TOPEKA, Kan. – Clark Rodney Gillard, 80, passed away Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at the Brookfield Care Facility, Topeka, Kan. He was born Sept. 3, 1944, in Topeka, the son of Marvin and Gwen (Clark) Gillard.
Clark had grown up in the Vassar and Lyndon, Kan., communities. He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1962. He had lived in San Angelo, Texas, for many years, and in Midland, Texas, before moving back to Melvern, Kan., in 2005.
After high school, Clark served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1967 as an airman first class, and had been stationed in Pakistan. After his discharge, he worked as a civilian accountant for the Goodfellow Air Base, San Angelo, Texas. He also worked as an accountant for the state of Texas, and for a large hotel chain in Texas. When he returned to Kansas, he worked for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. He was involved with the Osage County Senior Center, and was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar.
Clark was married to Marie Arons until her death in 2002. He married Pam Arb in 2006, until her passing on Jan. 2, 2022.
Clark was also preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Gwen; and a brother, Ralph Eissler.
Clark is survived by his four stepdaughters, Rena Popma, of Texas, Susan Lacey, of Overbrook, Kan., Paula Anderson, Topeka, and Michelle Gillard, Wichita, Kan.; two brothers, Craig Gillard, Overbrook, and Loren Eissler, Lyndon; sister, Betsy Hawkins, Topeka; and six step-grandchildren, Emma, Ella, Cassidy, Braeden, Makayla and Christopher.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar. Burial will follow in Vassar Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.
Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
