Earl Maynard Clark, 90

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Earl Maynard Clark, of Woodstock, IL, passed into the presence of the Lord at the age of 90 on July 3, 2024. It is beautiful to know that he is now seeing Jesus face to face!

Born May 2, 1934 in Richland Center, Wisconsin, to Gilbert and Dessie Grace Clark, Earl lived a life dedicated to service and faith.

Earl bravely served in the Army, then attended University of Wisconsin, Platteville on the GI bill. Upon graduating, he began working for the Internal Revenue Service. It was during this time that he met and married his first love, Karrol Jeffers, in 1961. Together, they raised a family of three daughters, while also opening their hearts and home to many foster children.

Earl felt a profound calling to ministry and answered it by attending Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL. Over the span of 32 years, he served as a senior pastor in Morrison, IL, Macomb, IL, Joliet, IL, Cheyenne, WY, Kodiak, AK and Albany, WI, touching countless lives with his compassion, wisdom and heart for the Lord.

Earl’s dedication to public service extended beyond the pulpit. He served as a police chaplain in Cheyenne, WY and Kodiak, AK, providing comfort and support to law enforcement officers, their families and the community. In Wisconsin, he also served as a rural mail carrier, embodying his belief in serving others in all aspects of life.

After his wife Karrol passed away in 2005, Earl again found love with Judy Victor and the two were married 7 happy years until Judy also passed away. God blessed Earl again with a third wonderful love, and he married Mary Pattengale on November 2, 2019.

Earl never met a stranger and enjoyed talking with people everywhere he went. He had a keen sense of humor, liked to joke and loved making people laugh. He seemed happiest surrounded by family, friends and people in general. Earl’s faith in God was central to his being, and he lived each day with a deep sense of purpose and grace. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, his 3 daughters, Heidi (Philip) Kapitaniuk, Sheri (Steve) Sweatman, Tammi (James) Rojek, and his son Robert Babcock, 2 brothers, James (Charlotte) Clark and Virgil (Linda) Clark. He is also survived by Judy’s daughter Dawn Victor (Richard Mills), her son Marc (Deanna) Victor, and Mary’s four daughters, Salli (Dennis) Bellis, Marlene (Cody) Dimmitt, Lisa (Paul) Grossmeier and Peggy (Chuck) Kaye.  He also leaves behind 32 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.  His entire family will continue to cherish his memory and his legacy of love and laughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, and a sister, Evelyn Miller.

Funeral Service will be held on Sat., July 13, 2024, at NOON at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center, WI.  Visitation will be held on Sat. July 13, from 10 AM until the time of services.  Burial will be held in the Bloom City Cemetery with military graveside rites held by the local military honors unit.  www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.comIn lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: BLF Editions  (Bibles and Literature to the French-speaking world) https://impactfrance.org/blf/  Or Kodiak Baptist Mission.   https://www.kodiakbaptistmission.com/donation-direct