Rev. J. Robert Clark

Rev. J. Robert (Bob) Clark, 86, Peru, Indiana, whose love for all people shone brightly, passed away on January 28, 2025, in his home surrounded by the loving comfort of his family.

Born February 15, 1938, in Hillsdale, Michigan, to Paul and Marjorie (Barber) Clark, Bob grew up on a farm. Along with his two sisters, Nancy and Carole, he attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade. He and his sisters carried water in a bucket into school from the pump outside and shared “hot lunches” like potatoes, a kettle of goulash, or beef and noodles they warmed on the pot-bellied stove that also heated the room. 

After that, he was bused into town where he was the starting center for an undefeated Reading High School football team. After graduating, he attended Albion College. There, he met the love of his life, Mary O’Brian, and they were married June 28, 1959, at LaGrange Methodist Church in LaGrange, Indiana.

Following several student pastorates and college graduation, Bob earned what is now a Masters in Divinity (MDiv) degree from Garrett Evangelical Seminary in 1966 and was ordained an Elder in the Methodist Church. Starting in 1965, he served at Grace Methodist Church in South Bend, Indiana, as an associate minister for seven years. In 1972, Bob was appointed minister at Parkview United Methodist Church in Peru, where he served for twelve years. During that time and the years that followed, “Rev. Bob” ministered to the people of Miami County and was with them in both good and difficult hours.

While he preached love, kindness, and hospitality from the pulpit, he also lived it. “One of the blessings that God has given me,” Bob said in a recent sermon, “is a message of hope.” And to all those he came into contact with, he shared this message of hope. While he retired from his role as an appointed pastor in 1984, his ministry and his love for people did not end. Always willing to answer the call to service, he continued presiding over wedding ceremonies and funerals while also filling empty pulpits. 

For Bob, building community was sacred work. Being part of organizations allowed him to join with others to welcome and support people in powerful ways that individuals alone cannot. Over his many decades of service, Bob served on the boards of the Peru Amateur Circus as VP of Ticket Sales (where he earned the nickname “Tickets Bob,” having already worked as a rigger for years), Miami County 4-H Fair (and Woodworking Superintendent), Miami County Sheriff’s Merit Board, Helping Hands, Hope to Own (formerly Miami County Habitat for Humanity), Bona Vista, and as a dedicated and active member of organizations too numerous to list. He also served as a regional member of the Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (P-CARET), including terms as regional and state president.

In 2005, Bob was honored as the Peru Tribune Citizen of the Year; Bob and Mary were awarded Miami County Extension Family of the Year; and Mayor Jim Walker proclaimed April 10, 2005, to be Reverend Bob Clark Appreciation Day.

In his spare time, Bob enjoyed mowing his lawn; puttering at his workbench, disassembling items for the recyclable metal; and working on a myriad of family houses.

A great husband, father, and grampa, Bob moved humbly through this messy world, seeing and being hope. He embodied the Wesleyan saying: Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. Friends and family will miss his goodness, kindness, gentleness, and ability to fix most anything.

In addition to Mary, his wife of sixty-five years, survivors include daughters Jeanne and Susan Clark (Noblesville, Indiana); son John, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandson Tom (Kalamazoo, Michigan); sisters Nancy Kuzniar (Milan, Michigan) and Carole Fisher (Hillsdale, Michigan); and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Parkview United Methodist Church (1785 IN-19, Peru) with Pastors John Mansur and Luke Hunt and Rev. Dr. Samuel Odubena officiating, and with close friend Gary Horner and son John Clark giving eulogies. Burial will be at a later date.

A visitation will be held on Bob’s birthday, Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Peru Circus Building (154 N. Broadway, Peru).

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences and favorite memories may be shared online at www.mcclainfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parkview United Methodist Church, Miami County 4-H Fair, Amboy Volunteer Fire Department, or to any charity that you feel embodies Bob’s values.