Richard L. “Rich” Clark, 62, rural St. Paul, died Monday, December 15, 2008, at h is home. He had been in failing health the past two and a half years from brain cancer.

He was born Dec. 21, 1945, in Linn County to Oliver F. and Mary Jane Sharp Clark. He lived mostly in Pleasanton and attended schools in Mound City, including Mound City High School.

In 1962 he moved to Kansas City, where he met his wife, the former Marlene Duling. They were married Nov. 19, 1966, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. She survives.

In his early adult years he worked as an installer and finisher of hardwood floors before doing painting and desco painting. From 1968 to 1974 he owned and operated the C. and D. Body Shop in Merriam. In August 1974 the Clarks moved to St. Paul where he owned and operated Clark’s Welding and Body Shop on U.S. Highway 59. He also farmed with his father-in-law, Tom Duling. In 1977 he sold the shop and opened Clark’s Backhoe and Dozer Service. In 1993 he began working in highway construction as a superintendent for RFB Construction Co., Inc., Pittsburg.

He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion in St. Paul.

Other survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Rick T. and Carolyn Clark, Chanute; a daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Rick Beachner, Pittsburg; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bud and Carol Clark and Vic and Jo Clark, all of Mound City; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Sam Avery, Yakima, Wash., and Darlene and Larry Youngblood, Fair Play, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two half-brothers and three half-sisters.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul with Father Theodore Khin officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Cemetery under the direction of Carson-Wall Funeral Home, St. Paul.

The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. The family will receive friends following the Rosary. Contributions to St. Francis Church may be made in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.