Malcolm John "Mal" Clewis

Malcolm "Mal" John Clewis, 81, of Peoria, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026. He was born March 3, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to Jasper Malcolm Clewis and Margaret (Theisinger) Clewis. He was predeceased by his father Jasper, mother Margaret, sister Lucy Clewis, son Robert Kilroy, son-in-law Christopher Van Camp, and brother-in-law Glen Spearman. Mal is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Susan Clewis, daughter's Jori Van Camp and Heather Kirschner, son-in-law Michael Kirschner, daughter-in-law Connie Kilroy, sisters Myna Spearman and Sally Maloney, brother-in-law Tom Maloney, grandchildren, Christopher and Tiffany Ruegsegger, Zoe and Thomas Baldwin, Justin Carter, Caden, Lexi, Quentin, and Griffin Kirschner, and great grandchildren, Alex Zakary, and Kaylee Ruegesegger, and Luke Baldwin.
Mal grew up in a Presbyterian household, where he was proud to have been a Boy Scout and an altar boy who didn't miss a day of church for 13 years. He graduated from Chicago Vocational High School in 1962 followed by earning a dual bachelor's degree in Horticulture and Floriculture from Michigan State University. He spent is working years as distinguished, successful and passionate florist initially opening and running Oak Glen Florist in Glenview, Illinois before relocating to Phoenix, Arizona where he and his wife, Susan, bought and ran Flowers by Sheri for 23 years. He also worked as a steward for the union while working as a superintendent in the steel industry and owned a variety of businesses. He dabbled with his creative side by exploring bar tending, drafting, and sculpting.
When not designing beautiful and high-end floral arrangements, Mal enjoyed spending time in the family RV and traveling the United States. His favorite location was Lo Lo Mai Springs in Cottonwood. He loved walking up to watch the sunrise while savoring his coffee and a smoke. In his downtime he could be found enjoying a good TV show, playing games, playing with his grand-kids, hanging out with his dogs, and tinkering in the garage working with his hands.
Mal will be missed for his witty and dry sense of humor, ability to make others smile and laugh, silent presence, interesting and creative ideas, charming personality, steadfastness, love, and infectious smile. He was a devoted husband, caring father, doting grandfather, and faithful friend to all he met.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Malcolm at 1pm, Sunday, February 22nd at Garden Ridge, Ridges At Peoria. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Malcolm "Mal" John Clewis, please visit our floral store.