H. William Clark

OBITUARY FOR H. WILLIAM CLARK H. William Clark, 91, died on Sunday, July 14, 2013 in Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. He was born March 30, 1922 and raised in Champaign County. He lived his entire life on the same road in Salem Township, which was named for his father who lived there until the age of 93. He has often said, “ I never went very far in life, I just went across the road.” He and his wife, Mary Kathryn (Heinlen) Clark were married Dec. 15, 1943 and took up housekeeping on the farm across the road from his family’s home. They have lived there since their wedding day . Working together, their farming operations have included milking cows, raising chickens, selling eggs, feeding hogs, and raising a prize winning herd of Registered Black Angus Cattle. Among their many county and state fair awards, their most memorable was winning Grand Champion Heifer at the Ohio State Fair. After their son, William Clark’s death on Dec. 3, 1969, he made one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make and that was to sell his entire herd of Angus Cattle. He was a 1940 graduate of Salem Local High School and was a member of the Ohio Angus Association, a 1992 Farmer of the Year, a past officer of the Champaign County Cattlemen, a Farm Bureau Council member, a 4-H advisor for over 10 years, and served on the Federal Landbank Board of Directors for several years, and was on the Advisory Board of the Farm Credit Services. He has been a member of the Kingscreek Baptist Church his entire life, and has held many positions in the church. Among them, Deacon for 74 years, Trustee, and Chairman of the Building Committee during the construction of the Sunday School addition. He is survived by daughters Barbara Creech and husband C.D. of Urbana, Ola Jean Crabtree and husband Sam of Urbana: Grandchildren Annette (Erin) Eli of San Diego, CA , Katie (David) Neer of West Liberty, Emily ( Brian) Ridgway of Middletown, OH. Great Grandchildren Logan and Lilly Eli, Levi Neer, Sam Ridgway. Sister-in-law Grace Heinlen of West Liberty. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law Carl and Jeanie Thiergartner, of Milford Center, OH. Numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kathryn on Feb 6, 2007: son, William Clark on Dec. 3, 1969: brother, J Warren Clark, a half sister, Mary Von Madden: sister-in-law Reva Mae Smith: brothers-in-law Marion Smith and Robert Heinlen. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM til 11:30 AM on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at Kings Creek Baptist Church with services to be held at 11:30 AM with Rev. Chuck Samson and Rev. Clifford Kissinger officiating. Burial to follow in Kings Creek Cemetery. Special thanks to the wonderful care from the doctors and staff at Riverside Methodist Hospital and especially to Dr Duncan Grant and his nurses. A special thanks to Julie Rogers and family for the care of Mary Kathryn and Bill since 2000. Also thanks to Matt Mc Intosh, Mark Crowder, Tracy Oelker for the help with his farming the past few years. Contributions may be made to Kings Creek Baptist Church, 1250 Kennard Kingscreek Rd. Urbana, Oh 43078 The family is being served by WALTER & SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 642 S. Main St, Urbana. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com