CLINTON PAUL “SPECK” CLARK

1938-2023

Clinton Paul Clark was born May 29, 1938, in rural Nemaha, Nebraska to Steve and Florence (Chapman) Clark. He was baptized at the Howe Methodist Church, attended Howe School through the 8th grade and then Auburn High School.

Speck, as he was known to most, was united in marriage to Linda Lea Gerdes. Their union was blessed with six children: Dianna, Rick, Cindy, Brenda, Laurie and Terry. The couple made their home in Auburn. Linda passed away in 1969. In 1971 Speck married Jean Foster, and her children Virginia and David joined the family.

Speck was a heavy equipment operator and worked for several construction companies. He had also worked at Co-op in Auburn among other jobs.

A true sports fan, Speck backed the Bulldogs, Bobcats, Huskers, Bluejays, Packers, and Cardinals. Mostly though, he loved watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in their sporting activities. Speck was an outdoors type who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and tending his large garden.

Jean passed away in 2019, and Speck continued his active ways gardening, fishing, and enjoying sports. Early in 2023 he began to experience some health issues and moved to the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn in February. It was there he passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023, having reached the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 25 days. In addition to Linda and Jean and his parents, Speck was preceded in death by his daughter Laurie and his siblings Stephen, Kenneth, William, Charles, Cecil, Larry, Beth, and Jack.

Speck’s life is celebrated by his children Dianna Grafton, Rick (Amy) Clark, Cindy (Steve) Cole, Virginia (Tim) Henkle, Brenda Haith, David (Sherry) Clark, Terry (Anita) Clark; grandchildren Tony (Suzie) Grafton, Traci Gillispie, Tommy (Skye) Grafton, Whitney Clark, Shannon Cole, Brent (Abby) Cole, Grant (Jacqueline) Cole, Paige (Jacob) Masonbrink, Jason (Janet) Clark, Toby (Sarah) Henry, Jamee Clark, Halle Clark, Colton Clark, Cady Jackson, Emily (Cody Cochran) Clark, Abbey Clark; great-grandchildren Reese, Quinn, Gavin, Luke, Ava, Karli, Kennedy, Addison, Brewer, Harper, Hannah, Hayley, Devon, Jaylynn, Carver, Sagan, Riley, Graycen, Chase, Quincy, and Briggs; great-great-grandchildren Liam, Rowen, and Ayla; sisters Mary French and Nancy Clark; many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service, officiated by Doug Clark and Brent Cole, was Monday, February 27, 2023, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Casket bearers were grandsons Tony Grafton, Tommy Grafton, Jason Clark, Toby Henry, Brent Cole, Grant Cole, and Colton Clark. Granddaughters Traci Grafton, Shannon Cole, Whitney Clark, Paige Masonbrink, Jamee Clark, Halle Clark, Cady Jackson, Emily Clark, and Abbey Clark served as honorary bearers. Additional honorary bearers were Corky Jones, Terry Price, Mark Harms, and Dellyn Feighner. Burial followed in Bedford Cemetery at Howe.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.