Willie Lark

Lark, Willie T.MADISON- Willie T. Lark was born September 23, 1931 in Leakesville, MS, a surviving twin and only child of Willie T. Lark, Sr. and Marina Banks Lark. He was raised by his Aunt Daisy Powell and his Uncle Will Powell.Willie attended Natchez College High School where he met and married his wife of over 50 years Ruth Harris.Willie left Mississippi and went to live with his father in El Cerrito, CA were he graduated from El Camino high school and then joined the service.Willie joined the United States Air Force where he served his country for 16 years attaining the rank of Sargent. He was stationed in Michigan, South Dakota, Iceland and Korea. His last stop was Truax AFB in Madison, WI.After stopping in Madison, Willie decided that this was were he would work and raise his family. He worked for Ohio Medical (Ohmeda) for 25 years before retiring. He was also an active member of St. Paul AME Church and a member of S.S. Morris AME Church. Willie worked in a number of service organizations including the NAACP and the Urban League but was a passionate and active member of Capitol City Lodge No. 2 Masonic Order where he served as Past Master for 3 terms. As Grand Lecturer he traveled extensively throughout, Milwaukee, Racine, Beloit, Kenosha and Illinois. He was also a member of Friendship Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Stars, Madison-Beloit Consistory No. 84, and Zembro Temple No. 70 Shrine. Willie is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth; three children, Marina Taylor, Don (Paulette) Lark, Patti Lark; eight grandchildren, Michael Taylor, Nathanael, Arianna, Dominique, and Jared Lark, Ariel, Terra and Sarah Sanders; one great granddaughter, London Rose Vargo-Lark and a host of other relatives, friends, and masonic brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents.Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at 1 p.m., at ST. MARKS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 605 Spruce St., Madison, with the Rev. G. Paul Foster presiding. Burial will follow in Middleton Junction Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or HospiceCare Foundation. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Marys Renal Services Center and HospiceCare for all of their wonderful care and support.Gunderson FitchburgFuneral & Cremation Care2950 Chapel Valley Road at McKee Road(608) 442-5002www.gundersonfh.com Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or HospiceCare Foundation. Cemetery: Burial will follow in Middleton Junction Cemetery. Visitation: Visitation will be held on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Service: Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at 1 p.m., at ST. MARK\'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 605 Spruce St., Madison, with the Rev. G. Paul Foster presiding.