Our family loses our hero...

Our family lost our Uncle Clarence Bark , Jr. last week..He was a WWII Veteran and 93 years old. Here is his obituary...


Clarence H. Bark Jr, 93 of Montgomery, passed away Wednesday May 17, 2017 at Jennings Terrace in Aurora, IL.  Clarence was born August 25, 1923 in Sandwich, IL, the son of Clarence Sr. and Jane (Arnold) Bark. Clarence grew up in Sandwich, IL until he entered the United States Navy in World War II in 1941; working as a machinist on both the USS Lexington and USS Bennington Aircraft Carriers in the South Pacific. After serving 6 years in the Navy, Clarence worked in construction as a bricklayer and then at Thor Power Tool in Aurora, where he used his skills as a machinist that he obtained while in the Navy.  He left Thor Power Tool in 1974, and began working for Armour Dial for 15 years, retiring in 1989. He served on the Montgomery planning commission for over 30 years and the Grand Marshall in 2012 for the Montgomery Fest parade. He enjoyed bowling, fishing and camping. Clarence is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette, 1 sister, Juanita (the late Raymond) Anderson. Many nieces, nephews and other relatives.  He is preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, William (the late Esther), and 1 sister, Katherine (the late Campbell) Cave. Family will be receiving guests Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 5pm to 7pm at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery, IL 60538.  Interment will be private. Donations to the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club, 1603 Timber Lane Drive, Montgomery, IL 60538.   For information visit www.dieterlememorialhome.com  630-897-1196.

We loved him dearly and he will be missed...

 

Uncle Clarence is on the right..

 

Here he is on the right..

 

This is Uncle Clarence and my husband, Dennis.

He was a very handsome man!

 

 

Uncle Clarence and his wife of 58 years, Jeanette..She is now 101 and living at home..

 

Uncle Clarence and  his two sisters, Juanita and Katherine, Den's Mom...

 

 Uncle Clarence and our granddaughter, Taylor..Tay is now 18 years old.

 

Our family was sooooo blessed to have Uncle Clarence among us. We learned much from him and will never forget him...

 This was one of the photo boards I made up for his memorial service...

Above is a post card sent to him from friends in 1924 when he was overseas...and the photo on the right was taken when the peace treaty was signed in Japan..

Above is another photo board of family that I had at his memorial service...

Rest In Peace, Clarence Bark, Jr...our hero..

Contrary to popular belief, I am still on the planet…

Let me re-introduce myself..My name is Donna Cave, and I am (apparently), a VERY sporadic blogger..I am irresponsible, but not intentionally. My hubby, Dennis, and I are RVers…albeit ALSO sporadically..and NOT by choice. We live in Sandwich, IL in our sticks and bricks (for almost 43 years..close to forever).. And, yes, Sandwich is spelled just like a ham and cheese. Sandwich is in Northern Illinois, which I refer to as the “armpit” of the nation..Obviously, I would much rather be from a state that most of it’s former governors haven't spent some time  making license plates in prison. Some of you may remember me vaguely. I’m known for my nasty sarcasm, wicked kidney stones, and occasional four letter word…like SNOW.  OK, now that you are beginning to recall who I am, I will attempt a blog. I must warn you, though…Dennis and I have been trapped here in Illinois for one full year without hooking onto our fiver, so my blogs are limited to family stuff, corn fields, wandering around our back yard to look for a photo op, and more family stuff. By now you have probably figured out that this blog won’t be “riveting” material, and yes, it will be mostly about our family.
Speaking of family…(drum roll), we had an Easter party that I refer to as a Cave-A-Palooza. Here are a few photos…

Left to rt, Tommy, Ronnie, Terrie (our daughter), Chris (our daughter), Kelly, our son and wife Cindy..and son-in-law John.

Above in BRIGHT green is my hubby, right is our nephew, Tommy. 

 

 These cuties are some of our grands..L to R is Taylor, Campbell, Maddox, Sophia and Aiden…Aiden is the one who looks like he is up to no good…I have had that look!

 We have these get togethers a few times a year and so far there have been no bail bonds to pay, police called or noise abatement issues…key word here are “so far”.  Our granddaughter, Taylor, is a Senior in high school and will be attending Ball State University next fall with a Presidential Scholarship. Tay is our “thespian” and loves theater. This year she was in the Kaneland High School Spring Musical, “Singing In the Rain”, playing the very animated roll of Lina Lamont. Yep, you know darn well I have photos!

That is our Taylor in the big wig..

 AND.. our Taylor catching a pie in the face (for 3 consecutive shows)..

Tay can really belt out a song..and dance…I may be a big prejudice, but she was DARN good!!

 Taylor’s brother, Peyton, is a Jr. in high school and runs track and cross country..He is growing like a weed.

 Yep, Peyton is improving his PR every time he runs..

Below is the Wolff family…John, our daughter, Chris, and their two Wolff Cubs, Aiden and Maddox.

 Below, our son, Kelly and his wife, Cindy.

Below, their son, Dylan..Yep, I guess you could say we are all a little goofy..

 Below  is our step grandson, David and wife, Sarah..

And below,  are our 5 step GREAT grands, Zachary, Caitlyn holding Ashton, Sophia and Landon.

 

The Heisers, Taylor, our daughter, Terrie, Campbell, Peyton and son-in-law, Tim.

 

I’m pretty sure some of you know these faces…but in my Dementia riddled mind I assume no one remembers, so I refresh your memory…to refresh my own..JUST KIDDING!

Last weekend we had a monsoon for about 2 days..It just happened to be prom for 2 of the Heiser grands..and ..yep, more photos..(no, really?) 

 Our granddaughter, Taylor, and her date and boyfriend, Joshua.

 

They are both in theater..can you tell? No camera shyness here!

Hard to believe she is graduating..boohoo.

Below is  our grandson, Peyton and his date and FRIEND, (so he says), Rachel..

 

 Peyton had a surprise up his sleeve..or should I say his pant leg...

Not sure where he gets that...hmmmmm....

OK, you can wake up now and wipe the drool off the computer keyboard.  Hey, at least I showed up and did a blog!!! And don’t think you are off the hook so fast…With a graduation coming up,we have a few more photo ops, not to mention another musical (Campbell), choral awards night, middle school choral concert..and I will see what other events I can come up with to bore you to tears…OH, almost forgot..I have another Lithotripsy (kidney stone demolition) coming up this month…Stick around, it will be a BLAST!!!!

 Yep.