Jack Nelson Clemens, Jr.

February 21, 2024

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Jack Nelson Clemens, Jr., 73, of Frankfort, Ind., passed away February 21, 2024 at Ascension St. Vincent 86th Street Hospital in Indianapolis.  He was born on March 8, 1950 in Lebanon to Jack Nelson Clemens Sr. and Anna Ruth (Essex) Clemens.  He married Carla Jane Helms on September 5, 1969 in Lebanon and she survives.

Jack was a 1968 graduate of Lebanon High School.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1972, and his Masters degree in 1977, both from Ball State University.  Mr. Clemens was an elementary teacher for 6 years at Woodside Elementary School and taught at Jefferson Elementary for 4 years before becoming Principal for 2 years.  He was then Assistant Principal and Principal at Clinton Prairie Elementary, retiring in 2008 after serving for 36 years in education.  Jack attended Lebanon Congregational Christian Church.  He was an avid IU, Colts, and Cubs fan and loved the Three Stooges.  He loved family activities and enjoyed fishing and golf.

Memorial donations may be made in Jack’s honor to the Clinton Prairie Educational Foundation, 2390 South County Rd. 450 West, Frankfort, IN 46041 or the Alzheimer’s Association, C/O Jack’s House, 1405 East State Rd. 32, Lebanon, IN 46052.

Visitation and Services

A Funeral Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Archer-Weston Funeral & Cremation Center, 501 East Clinton Street, Frankfort.  Friends may visit from Noon until the time of service at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will follow the service in Green Lawn Memorial Park, Frankfort. 

Survived by:

Surviving along with Carla, his wife of 54 years, are his daughter: Cari (Eric) Estes of Lebanon, sons: Jack Clemens III of Bluffton, SC and Scott (Diane) Clemens of Lebanon, siblings: Jim Clemens of Lebanon, Anita Warren of Lebanon, and Beth (Ron) Forsythe of Lebanon, Grandchildren: Kevin (Danielle) Estes, Brett Estes, Jeremy (Emma) Mercado, Drew Clemens, Xander Clemens, Gracen Clemens, Cole Clemens, and Sawyer Clemens, and Great-Grandchildren: Brooks Estes, Luna Pace, and Renee Mercado.  

Preceded by:

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Condolences

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32 Condolences for “Jack Nelson Clemens, Jr.”

  1. Melanie Holsclaw February 22, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    I remember how nervous I felt whenever Jack had to observe my teaching, but we always had a good laugh afterwards. My class even named our three hermit crabs Moe, Larry, and Curly. Jack stopped by one indoor recess to see them having hermit crab races on the floor! On another day right after the buses unloaded the students Jack asked me why my class was lined up in the hall…I explained that a praying mantis egg sack had just burst and I didn’t want the kids to step on them! He always carried his camera around taking candid shots of the students for the end-of-year slide show! He will always be in my memory as a dedicated educator and colleague!

    Reply
  2. Jeff Cox February 22, 2024 at 4:00 pm

    So sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  3. Steve Greeno February 22, 2024 at 5:34 pm

    If there was a teacher that left a every lasting memory of my days at Woodside Elementary, it was Mr. Clemens. I had him in 4th grade, the first year he taught right out of college. So many fond memories of that classroom I will never forget. A few yrs back I saw him at Walmart. As I was walking next to him I asked him “do you remember me?”. He replied “of course I do Steve!”. It really amazed me that after almost 50 yrs he knew who I was. As a matter of fact, I just spoke about him yesterday before I knew he passed away. Very good man! Wish every kid would of had the privilege to been taught by him. Prayers to his family. He will not be forgotten.

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  4. Charles Fink February 22, 2024 at 6:01 pm

    Our condolences for Jack Clemens who served the many public school students, parents, staff in Clinton County and the surrounding community. Jack was a wonderful teacher, friend and administrator. Jack was very dedicated to helping children be better citizens. May Jack rest in peace

    Love to his family.

    Sue and Charlie Fink

    Reply
  5. Zenaida Klutzke February 22, 2024 at 6:26 pm

    My sincere and heart felt condolences to the family. Mr. Clemens was a gentleman and very nice person. My kids loved him when they were at Clinton Prairie. Ms Carla, I extend a big hug to you, you’ve been a strong woman. God Bless you and your family.

    Reply
  6. Rudy & Emma Salinas February 22, 2024 at 6:27 pm

    We are so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. Carla our deepest sympathies to you and your family, may God give you all the strength and guidance in this difficult time, in Jesus Name, God Bless, Rudy and Emma Salinas Please call if there’s anything you need.

    Reply
  7. Dick Robertson February 22, 2024 at 6:58 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Clemens family. Played a lot of baseball with Jack back in our younger days.

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  8. Sandy Cline February 22, 2024 at 6:59 pm

    I’m so sorry to the whole family for your loss!!

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  9. Kimberly Gonzalez February 22, 2024 at 8:32 pm

    Thinking of you Carla and family! My thoughts and prayers go out to you all in this difficult time.

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  10. John Allen February 22, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    My favorite teacher…

    Reply
  11. Ashley (Goodman) DeVoe February 22, 2024 at 9:52 pm

    All of my elementary memories include Mr. Clemens walking the halls and greeting us with the biggest smile! He was so great with all of us kiddos. I loved the end of the year slide show it always had fun photos he captured throughout the year!

    Reply
  12. Dan & Carolyn Hohe Family February 23, 2024 at 8:12 am

    We are so sorry for your loss and please know that your family is in our thoughts.

    Reply
  13. Brenda Wyatt Hostetter February 23, 2024 at 8:25 am

    So sorry to hear this. The whole Clemens family are in my thoughts & prayers. I grew up with all of them a First United Church of Christ and still friends on Facebook with several of them. Such a wonderful & God loving family for sure.

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  14. Kathy Laird February 23, 2024 at 10:45 am

    Carla, we are so sorry to hear about Jack passing, he was such a great man. Our prayers are with you and your family. Love from the Laird’s

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  15. Helen Davis-Wolle February 23, 2024 at 12:56 pm

    Carla- please accept sincere condolences to you & your family.

    Love-
    Helen (Copeland) Davis-Wolle & family

    Reply
  16. Nina Rice February 23, 2024 at 1:19 pm

    Mrs. C and family
    Loved having Mr. C. as my teacher at Woodside. Years later he remained a wonderful friend. Will miss his smiles and jokes.

    Reply
  17. Becky (Wray) Long February 23, 2024 at 3:56 pm

    Carla,
    I always believed that Jack opened the door for my long career as a teacher. I was hired to fill his Woodside position when he left to become an assistant principal. I’ll never forget how disappointed the first few 4th grade classes were when they realized that they weren’t going to have Jack as their teacher. They LOVED Mr. Clemens!

    I offer my condolences to you and your family for the loss of Jack.

    Reply
  18. Deibel Bailey February 23, 2024 at 7:29 pm

    Mr. Clemens was my football coach and he really liked me. He would take me too dairy queen at least once a week to eat lunch from Woodside. We will miss Mr. Clemens

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  19. Julie Gilliland Featheringill February 24, 2024 at 1:59 am

    Very deeply sorry for your loss. Jack, such a Great man. A wonderful role model. Sending prayers, love and hugs to you and your family. Love you All.

    Reply
  20. Eric Meiers February 24, 2024 at 3:01 am

    My family and I have benefited for many years of the neighborliness of Carla and Jack anything needed. It was a forego conclusion they would take care of it. Anything to help a neighbor from what I read in these condolences. Jack left the lasting memory on his students, I would suppose that would be what he wants most, Rest in peace Jack.

    Reply
  21. Tom Borges February 24, 2024 at 11:04 am

    Jack and I began a lifelong friendship back in 1973. As young teachers with growing families we spent many happy hours together traveling to Ball State for night classes. We were fortunate to work together at Clinton Prairie schools for many years. I could not have asked for a better colleague or friend to share in that experience. Jack touched many of our students lives with his humor, quick wit and magic tricks to brighten their days. He was truly the “biggest kid” in the building. We shared many fishing and golfing excursions that are some of my best memories. Rest in peace, old partner.

    Reply
  22. Betsy Williams February 24, 2024 at 12:14 pm

    I was so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

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  23. Debbie Smith Beckett February 24, 2024 at 1:18 pm

    “Five foot two, eyes of blue, oh what those five foot could do…” Singing old songs and laughing while learning made his classroom such a special place. I aspire to have the same effect on my students. May you all be comforted by memories and the many lives he impacted during his life. I am so sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  24. Sally (Thrine) Morgan February 24, 2024 at 4:06 pm

    Carla and family,
    So sorry for your loss. The family is in my prayers.

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  25. Jeff White February 25, 2024 at 2:04 pm

    So sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. Looking at the old family pics on Beth’s FB page brought back many great memories of the time I spent growing up with the Clemens clan. I can’t imagine how many hours we spent together (Jim and I) on a ball field and a basketball court. God Bless your family.

    Reply
  26. Katrina (Sharp) Bell February 25, 2024 at 6:33 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Mr. Clemens was the absolute best teacher ever. So many fun memories of him as my 4th grade teacher at Woodside that couldn’t begin to name them all. He was not only funny, but his jokes and funny antics he used as teachable moments.

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  27. Reta Williams February 25, 2024 at 10:10 pm

    Carla and family: I was so sorry to read of Jack’s passing. I remember those days in the mid 1970’s when we commuted to Ball State to get our Master’s degree. We were all beginning teachers ready to take on the world! Jack made such a difference in so many students’ lives. He was such a personable educator that students felt that he truly believed in them – and he did. I hope that you cling to those memories in the days to come. Reta Williams

    Reply
  28. Stephen Huse February 26, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    So sorry for your loss. I was a classmate of Jacks at Lebanon High School and grew up with him as my friend. Spent a lot of time playing sports with Jack mostly baseball and basketball. We sat together at lunch for a couple of years in high school. I always enjoyed Jack, he was a great guy. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Sincerely Steve Huse, class of ’68.

    Reply
  29. MaryAnn & Ron February 26, 2024 at 5:19 pm

    We will never be able to thank Jack enough for hiring Kreg at Clinton Prairie. I will miss seeing Jack sitting with you on the porch enjoying the beautiful weather. Our sympathy to all your family. Hugs

    Reply
  30. Cheryl Kay Cook February 29, 2024 at 10:37 am

    I loved working with Jack at Clinton Prairie. He was always good to me even when I did goofy stuff. I never will forget when we got walkie talkies to take out to recess. If you know me and technology of any kind it is not a good fit for me. I was talking up a storm with my walkie talkie on and Jack came running out of the school to tell me to turn that blank thing off before I said to much. Later in a teacher’s meeting he suggested if anyone needed help with the walkie talkies they should talk to me. I had a lot of respect for Jack. He was a great guy and a lot of fun to work with.

    Reply
  31. Laura Huffer-Davis February 29, 2024 at 8:26 pm

    Mr Clemens was my 4th grade teacher at Woodside! He was the best! I only went to the 4th grade 2 weeks before I was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever! I was hospitalized for 3 months and had to stay bed bound for the rest of that year and that man came to the hospital and my home to teach me so I could move to 5th grade! I moved out of state and when he would run into my mom he would always ask about me!! I’m praying for the family! I know he will be missed!!

    Reply
  32. Therse (Smth) Morrison March 1, 2024 at 10:17 pm

    Carla, I am so sorry and sad to hear of Jack’s passing. You and the kids are in our prayers. We are both sick so can not make it to the funeral home.

    Reply

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