Rev. Ken Clark

EAST ALTON, Ill. -- The Rev. Ken Clark, 66, of East Alton, formerly of Mounds, Ill., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in the emergency room at Alton Memorial Hospital.

He was born Jan. 13, 1948, in Paducah, Ky., son of the late Arthur S. "Clarkie" and Florence Irma Newell Clark. He married the former Mary Sue Hardway on Aug. 30, 1969, at Eastern College in Charleston, Ill.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters and sons-in-law, Anita and Mike Lucas of Godfrey, Ill., and Valerie and Joe Marshall of Glen Carbon, Ill.; four grandchildren, Michaela, Cora, Benjamin and Evelyn; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol Jean and Kenneth Mize of Villa Ridge, Ill.; a brother and sister-in-law, Arthur S. "Sonny" and Ruby Eloise Clark of Creve Coeur, Mo.; three aunts, Ella Nora Newell Shepherd and Edna Horner Newell of Mounds and Virginia Newell Claxton of St. Charles, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken graduated in the first Meridian High School class of 1967, and later graduated from Eastern College. He started out teaching but later was called as a draftsman for Amoco Oil. In the meantime, he did lay preaching in area churches. After buying a home and starting a family Kenny was called by the Lord to be a full-time pastor. Leaving a high-paying job and selling their home, the couple started out on their adventure with the Lord which lasted the next 36 1/2 years.

Ken was pastor of Enion Baptist Church in Ashmore, Ill., two years, moving to Blooming Grove Baptist Church in McLeansboro, Ill., for three years. He then was pastor at First Southern Baptist now Crosspoint Church 16 1/2 years. He has been pastor at Jerome Lane Baptist Church the last 15 years. He loved his grandchildren and his church.

Kenny at the suggestion of several members in his church wrote a book of his children sermons based on his childhood in Mounds. The title was "The Adventures in Net Picky, Home of the Fighting Tomcats." He also enjoyed serving his Lord, playing with his grandchildren, building, fishing, acting, traveling and loving everyone he met.

The funeral was held March 15 at Calvary Baptist Church in Alton, Ill., with the Revs. Ronny Carroll, Rick Patrick and Andre Dobson officiating. Burial was in Wanda Cemetery in South Roxana, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the One Mission Society.

Announcement courtesy of Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill.