John Henry Clark Jr.

Passed away peacefully at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. He was 93 years old. John was born on March 8, 1927 to the late John H. and Maude (Lake) Clark in Ecorse, Michigan. He lived in Wyandotte, Michigan until 1941 when his family moved to the Saginaw area. John attended SS. Peter and Paul High School and was a class officer for the Class of 1945, but instead of attending his June graduation, John joined the Merchant Marines and later the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II. While in high school, John met the love of his life, Theodota Gordon, who also shared a mutual birthday with him. After his discharge from the Army, John and “Dot” married on October 11, 1947. She predeceased him on September 17, 2012. John was employed as a Firefighter with the City of Saginaw and Rochester Germicide Company, retiring in 1978. John was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus #4232 and at St. Helen Church (currently Christ the Good Shepard Church). He was currently a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Thomas Township and the American Legion. John loved watching the Detroit Tigers baseball games, Notre Dame Football and spending time with his family.

John is survived by his two daughters: Cynthia (Robert) Kelly and Kathleen Clark; four grandchildren: Bridget Kelly, Sean (Anke) Kelly, Brian (Hazel) Hart and Erin (Jeremy) Watson; eight great-grandchildren: Camren and Ryan Guttman, Yul and Finn Kelly, Abigail and Brian Hart Jr., Jack and Kennedy Watson. John is also survived by his sister, Joan Lynch; two sisters-in-law, Lois Peterson and Sally Markey and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife, John was also predeceased by his sisters: Audrey Speckhard, Colleen Auld and Christine Rutherford; brothers-in-law: Edward “Pete” Lynch, John Auld, Roger Rutherford, William B. Gordon, James Gordon, William Markey and Robert Peterson; his nephews: James Marentette, Kevin Rutherford, Michael Lynch and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Hortense and William H. Gordon.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital and Compassus Care for their kindness towards John during his stay, and to Drs. Nikolai Kinachtchouk and Elizabeth Paulus for their compassionate care towards John and his family.

FUNERAL: A funeral liturgy for John will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N River Rd. Rev. Fr. Peter Gaspeny will officiate. Due to the current pandemic and health concerns, attendees will be required to wear a mask and observe social distancing. Rite of Committal and military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post #439 and the United States Army will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery.

VISITATION: Family and friends will gather at the church on Monday, July 13, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or Nouvel Catholic Central Schools. Deisler Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Clark family; please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com.

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