Dan M. Clark

Dan was born August 2, 1957 in Canton, IL the son of Harry and Verna (Vaughan) Clark. He married Kathleen (Staley) Clark, on November 21, 2003. He was previously married to Gretchen Shelly.

Dan is survived by his wife; Kathleen Clark, of Normal; his children, Kari Clark of Bloomington and Mathew Clark of Normal; his stepson, Jacob Feikert of Normal; his mother, Verna Clark (Pekin); 2 brothers Roy (Linda) Clark of Pekin and Dave (Sally) Clark of Orange Park, FL; his 2 nephews, Ryan (Trisha) Clark of Pekin and Chris (Susan) Clark of Melbourne, FL; his 2 nieces Stephanie (Ben) Hull of Pekin and Angie (Luke)Martin of St. Cloud, FL; and six great-nieces and nephews.

Dan is preceded in death by his father, Harry Clark of Canton.

Dan graduated from Canton High School in 1975. After working for a time with his father, he attended college and graduated from Illinois State University in 1982. After college, he was manager of Payless Shoe Store, Normal, before he started his own business, Merry Maids. At the time of his death, he worked at American Capital Equities in Bloomington.

Dan was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in 1991. As a result of his Muscular Dystrophy, Dan developed severe cardiomyopathy which led to his need of a heart transplant. In September 1999, he received the call that a donor heart had been found for him. Dan was genuinely thankful to the donor family who at the time of their loss so generously provided him the opportunity for survival. Having the opportunity to be a part of parenting his children as they grew up and to meet and marry his wife, Kathleen; this brought true joyfulness to Dan during the last ten years of his life.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00noon on Friday, March 5, 2010 at East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington, the Rev. Terry Edele will officiate. Visitation will be two hours prior to memorial services. Cremation rites have been accorded. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington.

Dan was passionate about organ/tissue donation and volunteered his time with the State of Illinois “Life Goes On” campaign. Dan was recently featured as part of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office Organ/Tissue Donor Program counter-top photo display initiative. Dan’s display is located at Illinois Driver Services Facilities across the state and can be viewed on-line at http://lifegoeson.com/posters/clark-normal.pdf.

Dan was a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and some of his fondest memories included time with family and friends at Busch Stadium. Dan’s outrageous sense of humor brought smiles and laughter to so many people. His approach to life was an inspiration to others.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 115 N. Neil Champaign, IL. 61820.

Online condolences may be submitted to www.EastLawn-Bloomington.com.