Delwin Clark Edwards

Delwin Clark Edwards, 93, of Belleville, IL, born September 16, 1923 in Monica, IL, died Saturday morning, July 22, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Belleville, IL.  The son of a grain elevator operator and a school teacher, his early life experiences in a loving family during the hardship of the Depression deeply shaped his personality and established his pattern of responding to adversity with cheerful but realistic optimism. Dr. Edwards graduated from Brimfield High School, Brimfield, IL, in 1941and earned an Associate's Degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL in 1943. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1943, serving until 1945.

After the end of WWII he returned to college, earning a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Western Illinois University. He began his teaching career in 1948 at Belleville Township High School and Junior College as a chemistry teacher. There he met Marie B. Knobeloch of Shiloh Valley, the Chairman of the Chemistry Department, whom he married on August 19, 1951. Through several years of night school classes and research he pursued further graduate studies, which led to earning a PhD in organic chemistry in 1968, from Saint Louis University, while simultaneously holding down his full-time teaching position, as well as being a busy father with his family of four sons and a daughter.

He was named Chairman of the Math and Science Department at Belleville Area College, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1984.  After retirement, produce farming, which had been an avocation, became a second career. Operating the Edwards Berry Patch on the Knobeloch family farm in partnership with his wife, he took great joy in raising and selling strawberries and vegetables. His inexhaustible energy and self-reliance were key to their success.

Clark cared deeply about the many communities of which he was a member, including Shiloh Valley Grange #1807 and the Belleville Philharmonic Society, of which he served a term as its President. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his children's musical, athletic, and scouting activities.  A long-time member of Christ United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL, he served as a church council member and on various committees. He was a member of the American Association of University Professors and served a pivotal role in the leadership of the faculty at Belleville Area College, especially in negotiating contracts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Delwin and Catherine Cecelia, (nee Clark) Edwards; his father-in-law, John L. and mother-in-law, Ida A. (nee Espenschied) Knobeloch; his 11-year old son, George Knobeloch Edwards; his 19-year old granddaughter, Lenore Marie Edwards; three brothers, J. Archibald (Helen Stuhlmueller), George, and Thomas Edwards; a sister Catherine (Rex) Eakman; and a brother-in-law Edward McManus.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Marie B. (nee Knobeloch) Edwards; two sisters Marietta McManus and Verna Edwards of Downs, IL;  daughter Ida (Glenn) Mercer of Cleveland, OH; three sons, John C. (Janice Wettstein) of St. Louis, MO, Andrew D. (Catherine Seliger) of San Jose, CA, and Ethan A. Edwards of Belleville, IL; eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Natalie, Whitney (Gary Dagres), and Ian Mercer; Audrey (Kyle) McNerney, and Jocelyn Edwards; Gregory and Jeremy Edwards; one great-grandson, Roscoe McNerney; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clark's family and friends admired and counted on his fearless optimism and generosity of both spirit and time. Greatly beloved by his grandchildren, they so appreciated the quick wit and playful spirit he never lost.  He may be best remembered for the breadth and depth of his positive impact on all who encountered him.

Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Edwards to The Philharmonic Society of Belleville, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville, IL 62220.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com

Visitation: visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL and 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, July 27 at Christ United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL. There will be a 7 P.M. Grange service Wednesday evening.

Funeral: a funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, July 27 at Christ United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL with Rev. Robert B. Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Mascoutah City Cemetery.