Chris Clark

Christopher Lee Clark, age 47 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, son, Dad, and brother died unexpectedly at 8:19 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2023 with his family gathered around in the Emergency Department of Corewell Health Niles Hospital following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the efforts of the 911 operator and the first responders.

He was born on April 13, 1975 in South Bend, Indiana to Charles D. and Rebecca E. (Schosker) Clark; attended Brandywine Community Schools, and studied at the SledgeHammer School of Awareness.  He had been employed at Niles Precision, Cross Aluminum, and Alro Steel; and really enjoyed erecting signs for North American Signs and was proud to point-out those signs to whomever was riding in the car with him.  His greatest satisfaction was his years as a Certified Peer Recovery Coach with the Community Healing Center’s former Niles clinic.  He has lived in Niles most of his life.

Chris was a longtime active member of Narcotics Anonymous which met at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles.  When not helping friends at NA, he enjoyed going to Lake Michigan beaches, especially Warren Dunes State Park, but also Weko Beach and New Buffalo.  He was a talented poet, and at home, he could be found in the backyard, manning the grill for family and friends, usually grilling chicken with his special rub of jerk spices.

He was married at Warren Dunes on August 28, 2021 – a very hot day, even under a tree – to the love of his life, Miki Lynn Wagley who survives along with her daughter, Anneke Wagley and grandchildren, Brian Aldrich and Zayleigh Bricker who he absolutely adored; Chris’ parents, Becky and Charlie Clark of Niles; and Chris’ brother, Charles (& Beth) Clark, Jr. of South Bend, and their daughters, Daphne Clark and Sephia Clark; and a wonderful circle of great friends.

The family of Chris Clark will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on his birthday, Thursday, April 13, 2023 in the NA meeting room and fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street in Niles; and please enter through the south end doors in the parking lot.  At 5:00 p.m. words to remember and honor his life will be offered by Mark Joseph Topash who officiated at their wedding.

Contributions in memory of Chris may be made to Carol's Hope Crisis Intervention  at https://communityhealingcenter.kindful.com/?campaign=1223379 Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Chris experienced a lot of life in his – too short – 47 years, and he used both the bad and the good experiences to provide care and encouragement to those going through the tough times.  And he also appreciated those relaxed times in the backyard and on the beach with friends and family.  But the most loved time that he spent was with the most loved of his life, Miki at home and under the perfect sunset on the beach.