Donald E. Clarke, age 90, of Milltown, WI and formerly from Wabeno, WI passed away suddenly on February 27, 2018 going to his favorite store, Menards. He was surrounded by his five children as he passed.
Don was born in Chicago, IL, to Owen and Florence Clarke and he was the oldest of three siblings. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 and then worked for the Burlington Railroad for over 30 years as a railroad mechanic. He met his wife, Mary Jo (Comstock) in Chicago after getting out of the Navy, and they spent the next 50 years together. They had and raised five children together: Mary (Clarence) Crayton from Compton, IL, Pat (Randy) Lindahl from Luck, WI, Jeannie (Steve) Martin from Leland, IL, Don (Ann) Clarke from Luck, WI, and Peggy (Tom) Zybko from East Dundee, IL.
He is survived by his children, 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren; also a brother, Robert in Florida and sister-in-law, Nancy; with numerous nieces and nephews.
After Don and Mary Jo retired from their jobs, they moved up North to Wabeno, Wisconsin, the place where they had visited and vacationed with their children their entire lives. Don and Mary Jo lived in Wabeno up to about a year and a half ago when Don, who had already been widowed for over nine years and his trusted companion, Sadie just needed a little assistance and moved into the Parkside Apartments in Milltown to be close to his son, Don and daughter, Pat. They made frequent visits to make sure all his needs were met. Even though Don was a quiet man who had a heart of gold, he would watch patiently while his daughters would try to make things better for him. He learned just to sit back and watch the fury and laugh.
He enjoyed wood carving and watching and talking sports and fishing with his son, Don and talking politics with his son-in-law, Randy. He was a very patient and wise man with many virtues and will be truly missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Service and Mass will be held on March 17th at St. Ambrose Church in Wabeno, Wisconsin. The Memorial Service will be from 10 to 11:00 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. A private burial will be later determined by the family.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at
www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, 715-472-2444 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown,
www.wicremationcenter.com .
