Karen Clark

Karen LaMar Clark, aged 91, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Danville, surrounded by his family. He was born July 4, 1933, in Harrison Township, near Palestine. He was the only child of Ivan and Maudie (Fisher) Clark.

Karen grew up fishing and trapping on Palestine Lake. He graduated in 1951 from Mentone High School, where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and manager of the boys basketball team. It was love at first sight when he met Vera Buntain, and they married on June 4, 1955. He worked for Kimball Glass, Owens-Illinois in Warsaw for 37 years, becoming quality control supervisor for the pharmaceutical glassware company. He was affectionately known as “K.C.”

Karen loved to travel the highways and back roads of the U.S., sharing fantastic memories with his wife and daughters like Rocky Mountain snowballs in July, watching the first moon landing from a campground in the Black Hills, marveling at Old Faithful and other Yellowstone treasures, visiting Wall Drug in South Dakota for chocolate doughnuts and many trips to Mackinac Island. Karen and Vera traveled to Florida for 18 years, making Sebring their home in the winter.

He took pride in his well-maintained cars and trucks and a well-mowed lawn. He was a faithful member of the Kosciusko Kampers Klub, camping with family and friends from March to October for many years. It was at these camp-outs that he treated everyone to his tall tales of hunting with Daniel Boone and running down buffalo with just his pocketknife.

Every dog he met was a friend, and neighborhood dogs visited for the cookies he handed out. He had to wave at every field of cows he passed. He created a world of vacationing fish carrying suitcases and migrating birds wearing souvenir T-shirts visiting Crystal Lake for his grandchildren. He dubbed any great blue heron wading in front of the house “Gertrude” and looked for a visit every day. He was also a Snoopy fan and had a large collection of the famous beagle supplied by family and friends.

He was a quiet, steady and loving presence in the lives of his family who knew he could be relied on for his love languages of car advice, tools and picking up the restaurant tab. He demonstrated by example that all God’s creatures deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. The smiley face was his emblem, reflecting his attitude that there was (almost) always something to smile about.

Karen leaves many loved ones to cherish his memory: his traveling companion of 69 years and love of his life, Vera; his two grateful daughters, Kathy Meiser, and her husband, Max, of Pittsboro, Ind., and Sherri McConnell, and her husband, Bill, of Okemos, Mich.; and grandchildren who will forever imagine fish with tiny suitcases, Josh Barker and wife Andra, of Warsaw, Erik Barker and wife Megan, of Brownsburg, Justin Amber and wife Esther, of Speedway, Brad Meiser and wife Laura, of Pittsboro, Emilia McConnell and partner Jess Holowicki, of Plymouth, Mich., and Maggie McConnell and partner, Oliver Hill, of Detroit, Mich.; great-grandchildren, Noah, Kelley, Josiah, Kloe and Gabriel Barker, Nate and Drew Barker, Morrison Amber and Larry Meiser; and great-great-grandchild, Joshua Barker.

A memorial service is being planned at 2 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6,at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, (574) 267-3008, or Fellowship Missions, (574) 268-9555, or an animal rescue or community food and shelter assistance agency in your local area in memory of Karen, whose passion included supporting agencies who would care for those in need.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.