Nellie “Joann” Clark, 82, of Dahinda, Illinois, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024, at home surrounded by family.
Joann was born on March 10, 1942, in Cameron, West Virginia, to Herman and Jenny Romack. She attended Cameron schools and graduated as valedictorian in 1960. On March 24, 1962, she married David “Gene” Clark at Big Run Church in Cameron, WV. The two would be married for 52 years, until his death in 2014.
Gene and Joann moved from West Virginia to Illinois in 1964. She worked for the US Postal Service for 32 years, eventually becoming the Postmaster of Dahinda. She retired in 2000 to spend more time with her grandchildren. She was a member of the Dahinda United Methodist Church and Women’s Society of Christian Service. She also assisted with the annual church auction for a number of years.
She was a wonderful host. Friends and family alike will remember her for her homemade bread, chicken and noodles, and iced tea. Spending time with family and friends held a special place in her heart, and she especially enjoyed family outings, reunions, and camping trips. All of her family knew that she was available by phone day and night for company while driving or to answer to the name of Betty Crocker when family and friends called with cooking questions.
Joann is survived by her daughters, Lisa Hanson (Carl Hunt) of Dahinda and Donna (and Mark) Abel of Wataga; grandchildren, Sarah Hanson (Larry Howell) of Peoria, Emily Hanson of Chicago, Amanda (and Kim) Broadfield of Abingdon, and Jan Abel of Wataga; great-grandchildren, Breanna McClain, Brittany McClain, and Makayla Blackwell of Abingdon; great-great-grandchildren, Zayden Campbell and Braylen Zefo of Abingdon; and sister-in-law, Carol Clark of Moundsville, WV; plus many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Genevieve Romack of Dahinda, IL; and grandchildren, Madison and Mitchell Abel of Wataga, IL.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Hurd Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory, Knoxville, IL, with funeral 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the same location. She will be buried alongside her husband at Trenton Cemetery in rural Dahinda, IL. Memorials may be made to the Dahinda United Methodist Church. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.