HELEN L. CLARK

Helen L. Clark, age 85, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away at 10:44 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne, IN. Born July 13, 1926 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Paul Hiler and Erma Irene (Ferrell) Shroyer.

In 1937, she and her family moved from Fort Wayne to Jefferson Township, Whitley County. She graduated from Jefferson Township School, and while a senior, completed her training at Betty Jean Lefever's Beauty School to become a professional beautician. On March 15, 1947 she married Julian W. Clark in Columbia City. After living in Fort Wayne the first five years of their marriage, she and Mr. Clark moved to Jefferson Township. During the 1940's and 1950's, she managed Henry's Beauty Shop. For eight years, she worked as a cook at Jefferson Center School. Much of her life was spent working with young people as a volunteer for organizations such as Brownies, Girl Scouts and 4-H. For many years, she contributed to the local Coats for Kids drive by knitting hats and gloves.

She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (Michael) Serafini of Fort Wayne and Barbara (Steven L.) Butcher of New Haven; 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; sister, Ilene Richardson of Columbia City; brother, Norman (Shirley) Shroyer of Phoenix, AZ. Her extended family includes daughters, Gloria (Randy) Bard of Logansport and Karen Rosbaugh of Columbia City; son, Mike Gephart of Yuma, AZ; 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Julian W. Clark who died January 24, 1994, and an infant brother, Paul Shroyer, Jr., who died at birth.

Visitation is Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service is Monday, February 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Jefferson Chapel (Sand Bank) Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorials may be given in Mrs. Clark's memory to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.