Duane Robert Clark 1925-2012

SEITZINGER CLARK MCCLEEREY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/24/2012 at 20:28:03

Sioux City Journal
November 10, 2012

SMITHLAND, Iowa | Duane R. Clark, 87, of Mapleton, Iowa, formerly of Smithland, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, under hospice care at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Smithland United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Karen Handke officiating. Burial will be in Little Sioux Township Cemetery, with military rites provided by the American Legion Leslie F. Seaton Post 666 of Smithland. Immediately following the graveside service a ceremonial meal will be held at Smithland Fire Department. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic service by Vesper Lodge 223 AF & AM of Onawa, Iowa, at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com.

Duane Robert was born on Oct. 2, 1925, in Smithland, the son of Dewey and Ada (Seitzinger) Clark. He attended school at Smithland Community School. He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran. He spent his time upon the USS Doyle 494 and spent many tours in the European Theater.

On Sept. 10, 1948, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Lorraine McCleerey at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple lived, farmed, and raised their family in the Smithland area. He worked as a union painter for Blankenship Painting in Sioux City, and later continued in Omaha. He also had a contracting business which serviced the local community. After retirement, he worked at the Elmwood Nursing Home in Onawa. In 1999, he and his wife moved to Mapleton.

Duane was a great provider for his family and a hard worker. He was very proud of his accomplishments in the farming business while maintaining full-time jobs. He touched many lives throughout the community with his witty humor and personality. He also mentored many throughout his career with construction experience capabilities. He was a member of Smithland United Methodist Church and the Masonic Temple, Amicable Lodge 289 AF & AM of Smithland and Vesper Lodge 223 AF & AM of Onawa. Duane also held membership with the American Legion Leslie F. Seaton Post 666 of Smithland.

Survivors include his children, Mark and Denise Clark of Durant, Iowa, Frosty and Fanny Clark of Barry, Ill., and Judy and Russ Worrell of Smithland; a daughter-in-law, Debra Clark of Kellerton, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Ron and Esther Clark of Tulsa, Okla.; a sister-in-law, Winifred Clark of Kingman, Ariz.; a sister-in-law and her husband, Joann and Jack Dryden of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; a son, Duane Robert "Bob" Clark Jr.; his parents; a sister, Frances Clark; and a brother, Gene Clark.

Memorials in Duane’s memory may be directed to Burgess Hospice in Onawa.