Rev. Byron Clark

Reverend Byron Wallace Clark, 87 years of age, died in his home in Ardmore, Pennsylvania July 4, 2010. He was born September 7, 1922, in Hardin County, Rushcreek Township, Ohio to the late Wallace and Eva Killough Clark. He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Clark, and two brothers, Robert and Joe Clark, who is survived by his wife Patty.

Survivors include his wife of over sixty three years, Mildred Harris Clark, whom he married September 7, 1946, at Lilly Chapel Methodist Church. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Rudat, of Belle Center, Ohio; his son Rev. John W. Clark and wife Constance of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Dr. Jeffrey W. Clark and wife Dr. Marcia Browne, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, James W. Clark of Dover, Ohio, Jean Clark Schechtman and husband Lee of Fairfield, Ohio, June E. Clark of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and grandchildren including: Elizabeth Clark DeFrancesco and husband Patrick of Nashville, Tennessee.; Thomas Byron Clark of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Samuel Macarthur Clark of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Lisa Beth Schechtman of Fairfield, Ohio, David W. Schechtman, and Jonathan Harris Friedman, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, plus many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and missionaries.

He graduated from Huntsville High School in 1940, attended The Ohio State University, then was drafted in the Unites States Army in November 1942. He attended Army specialized training program at the University of Pittsburg, graduating March 4, 1944, then went on to serve his country during World War II as part of the 544th Field Artillery Battalion from January 12, 1944 to June 30,1945, including operations in the Luzon Philippine Islands Campaign, which inspired him to return to the Philippines as a missionary after the war. Byron earned a Bachelor’s degree in German from The Ohio State University, a Bachelor’s of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology, a Masters in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctorate from The Philippine Christian College.

Byron, accompanied by his wife and many years by his children, served over thirty four years as a missionary to the Philippines through the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries beginning October 1950. Byron was the Secretary between the Board of Global Missions and was Financial Secretary for all the mainline churches in the Philippines at that time. He spent his first year driving with the Bishop to all the churches in Philippines which gave him a great understanding of their need. His first assignment was for five years in Isabella province. He lived in Baguio City from 1957 through 1974. The family then moved to Manila where he was assigned until 1984, when he retired to the Dayton, Ohio area. For the past seventeen years Byron resided in Ardmore, Pennsylvania with his wife Millie, daughter June and grandson Jonathan.

Calling hours are from 6 to 8 P.M. Monday, July 12, 2010, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, and at 10 A.M. July 13, 2010 prior to the funeral service which will be held at 11 A.M. at the Hopewell United Methodist Church near Bellefontaine. Reverend John Wallace Clark will officiate the funeral service. Burial will follow the funeral service in the Huntsville Cemetery in Huntsville, Ohio.

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