With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Joseph William Clark II of Columbia City, IN.
Here is what mattered, in the years between the dates.
The years gathered, as years do, into a life.
Joseph William Clark II passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026. Joe was born to Joseph William Clark I and Mary Elizabeth 'Bettie' (Hamrick) Clark on May 21, 1944, in Gallipolis, OH. Although Joe had lived in Indiana since 1970, he held both his Ohio and West Virginia family roots close to his heart.
The first three years of his high school education were at Rio Grande High School, Ohio. This school closed at the end of his Junior year and Joe graduated from Gallia Academy High School in 1962 where he excelled in academics and athletics. Joe played varsity basketball, winning the MVP award in his senior year. He also participated in football and ran on the track team. He participated in many 4-H activities and some of his lifelong friends were made at Canter's Cave 4-H Camp.
Joe attended Rio Grande College for one year and then went on to graduate from The Ohio State University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in computer science and was a member of the OSU R.O.T.C. program. Joe was an active member of Kappa Sigma fraternity where he was president his Senior year. He stayed in touch with this organization and his brothers up until his death. Joe also holds a master's in business administration from Indiana University. He was a lifetime member of both of OSU and IU alumni organizations (helping him with valuable football tickets from time to time!).
Following graduation, he was a member of the U.S. Army from March 1968 thru July 1970 during the Vietnam conflict and was stationed state side at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, and Oakland Army Terminal, Oakland, California. While overseas he was part of the procurement computer services in Korat Air Force Base, Korat Thailand and Sattahip Terminal, Thailand.
Joe was employed in the Information Technology Department at Lincoln National Corporation in Fort Wayne, IN for 42 years, retiring in 2013 as a Vice President of Corporate IT Services & Asset Management. He forged many friendships with his co-workers at Lincoln and he participated in many intra-mural sports in the 1970's and 80's, including the infamous Goat Ropers men's softball team.
Joe was a faithful servant of Sonrise Church where he was a member of their administrative council for many years and oversaw several of the church's building and remodeling projects.
In addition, Joe was one of the founding members and operating pilots of the Windswept Aeronauts Hot Air Balloon Club and was instrumental in organizing the local hot air balloon festivals, which were a staple of the Three Rivers Festival and Allen County 4-H fair for many years. After retiring from being an active hot air balloon pilot, Joe continued his love of the sport by officiating at several national hot air balloon events.
Joe enjoyed traveling with his wife, Barbara, visiting many international and domestic venues throughout their 39 years of marriage. Joe could also be found fully engaged in reading science fiction books, making many trips to the Aboite branch of the Allen County Public Library for that next book in a series.
Joe loved to coach and mentor student athletes. He was very active in the Homestead Athletic Booster Club from 1996 to 2006. Joe and Barb could often be found at sporting events throughout the state supporting athletes, especially at Homestead High School basketball, cross country, and track events. He was an avid, and we do mean AVID, Ohio State Buckeyes' football fan. He also annually attended the Indianapolis 500 race with family members reveling in his good seats on the 4th turn!
He and Barb purchased a 'fixer upper' cottage and pontoon boat on Lake Wawasee during the COVID years and they enjoyed just hanging out and waving to all the other boaters going down Main Channel. Their biggest decision of the day was where to go to eat dinner.
Joe was very active in healthy activities and prior to his retirement from Lincoln Life could be found during many noontimes jogging on the downtown trails. He was also very faithful in attendance at the Jorgensen YMCA.
He was a loving husband to his wife Barbara and a very proud father to his daughter Amanda Clark (Josh) Clements and son Dr. Stephen (Samantha) Clark and step-daughter LeAnn Buescher (Jeff) Nome, all of Fort Wayne. His grandchildren are Laela Harouff, Kaia Nome, Spencer Nome, Jase Nome, Carter Clark, Blaire Clark, Baileigh (Kaes Petroviak) Clements, Barrett Clements, Layne Clements. He is also survived by his sister Dr. Catherine Clark-Eich (Paul) of Lancaster, Ohio, a niece, Stephanie (Chris) Douglas, great nephew Connor Douglas and great niece Josie Douglas and a bevy of cousins and friends.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and his brother Dr. Charles (Charles Hundley) Clark of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
Friends may call on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 3:00-8:00 pm at Sonrise Church, 10125 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne.
Funeral services for Joe will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the church, with calling one hour prior.
Arrangements by DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Joe may be made to Sonrise Church Capital Improvement Project or Joe Clark Memorial Fund (with Joe Clark Memorial in the memo line) mailed to Homestead Athletics, 4310 Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46814. Or online at: https://public.eventlink.com/fundraising?cd=218
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.
