Published on July 17, 2026 7:08 pm
Last Updated on July 17, 2026 7:09 pm
Donald “Don” Eugene Clark, 69, of Beecher City, Illinois, passed away at home surrounded by the love of family on July 16, 2026, after more than a four-year battle with cancer.
He was born on June 8, 1957, in Effingham, the oldest child of Max Eugene and Betty Ann (Reeder) Clark. Don grew up with strong family values and a steady work ethic that guided him throughout his life. He graduated from Beecher City High School in the Class of 1975 and carried the friendships and lessons from those years with him always.
On March 26, 1994, Don married Carolyn Goeckner, and together they shared 32 years of marriage filled with devotion, laughter, and a deep love for family. Their home was a place where children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and loved ones were welcomed with open arms. Don and Carolyn built a life centered on faith, hard work, and the joy of being together.
Through the years, Don worked for Effingham Truck Sales, Heartland Peterbilt, Roadway Express, Bobber Truck Stop, and South Center FS. He later drove for ADM in Decatur, where he retired in 2023 after 23 years of dedicated service. He was known for his reliability, his strong character, and the pride he took in doing his work well. His career reflected the same dependability that he brought to every part of his life.
Don was an active longtime member of Beecher City Church of Christ and served as the director of the Mill Road Thresherman Association in Altamont. He enjoyed showing tractors, attending and participating in tractor pulls, camping, and traveling. He especially enjoyed nine all-inclusive trips and treasured the memories made along the way. One of his favorite family experiences was a trip to Cancun with Carolyn and all six of their children and their spouses, a vacation that reflected how important family time was to him.
His family was truly the center of his world. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply and took great pride in each of them. Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Beecher City; their six children, Katie (Jamey) Himes of Charleston, Kari (Thad) McElroy of St. Elmo, Kyle (Sara) Clark of Angier, North Carolina, Teneale (Lance) Molt of Mason, Taylor (Kyle) Feldkamp of Altamont, and Lance (Ellie) Clark of Beecher City; 15 grandchildren, Zach (Mekenzie) Apke, Olivia Fulk, Colton Himes, Cooper Himes, Colton McElroy, Paxton Clark, Holden Clark, Everly Clark, Korin Cooke, Moira Cooke, Charles Molt, Roy Feldkamp, Hank Feldkamp, Walker Clark, and Conlin Clark; and two great-grandchildren, Jameson Apke and Eli Austin. He is also survived by his siblings, Darrell (Rhonda) Clark of Ponte Vedra, Florida, Randy (Tina) Clark of Effingham, and Linda (Ed) Schairbaum of Fort Worth, Texas; his mother-in-law, Judy Goeckner; brothers-in-law, Tony (Rita Mette) Goeckner, Lee (Tiffany) Goeckner, and Jed (Lori) Goeckner; sister-in-law, Polly (Richard) Locey; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Clete Goeckner; his brother-in-law, Roy Goeckner; and grandbaby Clark.
Don will be remembered for his faith, his loyalty, his love of family, and the many ways he touched the lives of those who knew him. His presence was a steady one, and his kindness, humor, and strength will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, all at the Beecher City Church of Christ. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Shumway. Memorials may be made in his name as the memorial will be determined later.
Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City is assisting the family.
Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com.