ELKHART -- Mildred L. Clark, 101, of Elkhart died Saturday (Oct. 3, 2009) at 2:15 a.m. of natural causes at the Golden Living Center, where she had lived for two years.

She was born June 9, 1908, in Bluffton to Henry and Sadie (Robinson) Bowman. After two unsuccessful marriages, she married the love of her life, Edward Clark, an assistant Elkhart fire chief. He died in the line of duty on Dec. 22, 1948.

She is survived by a son, James E. (Wanda) Rowe of Elkhart, 17 grandchildren and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Mildred was preceded in death by three sisters, Nellie Witmer, Pauline Bickart and Bessie Horine; a brother, Carl Bowman; two grandsons, Louis Rowe and Andrew Strukel; and a granddaughter, Judith Pavoni.

Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. There will also be an hour of visitation before the 10:30 a.m. service on Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, 400 W. Mishawaka Road, Elkhart. Pastor Donald E. Reed will officiate at the service and burial and graveside services will follow at Rice Cemetery.

Mildred, formerly of Strafford Commons, worked at Boris Smoler Dress Factory, as a sound checker at CTS Corp., and then on the assembly line at Barger Box Co., retiring in 1966. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church and the Alpha Dora Class at the church. She belonged to the Eastern Star, Elks Auxiliary and the American Legion. She had a zest for life, always maintaining her sense of humor, and enjoyed dining out, shopping and playing cards.

Memorials may go to First United Methodist Church, 400 W. Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, Ind., 46517. Online condolences may be sent at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.