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Donald W. Clarke
Owner, Manager, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Donald W. Clarke, owner, manager, funeral director and embalmer married to Cheryl L. Clarke who is owner and office manager of Clarke Funeral Home. Don is the father of Gretchen Clarke, Laura Newpoff, Cathleen Clarke, Elizabeth "Beth" Clarke Swick and her husband Daniel, Christopher Clarke and stepson Matthew Waggoner. He is also grandfather of Donnie and Daniel Swick.
Don is a graduate of Toronto High School, attended Kent State University and graduated Magna Cum Laud from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1963.
He began working with his father Donald T. Clarke and mother Thelma V. Clarke at the funeral home in 1963. He became a licensed funeral director in 1964 and licensed embalmer in 1965. He has been a part of The Clarke Funeral Home for 41 years.
Don served the City of Toronto as Auditor from 1984 to 1992 and served as a City of Toronto Councilman. He also served as a member of the Toronto Health Department and also as Toronto Health Commissioner in the 1970's.
His service to the community includes: Past President and member of the Toronto Kiwanis Club and Toronto Chamber of Commerce / Jefferson Ruritan / Toronto Masonic Lodge #583 F. & A.M. / Toronto Royal Arch Masons #221 / Steubenville Commandry #11 / Valley of Steubenville Scottish Rite / Toronto Order of Eastern Star #215 / member and co-founder of the board of directors of the Toronto High School Alumni Association. Board of Directors of the United Way of Jefferson County / Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce / Knox Township Grange / Toronto American Legion / Toronto V.F.W. / Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Toronto / Honorary Citizens of the Village of Empire / Ohio Funeral Directors Association.
Cheryl L. Clarke
Owner and Office Mananger
My husband Donald W. Clarke and I are co-owners of the Clarke Funeral Home. We were married September 12, 1992 in the First Presbyterian Church in Toronto.
I joined the firm in 1993 as Office Manager.
My son, Matthew A. Waggoner of Toronto will be graduating in May 2008 from West Liberty State College with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. He will be graduating with honors. I am also stepmother to Gretchen Clarke, Laura Newpoff, Cathleen Clarke, Beth Swick and Christopher Clarke. I am Grandmother to Beth’s little boys Donnie and Danny Swick.
I am the eldest of five children. My father Leroy Murray passed away December 17, 2007 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis and other health problems. My mother Edith Hendricks Murray lives just outside Toronto near Knoxville.
I am a member of First Presbyterian Church in Toronto where I am currently secretary for the Board of Deacons, treasurer of the Martha Circle of the church and am a member of the Women’s Association. I am a charter member of the Moulin Rouge Red Hat Society. I am currently on the board of directors of the Toronto Ohio Chamber of Commerce where I served as secretary the last two years. I am a member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
In August of 2007, I became a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. I am enjoying the Mary Kay business very much. My website is www.marykay.com/cherylclarke I would love for you to visit my website and see all the exciting new products we have available. I do gift baskets for all occasions and love to have skin care classes. Mary Kay consultants enrich women’s lives by making them look and feel better about themselves.
Matthew E.G. LewisLicensed Funeral Director and Embalmer / Aftercare Services Coordinator
Matthew E.G. Lewis, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, is the son of John F. and Judith A. (Sciance) Lewis of Toronto and the Grandson of Mildred L. (Willoughby) Sciance of Toronto. He has been a part of The Clarke Funeral Home Family full-time since March of 2003.
Matt has 10 years experience in the Funeral Service industry, and prior to joining The Clarke Funeral Home Staff was the Manager of the Smith-Geib Funeral Homes of Sugarcreek and Baltic serving both the English (American) & the Amish communities of that area.
His educational background includes: 1994 Graduate of Toronto High School, An Associate's Degree in General Studies from the Kent State University, An Associate of Specialized Business Degree in Funeral Home management from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (P.I.M.S.), A Diploma of Embalming and Funeral Directing from P.I.M.S., A Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Scientific Studies from Point Park University, and a 2003 Graduate of The Dale Carnegie Course. Matt is licensed in the state of Ohio, and has passed the National Board Funeral Service Exam.
Matt's community and civic involvement includes, Lifelong member of the North River Avenue Church of Christ, Currently attends the First Presbyterian Church of Toronto where he is active in the Choir. He is a member of the Toronto Area Chamber of Commerce, Toronto Kiwanis Club, Past Master of Pilgrim Lodge # 691 F & AM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite - Valley of Steubenville.
His professional memberships include, National Funeral Director's Association, Ohio Funeral Director's Association, Ohio Embalmer's Association, and he is currently serving as president of the Columbiana County Funeral Director's Association.
Matt is a former member of Boy Scout Troup # 41 in Toronto where he achieved his Eagle Scout award in 1993. He participated in both the marching and concert bands while at Toronto High School, and served as an Assistant Director/ Marching & Brass Instructor for T.H.S. from 1994 to 2000. While in college, he was a member of the Canton Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps playing Contra Bass from 1994-1997 and served on the Visual Instructional Staff for the 1998 & 1999 seasons.
Matt's hobbies include music, golf, cooking, and speaking to community/ civic groups on his experience serving the Amish Community, and on other funeral service related topics such as advance funeral planning.
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