Jack Bailey

Jack Bailey, age 86, Clark, died at his home in Clark, Saturday evening, July 10, 2010 of an apparent heart attack. Jack had been a well respected farmer south of Clark for many years prior to retiring and moving into Clark in 1992. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 at 11AM in the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clark with The Reverend Robin Schaunaman officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 15 from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark and after 10AM at the Church on Friday morning. He was born near Clark on June 7, 1924, the son of Wright and Vera (Scott) Bailey. They were decedents of the original settlers of Clark County. He attended the Thorp Consolidated School in Thorp Township, graduating from high school in 1942. On June 8, 1942, the day after his 18th birthday, he was united in marriage to Clara Overlie. To this union, three children were born, Nancy, Eileen and Gary. The couple moved to Kansas for a short time before returning to the Clark area where Jack worked for an area farmer. That is where he got his start in agriculture, by watching and learning from area farmers and reading farm publications. In 1946, Jack and Clara bought a farm in Lincoln Township where they lived and farmed until retiring in 1992. The couple had enjoyed 29 winters in Donna, Texas and for some 30 years they enjoyed at least an annual trip to Idaho and Washington. In addition to these travels, they spent time adventuring to other areas, something they greatly enjoyed. Even while Jack was spending his time in Texas, he worked, always willing to put on a deck, build a patio, replace a roof or other handyman projects people would have him do. He always wanted to have some business cards printed up telling people what he could do, but always was to busy to get to the printer! His hobby was working. He also assisted Vernie Peterson build homes in Clark and was very proud to show others the houses he helped build. Clara died on November 4, 1998 in her home at Clark. After Claras death he married Norma (Hallberg) Larson. They were married on September 29, 2000 in Orion, IL. The couple has since lived in Clark and were great companions for each other. Jack was a longtime and proud member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Memorials can be directed to the Church in his memory. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Clara, a daughter Nancy Robbins, brother, Joe Bailey, sister, Nettie Mohr, three brothers, S. J. Bud, Lloyd and Lynn Bailey and two sisters, Alpha Tarbell and Laura Benson. Survivors who are grateful for having shared in his life is his wife Norma of Clark, daughter, Eileen (Larry) Wright of St. Maries, ID, son, Gary Bailey of Osburn, ID, a granddaughter, Carol (Scott) Kneale, 2 great-grandchildren, Jacklyn Jean & Ryan Keale, a son-in-law, Blair Robbins of Sierra Vista, AZ and sister-in-laws, Nellie Bailey of Denver, CO and Aileen Overlie of WatertownAlso surviving are 2 step-children, Harly (Alice) Larson of Golf Breeze, FL and Madeline (Kenny) Swanson of Moline, IL, 4 step-grandchildren, Todd (Lisa) & Kris (Grayce) Swanson, Darren Larson and Nichole )Jeremy) Raes and 9 step-great-grandchildren, Aaron, Austin and Annalise Swanson, Kristopher & Alex Swanson and Jared, Connor, Alyssa and Nicholas Raes. Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home of Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com