Shirley LaVonne (Josh) Clark

Shirley L. Clark

Shirley LaVonne Josh Clark was born July 25th, 1933, the 3rd child of Frank Josh & Vera Stuck Josh, in Yuma, Colorado.  She passed away on September 27, 2015 at the Yuma Life Center in Yuma, Colorado at the age of 82. 

She graduated from Yuma Union High School with the class of 1951 and married the love of her life, Norman “Shotgun” Clark on November 18th, 1951.  To this union 5 children were born, Mary & Miles, November, 1952, Timothy, December, 1955, Shelly, May, 1959 and Michael, January, 1966.  Shirley loved children and often said that if she could have afforded it, she would have had at least a dozen. She was cub scout den leader for her two oldest boys and started her own babysitting service in 1960.  She continued to babysit until her 79th birthday when she decided it was time to retire.  She held the longest continuance record for license day care provider in Colorado at the time of her retirement.  Shirley was always up for whatever games we kids could think of and adored her grandkids and great-grandchildren.  She would often call us and say “don’t  you need some time alone, I’ll take the kids”.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank & Vera Josh, sister, Betty DeBellis, Grandson, Joshua Fech, Husband, Norman Clark,  brother, Dale  Josh, sister-in law, Eleanor Josh, sister, Bonny Kniese, brother-in laws, O.J. Neuhaus & Marvin Kniese, brother-in law & sister-in laws, Ted & Lila Clark, Randall & Barbara Clark, Vilta & Eddie Unkel, Ruth & Walt Bernhardt, Dale Clark & Alfred Korf.

Shirley is survived by her sister Sandy Barrett & husband Robert of Lewisville, NC, sister-in law, Marie Korf of Yuma, Children, Mary Yenter & husband Richard of Eckley, CO, Miles Clark & wife Sandy of Ordway, CO, Tim Clark & wife Linda, Shelly Clark and Michael Clark, all of Yuma, CO, 14 Grandchildren & 23 Great-Grandchildren,  3 great-great grandchildren & numerous nieces & nephews.

Shirley’s love for family, friends, children and life was a gift we will cherish.

The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Yuma United Methodist Church with Pastor Jaime Nieves officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.