Shirley J. (Mann) Clarke

Shirley J. (Mann) Clarke, 81, of South Bend passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Life Plan Community in South Bend.

Shirley was born in Winamac, IN on September 4, 1942, to the late David and Anna (Manzuk) Mann.

Shirley graduated from Washington High School, class of 1961 and then obtained her nursing degree from Ivy Tech.

What Shirley enjoyed most was raising her family. Shirley met and married Christopher Clarke on November 25, 1972, in South Bend, sharing 51 years of marriage. Together they have 4 children, and Shirley cared deeply for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Throughout Shirley’s life, she was an advocate for animal welfare and she loved her cats as though they were her family. She was enamored by Elvis-wherever she was, his music and movies were playing. Shirley spent many summers traveling with her husband-whether she was flying in a hot air balloon in New Mexico or in a helicopter over the Rockies, Shirley was fearless.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Christopher Clarke, her daughters; Jacqueline (Gary) Landuyt and Karin Barnes, her son; Kevin (Kim) Clarke, her grandchildren; Allison (Randy) Becker, Hillary (Jason) Capua, Grant Caton, Ross Caton, Katie Clarke, Christopher Clarke, and Justin Barnes, as well as her great-grandchildren; Greyson Fautz, Brody Collins, Keaton Capua, and Hank Becker.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter; Ann Marie Thompson, and her brother; David Mann.

Visitation for Shirley will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 10am until 11am at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. A funeral service will begin at 11am at the funeral home with burial to follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley’s name may be made to Pet Refuge.

Online condolences to the family may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

01/27/2024 EJS