Mary Eleanor (O'Brian) Clark

Mary Eleanor (O’Brian) Clark, 89, Peru, Indiana, died on January 21, 2026, in her home, where she was under the loving care of her daughters Jeanne and Susan.

Born October 14, 1936, in Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to William Crim and Doris Irene (Basinger) O’Brian, Mary was the youngest of their three children.

“I was a plumb ornery kid,” Mary recalled as she reflected on growing up with two older brothers. “I would open the envelopes of mercury the boys brought home from science class, pour the mercury onto their desks, poke it into little balls, and leave them so my brothers couldn’t put their school books down. I’d often go into Bill’s room without his permission and take one of his records from its sleeve and swap it out with a different record.” Bill caught her one time and held her upside down over the toilet, threatening to drop her in before John, the oldest sibling, intervened.

Upon graduating from East Grand Rapids High School, Mary attended Albion College. She took some children’s literature classes that sparked her interest in pursuing a teaching career. Also sparking her interest was a fellow student, J. Robert (Bob) Clark, who was two years behind her in school.

After graduating in 1958, Mary took a job at Peter Pan Elementary School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “Back then,” she said, “all the kids went home for lunch so we always had a break every day.” During this time, Mary started work toward a Master of Education degree at Western Michigan University but left this degree unfinished.

Mary and Bob were married June 28, 1959, at LaGrange Methodist Church in LaGrange, Indiana. Bob served as a student minister while he finished college, and following his graduation, the couple moved to Evanston, Illinois, so that Bob could attend seminary.

Marrying Bob meant she also signed on to the life of a minister’s wife. As many clergy spouses will tell you, this isn’t an easy job and often involves moving from one appointed ministry assignment to the next. Mary balanced this role with grace and aplomb, supporting Bob through these changes. And when, over the course of several years, the couple welcomed three children into their lives, she relished her role as mother to Jeanne, John, and Susan. In 1972, when Bob was appointed minister at Parkview United Methodist Church in Peru, the couple was finally able to put down permanent roots. Mary was part of the United Methodist Women at Parkview, sang in the choir and helped with Vacation Bible School.

Mary and Bob didn’t just have a loving marriage; they had a wonderful partnership that lasted more than 65 years until Bob’s death last year. In 2005, they were awarded Miami County Extension Family of the Year.

Mary’s education background and extraordinary patience made her an ideal substitute teacher, including several years as a full-time sub at Maconaquah High School. She also drove a school bus for the Maconaquah School District for 30 years. Possessing strong driving abilities and a fantastic vocabulary, Mary was the ideal candidate to serve as both judge and bus driver and later assistant coach for the MHS Speech team.

For Mary, volunteering was an essential ingredient to being a good citizen. It was one of the ways she helped shape her community.

A long-time volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Mary delivered daffodils as part of the nonprofit’s annual fundraising efforts to support cancer research and patient services. She also served as the Daffodil Days fundraising chair and on the Relay for Life Committee. In addition, she drove countless cancer patients to and from their appointments.

In 2008, when Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer and going through treatments of her own, you might have mistaken her for a volunteer rather than a patient. She reached beyond her own struggles and comforted others in the waiting rooms, offering encouraging words and lifting their spirits with her laughter and smile.

A Purdue Master Gardener, Mary served for many years as board treasurer for the Miami County Master Gardeners Association. She believed in the nonprofit’s mission and, along with her daughter Jeanne, dedicated hours to beautifying the Peru Public Library, Miami County 4-H Fairgrounds, and various other locations around Peru, all while helping others grow.

Mary suffered a stroke in 2022 which eventually left her essentially wheelchair bound. Except when her plumb orneriness occasionally slipped out, she remained her cheerful and joyful self. On January 28, 2025, while holding Bob’s hand, she assured the love of her life that she and the loved ones surrounding him would be okay. She bloomed like a daffodil even on the darkest of days.

A loving wife, mother, and grandma, Mary was the epitome of strength in adversity and usually up for fun. Friends and family will miss her goodness, laughter and playfulness, positive attitude, and ability to sing most any hymn or show tune.

Survivors include daughters Jeanne and Susan Clark (Noblesville, Indiana); son John, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandson Tom (Kalamazoo, Michigan); sisters-in-law Kristi O’Brian (Vicksburg, Michigan), Nancy (Clark) Kuzniar (Milan, Michigan) and Carole (Clark) Fisher (Hillsdale, Michigan); and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Parkview United Methodist Church (1785 IN-19, Peru). A joint graveside for Mary and Bob will be held later that day at 2:30 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Peru. 

Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the church.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Parkview United Methodist Church, Peru Public Library, and Hope for Home-Miami County.  Any contribution may be mailed in c/o McClain Funeral Home, PO Box 248, Denver, Indiana 46926.

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcclainfh.com.