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In Memory

John S Clark - Class Of 1953

          

 

John S. Clark

Dec. 8, 1935 - July 1, 2017

GRANGER - John S. Clark, 81, of Granger and Gulf Shores, Alabama passed away July 1, 2017.

John retired in 2006 following a life dedicated to public service in the Indiana Army National Guard, Indiana State Excise Police and U.S. Marshals Service, CSO. John received the 1988 ISEP “Officer of the Year” award for his “dedication and commitment to those he served.”

In May 2017, John came out of retirement to battle, and conquer cancer. Known as “Clarkie”, he rallied his family, colleagues, and neighbors, friends, staff of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Center for Hospice Care along with the guidance of spiritual leaders from St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mishawaka and St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel, Magnolia Springs, Alabama to join him in his crusade.

John was born in South Bend to the late Dr. Charles S. and Mary P. Clark. Surviving are his wife Pat whom he married on July 22, 1967, son Robert of South Bend, daughter Diana Clark and husband Ryan Hayes and their son Nathan of Edwardsburg, MI; his beloved Springer Spaniel, Romy, who guarded over him during his final journey and his adopted family, Drs. Reinhild and Thomas Fliethmann, children Eva and Anselm of Tubingen, Germany.

In 1953 and 1954, John led the South Bend Central Bears championship track team, personally setting records in the 100 and 220 yard dash, and half mile relay. While attending the Univ. of Western Michigan, he participated in tryouts for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team in 1956.

John enjoyed a variety of lifelong hobbies including fishing on Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico, golf, hunting, car shows and cruise-ins during his retirement years. He was a member of the St. Joseph County FOP 155, Lifetime Alumni of Purdue University, Michiana Corvette Club, Miracle Strip Corvette Club in Pensacola, Florida, Southwest Association of Native American Artists, and Indiana Snowbirds of Alabama, Edwardsburg, Michigan Conservation Club and St. Joseph County Restoration Club. He enjoyed competing in AKC obedience and rally classes with Romy and attending his grandson's soccer games. John was an avid University of Alabama and Chicago Bears football fan. He never gave up hoping the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series and cheered with delight when they won in 2016.

A memorial service and dinner in his honor at 6:00 p.m. on July 14th will be at the St. Joseph County FOP 155 which shares a location with South Bend Firefighters Local 362 located at 4025 Lincoln Way W., South Bend with an additional service in Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 616 Lincolnway East, Mishawaka, IN 46544 or St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel, Pack-a-Back-Pack Program, 14755 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs, AL 36555.

The HANLEY and Sons Funeral Home and Cremation Service handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to John's family
 
Published in South Bend Tribune on July 9, 2017

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