Joan A. Clark

Joan A. Clark, 90, of Traverse City passed away Sunday June 4, 2017.

Joan was born on May 8, 1927 in Buffalo, NY to the late Joseph and Helen (Hart) Willitzer. She married the late Arthur J. Clark on June 18, 1949 in Junction, OH. They were married for over 63 years before his death in 2013.

Joan was a lifelong member of St. Francis, where she volunteered in the Food Pantry, assembling Thanksgiving Food Baskets and assisting Sister Katherine.

Joan and Art moved to Traverse City in 1965 where they owned and operated the Reef Motel and made many new friends.

She and her husband Art were former residents of Arizona and while living in Florida, Joan and Art worked at Disney World for a number of years. They returned to their home town of Traverse City in 2002.

The Clark's enjoyed traveling and visited 41 states delivering Motor Homes to various dealerships.

Joan was a " doting, caring, gentle soul who could make you smile with her kind words and actions, and she was always accepting people into her heart".

She is survived by her children, William C (April) Clark of Coldwater, Patti. (Harry) Day of Traverse City and Linda (Steven) Slanina of Crown Point, IN; nine grandchildren, Christopher (Kristi) Clark, Jason (Dana) Clark, Tony (Ruby) Day, Matthew (Jessica) Day, Danny (Marlaina) Day, Kelli Day, John Slanina, Rick Slanina, Kimberly Slanina; six great grandchildren, Allyson Clark, Megan Clark, Bailey Clark, Hannah Clark,Marilyn Day and Cooper Slanina . One brother Jack Willitzer, and brother-in-law Adelbert (Marilyn) Clark, hundreds of nieces and nephews and "special adopted" children Vern and Donna Korb and Kathy Walters.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Day and eight brothers and sisters, Gerry Font, Geneva Waldron, Helene Justus, Robert Willitzer, Donald Willitzer, Richard Willitzer, Eileen Mack and Wayne Willitzer.



Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Thursday, June 15, 2017, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 P.M.

In celebration of Joan's Life, a funeral mass will be offered at St. Francis Catholic Church on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. Rev. Kenneth Stachnik will preside along with Deacon Rene Hoenscheid.


In honor of Joan, contributions may be made to the St. Francis Church Building Fund.

Cremation has taken place. Burial will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Kindly share you memories with the family on their online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com


Arrangements were made by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.