Dana Clyde Clark (1973-2020)

CLARK, PANCAKE, LAUGHLIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/17/2020 at 20:49:46

Dana Clyde Clark, 47, of Galena, Illinois and formerly of Maquoketa, Delmar and Dubuque, Iowa, died on Tuesday evening, July 14, 2020 in Hanover, Illinois, from injuries received from a gunshot wound.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Cremation will follow the visitation and burial will be at a later date.

Dana Clyde Clark was born on January 21, 1973 to Patricia Clark and Harold Pancake in Columbus, Ohio. He loved growing up in Grayson, Kentucky prior to moving to Maquoketa, Iowa where he graduated from Maquoketa High School in 1991. Dana attended Scott Community College, graduating with an Associates Degree and then attended the apprenticeship program with the International Board of Electrical Welders Local 145. He enjoyed working as a laborer, doing construction, welding, and being a CNC operator.

Dana was a true believer in Jesus. He was proud to be baptized at the River Church in Clinton. He loved the Lord, reading and studying the bible. He had a great love for watching sports, especially those his children participated in. He was a great fan of the Hawkeyes, following wrestling, basketball and football. He loved golfing, nature hikes, jogging, riding bikes, doing flips on the trampoline, and playing all-time quarterback with the kids. He spent every spare moment with the family on the water swimming, boating and fishing, but mostly tying and baiting lines, and fixing snags while everyone else fished. The kids loved to go with him to set trot lines to check as soon as the sun came up. Dana loved to feed the birds, water the garden, listen to AM and sports radio, show love to the animals, cook, bow hunt, massage, soak up the sun, and he had a great love for reading and learning.

Dana is survived by his mother, Patricia Laughlin of Maquketa, IA; a sister, Leah (Ron) Cornwell of Maquoketa, IA; nephews Jesse and Noah; step-siblings, Steve Davidson of IL, Jerry Davidson of IL, Michael Fitzpatrick of IL and Tracy Davidson of IL.

Additionally, Dana is survived by his forever love, Molly Weaver Gansen. They stayed friends after a few dates more than 20 years ago. They fell in love and joined together with their children in Galena, IL. Dana was so very proud of his children. When he met Tanya Sedbrook of Dubuque, he said her daughter was the first girl he ever loved, Mercedes "Sadie". He loved being "Sadie's" dad. His whole heart belongs to his four living children including, Kaitlyn, Grayson, and Brett of Galena, IL. Dana chose to be a father to Molly's eight children and showed them that he would tough out the crazy moments and love them to the fullest while trying his best to be a great teacher, confidant and protector. Molly's children include stepson Leif, Bella, Kiara, Devontae (Jovanna), Isaiah, Drew, Elijah, Chrissy, and Megan; and Devontae's and Jovonna's son, 1-year old grandson Da'Mir. The house was always active with eight of the children living at home with Dana and Molly in Galena. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, his father Harold, and he strongly grieved the tragic loss of his infant daughter Delilah.

Many heartfelt thanks to the team of people who arrived in Hanover in moments to try and save Dana's life.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Dana C. Clark memorial fund has been established.