John F. Clark

John Farquharson 'Jack' Clark, 82, Pecatonica, passed away peacefully, Friday, April 5, 2013, at Alpine Fireside Health Center. He was born in Chicago on June 5, 1930, one of five children born to their missionary parents, John and Ruth (Miller) Clark. Jack married Doris Ann Dittmar in Douglas, Arizona, on June 18, 1954. Jack and Doris Ann shared a heritage of growing up as missionary kids, as both of their parents served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Ecuador. They moved to Pecatonica in 1995, coming from Wheaton. He attended Maywood Evangelical Free Church in Rockford and was previously a member of Evangel Baptist Church and Blanchard Road Alliance Church in Wheaton. Jack served in many ministries in the churches. He was an Associate Professor of Spanish at Wheaton College in Wheaton. After retiring from teaching, Jack, with the help of his friends, built a two story log home in the country. Jack enjoyed writing, woodworking, reading and music. He loved people no matter what their background. Most of all he loved his Lord, Jesus Christ, and trusted and relied on Him through many earthly trials. Jack is with Christ now and is most certainly observing, with his keen mind and joyful heart, all that has been prepared for him in his new heavenly home.
Survived by his loving wife of almost 59 years, Doris Ann and their five children, John A. Clark of Platteville, Wisconsin, Ann (Tim) McFarland of Port Lavaca, Texas, Heather (Steve) Bianchi of Orinda, California, Tim (Tracy) Clark of Aurora, and Eileen (Gordon) Oksnevad of Roscoe; 24 grandchildren, Jovita (Charlie) Martin, Hannah Clark, Ben Clark, William (Gennifer) and Daniel (Allison) McFarland, Eilse (K.J.) Price, Rebecca and Bethany McFarland, Mark and Krista Waugh, Bella Bianchi, Brock (Meghan) Clark, Blake, Bliss, Micah, Mathias, Miriam, Myles, Malachi, and Miranda Clark, Kjelse (Jordan) Rittmeyer, Olav (Kera), Katina and Johanna Oknevad; 4 great-grandchildren, Analaya, Weston, and Everett Clark and Svanja Rittmeyer; sister, Pat Bostrom and sister-in-law, Ruth Clark, both of Florida. The family would like to thank the staff at Alpine Fireside Health Center for their kind and loving care during his stay there.
Memorial services will be at 4:00 pm, Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Maywood Evangelical Free Church, 3621 Samuelson Road, Rockford, with Reverend David Currie officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until time of service on Saturday at the church. Cremation rites have been accorded. The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel