Earl L. Clark 86 formerly of Walton, Downsville and Roscoe, passed away early Thursday morning, May 7, 2009 in Bonita Springs, Florida after a long illness.

Earl was born on October 24, 1922 the son of longtime supervisor Harry G. and M. Laverna (Logan) Clark. He was a graduate of Walton High School, class of 1940. He was also a 1947 graduate of Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science, Syracuse. He proudly served his country in the US Army, 184th Infantry, 7th Division during WW II and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries incurred during the battle for Okinawa. Before returning home, he was briefly stationed in Korea where he befriended a young, frightened Korean woman and helped her contact her husband in the US. That woman and her husband became lifelong friends, and they named their first daughter Gloria, after Earl's wife, the former Gloria Higbie of Walton, who he married upon his return home on Jan. 6, 1946.

Earl is remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is remembered for the many kindnesses shown to many people throughout his life. He was quick with a quip or a joke and liked to call himself Earl The Pearl. He was always "getting there" but never quite arriving. Ask him how he was, and he would tell you he was getting "dangerous."

Professionally, Earl is remembered as an honest, conscientious and caring funeral director. He viewed his profession as an art, and his goal was to serve every grieving family with the dignity and compassion that was their due.

Earl was originally employed by his uncle, Ivan Clark, at the Clark Funeral Homes in Walton and Downsville. He later moved to Roscoe and retired as president of Stewart Funeral Homes of Calicoon, Roscoe and Jeffersonville, New York; and Damascus, Pennsylvania.

Earl was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Roscoe and F & A.M.-Walton Lodge.

Earl is survived by his loving wife Gloria, a son Donald and his wife Sherry of Fort Myers, FL; grandchildren Aaron Clark of North Andover, MA, Karen and Seth Clark of Methuen, MA; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Earl was predeceased by his loved and loving daughter Donna Clark in 2000, brothers Donald R. Clark and Jack W. Clark and sisters Betty J. Clark and Ruth C. Driggs.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 1 to 3 PM at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton where services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Paige Cemetery, Downsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135