Josephine Caroline Clark

Josephine Caroline Clark, born March 21, 1921, in Hume, Mo., passed away Jan. 28, 2010, at the Ozark Community Hospital, Springfield, Mo. She passed peacefully from this Earth to meet her Heavenly Father.

Josephine was born to Ralph Russell Ewan and Edith Elizabeth Coon-Ewan. Her mother passed away, and she was raised by Ralph and Miss Nellie. Josephine was a lifetime resident of Vernon County, Mo. She graduated from Stotesbury High School in 1939. She attended Springfield Teacher's College receiving 68 credit hours to begin her teaching career. She returned home and taught at Greenview Rural School, near Foster, Mo. In 1966, she received her bachelor's in elementary education, with minor's in English, speech, and social studies, from Kansas State Teacher's College. Then she attended Missouri Southern State University receiving her master's in education, reading specialist in 1976. Josephine's teaching career also included teaching in Hume and Metz until retiring in 1981. During her retirement, she substitute taught in the Nevada State School and Heartland Hospital.

Josephine found Hume to be a community of great neighbors and friends. Anyone who knew her would tell you she was a responsible, hard-working, selfless woman, devoted wife, and loving mother. Josephine was a member of the Hume United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and a church board member. She was a member of the Missouri State Teacher's and Vernon County Retired Teacher's associations. Other memberships and family activities included Farm Bureau Association, Stotesbury Grange, and Vernon County 4-H. She was the one who was busily getting the children ready for their events and keeping up with them during the fair. She was actively involved in any activity which involved one or more of her children. She and her husband were honored to receive the "Balanced Farming Award" in 1956.

At the onset of World War II, her high school sweetheart knew he would be drafted soon, so he proposed, and she married Guy "Kenneth" Clark in a double ceremony with Donald Epps and Mary Helen Ewan, on Dec. 23, 1941. Through this union, the following five children; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren were born. Barbara Lea (deceased) and Meredith and Pam Yarick, of Hume; Tracy and Jeff Bertoncin, Louie and Dorothy; Lana and Brian Eckart, Brianna, Emilea, and Hannah; Leigh and Troy Trombore, Tristan and Carter; Yancey and Sheila Yarick, Titus; Matt and Kim Yarick. Caroline Anne and Darrell Helton, of Nixa, Mo.; Beverly and Shane Anderson, Morgan; Delbert and Sammye Helton, Allison; Amanda and Matt Crutcher, Lucas and Ryanne. Larry Kenneth and Diane Clark, of Hume ; Shane Clark, Nicholas; Kim and Kirk Buck, Kirsten and Kobe. James Ralph and Mary Clark, Butler, Mo.; Derek and Jennifer Clark, Andrew and William; Clay and Nicole Clark, Gabriel; and Robert Clark. John Edward and Mary Clark, of Lamar, Mo.; Donald Clark, Heather and Nathan Blanchard, and Laura Clark. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth; and daughter Barbara. She had four brothers and two sisters: Russell, Richard, Oscar, Edward "Ted," Lillian McMann, and Maude Wilson (all deceased).

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved her distinctive laugh, "Oh heck," comment, and well stocked candy jar. She was famous for her "Granny Sauce" (barbecue sauce).

A celebration of the Life of Josephine Caroline Clark will be held at the Hume United Methodist Church on Monday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m.

Visitation will be at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home, in Hume, on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be at the Underwood Cemetery under the direction of Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home. Contributions could be made to the Hume United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association in memory of Josephine.