John Clark, 79, of Jefferson died Sunday, November 12, 2006, at the Greene County Medical Center.  He donated his body to the University Of Iowa Department Of Anatomy.  A Celebration of Life service for John Clark will be held 11:00am Friday, November 17, 2006 at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.  On Thursday November 16th, a Masonic Service will be held at 6:30pm at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson, followed by visitation with the family from 7:00 – 8:30pm.

John Irvin Clark was born June 3, 1927 at Terril, Iowa to Irvin and Helen (Wade) Clark. Upon graduation from Terril High School, John entered the Merchant Marines in May 1945. He returned to the family farm in 1946 and was drafted to service in 1947 at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. John spent time in the Panama Canal.

John married Lois Trenk on June 30, 1951. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army on November 17, 1951 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, John and Lois farmed the family farm at Terril, Iowa until 1965 when they moved to Sheldon, Iowa. John worked in sales for Big 4 Soybean Processing and Land O’Lakes. In 1969 they moved to Jefferson during which time he was manager at Rippey Farmers Co-op, worked in sales at McAtee Tire, and later Greene County Medical Center as Director of Materials Management until retirement in 1993.

John was an active Kiwanian in Sheldon and Jefferson and was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson where he generously volunteered his time as a “Handy Dandy”.

In retirement, John enjoyed community involvement projects including Community Betterment and Trees Committee. He enjoyed his camaraderie with the “morning coffee’ group.

John was always a “farmer at heart”, loving the land and in retirement savored working with the Lindsey Larson family in the spring and fall.

John Clark died November 12, 2006 at the Greene County Medical Center. He was 79 years of age. Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Wayne and Winston.

Survivors include Lois, wife of 55 years; two sons: Dale Clark and his wife Shari of Reno, NV; and David Clark and his wife Valerie of Marshalltown, IA; a sister, Dorthe Flick of Clinton, IA; grandchildren: Travis Clark of Cincinnati, OH; Jill (Clark) Moorman of Cincinnati, OH; Natalie Clark of Providence, RI; and Lizzie Clark of Marshalltown, IA; nieces, nephews, cousins, a large extended family, and a host of friends. John’s love for his family remained intense and he enjoyed them greatly.

Throughout his life, John was an exemplary individual with a Giving Spirit. At his death, John donated his body to the University of Iowa Anatomical Gift Program. This endless gift will forever impact and affect the lives of others. We, his family, and you, his friends, have been touched in our hearts and changed in our lives by knowing John. May his gift of sharing life live on in ways we cannot imagine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Webb House (youth activity center), First United Methodist Church, or the Greene County Medical Center Foundation.