Tributes

S. Bruce Clarke, 77, of Wheeling and Deep Creek Lake, MD, passed away July 3, 2018 in Wheeling Hospital. He was born October 28, 1940 in Wheeling, the son of the late William Russell and Eugenia (O’Connor) Clarke. Bruce was a graduate of Triadelphia High School Class of 1958 and West Virginia University Class of 1962, with a degree in Business Administration. While there he was one of 120 members of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity, elected President his final year. A lifelong member of Vance Presbyterian Church, he served twice as Deacon and choir member, where he enjoyed his love of music as had his grandfather John O’Connor. Bruce served 30 years as Board Member of Wheeling Symphony Society, serving as President and Treasurer. Other board positions include 30 years with the Easter Seals Society, President 1984-1986; 30 years board member with WV Independence Hall Foundation, President 1983-1985; a 10 year Board Member of The Half Dollar Bank until its sale to United Bank. He was National Board Member of Paper First Affiliates with a membership of 300 paper and party stores. Other affiliations locally were the Elks, Lions, and Rotary Clubs as well as Symposiarchs and the Wheeling Country Club. Bruce was admired and respected for his contributions to the Wheeling Community. His knowledge of Wheeling Glass (Hobbs and Northwood) was well known. Bruce inherited his family business Clarke Paper Company in 1962 and as President 25 years later sold it. He founded the Paper Shack of Wheeling, a paper and party store in 1981, one of 25 such stores in the Country. He served as President and CEO and his wife Marie managed the store for 10 years until he sold it upon his retirement in 2004. He co-founded Proven Papers, a wholesale paper company, in 1989 with John Kidd. He served for 10 years as President until 2000 when he joined Marie at the Paper Shack. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lynne Yoakum Nanny and first wife, Nancy McCleary. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Marie Weaver Clarke; three children, R. Scott (Kathy) Clarke of Alexander, VA and S. Carter (Jodie) Clarke of Evansville, IN, Karen McCleary (Mark) Markovic of Crofton, MD; sister, Claire (Bob) Hall of Murrells Inlet, SC; step-children, Christine (Steve) Ross and J. Mark Nelson; niece, Kelly Yoakum (Mike) Wilson; Jeff Yoakum; cousins, Karen R. Grisell, Clarke (Elayne) Ridgway, Susan (Bill) Vieweg, Randy Clarke, Jack O’Connor, and Phillip Tomlinson; family friends, James and Judy Yoakum. Family will receive friends Friday from 6-9pm at Grisell Funeral Home and Crematory, 1 Ridgecrest Rd, Bethlehem/Wheeling, where funeral services will be held Saturday at 11am with Rev. Erica L. Harley of Vance Church officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling. Memorial contributions may be made to Easter Seals and Independence Hall of Wheeling.

Tributes

S. Bruce Clarke

October 28, 1940 - July 3, 2018