Allo Coolman Funeral Homes

Gwendolyn (Clardy) Burk McLaughlin

Date of Death: November, 14 2012

Gwendolyn (Clardy) Burk McLaughlin, Spalding, was born on April 2, 1923 at Brookesmith, Brown County, Texas, Gwendolyn Clardy was the eldest child of William Harvey Clardy and Itha McBee. She passed peacefully from this earth on Wednesday November 14, 2012 at Pinecrest Medical Care Facility near her home in Spalding, Michigan at the age of 89.

Gwen spent her early childhood in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, graduated High School May 1943, and Western Union Training School in Springfield, Illinois in 1944. World War II was over and the men came home. She married Garret Burk May 27, 1946 after a short courtship. Together they raised four children, Pamela, John Milton, Charles Garret and Richard Allen.

Gwendolyn worked 20 years for Western Union prior to assisting Garret in business as Quality Glass in Albuquerque, NM. After the business was sold in 1970, Garret and Gwen lived in every US state except Alaska during the years Garret glazed new Ramada Inns. Garret Passed away August 18, 1983.

Jack McLaughlin married Gwendolyn on April 24, 1993 in Fruita, Colorado and they moved to Powers, Michigan in 2002. Jack passed away on November 14, 2003.

A devoted member of the Bark River Bible Church in Bark River, MI, she very much enjoyed studying the bible and attending services there. She was also a member of Eastern Star. She will be remembered most for all her prolific crochet work, having produced at least one afghan for each of the many people she loved. May she rest in peace knowing the warmth she leaves with us all.

Gwendolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Itha Clardy, a sister Cleo Dingman, her brothers James Clardy and Charles Clardy as well as niece Charlotte Tallman.
She is survived by her four children, Pam (Ron) Brown of Montrose, Colorado; John (Ann) Burk of Montrose, CO; Charles (Betty Draze) Burk of Spalding, Michigan; and Richard (Debi) Burk of Kennewick, Washington; grand children, Garret Brown, Howell, Michigan; Greg Brown, Montrose, Colorado; Christine Burk, Maple Heights, Ohio; Sam Burk, Colorado; Joe` Burk (Schmidt), Pullman, Washington; Adam Burk, Preston, Idaho and great grandchildren Brette Brown, Howell, Michigan; Jacqueline and Marina Brown, Montrose, Colorado and Garret Burk, Fruita, Colorado as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Saturday November 24, 2012 at the Allo Coolman Funeral home (W3755 US 2 & 41, Spalding, MI 49886). A funeral service will follow visitation at 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Brad Cochrane officiating. Burial will take place in the Spalding Township Cemetery.

Her family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Boy Scout Troop 578, Spalding, MI 49886.

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