Christopher C. Clarke

Christopher “Coach” Clarke, 82, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 8:44 pm on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Center for Hospice in Mishawaka. Chris was born on December 1, 1942, in Bay Village, Ohio, to the late Robert and Dorothy (Burrell) Clarke. On November 25, 1972, he was united in marriage to Shirley J. (Mann) Clarke. He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Clarke; his daughter, Ann Marie (Fye) Thompson; and his sister, Mary (Clarke) Arnold. 

Chris is survived by his children, Jacqueline K. (Gary) Landuyt of Granger, IN, Kevin (Kim) Clarke of Tampa, FL, Karin J. Clarke of Daytona Beach, FL; his son-in-law, Stephen V. Thompson of South Bend, IN; his seven grandchildren, Justin Barnes of Melbourne, FL, Allie (Randy) Becker of South Bend, IN, Hillary (Jason) Capua, of LaPaz, IN, Grant Caton of South Bend, IN, Ross Caton of Bloomington, IN, Katherine (Kyle) Clarke of Plano, TX, Christopher (Makaley) Clarke of St. Augustine, FL; and his four great-grandchildren, Brody, Greyson, Hank, and Keaton. 

There were virtually no strangers to Chris Clarke; there were only friends he hadn’t met yet. Chris was such a wildly extroverted person that you couldn’t take him to the grocery store or out to dinner without losing him at least once or twice. When you’d find him? Inevitably, he’d be chatting with some other family at some other table or slapping one of his old football players on the back. His new friend was probably wearing a Cleveland Guardians shirt (if they were lucky) or a Yankees hat (if they weren’t). Even if Chris had come over to criticize your choice in sports teams, the conversation would inevitably turn convivial once more. Chris loved people, and he would return from his impromptu socializing with a smile on his face, satisfied that there was one fewer stranger in his world. 

Chris spent his childhood in Bay Village, Ohio. He was a naturally talented athlete, playing baseball, football, and basketball for Bay High School. He later attended Indiana University on a football scholarship, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. While at IU, Chris was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He was also an offensive lineman for the Hoosier football team.

After college, Chris dedicated his professional life to education and coaching, with the majority of that time spent in the South Bend Community School Corporation. He was better known as Coach Clarke to the thousands of students he worked with over his forty-three year career. Chris coached many sports—wrestling, softball, and football—but the bulk of his time was spent with the John Adams High School football team. On summer breaks (before football practice started in earnest), Chris and his wife, Shirley, were world travelers. Chris’s favorite saying was “you gotta do it while you’re young,” and he really did live by that motto. He kissed the Blarney Stone, cruised the Rhine, hiked Hawaiian volcanoes, and rode horses up the Rocky Mountains. When he wasn’t traveling, you’d find him hauling his golf clubs over to Elbel or Erskine, or else he’d be honing his bridge and euchre games at one of the many weekly groups he attended. Chris had a serious side, too. He was deeply committed to animal welfare and conservation, and he actively supported many charitable groups and local organizations. He was also a needlepoint artist. If he really loved you, he’d gift you one of his intricately constructed cross-stitches. He completed dozens of these beautiful works of art throughout his lifetime.

Many of us knew Chris better as Papa. He loved sports and he loved teaching, but most of all, he loved his family with his whole heart. His loss will be deeply felt, and he will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. on December 7, 2025, in South Bend, IN. The service will be at 1:00 pm, and friends may visit with the family for two hours prior, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Contributions in memory of Chris Clarke may be offered to Pet Refuge and the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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