Michael D. Clark

Michael D. Clark, 64 of Aledo, died Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, Davenport after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services will be Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Aledo. Visitation is from 4 to 7 PM Friday at the First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aledo Fire Protection District or the Grace Evangelical Free Church. A private family burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo is assisting the family.

 The services will be livestreamed on the Speer Funeral Home facebook page.

Michael Deane Clark was born on June 5, 1959, in Monmouth, Illinois to Dr. Marvin E. & Dorothy (Reid) Clark. He attended Warren High School where he excelled at sports, music, and academics. Michael was a member and officer of the W Club, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He was inducted into the school’s Athletic and Music Hall of fame. After high school he attended Monmouth College, where he played football and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Michael then met the love of his life, Denise Gowdy, and he followed her to Illinois State, where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in animal science. Michael and Denise were married on August 19, 1979, at the Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church, rural Aledo.

After marriage, Michael and Denise moved to Aledo, where they raised 4 children. He became a Volunteer Fire fighter for the Aledo Fire Department, of which he was still active over 30 years later. Michael was a member of the Grace Evangelical Free Church, where he was church Chairman. He believed in giving back to his community and was close to donating 20 gallons of blood.

Michael loved to share his artistic gifts through his sign business, Clark Signs. Many of his signs, logos and lettering jobs dot the countryside and towns in Mercer, Rock Island and Warren Counties. His true passion was painting with the “Wall Dogs”, a group of painters that painted life-size murals for cities around the world.

Michael was a devoted Papa to his 7 grandchildren and was lovingly expecting 2 more. He never missed a sporting event or the opportunity to encourage his grandchildren’s artistic abilities. Michael and Denise were happy to have just shared a trip to Seattle with the entire family.

Michael’s memory will be cherished by his family: his wife, Denise; children and spouses: Sarah & Thanh Pham of Seattle; Jordan & Crystal Clark of Aledo; Rebekah & Michael Foreman of Bloomington, MN; and Jeremiah & Rebecca Clark of Aledo; his grandchildren: his siblings and spouses: David & Barbara Reid-Clark of Monmouth; Howard & Kay Clark of Naples, FL; Dennis Clark of Monmouth; Gregory & Delisa Clark of Lake Charles, LA; and Marlene (Dee-Dee) Clark of Monmouth; his mother-in-law, Leitha and the extended Gowdy family of Aledo and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Bill Gowdy.