Claraellen (Heckman) Clark

Graveside Service for Claraellen (Heckman) Clark, 89, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 24, 2023 at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

She was born on October 16, 1933 in Cherryvale, Kansas to Wilma (Forbes) Heckman and Raymond Heckman and passed away on April 16, 2023 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. She graduated Cherryvale High School in 1952 and married the love of her life, Michael Hugh Clark, on November 15, 1953. Mike joined the Air Force in 1952 and they were able to travel the world, living in Kansas, Japan, Mississippi, Hawaii, Italy, South Dakota and Oklahoma. While traveling she was blessed with two children, Mark Edward and Marilyn Kay Clark. They were eleven months apart and really kept them hopping. They retired from the military in 1975 and started a career in upholstery and opened a shop in Independence, Kansas. In 1980, they moved to Sallisaw, Oklahoma where her husband accepted a position teaching upholstery at Indian Capital Technology Center. While in Sallisaw they had many foreign exchange students and later visited many of their home countries and met their families. Clara spent most of her time quilting, sewing and making intricate beaded projects. They had such great detail and she won many awards. She enjoyed her time with the quilting club which consisted of quilting, eating, talking and sewing. Clara lived a full life and asks that God bless each and everyone of you and keep you the rest of your days.

Survivors are husband of almost 70 years, Michael Clark; son, Mark Clark and Carla of Mulvane, KS; six grandchildren, Michael, Michele, Megan, Austin, Sarah and James; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and several other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn Madsen; parents, Raymond and Wilma (Forbes) Heckman; and two sisters, Mildred and Delores.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Mark Walters, Bill Crownover, Austin Madsen, James Madsen, Michael Clark and Mark Clark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.