Richard William Clark

Peoria – Richard “Dick” William Clark, 70, of Peoria, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2023 at the home of his daughter in Peoria, IL. His dog Colt was lovingly by his side. He was born August 9, 1952 in Kewanee, IL, the youngest child and only son of William Wade and Annabelle Mae (Talbert) Clark. On a beautiful spring day on May 15, 1976, at Martin’s Lodge in LaFayette, IL he married Jennifer Lynn Jackson. They resided and raised their family in Galva, Toulon LaFayette and Wyoming, IL. They were married for almost 45 years. Richard grew up in and attended Toulon schools. He graduated from Toulon High School in 1970 and was voted wittiest in his class. He loved to make people laugh. And he had some great stories to tell from his high school shenanigans and softball playing days. Throughout his life he held a variety of jobs, but if you ask him, he was a carpenter and laborer. Most recently, he was forklift driver at HK in Mossville, IL. He retired in 2019 to be primary caregiver for Jennifer as her health declined. In the words of Lynard Skynard…Richard was a simple kind of man and proud of it. He loved dogs, sports (Chicago Bears football, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and the Fighting Illini basketball), movies (martial arts, action, horror, classic westerns, were among his favorites and he loved Bruce Lee, Bruce Campbell, Chuck Norris and Godzilla, fish, gardening, yardwork, flowers, birds, bowling, and wrestling, Pink Floyd and his family – especially his grandchildren. He was affectionately called “Grumpa” - he had a special soft spot in his heart for each and every one of them. He enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table with Jennifer in the mornings looking out the window watching the birds, especially cardinals. Cardinals were their favorites – bird and baseball team. They loved the Cardinals. Survivors include children: Laura Clark of Peoria, Marcia Clark of Peoria, Stephanie (Derek) Waldschmidt of Chillicothe and Lucas (Amanda Dunn) Clark of Peoria, designated as dad (DAD) to 2 bonus-children, Michelle Kelly of Peoria and Jamie Morss, of Creve Ceour: 9 grandchildren: Jenna, Colton, Emma, Jackson, Cooper, Caleb, Carly, Briggs and Amelia, and two great grandchildren: Spencer and Scarlette; a sister, Kathy Clark of Orion; a brother-in-law, Daren Sall of Cambridge, a sister-in-law, Barb Jackson of Bushnell, He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, mother-in-law, Lorraine Jackson, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen “Sue” and Les “Butch” Morss, brother-in-law, Dennis Jackson, and his grandson Zachary Kelly. Cremation rites have been accorded. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation Service was in charge of cremation. Richard’s ashes will be buried alongside Jennifer at the Galva Cemetery. The family invites you to join them for “A celebration of Life” at the Lake Calhoun Country Club in LaFayette, IL on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 1 – 4 pm. Please feel free to wear your favorite sports team attire. That’s how he would want it. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St Jude will always hold a special place in the family’s collective heart for taking care of Marcia when she was sick and offering hope to the family through the tough times. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.schmidthaller.com.

Richard William Clark

August 9, 1952 - February 10, 2023