Submitted by: Dan Rich

John D. Clark

Sept. 19, 1959 - May 8, 2005

South Bend Tribune 5/12/2005

John D. Clark, 45, residing on Summers Drive, South Bend, IN, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2005, in his home. He was employed with Champion Windows, Mishawaka, and had previously worked at Nu Sash Windows, South Bend, for six years. He was born on September 19, 1959, in Paducah, KY. John had resided in South Bend since 1988, coming from Fort Wayne.

On May 9, 1986, in Brown County, Shelbyville, IN, he married Heidi Merkel. John is survived by his loving wife, Heidi Clark; two sons, Nilson Clark and Nathan Clark at home; his parents, John and Marilyn Ellett of Hot Springs, Arkansas; three sisters, Melissa Thomson of Fort Wayne, Holly Fedor of Austin, TX, and Maria Rittenhouse of Fort Wayne; one stepsister, Jean Henne of Winter Haven, FL; and two stepbrothers, John Ellett of Austin, TX, and Tony Ellett of Flint, MI.

John loved spending time with his family. He was an expert igloo builder. He enjoyed fishing and cooking. John graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He had a great interest in energy conservation.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 13th, in Cornerstone Community Church, 52277 Hickory Road, Granger, IN. Rev. Greg Henry, pastor of the church, will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services in the church on Friday. Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of John D. Clark may be made to Key Bank Trust, 19730 Darden Road, South Bend, IN 46637, c/o of John D. Clark family.

John loved life. He lived on his own terms with great passion and enthusiasm. He never left a joke untold and will be remembered by many who enjoyed his humor. He was consumed by wishing to contribute to the betterment of this world, and when he was issued a patent by the United States Patent Office, he felt this would be entirely possible. The strength of his conviction never left him and he continued to work toward the attainment of his dream. He was a true "explorer" and died as he lived, engaged by life.