Clark J. Story, 75, of Apple River, passed away, following a very brief illness, on Saturday, August 25, 2018. He was at home, surrounded by his loving family and beloved dogs. He was born on August 26, 1942 in Dubuque, IA, son of Erwin and Dorothy (Howe) Story. He married Jean Markus on May 30, 1959 in Dubuque, IA.

Throughout his lifetime he ran many successful businesses. He ran a body shop and re-built wrecked cars, he built livestock bodies, he had a small fleet of semis that he ran, he and Jean had a weekly newspaper, and at the end he was running a business called Backyard Conversions that took 1:18 Ertl cars and turned them into convertibles before they were being produced by anyone else.

He enjoyed camping with numerous friends that he and Jean had made and traveling to Florida for a portion of the winter. In his younger years, he played guitar in a number of bands, including one with his wife Jean. And he was never too busy to turn down a game of cribbage. He finally achieved the perfect hand to his great delight.

Clark is survived by his four children; Laura (Ken) Burbach, Dan (Brenda) Story, Tim Story, and Shane (Cheri) Story all of Apple River, IL, seven grandchildren; Dani Burbach, Lacey (Ken) Siomos, Jacob (Sarah) Story, Sara Ann (Garrett) Kite, Sami (Colton) Laird, Shelby and Sydney Story, three great-grandchildren and another one on the way, numerous nieces and nephews, and his two fur babies; Lucy and Junior.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jean in 2013, his parents, and his sister Carol (Story) Gilles.

We cannot begin to express our gratitude to Connie and Tim Maupin for all of their help. Because of these two wonderful people, we were able to keep our Dad at home and keep him comfortable. Thank you so very much.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

A celebration of life will be from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM on Sunday September 30, 2018 at the Apple River Park House in Apple River, Illinois.