Dwight M. Clark

CLARK Dwight M. "Dick" Clark, 85, of Milford Center, died Tuesday, September 1, 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, was a member of the Milford Center United Methodist Church, an US Army Air Force veteran of WW II, and was 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. 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 which included three generations of father, son and grandsons. 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 and was also preceded in death by a brother Charles William Clark, a son-in-law Randy Clemons, a niece Cerena Clark Miele, brothers-in-law James "Skinny" Davis, George Organ, and a sister-in-law Rita Tomlin. The Clark family came to America in the year 1636, with seven generations living in Milford Center. For 148 years, the family has remained an unbroken chain in Union County. He married the former Phyllis A. Tomlin May 29, 1948 in Woodstock. 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, Mich., Dwight David Houston (Tara) Clark of Urbana, Charles William (Carla) Clark of Hilliard, John Ralph Clark of Milford Center; grandchildren, Christopher (UnMi), Benjamin (Missy), and 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 and Tommy Poeschel, Shawna (Heath) Moore, and Bryan Clark and Matt Clark; great- grandchildren, Michelle (Steve Morrison) Defibaugh, Molly, Harley, and Presley Burger, Kira, Shelby, and Cassidy Jones, Leo and McClellan Rausch, Camille Clark, Cameron Rosebrook, Alex and Tyler Hayes, Blake, Haylee, Kersten, Blaine, and Keifer Bushong, Braelyn and Ayla Roberts, Ethan Michael McClellan and Eligha Moore; a sister-in-law, Gwynola Clark and her children, Jonathan L. Clark, Carol J. and Cynthia Clark; and many other nephews and nieces; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Virginia Davis, John J. Tomlin, Charles and Doris Tomlin, Ellen Organ, and Paul and Patty Tomlin. Calling hours will be Friday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at the INGRAM FUNERAL HOME, Marysville, where funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Steve Wood and Charles Tomlin officiating. Burial will follow at the Milford Center Cemetery with the Union County Honor to provide full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post #4599 of Milford Center or the Loving Care Hospice in care of the funeral home. Dick's pall bearers will be his grandsons and great grandsons. If you are unable to attend, please sign the online condolences at: www.ingramfuneral.com.