Obituary of Howard Clark, Jr.

Howard E. "Butch" Clark, Jr., 69, of Virden, went to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer Friday afternoon, March 25, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. Howard was born on March 21, 1947 to Howard and Naomi (Jackson) Clark Chasteen in Springfield, IL. He was a 1965 graduate of Carlinville High School. On March 21, 1969 he married Susan "Sue" Buhl at the Girard United Methodist Church. Butch served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany. Butch was a tax preparer and accountant for his own company, HECCO Tax Service in Virden along with owning HECCO Welding and Supplies where he manufactured trailers and other fabrications. He had also driven a truck for Ketring's Manufacturing in Carlinville. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Virden. He was a past alderman for the city of Virden and was also the treasurer for the Virden Recreation Club. Butch was a member of the Virden/Girard VFW post where he served as commander for many years and a member of the Virden American Legion Elmer E. Vance Post 386. He loved going out to eat with family and friends, and was known for his story telling. He enjoyed gardening, mowing, and working in his yard. Butch's love of his life were his grandchildren, spending time with them and telling his stories. Howard is survived by his wife Sue; two daughters, Shannon M. (Ryan) Dixon of Carlinville, IL, and Suzanne M. "Suzy" (Ken) McCormick of Virden, IL; three grandsons, Zac Dixon, Trent "Bob" Quarton, and Blake McCormick; 2 granddaughters, Karley Dixon and Natley Dixon; two sisters, Donna (Jerry) Burnett of Girard, IL, and Karen (Companion, Chris Morgan) Adcock of Girard, IL; brother, Terry (Sarah) Clark of Standard City, IL; several nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by father, Howard Clark, Sr.; mother, Naomi Clark Chasteen; step-father, Darrell K. Chasteen; 7 sisters, Janice Allen, Bonnie Gibson, Marilyn Garrison, Sharon Ayala, Cheri Boehler, Judy Clark, and Christina Clark. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church of Virden, 100 North Church Street in Virden. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church of Virden, with Rev. John Huxtable, officiating. Burial will take place in the Virden Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Elmer E. Vance Post 386 at the gravesite. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church of Virden. Online condolences can be given at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com http://www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com/. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Girard is in charge of arrangements.