Dorothy Mae (Evans) Clarke Obituary (1935 - 2023)

Dorothy Mae Clarke, 88, of Thayer, IL passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Virden, IL. She was born March 22, 1935, in Thayer, the daughter of James and Anna Mae (Tomasko) Evans. She married Ralph "Mick" Clarke on December 17, 1955, in Columbia, SC, and he preceded her in death on April 10, 2012. In addition to her parents and husband, Mick, she was preceded in death by her only son: James "Jim" Evans Clarke; and brothers: James Evans and Robert Evans. She is survived by one daughter: Chris (Mark) Heckman, of Batesville, IN; grandchildren: Clarke Taylor (Amber) Heckman, Meredith Jane (Jefferson) Stewart, Haley Kemberly and Mae Clarke, all of Indiana; 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy graduated from Virden High School in 1953, before working for the State of Illinois. She held numerous positions within the different departments of the State of Illinois; Including: The Department of Public Health, The Lt. Govenor's Office, and The Secretary of State. She also worked for Freeman United, Crown II mine for several years. She served on the Virden School Board for several years, and she also formed the committee responsible for the installation of the Virden-Thayer Bike Path. Dorothy was a life long member of the United Methodist Church in Thayer. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Thayer. The family will receive friends for visitation from 10:00 a.m., until the time of the service at the church. Burial will immediately follow the service at the Evans Family Cemetery, in Thayer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thayer United Methodist Church and will be received by Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes, Virden who is honored to be caring for Dorothy's family.