Claude Place, 72, of Route 7, died at 1:52 a.m., today at Good Samaritan Hospital.

He was a school teacher in the Waltonville area for 25 years, operated a grocery store for 17 years, and was employed by Caterpillar Co., for 10 years.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday at Fry Chapel in Waltonville, with the Rev. Robert Hollis officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home after 6 p.m., Tuesday.

Mr. Place was born Jan. 21, 1902 in Jefferson County, the son of Frank and Maude (Newell) Place.

He was married Nov. 17, 1923 to Nela Peterson, who survives.

He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Nela Place; his mother, Mrs. Maude Place; a son Gene of Peoria; a daughter, Mrs. Peggy McCauley, of Mt. Vernon; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a brother Paul of Aurora and three sisters, Mrs. Ruby Ion; Mrs. Sylvia Robinson both of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Wilma Imig, of Groveland.

He was preceded in death by his father and a sister.