Mavis Eileen Clark

Obituary for Mavis Eileen (Earnest) Clark

One of Mom’s favorite sayings was to get up when you wake up before God changes his mind. On January 14, 2026, God decided to call Mom home to heaven, and we know she is rejoicing with our dad, her parents, relatives and friends that went before her. May you have a glorious reunion in heaven Mom. You will be missed by all who knew and loved you as you were a very special human being.

Mavis Eileen Earnest Clark was born on June 30, 1934, to Harry and Anna (Feld) Earnest in Freeport, Illinois. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1952 and was passionate about keeping in touch with the friends and classmates from that year having been a driving force in organizing Pretzel reunions for many years.

Mavis had three brothers, William, Ken and Harold. She liked to say she was the only girl and the youngest and she readily admitted she had a good childhood in that role!

Mavis married Richard A. Clark in Freeport on September 19, 1953. From that loving union they had daughters Diane (Richard) Kahly - Freeport, Lisa (Dan) Monigold – Lanark and son, Jeffrey (Bonnie) Clark of Freeport

Mavis was employed by General Casualty Insurance Company, Furst-McNess, Honeywell and Kelly-Springfield Tire Co retiring from Kelly’s on June 30, 1993. In retirement years she and Richard enjoyed golfing, teaching line-dancing, and traveling. They especially enjoyed their many trips out West to visit family and friends. Mavis was a loving and involved grandmother. She prided herself on attending Orangeville Bronco sporting and band events to cheer them on. Mavis was a lifelong member of St John United Church of Christ. She had a deep commitment to her church and a strong faith. She was a long-time member of Park Hills 9 Hole Ladies Golf League and a member of the former church quilt group. In her retirement years she loved to golf, sew, walk and read in her spare time.

Her top priorities in life were her family and friends, church, golf, dominoes with her Monday afternoon group of ladies and she loved to play Bridge on the computer. She walked every day and often spent her time on walks in prayer. She enjoyed letter writing and sharing news with family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Diane, Lisa and Jeff; her grandchildren Lucas (Shannon) Bowers of Oswego, Illinois, Lydia (Jeremy) Hille (Monroe, Wisconsin), Emily (Aaron) White of Watertown, Wisconsin and Brooke (Michael) Mendoza of San Diego, California. Her great grandchildren, Nevaeh, Ireland and Kennedy Bowers, Grayce Clark, Michael Steinhauser, Elsie and Lola White and her sister-in-law Doris (Ron) Stone of Merritt Island, Florida and many special nieces and nephews.

Mavis was predeceased by her husband in 2010, her parents and her husband’s parents Homer and Elizabeth Clark, her three brothers and sisters-and brothers in-laws.

Visitation and funeral will be at St. John United Church of Christ in Freeport on Monday, January 19th, 2026. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM with funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Mavis’s memory.

Special thank you to Oakley Courts and FHN Hospice for their care.