Clarke G. Picken Jr.

Clarke G. Picken Jr., 73, of Manito, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022, at his home. He was born May 17, 1949, in Dallas City, Illinois, the son of Clark G. and Viola (DeFrates) Picken. Surviving are his wife: Brenda L. (Eggers) Picken; three brothers: Mannie (Carol) Roberts, Rick Picken and Max Picken, all of Manito; four sons: Kelly (Patia) Picken, of Manito, Kim (Tara) Picken of Morton, Craig Picken, of Manito, Joe (Jenny) Iles, of Lincoln; and daughter: Melissa Echols-Sherry of Woodridge; as well as numerous nieces, and nephews. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren:Chase Picken, Camryn Picken, Gage Picken, Harper Picken, Blair Picken, Amanda Picken, Jake (Andrea) Dean, Jarrett Dean, Julia Dean, Grace Echols, and Vanessa Sherry; and two great-grandchildren:Pete Abel and Tenley Dean. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: Charlie, Frank, Tom, Bob, and Edward Picken; one son, Brian, as well as one nephew: Daniel Roberts. Clarke grew up in Forest City and was a 1967 graduate of Forman High School. He was a very talented athlete. Clarke was a joy to watch on the basketball court, often scoring more than half of the baskets for the team at each game. He also excelled at pole vaulting. He still holds the record for Forman High School. He worked for thirty-eight years at Illinois American Water in Pekin. Clarke spent countless hours operating a backhoe with his co-workers that he considered to be friends. After retirement, he fell in love with the game of golf. He absolutely enjoyed every minute that he spent on the course with family and best friends, Howard Cooper and Carl Meeker. Clarke and Brenda spent their summers at Campers Village Oak Run. He loved spending time at the campground with friends & family, golfing, fishing, and visiting with everyone on golf cart rides. He spent the majority of his life living at Spring Lake. Friends and family would visit him often and enjoy his constant infectious smile. Clarke was always smiling, whistling, and spreading his good mood to others. Clarke spent over thirty years married to the love of his life. Clarke and Brenda were inseparable. Very rarely did you see one without the other. He truly enjoyed spending time with his loved ones. He will be greatly missed by all, and his smile, kindness and fun guitar songs will be permanently etched in our hearts and minds! The Picken family will be having a private family funeral service at Maas-Hurley Funeral Home on Thursday, November 17, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Following the services, cremation rites will be accorded and burial will be held at Glendale Memorial Gardens, in Pekin, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society to be put towards Prostate Cancer Research. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com. Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of arrangements.

Clarke G. Picken Jr.

May 17, 1949 - November 11, 2022

Explore Obituaries &
Upcoming Services