A private funeral has been held for 86-year-old Arlene Marie (Huck) Clerc of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, who passed away at 8:12 am, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at R & R Country Care Senior Living, Ruma, Illinois.
She was born March 8, 1938 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to Julius and Evelyn (nee Zerwig) Huck, who both preceded her in death.
She married Garland “Gene” Clerc October 10, 1959 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; he preceded her in death on May 13, 2021.
Arlene graduated from Valle Catholic High School in Saint Genevieve, Missouri. While attending high school, she began coursework through Art Instruction Schools and completed her art training shortly thereafter.
Following several years of employment in St. Louis, Missouri, she married her sweetheart, Gene Clerc.
Together, they settled in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, and raised their family of six children. Arlene and Gene lived in Prairie du Rocher for the rest of their lives and were married for 61 years.
She is survived by her six children: Kathleen (Robert) Greenberg, of Ringgold, GA, Daryl (Pamela) Clerc, of Prairie du Rocher, IL, Dean Clerc, of St. Charles, MO, Duane Clerc, of Prairie du Rocher, IL, Daniel (Jane) Clerc, of Bonney Lake, WA and Kelly Kertz, of St. Louis, MO; 12 grandchildren: Jeremy (Ashley) Greenberg, Alissa (Glen) Broom, Jennine (Cody) Weber, Elliot Clerc, Caitlin Clerc, Lauren Clerc, Maura Clerc, Hannah (Andrew) Robertson, Sam Clerc, Rachel Clerc, Livie Kertz, and Maggie Kertz; six great-grandchildren: Isaac Greenberg, Joey Weber, Theo Weber, Bella Weber, Piper Weber, and Hanna Weber; two daughters-in-law: Pamela Clerc and Jane Clerc; a son-in-law: Robert Greenberg; a brother: Wayne Huck, a sister: Arneda (Huck) Kimball; a sister-in-law: Karla (Basler) Huck and a brother-in-law: Dennis Kimball.
Arlene was also preceded in death by two sisters-in-law: Dee (Burrell) Huck and Rita (Moellering) Huck; a daughter-in-law: Julie (Wyers) Clerc and a son-in-law: Jason Kertz.
In addition to being a homemaker, Arlene was a gifted illustrator and oil painter. Throughout the years, she enjoyed teaching private oil painting classes in her “Little Blue Shed” studio on the family farm. Arlene was also a published poet, a talented seamstress, and a creative crafter of all things beautiful and whimsical.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher.
Arlene will always be remembered for her extraordinary listening skills, her quiet, nurturing acts of kindness, her empathy and patience for others, and her lifelong dedication and love for her husband, her family, and her friends.
A private funeral service was held at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Red Bud, Illinois, on December 20, 2024, with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating.
Arlene was laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Prairie du Rocher.
Memorial contributions may be made to Maple Creek Hospice in Arlene’s memory.
Memorials are being accepted at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Red Bud.