Obituary of Franklin Chambers Clark

Franklin Chambers Clark, 94, of rural North Liberty, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at his home. He was born June 10, 1912, near Boone, the son of James Whittlesey Clark and Dora Chambers Clark. He and Mary Graham married on Aug. 23, 1949, in Ewing, Neb., and later gave birth to four children. He was a member of West Branch Friends Church and active in many efforts for peace, justice, and care for the earth. Descended from Puritans, he was reared a Methodist and became a Quaker as he sought constructive ways to oppose war. He was educated in Boone public schools and at Simpson College and four universities. Much of his adult life he was a Methodist lay preacher. He taught 21 years in public schools of Iowa and New York. After retiring, he served as farm editor of the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He and his wife traveled in the Midwest as field secretaries for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, 1982-84. Over a period of many years, Franklin and Mary built a house together on their 39-acre woodland they called Gilead. They created a trust to preserve Gilead's natural habitats and scenery for future generations. After Mary's death in 1999, Franklin continued to live at home for the rest of his life. He is survived by his children, Daniel Clark and wife Jean of Muscatine, Benjamin Clark and wife Judy of Iowa City, Hannah Rishel and husband Brad of Holbrook, Ariz., and Samuel Clark and wife Amy of Kinross; 10 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Rebecca Thrap and husband Joshua, Sarah Rummery and husband Scott, Jeff Green, Laura O'Brien and husband Rob, Amy Dlouhy, Heidi Rishel, Adam Rishel, Allen Rishel, Benjamin Rishel, Lea Cree and husband Nick; four great-grandchildren and a step-great-grandson, Jacob Thrap, Elise Thrap, Cameron Thrap, Elena Thrap, and Caleb Dlouhy. He was preceded in death by his wife, an infant sister, and three brothers. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007 at the Friends Church in West Branch. The family asks that memorial gifts be sent to the Friends Committee on National Legislation www.fcnl.org or the Southern Poverty Law Center www.splcenter.org. Online condolences may be posted at www.gayandciha.com.