78 years. He was very active within the church, serving on numerous committees. He was a 47-year member of the Masonic Lodge 385 of Weedsport, and a proud member of the Clark-Heck American Legion Post 568. Clare also enjoyed traveling with the Airstream Club, carpentry and the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elsie, of Weedsport; his two daughters, Elaine Lane of Galway and Joyce Compson of Queensbury; grandsons, Keith and Christopher Compson and Richard L. Lane; granddaughters, Kathryn Lane and Maria Lane; and a sister, Eleanor S. Casey of Auburn; several nieces and nephews.

Services for Mr. Shepherd will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, at White Chapel Funeral Home, 2719 Erie Drive, Weedsport. Interment with military honors will be "at home" in Weedsport Rural Cemetery. Friends may visit with Clare's family from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home, and again from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, prior to services.

Contributions may be sent to the Weedsport United Methodist Church, 2744 E. Brutus St., Weedsport; American Heart Association; or to a charity of one's choice.