Dean Herbert Clark, 82

Dean Herbert Clark, age 82, of Stryker, passed away July 01, 2019 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice entering the loving arms of Jesus and reuniting with his wife Evelyn who was, no doubt, waiting with a smile and eye roll as Dean told a story at the judgement seat of Christ.

Dean was born February 23, 1937 in Montpelier, Ohio to Enoch and Doris (Vernier) Clark.  He was a 1955 graduate of Stryker High School and graduated from the Toledo Barber School in 1955.  Dean married Evelyn Hancock on April 06, 1957 and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage prior to her passing on April 28, 2019.

Barbering was a career made in heaven for Dean as he loved talking to everyone and having a captive audience for his story and joke telling.  He started out as a barber at Vernier’s Barber Shop in Bryan, Ohio and went on to own and operate D&D Barber Shop in Bryan for over 30 years.  He also owned Dean’s Barber Shop in Stryker for several years.  He also kept up a personal shop “out back” at his home for friends and family.  Every grandchild (grand-daughters included) rotated through the chair over the years for an always stylish pineapple or bowl cut.  Dean also worked at Bard Manufacturing for 22 years and Bryan Metals for 12 years.  In his retirement years, Dean played the role of barber at Sauder Village in Archbold for 14 years, back in front of an audience, storytelling about the history of barbering.  Dean was also a member of the Springfield Township-Stryker Fire Department for many years.

Dean was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Stryker where he was loved by many church family members.  He served as deacon for many years and was the last surviving member of the King’s Men Quartet.  He was quick to welcome new churchgoers and loved the word of God and sharing it with others.  Many times over the past months as Dean suffered the loss of Evelyn and dealt with declining health himself, he confidently reminded us that “this world is not my home”.

Surviving Dean are his and Evelyn’s children, Cindy (Jon) Diller, of Stryker,  Michael (Jackie) Clark, of McClure,  and Jamie (Jim) Hildebrandt, of Stryker;  grandchildren, Clayton (Angie) Diller, Allison (Mike) Yates, Jacob (Julie) Diller, Chris (Angela Cline) Grant, Calebv (Katie) Clark, Alicia Meadows, Jessica Meadows and Brianna (Jake) Palmer;  22 great-grandchildren;  nephew, Brad (Christine) Bailey and a great-niece, Sabrina Bailey.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Enoch and Doris, his wife Evelyn, sister, Miriam “Mate” Bailey, brother-in-law, Ron Bailey, and his great-grandson, Jaxson Palmer.

He was loved dearly and will be missed and carried in the hearts of all of his friends and family.

Funeral services and a celebration of Dean’s life will be private.  In lieu of flowers or other memento items, Memorial contributions may be made to:  First Baptist Church, Stryker, Ohio.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Grisier Funeral Home, Stryker, Ohio.