NEW MADRID -- Funeral for Eddie Watson Clark of New Madrid will be held at 2 p.m. today at Richards Funeral Home. The Rev. Bob Burnes will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, with military graveside rites by New Madrid American Legion Post 595 Honor Guard.

Clark, 77, died Sunday, May 23, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 4, 1921, in New Madrid, son of Curtis and Letha Masterson Clark. He first married Lillian Gambles, who died in January 1987. He and Melba Fletcher were married Sept. 7, 1993.

Clark was a retired employee with the city of New Madrid. He was a member of New Madrid Masonic Lodge 429, VFW Post in Lilbourn, and American Legion Post 595.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Betty Hennecke, Janice Shy, Mary Seabaugh and Debbie Diggs, all of Whitewater, Elizabeth Johnson of Jackson; and a son, Eddie Clark of New Madrid.

Also surviving are five stepdaughters, LaDonna Taylor and Bridgett Masterson of New Madrid, Paula Roberts, Karen Sullenger and Melba Brimer of Lilbourn; a stepson, Fletcher Brimer of Marston; a brother, Richard Clark of New Madrid; a sister, Rosalee Spence of New Madrid; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 11 stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister, and a grandchild.