She was born Nov. 9, 1937, in Marion, Ind., to Delbert W. and Virginia A. (Vey) Trueman. As a young girl, she experienced the loss of her father in World War II and the unconditional love of a new father in Joseph R. Smalley. She loved both men deeply.
She grew up in Marion and neighboring Gas City, where she graduated from Mississinewa High School. She attended Indiana University, joining the Sigma Kappa sorority, writing for the Indiana Daily Student, and earning a bachelor’s degree in education. She was a lifelong fan of Hoosier basketball.
As an intern at the Marion Chronicle-Tribune, she met the news editor and her future husband, Jack W. Clarke. They married in 1959, raised their family in Detroit and Canton, and retired to Arizona in 1998. He predeceased her in 2009.
She was a teacher, homemaker and artisan. She mastered any craft she attempted: knitting, cross-stitch, stained glass, ceramics, jewelry and more. She loved to travel with her family as well as guide for Shoreline Tours. She particularly enjoyed Alaska, Yellowstone, the Canadian Rockies and Arizona.
Above all, she was a loving mother, sister, daughter and friend.
She is survived by her children, Kim Clarke (Barry LaRue) of Ypsilanti, Mich., Cory Taylor of Exton, Penn., Kelly (Lee) Rost of Brighton, Mich., and the Rev. Curtis (Rita) Clarke of Armada, Mich.; grandchildren Sean Foster, Danielle Foster, Logan Hughes, Wyatt Clarke, Emmett Clarke and Nora Clarke; great-granddaughter Laelah Garrett; mother Virginia A. Smalley, sister Jane (Edward) Merchant, and brother Joseph E. Smalley, all of Marion, Ind.; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Harry J. Will Funeral Home in Livonia, and from noon-1 p.m. Saturday at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Livonia. Services will follow at 1 p.m. at the church, with the Rev. George Covintree officiating. The body has been cremated.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Gilbert Resident and Arbor Hospice for their loving and dignified care of Judy. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to any of the following:
Special Olympics Indiana
6100 West 96th Street, Suite 270
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Alzheimer’s Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 20090-6011
Gilbert Residence
203 South Huron Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
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