James Edward Clark, Sr.

James Edward Clark, Sr., 83, of Springfield, died at 6:25 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at St. John's Hospice, surrounded by his family. James was born June 28, 1927 in Berlin, the son of Oscar James and Fern Hazel Merritt Clark. He married Norma Jean Luparell on August 15, 1946 in Springfield. James proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy. Prior to retiring from Truman-Flatt Construction, he had owned and operated Clark's Auto Sales, Auto Body, and Towing for most of his life. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 916. James was a fun-loving man who never knew a stranger and loved to restore old automobiles, attend car shows, stock car races, auctions and flea markets, and go riverboat gambling. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Rosaline Douglas; son, James Clark, Jr.; great-grandson, Steven Clark; brother, Bobby Clark; and two sisters, Shirley Hull and Anita Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Clark of Springfield; two sons, Steven (wife, Kathy) Clark of Springfield and Gary (wife, Sharon) Clark of Springfield; two daughters, Jackie Clark of Springfield and JoAnn (husband, Michael) Heffern of Springfield; daughter-in-law, Lucy Clark of Springfield; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings, William (wife, Norma) Clark and Janie (husband, Dave) Burge, all of Springfield; sister-in-law, Doris Clark of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. The funeral ceremony will be at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.