Arlene M Clerc

ARLENE MARIE (HUCK) CLERC , 86, of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, passed away at 8:12 am, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at R & R Country Care Senior Living, Ruma, Illinois.

She was born to the late Julius and Evelyn (nee Zerwig) Huck on March 8, 1938 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Arlene married Garland “Gene” Clerc on 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.

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.

Survivors include six children: Kathleen (Robert) Greenberg, Ringgold, GA, Daryl (Pamela) Clerc, Prairie du Rocher, IL, Dean Clerc, St. Charles, MO, Duane Clerc, Prairie du Rocher, IL, Daniel (Jane) Clerc, Bonney Lake, WA and Kelly Kertz, 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 daughter-in-laws Pamela Clerc and Jane Clerc; one son-in-law Robert Greenberg; one brother Wayne Huck, one sister Arneda (Huck) Kimball; one sister-in-law Karla (Basler) Huck and one brother-in-law Dennis Kimball. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Evelyn (Zerwig) Huck; her sister-in-laws Dee (Burrell) Huck and Rita (Moellering) Huck; her husband, Gene Clerc; her daughter-in-law Julie (Wyers) Clerc and son-in-law Jason Kertz.

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 can be made to Maple Creek Hospice in Arlene’s memory. Memorials are being accepted at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Red Bud.