Robert J. Clark, 87 of Birnamwood, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Bob was born on August 29, 1930 in the town of Norrie, Marathon County, the son of the late Earl and Julia (Pietz) Clark. On October 16, 1954, Bob was united in marriage to Shirley Matz at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Birnamwood. She survives.
He was baptized and confirmed as an adult on November 11, 1955. Bob was an active member of St. Paul’s, serving as both a trustee and Elder.
He worked with his father farming and then served honorably in the Army during the Korean War. Bob received a hardship discharge after one year. He was a member of the Birnamwood Memorial Post #7933 VFW and the Darling-Gunderson American Legion Post #341.
After being discharged, he continued farming and the couple purchased their own farm where they had seven children. Due to health problems, Bob left the farm and worked various jobs and operated Clark’s General Merchandise in Birnamwood for several years. He then built their present home and helped family members with their building projects. Bob’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very important, and they were recipients of his deeply ingrained work ethic. He retired from Purpose Extruded Aluminum. In his retirement years, he became an accomplished Nantucket Lightship basket weaver and participated in the Log Jam in Wausau demonstrating his talent. Bob also did rug weaving.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Birnamwood; his children, Roger (Susan) Clark of Kronenwetter, Gayle Jaeger of Custer, David (Sidney) Clark of Birnamwood, Dean (Sally) Clark of Birnamwood, Ronald Clark of Birnamwood, Scott (Susan) Clark of Aniwa, and Colleen Matsche of Eland; grandchildren, Jennifer Clark, Nicole (John) Peterson, Kelly Clark, Amber (Brandon) Kohls, Shawn (Sarah) Clark, Rory Clark, Adam Clark, Carrie Clark, Dana (Shane) Stuard, Chelsea Clark, Scott Clark Jr., Makayla Matsche and Michelle Matsche; great-grandchildren, Haley Clark, Tristan Clark, Owen Boyd, Noah Peterson, Stella Peterson, Quintin Kohls, Kailan Kohls, Aleesha Clark, Alison Clark, Eli Clark, Jaylan Clark and Evan Cable; step-grandchildren, Bob (Suzie) Smith, Mike (Tina) Smith, Jill (Jeremy) Resch and Robert (Fallon) Harrell; step great-grandchildren, Megan Smith, Macey Smith, Zack (Michelle) Keckhaver, Hannah Smith, Loren Smith, Alex Resch, Drew Resch and Max Resch; step-great-great-grandchild, Abel Keckhaver; brothers, Dale (Barb) Clark and Wayne (Christy) Clark; sisters, Beverly Tarras, Virginia (Glen) Breyer, Janet (Melvin) Carlson and Vicki (Richard) Schwalbach; brothers-in-law, Ed Sr. (Marion) Matz, Keith White and sister-in-law, Lois Liethen and many, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, mother-in-law, Alma (Geise) Matz; father-in-law, Frank Matz; brothers-in-law Harold Tarras, Eldo Frederick, Warren Crawford, William Liethen Jr., and Melvin Matz; sisters-in-law Eudora Crawford, Evelyn Frederick, Mildred Matz, Irene Matz, and Mildred White; nephews Nels Jacobson, Kevin Frederick, Kenneth Frederick, and Lori Sells.
The funeral service will be held at 2PM on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Birnamwood. Rev. Matthew Christians will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery, Birnamwood with military rites conducted by the American Legion. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12:30PM until the time of service at the church.
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