Peter Clarke

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Peter J. Clarke, 81, of Olive Branch died Thursday, June 7, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 27, 1930, in Cairo, Ill., the son of the late John Earl and Mary Langan Clarke.

He was a conservation police officer with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources before his retirement. Mr. Clarke was a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church in Cairo, the Cairo Knights of Columbus No. 1027, 4th Degree, a lifelong member of Cairo Elks Lodge No. 651, and was given a distinguished honor by the Safari Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Jane Clarke, on June 28, 2010; a son, Peter J. Clarke Jr.; and his sister, Mary. He was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Clarke is survived by three daughters, Mary Candace (Richard) Keates of Pequea, Pa., Linda K. (Willis) Jackson of Cairo and Sally Ann (Dr. J. Richard) Palen of Cape Girardeau; two sons, John A. "Andy" Clarke of Olive Branch and Judge Mark H. (Dr. Susan Sheets) Clarke of Mounds, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Cairo. The holy rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the church.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday the church, with the Rev. John Agbasiere as celebrant. Interment will be at St. Marys Cemetery in Mounds, with military honors offered by area veterans organizations, the U.S. Army and the Illinois Conservation Police.

At the request of the family, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Chateau Girardeau Foundation, 3120 Independence, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 or the St. Patricks Catholic Church Building Fund, 312 9th Street, Cairo, IL 62914, in memory of Mr. Clarke.

Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.