Father Clarke

Rev. John W. Clarke, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, formerly of Imogene, Iowa, passed away Friday, October 23, 2009, at Wesley Heritage House in Atlantic.

Father John William Clarke was born February 25, 1921, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Thomas M. and Mary Charolotte (Coen) Clarke. Father Clarke graduated from Dowling High School, Dowling College, both in Des Moines, Iowa, and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained into the priesthood on November 11, 1945, at St. Augustin Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

He was Assistant Pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Des Moines. At St. Anthony's parish, also in Des Moines, he served as Assistant Pastor and then Administrator. He moved to Sacred Heart in Woodbine, Iowa, and St. Anne in Logan, Iowa, serving as their Pastor. Following that he relocated to serve the combined parishes of St. Boniface in Waukee and St. John in Adel, both in Iowa. The new church in Adel was built while he was Pastor. His last pastoral assignment was St. Patrick's in Imogene, Iowa, until his retirement in 2000. He retired in Atlantic and spent the last four years in Wesley Heritage House.

In addition to his love for the Church, he was known for his strong views on the topics of the day, as well as his lengthy correspondence filled with puns, cartoons and jokes.

Father Clarke was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mary Clarke; his brothers, Edward, who was killed in World War II, and Father Dan Clarke, who passed away in 2001.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa, with a Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 2:30 p.m. also at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2009, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, with open visitation to follow until 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service.

Burial will he held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2009, in the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.


Contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Des Moines, 601 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, to care for pregnant women and homeless families.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.