Lonnie Ray Clark Jr.

Lonnie Ray Clark Jr., 69, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family. A Funeral Service with full military honors will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, where a visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until the service time.

Lonnie was born on October 19, 1955, in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Lonnie Sr. and Rita (Belschner) Clark. He was a graduate of West Aurora High School and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Marine Corp. On July 13, 1984, Lonnie was united in marriage to Deborah “Deb” Lynn Zinzer in Kane County, Illinois. Lonnie was very proud of his time spent in the restaurant industry over many, many years, beginning as a child in his father's Golden Steer restaurant in Aurora, Illinois. He also dedicated over 20 proud years to the Cedar Rapids Water Department, retiring in 2021.

Lonnie was known as a “jack of all trades and a master of one: Love.” He had a passion for working on projects, tinkering, and collecting treasures along the way. Lonnie enjoyed taking care of his home and family, spending time in his garage or yard building and fixing things. He enjoyed driving around town looking for treasures. He loved his dogs, and they loved to snuggle and rest with him after long days. Lonnie loved baseball and saw many games at Wrigley and Busch Stadiums over the years. He was also an avid bowler, with numerous 300 games to his name. He nearly turned pro, enjoyed bowling with the military, and was in leagues for most of his life. Bowling created many lasting friendships over the years. Lonnie lived a full and joyful life.

Though most especially, he cherished precious moments spent with his family; road trips to visit extended family with his wife, teaching and having fun with his children, playing with his grandchildren. Family was truly a source of joy and pride for him, and he found great happiness in sharing experiences and creating lasting memories with them. Lonnie loved cooking up a good family meal and had a secret recipe or two up his sleeve. Lonnie always had a special, mischievous twinkle in his eye, a softness in his heart, and an unmatched fire in his belly. Lonnie was a jokester good for a laugh until the very end. Lonnie was reliable and ready to help anyone, anytime. To know him was to feel warmth and know you were safe. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Lonnie is survived and lovingly remembered by his family: wife of 41 years, Deb Clark; sister, Mary Kimberly Clark; children, Sarah Ann Clark, Brian Ray Clark, Staci Lynn (Justin) Thomas, Jennifer Leigh (Josh) Jones, and Sandy Anne Clark; eleven grandchildren, James Thomas, Wyatt Clark, Emmett Clark, Natalie Thomas, Grant Thomas, Luke Thomas, Skye (Ty) Cubit, Devin Guajardo, Tristan Burke, Danielle Burke, and Addison Jones; and great-grandson, Henry Cubit.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Virginia Belschner; parents, Lonnie and Rita Clark Sr.; two brothers, Dennis and Joe Clark; and sister, Nanci Newman.

Please share your memories of Lonnie with us here: Lonnie's Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Lonnie’s honor which will go to support a Youth Bowling fund: Lonnie's Memorial Donations.

10-4. Over and out. -LC