Person Page - 63

     George C. Clark was born circa 1939 at Seattle, King Co., Washington. He married Nancy Marie Lane, daughter of Arthur Jefferson Lane and Cherrie Ellen Perkins, on 17 September 1966 at King Co., Washington.

     James Edward Clark married Sylvia Ruth Eyer, daughter of Charles Eugene Eyer and Viola Mae Harn.

     Martin Clark married Katie Wellehan, daughter of Daniel J. Wellehan Jr. and Jane Mary Costello.

     Matthew Clark is the son of Charles Clark and Carolyn Ann Warfel.

     Maude Belle Clark was born on 6 June 1887 at Tama Co., Iowa.¹ She married Orville Jonathan Perkins, son of Llewellyn Dennison Perkins and Bertha G. Olson, in 1938. Maude Belle Clark died on 1 April 1971 at Los Angeles Co., California, at age 83.¹ She was buried at Summit Cemetery, Morris, Stevens Co., Minnesota.¹

     Noah Clark is the son of Martin Clark and Katie Wellehan.

     Vileta Ann Clark married Everett Randolph Cousland, son of George Walter Cousland and Serena M. Parker, on 4 August 1936 at Cook Co., Illinois.¹

     Harvey Clyde Clarke was born on 9 April 1904 at Portland, Oregon. He married Katherine M. Hankin on 13 October 1923 at Multnomah Co., Oregon. Harvey Clyde Clarke and an unknown person were divorced on 18 July 1925 at Multnomah Co., Oregon, Grounds listed were Cruelty. He died on 23 November 1965 at Santa Cruz Co., California, at age 61.

     Jeanne Frances Clarke was born on 17 December 1926 at Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., New York.¹ She married Robert Berkeley Hollingsworth, son of Thomas Elwood Hollingsworth Jr. and Charlotte Berkeley, in 1970. Jeanne Frances Clarke died on 5 December 1975 at Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., New York, at age 48.¹ She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., New York.¹

     Nancy Ann Clary was born on 9 June 1792 at Frederick Co., Maryland.² She married Rezin Davis, son of Garrard Davis Sr. and Nancy (?), in 1811 at Lewis Co., Kentucky.¹ Nancy Ann Clary died on 24 November 1858 at Morristown, Shelby Co., Indiana, at age 66.²

     Betty Lou Clason was born on 14 July 1927 at Goshen, Elkhart Co., Indiana.^1,2 She was the daughter of Henry N. Clason and Lela Rasor. Betty Lou Clason married Christ Jess Rink on 18 October 1944 at Indiana. Betty Lou Clason and Christ Jess Rink were divorced. The cause of death was Homicide. Massive brain damage & skull fractures on 20 April 1986. Betty Lou Clason died on 20 April 1986 at South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana, at age 58.^1,2

Betty Rink

Services for Betty Rink, 58, of 116 Haney Ave., who was murdered in her home Sunday night, will be at a.m. Wednesday in Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, with burial Syracuse Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. She was born July 14, 1927, in Goshen and moved to South Bend from Goshen in 1980.

She had been employed at the American Laundry in Goshen. Surviving are three daughters, Sandra Price and Lee Ann Steiner, both of South Bend, Ruth Schlabaugh of Elkhart; sons, Henry and Samuel of South Bend; 20 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a brother, Samuel R. Clason of Edwardsburg.
The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana - Tue, Apr 22, 1986. Page 6.²


She was buried on 23 April 1986 at Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^1,2

Victim's friend identifies King - Witness says suspect left building
By MARTI GOODLAD HELINE Tribune Staff Writer

A friend of murder victim Betty Rink Identified Timothy King in Superior Court today as the same man she saw walk through the doorway of the Rink apartment -April 20. King, 27, of 301 E. Indiana Ave., is on trial for Rink's murder. Rink, 58, was found lying in a pool of blood in her upstairs apartment at 116 E. Haney Ave. A hammer, the alleged murder weapon, was found nearby.

Cindy Bradbury, 20, testified that she was a passenger in a car that pulled up in front of 116 E. Haney about 8 p.m. "I saw Timmy come out the door. Both the porch light and stairway light were on," said Bradbury. "He grabbed a bike from the porch and rode off." Bradbury recalled that she pointed out the black man to Henry Rink, the victim's son, as the same man who had come to see Henry the previous night.

She saw the man leave prior to the time Rink's mother was discovered in the apartment, Bradbury said. Henry Rink, Bradbury and four other people had just returned from a bowling tournament. Bradbury said Henry Rink was summoned upstairs and she went along. "She (Betty Rink) was lying in a pool of blood with her pants and underwear pulled down to her knees.

Her blouse was up," Bradbury told the jury. Police determined later there was no sexual assault of the victim. The witness said a baby covered with blood was pulling at the victim's leg. "I took the baby downstairs and cleaned him up," Bradbury said. The child was the year-old son of one of Mrs. Rink's daughters, she said. Bradbury explained that she recognized King, but did not know his last name, until after the murder. She said she knew King because King sometimes came to the home of her former boyfriend, "He (King) ate there Friday night (April 18)," said Bradbury. She said her former boyfriend told her King's last name. Bradbury said she noticed the bike the man took was gray in color and missing a left pedal.

"I could see it clearly under the porch light," she maintained. Police found an abandoned bike matching that description the day after the murder, according to earlier testimony. In testimony Tuesday, FBI agent Joseph Errera said blood stains on the hammer police found in Rink's home were consistent with the victim's blood type. An optician testified Tuesday that an eyeglass lens found in Rink's apartment exactly matched the tint and prescription of glasses King had purchased earlier in April. Robert Brattani said King had an unusual tint, light on the top and dark on the bottom.

More people have the reverse with dark on top, he said. Because King's prescription includes corrections for two vision problems, the optician said the odds "were astronomical" of someone else having the same prescription. King loudly refused to accompany county police during a recess Tuesday. His outburst was subdued by quick action from county police warrant officer Sgt. Vic Lichnerowicz and other officers.
The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana, Thu, Sep 18, 1986, Page 24.³

Pearson supports conviction

Attorney General Linley Pearson has asked the Indiana Supreme Court to uphold the murder conviction of Timothy Earl King last year in the death of Betty Rink. King, 28, of South Bend, was accused of killing Rink, 58, by striking her repeatedly on the head with a hammer April 20, 1986, in Rink's upstairs apartment at 116 E. Haney Ave. Rink had been to the apartment on prior occasions to buy drugs from Rink's son, according to trial testimony. King was convicted a year ago after a jury trial in St. Joseph Superior Court. Judge William H. Albright imposed an 80-year sentence. King was sentenced to 50 years for the murder and 30 years for being a habitual criminal offender. In his appeal, Rink raised 21 issues for review. He claims he had an unfair trial because of various errors and that he should have been examined by a psychiatrist before sentencing, Pearson said.

A legal brief filed this week by the attorney general's office asks the Supreme Court to reject the claims of trial court errors and an unfair trial. Because King asked for a psychiatric examination on the day of sentencing, Pearson contends the judge did not err when he found the results of such an examination were not necessary.
The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana, Fri, Oct 2, 1987
Page 33.⁴

     Henry N. Clason was born in 1896. He married Lela Rasor, daughter of Samuel J. Rasor and Clara Bell McClintic, in 1919. Henry N. Clason died in 1935. He was buried at Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.¹

     Samuel Robert Clason was born on 18 August 1928 at Goshen, Elkhart Co., Indiana.^1,2 He was the son of Henry N. Clason and Lela Rasor. Samuel Robert Clason graduated circa 1946 at Edwardsburg High School, Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Michigan. He married Margaret Marie Reed on 5 June 1953. Samuel Robert Clason lived in April 1986 at Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Michigan.³ He died on 27 November 2020 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 92.^1,2

Sam Clason
Aug. 18, 1928 - Nov. 27, 2020
WARSAW, IN - Sam R. Clason of Warsaw, IN and former resident of Edwardsburg, MI passed away at 9:33 a.m. on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Miller's Merry Manor in Warsaw at the age of 92.

He was born on August 18, 1928 in Goshen, IN to Lela (Rasor) Clason Buhrt and Henry Clason. On June 5, 1953 at the age of 24, he married the love of his life, Margaret Marie (Reed) Clason. Lifetime partners in everything they did, together they raised their son and daughter and shared 67 years of marriage before he passed away. Sam graduated from Edwardsburg High School in Edwardsburg, MI. He later worked for the city maintenance department. He was a Korean War Veteran having enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1950 and proudly served until his Honorable Discharge in November 1952, and served inactively until November 1956.

He was a lifelong farmer and an excellent carpenter. Sam spent 42 years living in Edwardsburg, MI where he was very active in his community. He was a man of many trades and Sam worked for many companies throughout his life. He started his work in Michigan at Wendt Grain Company and delivered feed to various farms. Sam had a love for horses and spent many years enjoying them, as well as being a member of the Cass County Sheriff's Mounted Posse in Michigan for more than 15 years and volunteering for the police department. At one time he knew every horse in the area. Sam spent time working for various factories in Elkhart, Indiana while farming after work. There he honed his carpentry skills and eventually built the home he and Margaret lived in for 42 years. His farming consisted mostly of grains for several years until he took over a roadside vegetable business from his wife's parents. Most folks will remember him as the “Sweetcorn Guy” on U.S. 12, often selling 100 dozen or more ears of corn a day. When he wasn't farming, he enjoyed camping and often camped with horses during his years in the Posse. Later he switched to camping with a Good Sam Camping Club chapter.

Sam was a devoted church member who loved going to church with his wife and family, and served as deacon in the Ontwa Baptist Church in Edwardsburg for 14 years. In 2015 he and his wife moved to Warsaw, Indiana and attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Warsaw. Sam's life journey took 92 years to complete and within that time he saw and accomplished many things; the most important part of his fruitful life was his family. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be forever loved and missed.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Margaret Marie Clason of Warsaw; and his son, Steve (Rose) Clason of Pierceton. Sam leaves behind five grandchildren: Valerie Clason of Elkhart, Beth Beaty of Cape Coral, FL, Dawn Sanderson of LaGrange, Melissa (Willie) Riehl of LaGrange, and Michelle Somerset of Reseda, CA; 11 great-grandchildren: Philip and Jacob Bergner, Anthony and Brooke Beaty, Chad (Jaime) Sanderson, Ryan Sanderson; Seth, Cody, Dustin, Faith and Emily Riehl. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Clason, mother, Lela Clason Buhrt, stepfather, Fred Buhrt, sister, Betty Rink, his half-sister, Evelyn Cleghorn, and his daughter, Sandra Price.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Tues., Dec. 1, 2020 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Sam's life will be celebrated immediately following visitation at 11:00 a.m. Sam will be laid to rest with a 2:00 p.m. graveside service on Tues., Dec. 1, 2020 in Edwardsburg Cemetery in Edwardsburg, MI and officiated by Pastor Joe Troxel. Military Rites will be conducted by the Edwardsburg American Legion Post 365.Memorial donations may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, 832 E. Center Street, Warsaw, IN 46580.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southbendtribune/name/sam-clason-obituary?id=7977079
Published by South Bend Tribune on Nov. 29, 2020.²


He was buried on 1 December 2020 at Edwardsburg Cemetery, Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Michigan.^1,2

     Steve Clason is the son of Samuel Robert Clason and Margaret Marie Reed. Steve Clason married Rose (?)

     Adrian Jered Clausen is the daughter of Jered John Clausen and Philomena Marie Sherman.

     Jered John Clausen married Philomena Marie Sherman, daughter of Edmund Paul Sherman and Agatha Magdelena Kern, on 10 April 1981.¹

     Jessica Rose Clausen is the daughter of Jered John Clausen and Philomena Marie Sherman.

     Stephanie Katrina Clausen is the daughter of Jered John Clausen and Philomena Marie Sherman.

     Alta Claver was born on 23 January 1911 at Albia, Monroe Co., Iowa.² She married Virgil Zell Pence, son of Delphas J. Pence and Mabel Gertrude Caster, on 24 January 1934.¹ Alta Claver died on 17 December 1989 at Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, at age 78.² She was buried at Graceland Cemetery, Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa.²

     John Wesley Clayton married Jane Boggess.

     Mabel Clayton married James W. Harn, son of John Wesley Harn and Ida Lorraine Johnson.

     Mary Clayton was born on 26 July 1888 at Mannington, Marion Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of McClellan C. Clayton and Georgia Grove. Mary Clayton died on 14 September 1892 at Mannington, Marion Co., West Virginia, at age 4.^1,2,3 She was buried at Mannington Cemetery, Mannington, Marion Co., West Virginia.²

     Mary Magdalene Clayton was born on 29 March 1869. She married William Lee Carmichael Sr. Mary Magdalene Clayton died on 27 May 1935 at age 66.

     McClellan C. Clayton was born on 3 September 1862 at Mannington, Marion Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 McClellan C. Clayton was a Pharmacist, Oil Business.³ He was the son of John Wesley Clayton and Jane Boggess. McClellan C. Clayton married Georgia Grove, daughter of Martin Luther Grove and Margaritte Jane Harn, on 18 January 1888 at Mannington, Marion Co., West Virginia.^1,3 McClellan C. Clayton died on 11 August 1945 at Fairmont, Marion Co., West Virginia, at age 82.² He was buried at Mannington Cemetery, Mannington, Marion Co., West Virginia.²

     Susan Clearhart was born on 25 July 1838 at Stark Co., Ohio. Susan Clearhart was a Presbyterian. She married Charles Chearhart on 4 March 1862. Susan Clearhart died on 30 October 1921 at Indiana at age 83. The cause of death was Infirmities of Old Age. She was buried at Harris Prairie Cemetery, Granger, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.

     George Samuel Cleghorn was born on 30 June 1908 at Rosedale, Parke Co., Indiana. He married Evelyn Lucille Buhrt, daughter of Frederick William Buhrt and Lela Rasor, on 31 December 1932 at Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana. George Samuel Cleghorn died on 4 March 1948 at Gary, Lake Co., Indiana, at age 39.

     SOURCE: Jim Coleman FHL film 1673524, item 14. Hannah M. Clemans was born on 11 January 1868 at Linn Co., Iowa.¹ She married Esten M. McClintic, son of William m. McClintic and Polly Ann Huff, in 1892. Hannah M. Clemans died on 3 May 1950 at Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 82.¹ She was buried at Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.¹

     Elzie Merle Click was born on 28 December 1902 at Cromwell, Noble Co., Indiana.¹ He was the son of Emanuel Isaac Click and Josephine E. McClintic. Elzie Merle Click married Florence Mock. Elzie Merle Click died on 28 January 1987 at Dade City, Pasco Co., Florida, at age 84.¹ He was buried at McClintic Cemetery, Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.¹

     SOURCE: Jim Coleman FHL film 1673524, item 14. Emanuel Isaac Click was born on 18 September 1874 at Noble Co., Indiana.¹ He married Josephine E. McClintic, daughter of Aaron McClintic and Susannah Aver, on 24 November 1898.² Emanuel Isaac Click died on 30 July 1959 at Cromwell, Noble Co., Indiana, at age 84.¹ He was buried at McClintic Cemetery, Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.¹

     Male Clingan married Leslie Miller, daughter of Frank Blaine Miller Jr.