Duane D. “Shorty” Clark, the son of Grant and Velma (Steward) Clark was born February 1, 1936, in Adaza in Greene County. He departed this life July 23, 2019, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. He lived his life to the age of 83 years, 5 months and 22 days.
Shorty graduated from Churdan High School in 1954. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard from 1952-1958. Shorty was united in marriage to Joyce Miller on Dec. 23, 1955, at the Scranton Methodist Church. Three children were born to this union, Teresa, Bret, and Sherry.
Shorty and Joyce made their home in Churdan. Shorty was employed by the Hadden Motor Company and later operated Churdan Auto Service in partnership with Leslie J. Picht. Shorty and Les operated this business until 1973. Following that he was employed for 25 years for the Greene County secondary road department. Shorty and Joyce lived in a house they personally built in 1984 until his death, making that his biggest accomplishment as a builder. In later years, Shorty joined Les in creating many beautiful wood projects made with love in a shop located on Main St.
Shorty was active in the community and freely offered his talents in woodworking in remodeling the Catholic Church kitchen and the Methodist Church addition. He served on the Churdan fire and rescue for many years and also as fire chief. Shorty served as the Churdan Business Club president, served 38 years as a Highland Township trustee and also served as Highland Housing Board trustee. Shorty was a member of the Churdan United Methodist Church, and for many years was the “Chief Dishwasher” for the beef dinner fundraiser. He also was a Friend of the Churdan Library and helped with the building and equipment maintenance.
Shorty had great joy in the family time that he shared with his children and his grandchildren which included fishing and working on family projects. He also enjoyed attending auctions and collecting antiques.
Shorty is survived by his wife Joyce; children Teresa (Troy Gibson) Mobley of Scranton, Bret (Heidi) Clark of Kingston, WA, and Sherry (Rod) Graven of Jefferson; brother Richard Clark of Storm Lake; sister Berneice Taylor of Jefferson; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; special friend John Mosher of The Villages, FL; and many nephews and nieces. .
Preceding him in death were his parents, and his mother- and father-in-law Russell and Violet Miller, sister Phyllis Meyer, and brothers Eugene Clark and Melvin Clark.
Funeral services were held at July 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson with the Rev David Arulnathan of the Churdan United Methodist Church officiating. Musical selections were sung by soloist Larry Dowd and accompanied by organist Becky Greiner. Honorary bearers were his grandchildren Jeremy (Elissa) Mobley, Derek Graven and Jenna (Wade) Nasheim; great-grandchildren Tiffany (Chris) Elmore, Chase Mobley, Carter Mobley, Nora Nasheim and Grady Nasheim; and great-grandchildren Baileigh Elmore, Aleigha Elmore and Brody Elmore. Burial was made in the Highland Township Cemetery in Churdan with military honors conducted by Churdan American Legion Post 198.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Churdan City Park Playground Equipment Fund or the First United Methodist Church in Churdan.
The family was assisted by Brown Funeral Home of Jefferson.
