GREENFIELD
Carl L. Clark, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many met his Savior face to face August 6, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Clark; daughter, Dena Beeler and husband John, daughter, Kim Crawford and husband Danny. They have been blessed with 14 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and he was looking forward to two additional great grandchildren this year. Five grandchildren have married and now have joined the ranks of craziness with this family.
He is preceded in death by his parents Carl E. and Lyndall M. Clark, and his son, Devin Todd Clark.
Carl married his teenage sweetheart, Bonnie, and they recently celebrated their 56th anniversary and were truly best friends who went everywhere together, through thick and think. A Tswana man once asked him if he had been married to the same woman all those years? Of course, his only answer could be “only if you know Jesus!”
After graduating from Baptist Bible College in 1982, God called them to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa as church planting missionaries. In 2009 they changed fields to Gaborone, Botswana where they served until 2020. His love for the people, elevated him to the rank of “Dad” and many today look to him as a father figure they never had, but he taught them about the true Father in Heaven.
Carl’s desire to present himself as a dedicated, professional, and servant of God, allowed him to be received by many, but once they knew him, they realized the fun loving, giant teddy bear that he really was who enjoyed the practical joke of teaching little kids how to “wash their eyeballs” and teach Tswanas American colloquialism, on how to “keep their nose clean” while allowing the little tykes to crawl up in his lap and fall asleep. He loved it when a little child was presented a Bible because he had learned how to sing all the books of the New Testament. Carl would stand them on a chair and have them sing for the whole church and they loved it!
His daily presence will be so greatly missed by his wife, daughters and family members as he has been their strength and guidance throughout their lives. They realize the great heritage that he has given them and now left behind to pass on. Carl’s greatest desire would be for all to know the foundation of that heritage, throughout his life and ministry, was all because of Jesus!
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 1610 S State St, Greenfield, IN 46140. Minister Dave Hardy will be officiating. Burial will follow at New Palestine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Carl Clark Memorial Fund, c/o Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN, 46140 for The People and Children of Botswanna, by website at https://www.humanium.org/en/botswana/. Envelopes will be available at the mortuary and church. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
We are looking forward to a great reunion with Carl and are jealous of the ones who have gone before us that are having a blessed time with him and Jesus while we strive to wait our turn to be called home!
