Jo-Carroll Clark

Jo-Carroll Clark of West Branch, MI passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. 

Jo-Carroll was born in Lansing, MI on October 9, 1942, to Victor and Edna (Bessonen) Space. She grew up in the Lansing area, graduating from Lansing Everet High School. She attended college at Michigan State University, where she earned her associate degree. She met her future husband, Gary, while they attended a bowling class at MSU. 

Jo-Carroll married Gary on September 5, 1964, in East Lansing. They honeymooned on Mackinac Island, where Jo-Carroll spent a college summer working as a waitress at the Chippewa Hotel. 

After living in the Detroit area for their first few years of marriage, Gary’s job brought them to West Branch in 1971, where they lived in their “starter home” until the time of her passing. Jo-Carroll worked several different administrative assistant roles, with her favorite place of employment being the Ausable Valley Mental Health Clinic. 

Jo-Carroll loved visiting the Upper Peninsula with her favorite places being Paradise, Mackinac Island and the Keweenaw Peninsula. She cherished the times spent there with Gary, her kids and grandkids. When she wasn’t in the UP, her other favorite place was her screened-in porch, enjoying the warm weather, a great book, and a glass of her favorite white wine. She also enjoyed following MSU football and basketball. 

Surviving Jo-Carroll are her husband of 60+ years Gary, children: Jaime (Cali) Clark of Mt. Pleasant, MI, Elisabeth (Tom) Kish of West Branch, MI. Grandchildren: Andrew (Alexis) Kish of Davenport, Iowa, Megan (Jordan) Cottle of Shepherd, MI, Robert (Karlye) Kish of Clarkston, MI, Nicholas (Victoria) Clark of Westfield, IN, Steven (Abbie) Kish of Saginaw, MI. Great-Grandchildren: Emma Cottle, Sadie Cottle, Paul Cottle, Vivian Clark, Elsie Kish, Carson Kish, William Kish and Evelyn Kish. (A large family considering that Jo-Carroll and Gary were both only children).

Jo-Carroll was proceeded in death by her parents Victor and Enda Space and her father and mother in-law Garland and Mary Clark. 

Per Jo-Carroll’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.

Arrangements were made by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI. www.steuernolmclaren.com