Dwight M. "Dick" Clark
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Dwight M. "Dick" Clark, HQ/778th
1 September 2009
Dwight M."Dick" Clark, 85, of Milford Center died Tuesday, 1 September 2009 at his home following an extended illness, with his family at his side. He retired in 1986 as co-owner of Kaufman Mechanical & Electrical and the Brake Hardware of Milford Center.
In his life, Dick was employed at: the Luxmar Theatre in Milford Center, at Grimes Manufacturing prior to his enlistment in the Army, Salo Boor in Shelby, OM Scott and Sons and D. John Electric in Milford Center. Dick was a 1942 graduate of Union Rural High School, a member of the Milford Center United Methodist Church, a US Army Air Corps veteran of WWII (Fifteenth Air Force, 464th Bombardment Group, HQ/778th Squadron), and a life member of the VFW Post #4599.
He guided his sons and daughters to live their lives as he had lived his. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren which included three generations of men; father, son, and grandsons. He worked hard at his job, played cards with his family and enjoyed telling stories. He served his country of which he was very proud.
He was a collector of postcards and the history of Milford Center. He was an avid pool player and played in a pool league to the age of 84. He loved to work in the chicken house, there were no eggs laid, but he hatched a lot of ideas in his converted workshop. He took pride in his lawn and garden. He, along with his wife, spent many weekends at the flea market and loved going to"the boat." His children and grandchildren came to him for his advice and counsel.
Dick was born February 29, 1924 in Milford Center to the late Ralph W. and Ernestine W. McClellan Clark. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles William Clark, a son-in-law, Randy Clemons, and a niece, Cerena Clark Miele.
The Clark family came to America in the year 1636, with seven generations living in Milford Center. For 148 years, the family has remained unbroken chain in Union County.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Phyllis; their children, Dawn E. (Bill) Burger of Irwin, Melody K. (Phil) Cunningham of Marysville, Virginia A. Clemons of N. Lewisburg, Julia I. (John) Byers of Milford Center, Mary Michelle (Thomas) Poeschel of St. Clair Shores, MI, Dwight David Houston (Tara) Clark of Urbana, Charles William (Carla) Clark of Hilliard, John Ralph Clark of Milford Center; grandchildren, Christopher (UnMi), Benjamin (Missy), & Hope Burger, Paul (Richelle Buchanan) Cunningham, Rachel (Byron) Jones, Richard (Kristine) Rausch, Nathaniel McClellan Clark, Amber (John) Hayes, Jessica (Kevin) Bushong, John Huston Byers, Sarah Lauer, Taylor Grace & Tommy Poeschel, Shawna (Heath) Moore, and Bryan & Matt Clark; great grandchildren, Michelle (Steve Morrison) Defibaugh, Molly, Harley & Presley Burger, Kira, Shelby & Cassidy Jones, Leo & McClellan Rausch, Camille Clark, Cameron Rosebrook, Alex & Tyler Hayes, Blake, Haylee, Kersten, Blaine, & Keifer Bushong, Braelyn & Ayla Roberts, Ethan Michael McClellan and Eligha Moore; a sister-in-law, Gwynola Clark and her children, Jonathan L. Clark, Carol J. &Cynthia Clark; and five great nephews and nieces; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Virginia Davis, John J. Tomlin, Charles and Doris Tomlin, Ellen Organ, and Paul and Patty Tomlin.
Calling hours were on Friday at the Ingram Funeral Home where funeral services were held at 10:30 AM on Saturday with the Rev. Steve Wood and Charles Tomlin officiating. Burial followed at the Milford Center Cemetery with the Union County Honor Guard providing full military honors. Dick’s pall bearers were his grandsons and great grandsons.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post #4599 of Milford Center or the Loving Care Hospice in care of the funeral home.