Obituary of Barbara Clark

Barbara Clark, 87, of Niles, passed away at her home on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Barbara was born on May 9, 1929 to the late Lloyd and Florence (Geishirt) Williams. She graduated from Niles High School and was on the girls varsity basketball team. Barbara studied piano and was also an artist. She studied art under Ken Saathoff at Southwestern Michigan College. She and her husband, Ira, enjoyed yearly vacations teaching their daughters about the Native Americans out west, introducing them to the poverty in Appalachia and the segregation of the south. Barbara was the solid support for her husband's many vocations and hobbies. She worked alongside him with his Bluebird Trails, lawn furniture business, and photography studio. She attended veterans meetings and helped organize a wives of veterans and POW's in Ann Arbor. She along with her husband were youth leaders at Grace United Methodist Church. She also served as the church secretary. Barbara painted many murals for the numerous children's programs. She also was a muralist for the Fort St. Joseph Museum as well as a volunteer. She served on the Advisory Board of Cross-Cultural Ministries. She was a quiet woman of faith. Her love of nature was evident in all the nature programs and numerous trips to State and National Parks all over the U.S. Barbara especially loved her winter home in Jensen Beach and her summer get away in Stanwood, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ira Clark; siblings, Sheldon, Clayton Lyle, Dorwin, Rolleigh, Martin, Malburne; son, Colin; and grandson Anthony Jones. Barbara is survived by her daughter Nancy Watts and granddaughter Jennifer Watts of Donna, Texas and Danna (Tom) Jones and grandchildren Jenny Lesmeister and Ken (Amanda) Jones; great grandchildren, Jared, Jesse, Jeremy, and Adrian Shultz; brothers, Leon (Dorothy) Williams of Niles and Marvin (Mary Ann) Williams of Cassopolis; sister-in-law, Joyce Williams of Plainwell, Michigan; a special son-in-law, Wayne Stiles; and her many other friends who were like children to her, Cindy, Gale, Nancy, and Sandy. Funeral services to honor Barbara's life will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior at Grace United Methodist Church located at 501 Grant Street in Niles.