Merle D. Clark

Merle D. Clark        “foot soldier of an angel”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Merle D. Clark, 82, of Shinglehouse, passed away in his home with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, after a short illness.

Born on December 31, 1933 in Canton, Ohio, he was a son of Nicholas Prokopchuk and Doris Scoville Prokopchuk Clark.  On May 27, 1955 in Shinglehouse, he married Janice M. “Jannie” Allison Clark, who passed away on May 19, 2014.

Merle was a graduate of Shinglehouse High School, Class of 1951.  After graduation, Merle enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving a tour of 4 years.

He was employed by the former Clark Brothers in Olean, NY and later was employed as a salesman at Mastel Ford in Olean.  He and his business partner, John Little, purchased the former Parish Hardware in Portville, NY, which they owned and operated for many years.  Merle retired as a salesman for the former Hahn and Schaffner in Bolivar, NY.

Merle attended the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Shinglehouse.  He, along with his wife, was a driving force in the Oswayo Valley Alumni Association, with emphasis on providing scholarships to meet the graduate’s educational goals.  He was a charter member of the former Oswayo Valley Lion’s Club in Shinglehouse, having held several offices.  Merle, along with his wife, volunteered at the Oswayo Valley Senior Center in Shinglehouse and was very active in the Meals on Wheels program.  He was a member of the Oswayo Valley Historical Society in Shinglehouse.

Surviving are two sons, Merle D. “Chip” Clark of Shinglehouse and Guy S. (Rachelle) Clark of Friendship, NY; four grandchildren, Kasia R. (Jason) Frawley, Jared D. (Brianna) Clark, Amber L. (Joel) Harriger and Allison R. (James) Clark; three great-grandchildren, Ryan M. Clark, Cooper J. Frawley, and Harper L. Hollister; a brother, Tom (Jamie) Prokopchuk of Massillon, Ohio; two sisters, Roseanne (David) Krisko of Dent, Ohio and Josephine A. (David) Herbert of Massillon, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Merle was predeceased by a brother, John Prokopchuk.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 24, 2016 with the Rev. Randall W. Headley, pastor of the Port Allegany United Methodist Charge, officiating.  Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.

Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors on Saturday.

Flowers are gratefully declined.  Memorials may be made to the A.L.S. Foundation for Life, PO Box 97, Natick, MA 01760; or to the Oswayo Valley Senior Center, PO Box 671, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Merle, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com