Mark Bigler Clark

Mark Bigler Clark, age 88, died peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2009 surrounded by loved ones.

Mark was born Oct. 10, 1920 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He was the oldest of eight children born to LuVern Thomas Clark and Cynthia Bigler. He graduated from North Fremont High School in 1939. The Clarks moved to Pocatello shortly after this so that the children could attend college while living at home.

Mark attended the University of Idaho, Southern Branch (ISU), from 1939 to 1942. In the fall of 1942 he attended the University of Idaho in Moscow. While home for Christmas vacation, he received a package from the U.S. Army Air Corps inviting him to be part of World War II. Upon his return from war, Mark enrolled at the University of Utah in January 1946 where he received a Bachelors degree. He received his law degree from the U of U in June of 1949.

On September 11, 1947, he married Helen Louise Odekirk in the Salt Lake Temple. They had seven children: Kerry Gallup, Sandy, Utah; Carol Poole, Murray, Utah; James B. Clark, Murray, Utah; Karma Ward, Murray, Utah; Thomas W. Clark, Pocatello; Connie Vining, Cottonwood Heights, Utah; and Cyd Heiner, Syracuse, Utah.

Mark had a long and distinguished law career during which he was able to help thousands of people with their legal problems. He retired from the practice of law in 1989 to care for his ailing wife, Helen, who passed away in October 1993.

On Oct. 15, 1994, Mark married Glynis Honor Roberts in the Salt Lake Temple. Glyn had six children by a prior marriage: Hadyn Hulley, Tarryn Neibaur, Pocatello, Idaho; Stuart Hulley, Johannesburg, South Africa; Delwyn Farnsworth, Biloxi, Mississippi; Lauren Bell, Denver, Colorado; and Kirstin Arnold, Boise, Idaho. Together they have 13 children, 55 grandchildren, and 42 great-grandchildren.

Mark has served in many positions in the LDS Church, and with the Boy Scouts of America. Mark and Glyn served an 18-month mission at the Washington, D.C. Temple. He also served in the PTA at Lewis and Clark Elementary and Alameda Junior High School, and was an officer in the Pocatello Junior Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his loving wife, Glynis Clark; three brothers, Robert Clark, Stephen Clark, and Rodney Clark; two sisters, Maurine Carlson and Althea Havlicak. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Helen, two sisters, Vernetta Hemming and Nelle Bartlett, and a grandson, Jonathan Gallup.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 4, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Cedar 3rd Ward, 550 W. Cedar, with Bishop Robert Murdoch conducting. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave., and at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Mountainview Cemetery with Military Rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. Arrangements are under the direction of Manning Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th.

Family members would like to express appreciation to Creekside Home Health and Hospice (Star, Daniel, Toni, Courtney and Adam) for their excellent care and loving kindness. Family and friends who wish to do so may make a donation in Mark's name to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund.