Ira Clark, 87, of Niles, passed away at Buchanan Meadows on Friday, July 16, 2010.

Ira was born on March 29, 1923 to the late George and Nettie (Park) Clark in Owen, Wis.

After graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Army and served his country with the utmost pride and honor during World War II. He was a recipient of the bronze star, multiple purple hearts and a prisoner of war medal.

He was the founder of the Blue Bird Trails, rescuing the blue bird from extinction and one of the founders of the local Big Brothers chapter which is now Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass. He was a board member of Cross Coulter Ministries and also enjoyed volunteering his time at the Fort St. Joseph Museum.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son Colin Clark; grandson Anthony Jones; brothers James and Earl Clark and sisters Mildred Port and Fern Borst.

Ira is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Barbara Clark; daughters, Nancy Watts of Donna, Texas and Danna (Tom) Jones of South Bend; grandchildren Ken Jones, Jennifer (Conie) Lesmeister and Jennifer Watts; great-grandchildren Jared Lesmeister, Jesse Lesmeister, Jeremy Lesmeister and Adrian Thomas; brother Lyle (Kay) Clark of Plainfield, Ind.; sister Jessie Corwin of Niles and three special friends, Wayne Stiles, Bob Varney and John Erickson.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding the roads on his motorcycle.

Funeral services to honor Ira’s life will be held Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel where friends and family will gather one hour prior for visitation. Pastor Tony Tomasino will be officiating the service.

Memorial donations may be made in Ira’s memory to Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Grant Street, Niles.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel.