Harold Edward Clark, 94, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, left us peacefully on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Heritage Woods Assisted Care.
Harold was born in Akron, Ohio, on July 30, 1928, the son of Bracy and Lucretia Emma Clark. He moved to Bone Gap, Illinois, during his senior year in high school where he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Longbons.
They were married on September 25, 1949, and she preceded him in death in September 1983. He then married Cleta Barth in March 1984, and she preceded him in death in February 2022.
Mr. Clark proudly served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper after graduating from High School. As a Christian, Harold served as an Elder at Central Christian Church and attended Boyd Christian Church before relocating to Florida, where he was an active member of the Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, Florida. He then transferred his membership to First Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon when he relocated back to Jefferson County. Harold worked for Economy Fire and Casualty as a claims representative, office manager, and litigator, until his retirement to Punta Gorda. While living in Florida, he took up wood carving, creating animals, Santas, and whimsical creatures, which he painted, displayed, and gave away. Although he would tackle various animals, he was best known for his Santas.
Harold is survived by three children, Diane E. Wilson of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, Kenneth H. Clark and wife Carolyn of Mt. Vernon, and David L. Clark and wife Roberta of Mt. Vernon; eight grandchildren, Tyler Wilson and wife Jennifer, Mary Elizabeth Gibbs and husband Robert, Phillip A. Clark and wife Leigha, Matthew W. Degenhart and wife Whitney, Dana E. Smith and husband Marshall, Matthew L. Clark and wife Sara, Kyle D. Clark, and Chad M. Clark and wife Gracie; and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Lois Deisher, Wilma Lee and husband Richard, and Helen Burton and husband Paul; one brother, Darrell Clark; and members of the Longbons family and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his first wife, Mary Clark, and second wife, Cleta Clark, he was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Charles, David, and Loren Clark; and brothers-in-law, Loren Deisher, Gerald, Doyle, and Roy Longbons.
Cremation rites for Mr. Clark have been accorded, and a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with J. Howard Kraps officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to SSM Hospice of the Good Samaritan, or the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
