Dara Clark

Dara Jean (King) Clark passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 6, 2021 in Ithaca, MI.

She was born to Lewis Dwight King and Beatrice “Beattie” Evelyn (Hiser) King on November 13, 1945 in Caro, Michigan. Dara turned one year old before her father Lewis came home from serving in World War II. She grew up in the Thumb to “anti-pesticide” bean farmers, before “organic” became popular.  Dara became an advocate for organic, healthy, nourishing food all of her life. She was a 1963 graduate of Akron-Grove High School and 1967 graduate of Spring Arbor College. She was the first college graduate of her immediate family, which was very significant to them.

She married Charles Noah Clark of Merrill, Michigan on June 24, 1967. “Chuck” proudly called her “My Beautiful Bride” for 51 years of loving marriage. Dara was famous for raising seven children to love the Lord, being a house-wife, playing piano in the church, teaching piano lessons, canning garden food each summer, quilting innumerable quilts, and sharing advice how to live a healthy life as a Naturopath. She probably rubbed the pressure points on your feet or instructed you which essential oil or vitamin would help you. Because she loved to sew, she quilted, made doll clothes, and patched up many clothes over the years. She also loved to pray in the church and loved her church and pastors.

Dara was preceded in death by her spouse, “Chuck”, her parents Lewis and Beatrice, and Jerry Brooks, brother-in-law. Dara is survived by her five siblings, Evelyn, Mary (Roger), Delbert (Patty), Barbara (Bruce), and Lehn (Marlene) and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by seven children, their spouses and children, who are: Wes and Kari Clark and their children: Jonathan, Trisha (Randy) Travis (Brianna), Lily, Charlie, and Alyssa; Tim and Theresa Clark and their children: Caitlynn, Natalya (Stevie), Emily (Mike), Jakin (Liz), Gabriel, Michael, Brittany, Kyle, Elizabeth, Timothy; Paul and Jennifer Clark; Susan and Bob Menzel and their children: Daniel, Joshua (Megan), Luke (Mariah), Noah, Erika, Sarah, & Stephen; Becky and Grady Pickett and their children: Elisabeth, Chloe, Samuel, Benjamin, Sophia, and John; Debbie and Jeff Howell, Josiah, Audriana, Mackenzie, and Judah; and her foster daughter Linda and Dennis Malloy and their children, Alex and Dillon.  Dara is also survived by her great grandchildren: Isabella, Emma, Ary, Eli, Liam, Addie, Lincoln, another darling, Carlos, Stella, Silas, Naomi, Paisley, Amelia, Finley, and the list will go on.

Dara and Chuck often laughed they lost count of how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren they had! Dara's heart was big enough to love everyone that came her way.

Visitation will be at Smith Family Funeral Homes, 1333 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI, on Monday, May 10, 2021, from 5-8 PM.  Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 11 AM at Amazing Grace Church, 9232 East Monroe Rd, Wheeler, MI. There will be one hour of visitation 10-11 AM prior to the funeral at the church.  The funeral service will be available to view live on Smith Family Funeral Homes’ Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dara’s favorite charity, Heart of Saginaw - 11377 Swan Creek Rd., Saginaw, MI 48609. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.