Mrs. Wilma E. Clarke

February 3, 1917 - May 25, 2012

Wilma Elizabeth Clarke, age 95, born in North Braddock, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1917, died peacefully at Hope Village in Williamsburg, Michigan on May 25, 2012. The daughter of Edward and Rose Streigle Malone, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother John, sisters Loretta, Grace and Francis, grandson Matthew and loving husband, Robert. Wilma attended Indiana State Teacher's College in Indiana, Pennsylvania and taught for seven years at Bell Avenue School in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert Charles Clarke on May 4, 1940 in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Wilma and Robert raised five children, Robert (Stephanie) of Burr Ridge, Illinois, Judith (Harold) Dehr of Traverse City, Michigan, Cynthia Dane of Hodgkins, Illinois, Nancy Angio of Justice, Illinois and Patrick of LaGrange, Illinois. She had 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. After Robert returned from WW II as a P-38 fighter pilot, he climbed the manufacturing ladder and Wilma remained home as a full time homemaker. During the next years they lived in Pennyslvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. They were Illinois residents since 1962. Almost five years ago, Wilma moved to Hope Village in Williamsburg, Michigan near her daughter. Willma loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved family gatherings, expecially Christmas. She also enjoyed doing various crafts and was involved in several groups including Western Springs Women's Club and St. John of the Cross Parish. In the 1970's she was a substitute teacher at Willow Springs School, Willow Springs, Illinois and worked as a helper at the Highlands School in LaGrange Highlands, Illinois. Memorial donations to honor Wilma may be directed to Hope Village, 4345 Mt. Hope Road, Williamsburg, Michigan 49690.