Ferdinand Francis Clark

Ferdinand Francis "Fred" Clark died peacefully on April 28, 2023 at the Villas of Winston Court in Marshall MI, surrounded by his children. He was born in Bedford, Ohio on February 13, 1931, to Ferdinand and Ludwina (Pund) Clark. After his father's death when Fred was only five, his mother married Hilary Grundhoefer and moved to Dale, Indiana, where he was known as "Boots".
Fred served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War where, among other duties, he employed his sniper certification to act as body guard for senior officers. Following his military service, Fred attended Evansville University on the G.I. Bill and graduated with honors. He later received his MBA from Michigan State University.
Mary Etta Tevault caught Fred's eye at a local dance and on February 19, 1955 they married. Together they raised seven children, created a welcoming home for friends and family alike, and traveled extensively. They shared 67 years of marriage and a lifetime of love and devotion until Mary's passing in 2022.
Fred is survived by six of their seven children: Tim (Leisa) Clark, Mark Clark, Teresa (David) Hoag, Beth (Gabriel) Rodriguez, Lisa (Dan) Brownell and Steven (Mary Beckley) Clark, as well as daughter-in-law Debbie Clark, all of whom will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his son Christopher, his parents, his sister Vivian and his stepbrother Elmer "Butch" Grundhoefer.
Affectionately known as "Papa Freddy", he will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Ben, Brandon, Melanie, David, Jeff, Tom, Isabel, Elly, Karen, Jordan, Brandi, David, Amanda, Jennifer, Matthew, Joe and Maggie, along with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom he never failed to amuse with a joke or wiggle of his ears.
Fred was a dedicated teacher and business administrator at Battle Creek Central High School, retiring in 1987 after almost 30 years of service. During the summers he could be found behind the butcher counter at a local grocery or on a tractor at the dairy farm he owned for a short time.
Fred was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing and watching sports, especially his beloved Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Tigers, or any sport that one of his children or grandchildren were playing in.
Fred and Mary were devoted Catholics and active members of St. Joseph Church in Battle Creek where he sang in the choir and served in the Dad's Club. A lifelong volunteer, Fred was an officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Exchange Club of Battle Creek. He was also involved in jail ministry, visiting inmates in the Calhoun County Jail and the Branch County Correctional Facility, and was a reading mentor through the Battle Creek Public Schools.
After enjoying many winters in Florida, Fred and Mary moved permanently to Bradenton where they formed many friendships with their fellow residents at Palm Lake Estates.
Having lived a rich and faith-filled life to the age of 92, it can truly be said that "He fought the good fight. He ran the good race."
Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Rd, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023 at St. Joseph Church, 61 N. 23rd Street, Battle Creek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Joseph Church.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service 269-788-9800 www.baxterfuneral.com