Clark R. Downey, 72, of Illinois City, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at The Bird House Hospice Home in Iowa City.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish (St. Patrick Campus) 9619 140th St W, Taylor Ridge. For those wishing to participate, a rosary will be recited prior to visitation at 3:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the same location. Burial will be in Drury-Reynolds Cemetery, in Drury Township immediately after Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Illinois City/Buffalo Prairie Fire Department. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan, is assisting the family.

Clark was born on March 15, 1954, in Muscatine, Iowa. He was the youngest of eight children, born to Edward and Naomi “Betty” (Nyenhuis) Downey. He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Allen, in 1975. Together, they purchased a corner of the family farm and built their home just a short walk through the alfalfa field from Grandma Betty’s, where their three children stopped by almost daily for homemade brownies and ice cream, and where Clark joined his brothers each morning for an early breakfast before work.

Clark was able to purchase his first piece of land and pursue his dream of becoming a farmer just like his dad and brothers with the guidance and support of his older brother and most trusted supporter, Jerry Downey. When Clark would doubt his ability to take on the work ahead, Jerry offered simple but steady advice: “Keep your butt up and your nose to the grindstone.” Clark took those words to heart, raising hogs, corn, soybeans, and a happy family, all while working swing shift, 40 hours per week at Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) in Muscatine, Iowa. And though it went against his better judgment, he also patiently accommodated the small herd of Arabian horses his girls acquired over the years, never failing to show up when they needed rescuing from misadventure.

After 33 years at GPC, Clark retired and eventually turned his farm ground into pollinator fields. He devoted himself to preserving and enhancing habitats for pollinators and upland birds. He loved nothing more than to talk about his quail. For the first time, retirement also allowed him to devote more time to personal interests he loved, including training and hunting with his Boykin Spaniels, who were as much family as they were hunting companions. He enjoyed shooting trap, ice fishing with his best friend Bernie, and working on Sudoku puzzles with his grandchildren. He also never missed a chance to support his 5 grandchildren in their many activities. He learned to make homemade apple pies and made sure there was at least one at every family gathering. If his family was really lucky, he would make a batch of homemade ice cream to go with. Family meant everything to Clark, and he was often happiest just listening quietly as his raucous family swapped stories, laughed, teased, and talked over one another. He was content to soak it all in with a small joyful grin on his face. But as an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish, Clark found his greatest joy in attending Mass with his family filling an entire pew beside him.

While Clark would have been content never to travel beyond the boundaries of the family farm, he willingly went along with the ambitious travel plans of his beloved wife. Together, they shared many memorable adventures, including a family trip to Ireland, a pilgrimage to Israel, several cruises, cross‑country road trips to Boykin hunt tests, and many visits to Florida to enjoy warmer weather with family.

Clark was greatly loved and made an impact on the lives of many—friends and strangers alike—through small acts of service and authentic kindness. His quiet, steady presence and warm grin will be missed by all who knew him, especially his beloved wife of 50 years. As a dear friend said, “After you have talked to Clark for a while, you just feel better.” Those left to cherish Clark’s memory include his wife, Patricia Downey; children, Meghann (David) King, Adrienne Whisler, and Jared Downey; grandchildren, Julia King, Rachel King, Gabriel King, James Whisler, and Nola Whisler; sister, Nancy Weber; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings, Bill Downey, Patrick Downey, Jerry Downey, Nola Ayers, Steve Downey, and Chet Downey.

Online condolences may be left for the family on Clark’s tribute wall.