Norman Dennis Clark

Norman Dennis Clark, 76, of Peru, died November 4, 2021 at St Margaret’s Hospital in Peru. 

No services or visitation are being held in accordance with his wishes. Cremation is being accorded.  Hurst Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

Norman was born March 17, 1945 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley to Bernice Grudis Clark and Darwin Clark.  He grew up in Dimmick, graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School and attended LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College. 

He completed a Tool and Die Maker apprenticeship through Westclox Corporation in LaSalle and worked there for a fewyears.

A life-long resident of the LaSalle-Peru area, he spent much of his career in sales: selling advertising for the News Tribune, serving as a sales representative for trucking companies including ABF and Yellow Freight, and was in industrial sales for Bearing Headquarters and Complete Industrial Enterprises. He was a co-owner of Whitehorse Engraving. At the end of his professional career he went into the food and beverage business as the Manager of the Eagles Club in Peru, and a co-owner of NorMaJean’s, which was located on Water Street in Peru.  

He was a member and officer of the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association (ILBA) Chapter 76. In 2010, he was named the Outstanding ILBA Board Member. In 2019, he received the 21stCentury President’s Award of Honor and Dedication from the ILBA.  

He earned his private pilot’s license in 1974. His hobbies included flying, playing cards, cooking and entertaining. His cooking and several of his recipes were featured in the News Tribune and in a national magazine published by Penzey’s Spice Company.  

He had a charismatic personality and was known for his generosity and his ability to host a room. He was also recognized as a straight-shooter. As one of his friends said:  “You never had to ask what was on his mind; he always made it quite clear.  One of his favorite lines was, ‘you might not always like what I tell you, but I will never lie to you.’”

He was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie Lynch; two sons, Bradley Scott (Michaela) Clark of Atlanta, Georgia; Scott Michael Clark of Peru and three grandchildren, Jacob (Emily) Clark of Ladd, NicholetteTrojanowski and Lexi Trojanowski, of Atlanta, and a great-grandson, Brady Clark of Ladd.

Memorials may be directed to Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, Horizon House or the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norman Dennis Clark, please visit our floral store.