David Clark Obituary

David "Neil" Clark

David "Neil" Clark, 90, son of the late Donald Clark and Westelle (Bloom) Browne, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Blanchard Valley Hospital's Hospice Care Unit. Neil was born June 10, 1935, in Cuyahoga Falls. His family moved to the Van Buren area when Neil was a young child. Neil enjoyed spending time at the neighboring farm of Philipp and Ruby Laier. At the age of 12, Neil's family moved to Findlay. Neil knew he wanted to be a farmer at the age of six and convinced his parents to let him stay with the Laiers. Philipp mentored Neil in high school, and they worked together until Philipp retired. Neil was able to continue farming until age 88 with the help of his son, Roger, and grandson, Tyler. Neil was a 1953 graduate of Van Buren High School, where he participated in football, wrestling and FFA.

In 1953, Neil married the late Phyllis Hart, and they divorced. They had one son, Philipp "Skip" Clark of Kenton. Neil then met Laura Hendricks of Vanlue, and they married on Valentine's Day 1959. They celebrated 61 years of marriage before Laura's passing June 26, 2020. Neil and Laura had three children. Teresa (Tim) Jones of Findlay, Bonnie (David) Atwell of Perrysburg, and Roger (Marcy) Clark of Van Buren. Neil is survived by five grandchildren, Brittany (Brian) Fincham, Hailey (Patrick) Wallace, Lauren (Isaiah) Schumacker, Tyler (Carly) Clark and Sydney Atwell. Neil is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and his two sisters, Reita Hutson of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Susan Rettenmund of San Diego, California.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Joseph Browne.

Over the years, Neil was active in many farm and community organizations. He was involved in Hancock County Farm Bureau, Ohio Soybean Association, charter member and treasurer of National Biodiesel Board and president of its foundation, and president of North Baltimore Grain Condo Association. He was an active member of Ohio Soybean Association being named top recruiter. He also participated in Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Wheat Growers Association, and Top Farmers of Ohio Organization. Community involvement included serving as president of Hancock County Regional Planning, Cass Township trustee, snow plowing roads for 35 years in Allen Township, Van Buren School Board Member, and attending Van Buren United Methodist Church for many years, and, more recently, St. Andrews United Methodist Church.

In 1968, he was named Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer for the State of Ohio. In 1970, he was an Outstanding Cooperator with Hancock Soil and Water Conservation Office. He was inducted into Hancock County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2008. He traveled with Ohio's Governor and Soybean Association to South America to promote American soybeans.

Neil and Laura were donors to Blanchard Valley Health Foundation, which funded the Neil and Laura Clark Obstetrics & Gynecology Building on Wallace Street. Neil enjoyed attendingthe Hancock County fair to visit with friends. Over the past several years, he attended monthly breakfasts at Dark Horse with Van Buren classmates and friends. Neil was a resident of Primrose Assisted Living for the past year.

Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2025, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay. Private family burial will be at Bechtol Cemetery in Van Buren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Van Buren Forge the Future Fund at The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, 101 West Sandusky St., Suite 207, Findlay, OH 45840.