DENNIS GERALD CLARK

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Dennis Gerald Clark, 74, of Mount Vernon, Illinois passed away at 3:03 A.M. July 28, 2017 at his residence in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was born July 13, 1943 in Virginia Township, Missouri to Herbert & Vivian (Bizzell) Clark. He married Sandra Stubbs on August 19, 1967 in Caruthersville, Missouri.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Sandra L. Clark of Mount Vernon, Illinois; 2 daughters, Valery Paige Clark Strawn of Mount Vernon, Illinois and Amanda Leigh Clark Austin and husband, Edward; granddaughter, Gabriella Austin; grandson, Crews Austin all of Cypress, Texas; mother-in-law, Lucy Stubbs of Caruthersville, Missouri; 4 nephews, Lynn Sherwood of Modesto, Illinois, Kendall Sherwood of Modesto, Illinois, Shannon Clark of Mt. Zion, Illinois and John Pawley of Chicago, Illinois; 3 nieces, Melissa Sherwood of Clinton, Illinois, Denica Janowski of Merritt Island, Florida, and Kim Bunting of Steger, Illinois; and brother-in-law, Robert Stubbs of Wake Forest, Illinois. He is also survived by other relatives and a host of friends. 

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Gary Neal Clark, Larry Joe Clark, and Jackie Wayne Clark; sister, Jane Clark Sherwood; sister-in-law, Jana Sweeney; and father-in-law, Verland Stubbs. 

Dennis served in the United States Air Force and owned and operated Clark-Smith Automotive Service in Mount Vernon for many years. Prior to that, he operated the Good Year Tire Store in Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Mount Vernon Elks, Ainad Shrine, and Logan Street Baptist Church where he was baptized in 2011.He graduated Caruthersville High School and attended the University of Arkansas. He enjoyed golf, St. Louis Cardinals, and was a Mizzou fan. He was a people person who loved to talk to strangers and friend alike. He loved to help people in need, especially those in great need, by going to great lengths to assist. He loved to spin a big tale and enjoyed long adventurous drives. He loved history and was excellent at trivia. 

Visitation: 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. Saturday, July 28, 2017 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Memorial Service: 4:00 P.M. Saturday, July 28, 2017 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Reverend Allen Smith and Mr. Danny Sells officiating. Memorials: Shriner's Hospital for Children: Burn Unit or to Logan Street Baptist Church Building Fund.