AFTERWORD

Jack's younger brother Dick served 
as best man, and Wilma's sister Sara 
served as maid of honor.
In January 1946 Jack enrolled at Robert Morris Business College on the GI Bill and began studying accounting. He completed the course in spring 1948. In fall 1947, friends Rich and Liberta McConnell introduced him to Wilma Jean Porter. Wilma and Jack became engaged in February 1948 and were married Oct. 9, 1948, in Glade Run Presbyterian Church, Dayton, PA.

Wilma was only allowed to continue her clerical job at Wearever Aluminum for 30 days after she was married—company policy—and Jack found a job just a week before she had to leave hers. The couple eventually had three children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

The Clark family in 1961 outside
their home in Rolling Hills. 
They bought their first home and moved to Rolling Hills, a small subdivision in Irwin, PA, shortly after their youngest was born, in 1956.

In 1961, Thatcher Glass, Jack’s employer, transferred him to Elmira, NY, where the family resided until 1966. At that time, Jack went to work for Toledo Scale in Rochester, NY, as controller. About a year and a half later he went to work for Glass Containers in Knox, PA. The family lived in an Oil City apartment for a few months while their home was being built in nearby Clarion. They only lived in Clarion a year when in 1969 Jack was transferred to Indianapolis and made Midwest Division controller.

Jack and Wilma (seated) at their Golden
Anniversary celebration in 1998. All three
of their children, their spouses, and two
of three grandchildren attended.
After moving to Indy, Wilma worked at Stuart’s, a women’s clothing store, to help put the children through college. She retired around 1980. Glass Containers was bought and sold several times in the ensuing years, and Jack retired in 1986. He also worked for a while after retirement at a Toys ‘R Us store.

In October 1998 Jack and Wilma celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house at their church, followed by a dinner for extended family at a local restaurant.

Jack at his 90th birthday celebration
in February 2012, pictured with
relatives who attended.
In 2007 they sold their house and moved into an assisted living center. Wilma passed away in September 2010 of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Jack turned 90 in 2012,and celebrated with a surprise party at his retirement home, given by his children. All three attended with their spouses, as well as two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, other extended family, friends and neighbors.

In March 2013, shortly after turning 91, Jack moved to a long-term care center. He passed away quietly in the hospital, Nov. 29, 2013, about a week after emergency hernia surgery. 

Jack and Wilma’s children and their respective families include:
  • Jack Clark Jr., born 1950; married Catherine Santalucia. They have two children and five grandchildren…
    • Pamela Clark Kahuda, born 1976; married Kyle Kahuda. They have two children, Maura and Kaden.
    • Ryan Clark, born 1980; married Christy Peterson. They have three children, Kylee, Jack and Cameron.
  • Kevin Clark, born 1952; married Sue Ann Hayden.
  • Susan Clark Lawson, born 1956; married Chris Lawson. They have one child, Erin, born 1986.

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