Clarence Moke

Clarence Moke, 94, of Spencer, Indiana, formerly of Merrillville/Monticello/Gary, Indiana, passed on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Residence of McCormick's Creek in Spencer. Clarence was born in Adena, Ohio to Lewis Henry Moke and Frances Todd Moke Jackson. He graduated from Bridgeport Ohio High School where he earned twelve varsity letters in three sports during his four years. At the age of 10, he began working as a paper boy, helping to support his widowed mother and sisters. He demonstrated his strong work ethic throughout his life by working in as many as three different jobs at a time. He also owned his own dump truck business, and sold Christmas trees from his side yard at 41st and Harrison in Gary for many years during the 1950s and 60s. He was retired from the Sheet & Tin Mill Division of U.S. Steel Corp. in Gary, Indiana after 42 years of service. Clarence never met a stranger and enjoyed learning about everyone he met. He was past president of the West Side Glen Park Civic Club and the Calumet Hot Mill Old Timer's Club. He was also a member of the F.O.E. Glen Park Aerie No. 2413, Zorah Shrine, Valley of Terre Haute Scottish Rite and a fifty year member of Spencer Masonic Lodge #95. He was also a member of Grace Methodist Church in Glen Park. Clarence's first priority was his family and his best times were spent with them at their vacation and retirement home at Shafer Lake in Monticello. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Ruth Harbison Moke; sisters: Frances Moke, Doris Gretzinger, Mildred Moke and Bernice MacDonald; brothers: Herbert Moke, William Moke and Lloyd Moke. He will be dearly missed by his four children: Clarence D. Caroline Moke of Merrillville, Karen Don Wszolek of Merrillville, Lewis Cheryl Moke of Spencer and Robert “Steve” Sharon Moke of Crown Point; seven grandchildren: Robert Kathleen Orosz, Scott Karen Orosz, Cheryl Tucker, Kristianne Mike Myers, Joseph Kristi Moke, Lisa Frank Purcell, Stacy Moke; sister-in-law, Dorothy Owen Snodgrass, 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends, too many to count. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, Pastor Richard S. Brown officiating. Interment to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Friends may visit with the family Friday, June 19th from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Glen Park Masonic Lodge #732 F.& A.M. will conduct a memorial service Friday at 7:00 PM Memorial donations may be made in Clarence's name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707. To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, please visit the guestbook section at www.geisenfuneralhome.com.