Joseph W. Clark, passed from this life to the next one on Sunday, October 10, 2021. He was born September 1, 1941, to Joseph C. Clark and Ruth H. (King) Clark in a bedroom at his grandparent’s home on McDonel St. in Lima, Ohio. Joe graduated from Lima Senior High School, having played basketball, baseball, and football. He attended Central State University on a football scholarship and played softball for a number of years on the storied Steele’s softball team, where he was known as “Joe Nasty” due to his competitive spirit. In 2020 he was inducted into Lima City Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.
Joe was previously married to Stella Clark with whom he had 3 daughters: Cheryl Laidlaw, Susan Coleman, and Jana (Lance) Wheeler. For the past 28 years he was married to Shelby Golden and helped raise her 2 children, Erik Golden and Tracee Golden Lyons. Joe and Shelby had 7 grandchildren: Ryan Nathan, Joshua Coleman, Jonathan Andrews, Ian Hasting, Jordan Laidlaw, Alexa Lyons, and J’anah Barnett, and 4 great grandchildren. He was also survived by his sister-in-law Sylvia (Daniel) Otten, and his brothers-in-law, Randy (Maria) Shaw, and Anthony Shaw. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Richard Whetsel, his granddaughter Courtney Coleman, and his sister-law; Sheila Stayner.
Joe worked at George Diller Insurance for 20 years and had previously served as the director of the Lima Allen County Community Action Commission. He loved the holidays and always made them special for everyone. He loved having friends and family over, saying that everyone was welcome for the holidays, no matter what and always kept extra gifts at Christmas so no one would be left out. He loved photography, being outdoors, gardening, feeding the birds, taking care of his goldfish and koi, and driving the backroads.
He had the most wonderful laugh and was kind and generous, a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Visitation Services will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc.
Services entrusted to: JONES-CLARK FUNERAL HOME, INC.
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