Edward E. Clark

Edward “Eddie” E. Clark, 89, of Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Donahoe Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by his family.  Eddie fought a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on July 11, 1926, in Bedford, a son of the late James William and Minnie Mae (Lawrence) Clark.  On June 6, 1948, in Bedford, he married Margie Eleanor (Hunt), his wife of 67 years and she survives along with three sons; James B. Clark of Bedford, John E. Clark married to the former Cynthia Corle of Imler, and Daniel R. Clark, of Coatesville; one daughter, Marie D. Montecalvo and husband Guy of Washington.  Eddie also leaves behind eleven grandchildren; Benjamin Clark and wife Nicole, Ashley (Clark) Snyder and husband Joshua, Emily (Clark) Barkman and husband Matthew, Johncie Clark, Obie Clark, Andrea Clark, Suzanne (Montecalvo) Antonucci and husband Joel, Laura Montecalvo, Drew Edward Clark, Alexandra Clark, and Meredith Clark; three great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters; one brother, Maynard Clark and wife Nancy of Apollo Beach, FL, and one sister, Mary Ronco of Miami, Fl.  He was preceded in death by a son William “Bill” H. Clark wife Wendy surviving of Bedford, a grandson James Clark Montecalvo; three sisters, Jean Heaton, Dorothy Vital, and Jessie Skurcensi; and four brothers, John, Robert, Joseph, and Frank Clark.

Eddie was a 1944 graduate of Bedford High School where he was a varsity wrestler.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1950 and his Master’s degree in Education in 1952, both from the Pennsylvania State University.  He was a veteran of the United States Air Force/Army Air Corps in 1945-1947 having served in protecting the Panama Canal.  Eddie was a teacher and coach at Bedford High School for 42 years, retiring in 1992.  He served as the Head Varsity Wrestling Coach from 1957-1974, and the Golf Team Coach from 1975-1992. He was a P.I.A.A. wrestling official and officiated high school and college matches for over 30 years.   He was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Coaches Association as “Coach of the Year” in 1974.  In 1980 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches “Hall of Fame”.  Eddie was honored to be a member of the first group of Bedford County athletes and coaches inducted into the Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.  Throughout his retirement years, Eddie continued to affectionately remain “Coach” to many former Bedford High School athletes and students who took joy in sharing stories of what are referred to as “Eddieisms”!  Mr. Clark was a member of the Bedford Elks Lodge 1707, the American Legion Post 113, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bedford.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford, with Pastor Jenny Barnes and Pastor Paul Claycomb officiating, Burial at Schellsburg Cemetery With full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard. Friends will be received on Sunday, from 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to the service on Monday.   Those wishing can make memorial contributions in Eddie’s name to the Bedford Wrestling/Mat Club, 330 East John Street, Bedford, PA 15522. or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, c/o Stacy Ford, 156 Gould Lane, Bedford, PA 15522. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefunerahome.com.