Donald Morrell "Jack" Clarke (1998)
BERRY, CLARKE, GORGES, MIKKELSON
Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:11
The Post-Crescent
Appleton, Wisconsin
Sunday, October 4, 1998
Page 22, Column 1Donald M. Clarke
“Jack”
121 E. Spring Street
New LondonAge 79, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 3, 1998. He was born in Earlham, Iowa on October 24, 1918; son of the late Rev. Dr. Carl C. & Lorena Jane Clarke. He was the second of three sons, Tom the oldest and Carl the youngest. He graduated form high school in Sommerville, Massachusetts in 1936. He attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he majored in Zoology and played four years of varsity football. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1940.
On March 19,1939, he married Eileen Berry in Bethany, Missouri. He received his Master of Science Degree in Genetics from U-Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1942. He continued working on his Doctorate in Genetics until receiving a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He volunteered for Motor Torpedo Boat duty and became commander of PT191 in the South Pacific. He made 89 combat patrols on one of the fastest combat war vessels in the world, and received the Purple Heart among several other medals and citations.
Upon return to civilian life, he was self employed. He was a lifelong Methodist as well as a member of the New London V.F.W., American Legion, and a lifetime member of PT Boats Inc., an organization devoted to the deeds of PT boats and their crews. He loved the out of doors, grouse hunting, trout fishing and gardening were some of his favorite past times.
Passing on before him were his parents; his wife of 49 years, Eileen; and his brothers, Thomas and Carl Jr. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Janet and Jim Mikkelson, West Bend; Jane and Charles Gorges, New London; three sons and daughters-in-law; Donald and Chris Clarke, Whittier, California; James and Ellen Clarke, New London; Carl and Joyce Clarke, Tell City, Indiana. He is further survived by 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 5, 1998 at the Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London. Interment will be in the Floral Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4-8 p.m., where a 7:30 p.m. Veterans Service will be held, and on Monday from 8 a.m. until the time of service. Military graveside rites will be held.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Shirlee Beyer and Rosie Maxwell for the care and kindness they gave Don during his illness.
________________________Transcriber's note: Middle name from Social Security Record.
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