Clifford Allen “Al” Elsbree Jr., 84 of Galena, IL passed away Friday, February 21, 2025, at Midwest Medical Center, Galena. There will be a Celebration of Life, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11 AM at Casper Creek Natural Cemetery in Galena. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family.

He was born July 13, 1940, in Waverly, NY, the son of Rev. Clifford A. and Emma (Northrup) Elsbree Sr. Al attended Bradley in Peoria and graduated with a BA in Art Education from Illinois State University, Bloomington, IL. He was united in marriage to Cathie P. Beach, on October 5, 1990, in Aurora, IL. Al had a huge heart! He was a lover. He loved so many things: puns, black shadow patterns on white snow-covered hills; the composition and color of smashed beer cans on a highway; the tall grasses in the lawn, the waterfall in his pond, his studio at Galena Center for the Arts, music, singing in the Grace Church choir;  talking to people, cats, bicycle riding, Rachel Maddow, He loved all sports, but his heart was with the Iowa Hawkeyes; justice, equality for all; peace, teaching art to middle school students for 36 years in school district 129 in Aurora.  He did it so well that he was named Kane County Middle School educator in 1989, but he mostly loved his family.

Al is survived by his wife, Cathie, his children, a son, Phil (Heidi) of Rockton, daughter-in-law, Denise of Aurora, stepdaughter, Paige Saba, of Galena,  granddaughters, Brittany, of Somonauk, IL, Megan of Oxford, OH, Savannah, of San Diego, CA, Lillie (Josh), Germany, Mina, Tucson, AZ, and Yasmeen, of Norfolk, VA, grandsons, Branndon (Elizabeth) of Oswego, IL, Colin, of  Bourbonnais, IL, Dylan (Maggie), of Chicago, great-grandchildren, Amelia and Nathan, Zoe, Kash, Eli, and Gabriel, his three special nieces, Anne Rene and Kim Elsbree, of CA, Susan Bennett, of IA, his sister, Katie Granger and her family in NY, a brother, Paul (Madlyn) and their family in OH, and a sister-in-law,  Connie Bennett and family in IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Greg, a brother, Phil, a sister-in-law, Katie, and a brother-in-law, Chuck Bennett.  Memorials may be given to The Galena Center for the Arts, Grace Outreach Committee, and Purrfection Cat Rescue in memory of Al.

Thank you from the family to the wonderful team of care persons at Midwest Medical Center. Al was cared for by everyone there with tenderness and humor, from the nurses to the custodians.

Online condolences may be left for the family at  www.furlongfuneralchapel.com