Iva Clark

Iva E. Clark of Walkerton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Beacon Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana at the age of 99 year. Iva was born in Walkerton, Indiana on February 1, 1926, to Nellie (Hahn) and Cloyd Smith. She grew up in the small town of Walkerton and lived there for most of her life. She was a graduate of Walkerton High School, Class of 1944. While attending high school she was smitten with a handsome young man from North Liberty who enlisted in the U.S. Navy following his graduation in 1941. She married the love of her life, Warner Dale Clark, on October 29, 1944. They made their home in San Diego, California, while Warner served aboard the USS California in World War II. He preceded her in death on October 9, 1996. She is survived by daughters, Sue (the late Gary) Shields of Walkerton, Ann (Lee) Zumbaugh of Culver, and son, Gary (Emilia) Clark of Walkerton. She was the proud Grandma of Lisa Jaworski, Eric (Cathy) Shields, Bart (Julie) Clark, Jared (Ty) Clark, Holly (Mack) Linebaugh, Austin Clark, and Erin Zumbaugh Schoberg. She was very proud of her great grandchildren, James (Mallory) Jaworski, Gary (Ashley Bell) Jaworski, Michael (Patience Fisher) Jaworski, Hunter (Ashley Sherman) Jaworski, Nick O’Neill, Logan Shields, Derek (Tommi) Shields, Matthew Shields, Macy Schoberg, Nicole Clark, Bob Wallace, London Clark, Wren Linebaugh, Josie Clark, Trent Clark, Sara (Chris) Klassen, Bryanna Coker, and Cameron Coker. And making it five generations are Grace Jaworski, Josie Jaworski, Lilei’anna Jaworski, Lily Fisher, Violet Fisher, Jaxson Shields, Harper Shields, Pearla Garcia, Aden Garcia, Alesia Garcia, June Klassen, George Klassen, and Olive Clark. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings, and Grandson, Cameron Clark. Iva’s family was her greatest source of joy. She was a most wonderful, loving, caring, and generous mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Being a Christian woman, she lived her faith and served her church family in many capacities. She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, Walkerton United Methodist Church and the Walkerton Community Church. She was very active in her children’s and grandkids’ life activities. She served as a Room Mother, Band Booster, Brownie/Girl Scout Troop Leader, Cub/Boy Scout Leader, church camp counselor, chauffeur, trip planner, chaperone, babysitter, referee, and bleacher section cheerleader. She once ended up with a broken ankle after running down the bleachers with a blanket for an injured player on the field. She was a member of the Yorktown Homemakers Club, Bounty Line Club, Walkerton High School Alumni Association, Walkerton Order of the Eastern Star, March of Dimes Township Chairman, Walkerton Business and Profession Women Club, and the Walkerton Area Historical Society. She loved to travel with her husband, spend winters in Florida, attend the USS California Reunions, camp, and later in life, take vacation trips with her kids. She traveled twice to Alaska with her daughters and to the Christening of the new USS California, a nuclear submarine in Norfolk, Virginia. While there they toured Washington D.C. She celebrated some milestone birthdays in Las Vegas and New Your City with family. She would often travel for miles in search of the latest release of Beanie Babies to add to her collection of over 200 bears. Iva was a very talented seamstress, tailoring beautiful coats and clothing for herself and family. Her homemade ice cream was a hit at many family occasions. She was also known for her beautifully decorated and delicious birthday and wedding cakes. There weren’t many things she wouldn’t tackle. She and Warner basically built their own home on Clark Street with sone professional help in wiring and plastering the walls. Laying the cement blocks for the basement walls was quite a challenge. It was among the first houses built in Roseland Addition. She served as Lincoln Township Trustee, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, and clerk in the Walkerton BMV. She leaves a legacy of faith, love, and service for which her family will be forever grateful. She will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Despite declining health, she maintained her sweet personality, humor, faith, and an insatiable love of everything chocolate. It was not uncommon for her to have chocolate ice cream as part of her breakfast menu. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Walkerton Community Church, 1000 Georgia Street, Walkerton, IN 46574, Miller’s Merry Manor-Walkerton: Attn. Activities Department, 500 Walkerton Trail, Walkerton, IN 46574, or their charity of choice. The family of Iva Clark would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and her family at Miller’s Merry Manor in Walkerton for the loving and compassionate care and life experiences that made her home there so enjoyable. We would also like to extend a special thank you and express our appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Beacon Memorial Hospital for the love, support and compassionate care extended to our Mother and to us during her time of passing. And last but not least, thank you to Kris Rannells and his staff at Rannells Funeral Home for their professional service and attention to detail at this difficult time. A time of visitation will take place on Saturday, May 10th at the Walkerton Community Church, 1000 Georgia Street (across from John Glenn High School) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Iva will then be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Walkerton. A meal will be served at the church following this service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations in Iva's memory be made to either the Walkerton Community Church or Miller's Merry Manor, Walkerton c/o Activities Department.

Iva Clark

February 1, 1926 - May 4, 2025