Genevieve Mae Clark

Genevieve Mae Clark (nee Smith) 86, of Vermilion, died Sunday, September 5, 2010 at home. A lifelong resident of Vermilion, Genevieve Clark was a gifted musician and retired business owner. Her stores, the Musik Box Haus and Musik Box Doll Haus, delighted visitors in downtown Vermilion for nearly 20 years. She studied classical pipe organ at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, taught piano and organ to many students, and had been organist for the United Church of Christ in Vermilion. She was the current organist for the Amherst Park Avenue United Methodist Church of Amherst where she was also a member. She performed with the Sweet Adelines. Dedicated to community service, Genevieve was active in promoting the Vermilion tourist industry as a member of the Lake Erie Firelands Tourist Council and other Erie County and Vermilion organizations. She also was an avid supporter of wildlife, humane treatment of animals and rare breed preservation. She was a member of the Ritter Public Library Endowment Fund, Order of the Eastern Star (past matron), The Musical Box Society, The Organist Guild, and Choir and Music Booster for Vermilion Public Schools. She is survived by her life partner, Henry Fischer, daughter Mrs. Linda (Clark) Ashar (Michael K. Ashar) of Vermilion, grandson Adam (Vanessa) Keller of Gahanna, Ohio and a step grandchild, Angela Atkinson (nee Ashar) of Canal Winchester, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her parents, Marcus R. Smith and Blanche M. Smith (nee Allen), of Vermilion, sister, Carole Ann Miller (nee Smith), of Vermilion and brother, Allen Kent Smith of Hoyt, Kansas. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 10, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Amherst Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Pastor Dan Reinke and Reverend Louis Bertoni will co-officiate. An Eastern Star Service will precede the memorial service. Contributions in Genevieve's memory may be made to the Amherst Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 396 Park Ave., Amherst, Ohio 44001, and the American Kerry Bog Pony Society, 13010 Darrow Rd., Vermilion, Ohio 44089 (kerrybogpony.org) Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.