Clarke, Charles L. 'Bridgeman'

Charles L. “Bridgeman” Clark, 93, of Delaware, passed away Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Mass of Resurrection: 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manchester, with the Rev. John Flaherty as Celebrant. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home & Crematory in Manchester, and after 9 a.m. at the church on Friday. Interment with military rites: St. Mary's Catholic Cemeter, Manchester.

Charlie was born on July 2, 1916, in Coggon, the son of John T. and Ellen (Kennedy) Clark. He was raised and educated in the area, and graduated from Delhi High School. After graduation Charles worked in bridge construction for A. Olson Construction in Waterloo for over 20 years, then Schmidt Construction until he retired.

Charlie was united in marriage to Velda Meader on June 8, 1938, in Manchester. They made their home in Delaware, where he was the mayor of Delaware for a couple of terms during the early 1970s.

Charlie served honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II in the first wave of U.S. occupational forces in Japan. He was a post commander of the Delhi American Legion, a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and loved to operate his CB radio.

Survivors include his wife, Velda Clark of Delaware; four children, Claudette (Gary) Becker of Toddville, Allen (Jennifer) Clark of Kailua, Hawaii, Kevin (April) Clark of Delaware, and Jan (Joan) Clark of Delaware; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and “his special great-granddaughter, Sheena”; five step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Cyril (Betty) Clark of Ames; many nieces and nephews; and his cat, Snoopy.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; three grandchildren, Valencia Stoner, Brett Harlan Clark, and Ken Allen Clark; four sisters, Mary Clark, Eugenia Cuddy, Dorothy Homan and Salina Smith; four brothers, Galen Clark, Jay Clark, Merlin Clark and Francis Clark.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.