Owen J. Clark, age 88, of West Bend, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his loving family.
Owen was born on April 1, 1923 in Manitowoc, WI to the late William and Evangeline (nee Kazilek) Clark. He attended St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School in Manitowoc. Owen graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc in the class of 1940. He went on to attend Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO and the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He served his country honorably, training as a pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On October 21, 1949, Owen was united in marriage to Ruth Jane Babcock in Iron Mountain, MI.
Over the years, Owen and Ruth made their home in Manitowoc, Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Ephrata, PA and finally in West Bend. Owen worked in Insurance Sales, for the Mallard Coach Corporation, was the owner of Changing Seasons Sporting Goods Store, and a realtor with Shorewest Realtors.
He was a member of Holy Angels Parish, the VFW and American Legion. Owen enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving, golfing, camping, the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, the outdoors, traveling and spending time with his family. At Cedar Campus, he enjoyed playing the drums and chimes, bingo, walks in the courtyard and Dandelion Patch Park, and being in the sunroom.
Owen was a wonderful husband and father whose love has always been unconditional. He taught his children by example: character, honesty, respect, service, positive attitude and love. His greatest treasures were his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Owen was a man who always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye and a joke to tell. He touched the lives of the many people he met. Owen was a regular blood donor. He and his wife volunteered for 11 years for the Milwaukee Achiever Program, teaching English as a second language. He was loved dearly and will be missed always by his family.
Owen is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Clark of West Bend; his four children, Patti (Bob) Hankerson of Cape Coral, FL, Linda (Roger) Liebetrau of West Bend, Jon (Laura Rank) Clark of Campbellsport, and Lisa (Roy) Kohn of Kewaskum; six grandchildren, Celina (Mike) Hayes, Laura (Mike) Ripple, Mike (Stacey) Liebetrau, Kate Peters, Kevin (Lisa) Hankerson, and Keith (Peggy) Hankerson; soon-to-be 12 great-grandchildren, Brady, Brooke, and Brenna Hayes, Aviana Peters, Megan (Chuck) Meyer, Lauren Hankerson, Jessica (Mike) Jante, Ryan Hankerson, Janelle (Eric) Hillman, Annette (Brion) Kendzora, Kasey Hankerson, and new addition, due in December; four great-great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Addicus Jante and Isabella and Lucca Meyer; sister, Barbara Claffey of West Bend; sister-in-law, Dorothy Clark of Florida and Carol Scott of Florence, WI; three brothers-in-law, Rowl (Mary) Babcock of Michigan, Richard (Pat) Babcock of Washington, and Earl (Lolita) Lynch of Arizona; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Genevieve (Jack) Berschens and Monica (Robert) Beyer; brother, William Clark; brothers-in-law, Robert Babcock, Ralph Babcock and Carl Lynch; and nephews, Robin Beyer and Jack Berschens.
Funeral services in remembrance of Owen will be held on Friday, June 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington St., West Bend. Rev. Jerry Brittain of Holy Angels Catholic Church will be presiding. Visitation will be Friday at the funeral home from 3:00 pm until the time of service. Entombment will take place Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials in Owen's name to Cedar Community are appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Herdrich and his staff. Also to the entire staff of the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center for the kind and compassionate care given to Dad.