Ruthie Clark

Ruth Ann “Ruthie” Clark took her last breath at 11:50 p.m. on December 30, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family and beloved dog, Penny.

Ruthie was born January 25, 1942, to Erwin George (Scotty) and Ruby Ellen Bedell in Charlevoix, MI.  Ruthie had a love for animals from a young age, starting with raising lambs at the family home on M-88 north of town, continuing into her adult years adding chickens, turkeys, horses, goats, dogs, cats, birds, and llamas.

High school years, Ruthie played basketball, submitted sewing projects in 4-H, skied at Glacier Hills, and played baritone in the band.  She graduated from Bellaire High School in 1960 and maintained close friendships with many of her classmates, seeing many of them at her 62^nd Class Reunion last Fall.  On October 13, 1962, Ruthie married her high school sweetheart, Jere Clark, at the United Methodist Church in Bellaire and celebrated 60 years of marriage this year.

Ruthie held many jobs in her lifetime including Bud’s Grill, Tony’s Gas Station, and over 30 years driving school bus for special needs children.  In 1980, Ruthie fulfilled her dream of owning a restaurant when she purchased the Dairy Twist on Main Street, changing the name to Ruthie’s Dairy and Chicken Twist.  Adding to the menu her home-cooked recipes and generous portions of ice cream treats, mixed with her kind heart and warm, welcoming smile, Ruthie’s Dairy Twist quickly became well-known and loved amongst local residents and seasonal visitors throughout Michigan and beyond for the last 42 years.

Ruthie is survived by husband, Jere Clark; children, Patti Lowery, Jan Clark (Steve Lacy), Jill Clark, Jon Michael Clark (Tammy Bailey), Jennie Clark, Jason Clark, Julie Clark, Jeffrey Ricky Clark, and Jere Casey; 27 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren; sister, Mary Ellen Rhea; nephews and niece, Scott (Karen) Rhea, Kurt (Tina) Rhea, JoEllen Snyder, and Tom Rhea.

She was preceded in death by her parents Scotty and Ruby Bedell and her son, Jack Bedell (Jackie) Clark.

Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the Kearney Township Hall, 4820 Aero Park Dr., Bellaire, MI 49615.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes and on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of services 2:00 p.m. at the Kearney Township Hall.

For those unable to attend, Ruthie's funeral service will be live streamed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89806060465?pwd=djRxclhxc3I4Q2NYenJ1djFwRHUrQT09  Meeting ID: 898 0606 0465 Passcode: hello

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ‘With a little help from my friends’ or ‘Antrim County Commission on Aging’.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com