JOHN ‘JOE’ CLARK

John J. “Joe” Clark, 96, of Canton, Mo., passed away at 3:25 a.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill. 
Joe was born October 27, 1928, in Canton, Mo., to Earl G. Clark and Bessie Elizabeth Baker Clark. He was formerly married to Carolyn F. Vaughn Clark in 1962 in Jefferson City, Mo. He was most recently married to Mary Ellen Wheeler Clark in 1990 in Canton, Mo. She survives.
Survivors include his wife, children, Matthew Clark of De Soto, Mo., Jennifer (Dennis) Parks of O’Fallon, Mo., Larissa Emerson of Arlington, Wash., sisters, Dorothy Gorrell of Canton, Mo., Marilyn Clark of Louisville, Ky., grandchildren, Bradley (Allison) Parks, Jack Parks, Serena Clark, Kailen Clark, Sam Clark, Darius Emerson, great grandchild, Logan Parks and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Clifford Clark, Marjorie Selb, Wayne Clark, Marguerite Entzeroth, James Clark, Mary Walden Frances Emme and daughter in law Debbie Clark.
Joe was an active member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church.
He attended grade school at Pleasant Grove School and graduated from Canton High School in 1946. He proudly served in the Air Force from 1950-1954 stationed primarily at SAC Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha Nebraska.
Following his military service, Joe pursued higher education with determination, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1958. His professional journey as a Civil Engineer was marked by dedication, starting his career with MoDOT, then 28 years with the Army Corp of Engineers (St. Louis District), and finally Klinger and Associates after moving back to Canton in 1990.
Joe’s commitment and dedication to his community shone brightly through his service as a Canton City Alderman for several years and as the Former Mayor serving two terms from 2005-2009. He generously volunteered his time, working on many grants and projects to enrich the town of Canton, including serving as Project Manager for the Lincoln School restoration in 2019. He deeply enjoyed staying engaged and helping with civic projects after his retirement. 
He loved his children and grandchildren with all of his heart and was extremely proud of all of them, being dad and grandpa was always a top priority. He made sure that every accomplishment and milestone was recognized, always a constant supporter of all.
Painting was a passion for Joe, blessing many with the forever memories of his beautiful oil paintings through the years. He was still painting as recently as a few months ago and was recognized as a guest artist at the Canton Public Library in 2022. He also enjoyed all types of gardening, a hobby that reflected his nurturing spirit.
Joe enjoyed visiting with friends around town, he always looked forward to having a beer with his friend Bob on Bob’s porch once a week. He was a two time cancer survivor, prostate cancer in 1994 and Non Hodgins Lymphoma at the age of 92. He was a very kind and generous man whose presence will be deeply missed by the many lives he touched.
 Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton, Mo. Pastor Dongjun Lee will officiate. 
Pallbearers: Bradley Parks, Jack Parks, Darius Emerson, Kirby Clark, Steve Clark, and Doug Clark. Honorary pallbearers: Dennis Parks, Kailen Clark, and Sam Clark.
Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton, Mo.
Friends and Family are invited to Joe’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis-O'Donnell-Thurman Funeral Home in Canton, Mo.